RADIO
Rangers Bring in Pavel Dorofeyev for Three Draft Picks
Winger Pavel Dorofeyev was traded ahead of the 2026 NHL draft on Friday, moving from Vegas to New York. The New York Rangers acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the No. 26 pick in the 2026 draft, a third-round pick (No. 92) in the 2026 draft, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Dorofeyev was Vegas' top goal-scorer in 2025-26, but the team lacked the financial resources to keep him around. The 25-year-old is expected to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract extension with the Rangers after scoring 37 goals and 64 points in 82 contests. A move to a different team always comes with a certain level of risk, but Dorofeyev has all the tools to become a star in New York.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Gavin McKenna Selected First by Maple Leafs in 2026 Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs surprised no one with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, using it to select forward Gavin McKenna. The 18-year-old Whitehorse, Yukon, native became the fifth U.S. college hockey player to be selected first overall. McKenna recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games this season with Penn State, finishing tied as the NCAA's fifth-highest scorer. The Maple Leafs endured a tough 2025-26 season, but adding McKenna could instantly push the club back into playoff contention. He's seen as a future superstar and will have plenty of offensive talent around him in Toronto, including fellow No. 1 picks Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Hendrix Lapierre Moves to Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired center Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. Lapierre will be a restricted free agent on July 1. The Penguins have Todd Nelson, Lapierre's former AHL head coach, serving as an assistant coach, which may help Lapierre bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Lapierre, who was the AHL playoff MVP under Nelson two years ago, was limited to 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 74 appearances. He has posted 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 158 career games.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Anthony Stolarz Confirmed as Maple Leafs Starter Ahead of Training Camp
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (groin) is seen as the starter for next season ahead of training camp, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reports. Maple Leafs general manager John Chyka confirmed that Stolarz has recovered from a groin strain suffered in April and currently holds the No. 1 spot. Chyka traded away Joseph Woll for Samuel Ersson a couple of weeks ago, giving Toronto's goalie department a slightly different look. But the Maple Leafs plan to ride Stolarz primarily next season. The 32-year-old made 25 starts in 2025-26, posting a 10-10-2 record. He had a career-worst .893 save percentage and allowed 3.28 goals. Stolarz must improve his form in 2026-27 if he wants to stay ahead of Ersson and Dennis Hildeby on the depth chart.
Source: Luke Fox
Source: Luke Fox
Blue Jackets Acquire Valeri Nichushkin
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nichushkin is signed for four more years at a $6.125 million cap hit. The Russian veteran is a proven scorer in the NHL and a valued defensive contributor. However, durability concerns affect his fantasy value. In 2025-26, Nichushkin played 70-plus games for the first time in eight seasons. He fell short of his third 50-point campaign by a single point, tallying 17 goals and 32 assists in 72 outings.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Predators Acquire Jack Drury From Avalanche
The Nashville Predators have acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche. The team also picked up forward Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round draft pick in exchange for forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux. Drury had a solid 2025-26 campaign, notching a career-high 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 82 games and even receiving some Selke votes. He finished plus-15 for the season and won an impressive 58.1 percent of his faceoffs. As a bottom-six center, Drury has limited fantasy value, but he'll be a nice addition in the middle for the Predators. This trade marks the second offseason transaction between the Predators and the Avalanche, following Chris MacFarland's move from Denver to Nashville to succeed Barry Trotz as general manager.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Zach Benson Inks Seven-Year Extension With Sabres
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension on Wednesday. He was locked up long-term with an average annual value of $7.5 million. Benson was eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The Sabres announced the signing after shipping Alex Tuch to Washington in a sign-and-trade agreement. Tuch's departure should increase Benson's playing opportunities next season. The 21-year-old tallied a career-high 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 65 outings this season. If Benson remains injury-free and sees more ice time, he could realistically approach the 60-point mark in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alex Tuch Joins Capitals in Sign-And-Trade Deal
The Washington Capitals have acquired winger Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade deal with the Buffalo Sabres, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Sabres received a 2026 third-round draft pick in 2026 and forward David Kampf in return for Tuch, who inked an eight-year, $84 million contract. Tuch was among the best unrestricted free agents on the market this offseason. He had a productive five-year stint with the Sabres, recording 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) in 79 games in 2025-26. Washington also acquired Jordan Kyrou (knee) from the St. Louis Blues this week, reshaping its offense after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
Simon Nemec Lands in Calgary
The Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Simon Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for conditional first-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, a second-round pick in the 2026 draft, and defenseman prospect Etienne Morin. Both conditional picks are top-10 protected. Nemec, a No. 2 pick in 2022, has just completed his entry-level contract and will become a restricted free agent on July 1. He didn't quite reach his full potential in New Jersey but recorded a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games this season, along with 101 SOG and 104 blocks. The 22-year-old should see plenty of minutes, including power-play time, in Calgary.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Blackhawks Give Up No. 4 Pick in Trade for Bowen Byram
Defenseman Bowen Byram will suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks next season after being acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. In the deal, Chicago also acquired forward Jordan Greenway, giving up the fourth and 45th picks in the 2026 draft and defensemen Louis Crevier. This marks the first time in 15 years that a team has traded a top-five draft pick in the NHL. It came as part of a deal for a player who could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Byram had a strong year in Buffalo, amassing a career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. He also recorded 109 SOG, 93 blocks, 50 hits, and a plus-15 rating. On a Chicago team in dire need of more quality on defense, Byram figures to play a major role and log plenty of ice time.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
William Eklund Moves to Ottawa
The Ottawa Senators have acquired winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks. The team gave up the ninth-overall pick in Friday's draft in exchange for Eklund, forward Kasper Halttunen, and forward prospect Brandon Svoboda. The Senators obtained the pick from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade. Eklund should be Tkachuk's direct replacement in the top six. San Jose traded Eklund just a year after signing him to a $16.8 million contract extension. He is coming off back-to-back 50-point campaigns. In 2025-26, Eklund recorded 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) and 72 hits in 78 games.
Source: Ottawa Senators
Source: Ottawa Senators
Blues Acquire Connor McMichael
Forward Connor McMichael was traded by the Washington Capitals to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. He was shipped out along with a first-round draft pick and prospect forward Milton Gastrin in exchange for forward Jordan Kyrou. McMichael, who turned 25 in January, is a restricted free agent and needs a new contract from the Blues before he can play for the team. He has completed a two-year, $4.2 million deal. McMichael has looked promising and could have a big campaign in a larger role next season. After flirting with a 60-point year in 2024-25, McMichael recorded 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 78 games this season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jordan Kyrou Traded to Capitals
The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Jordan Kyrou (knee) from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Connor McMichael, the 16th pick in the 2026 draft, and forward prospect Milton Gastrin. Kyrou is moving to D.C. after a disappointing 46-point campaign, but the Capitals have high hopes for him. "We are thrilled to acquire Jordan and welcome him to our team," Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. "Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club. His skill, creativity, and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition to our group. At just 28 years old and under contract for the next five seasons, Jordan is entering the prime years of his career. We believe he is an ideal fit for our team both now and for the long term." Kyrou could be rejuvenated on a new team after he recovers from offseason knee surgery.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Oilers Hire Mike Babcock as Head Coach
Mike Babcock will return to the NHL in 2026-27 after the Edmonton Oilers announced him as their new head coach. The 63-year-old has been without a job since leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023. Less than three months into the job, Babcock resigned after backlash over asking to see personal photos on players' phones. The NHL recently investigated the situation and cleared Babcock to return to coaching in the league. Babcock reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times early in his coaching career, winning the championship with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. He has a 700-418-164 record with 19 ties in 1,301 career games as a head coach. Babcock is the 10th head coach in the past 15 years for the Oilers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nicolas Deslauriers Stays in Carolina on Two-Year Contract
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers has earned a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension. Hurricanes head coach Eric Tulsky announced the deal during the team's championship celebration in Raleigh. Deslauriers joined the Hurricanes in a midseason trade from the Philadelphia Flyers. He made only seven regular-season and one playoff appearance. However, Tulsky praised him as a good fit in the locker room. Deslauriers, who will turn 36 in February, provides veteran leadership and physicality for the Hurricanes, but his fantasy value is limited to hits. He averaged 3.87 hits per game in 2025-26.
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
