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Maple Leafs Confident of Keeping Auston Matthews
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews looks set to stay put this offseason, ESPN's Kristen Shilton reports. Matthews' future has appeared murky after the team missed the playoffs this season, but Toronto's new general manager, John Chayka, expects the star forward to stick around after meeting with him. "What I saw was a happy captain," Chayka said at the NHL scouting combine on Friday. "[Someone] who's got a lot of pride in being the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, someone who wants to win in Toronto, which aligns with how we're thinking about it." Matthews has spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs but hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs. He has recently dealt with health issues, posting a career-low 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 60 games this season. Matthews is poised for a strong bounce-back season in 2026-27, and it appears he will be wearing a Maple Leafs uniform.
Source: Kristen Shilton
Source: Kristen Shilton
Andrei Vasilevskiy Wins Second Vezina Trophy
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has won his second Vezina Trophy. The league's general managers voted Vasilevskiy the best goaltender of the 2025-26 NHL season, ahead of Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders) and Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins). Vasilevskiy, who first won the award in 2018-19, led the league with 39 wins in 58 starts. He was second in the NHL with a 2.31 goals-against average and third with a .912 save percentage. Vasilevskiy recorded two shutouts during his ninth consecutive 30-win season. Martin Brodeur is the only other netminder to post as many consecutive 30-win campaigns, and he holds the NHL record with 12. Vasilevskiy will have a chance to catch Brodeur if he stays healthy, as the Russian shot-stopper will turn only 32 in the offseason. He should have several high-caliber fantasy campaigns left.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Brayden McNabb Uncertain for Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb's (face) status for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night is unclear, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. The 35-year-old suffered a facial injury in Game 2 after being hit by a puck, exiting the contest in the first period. On Saturday morning, Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said there was no update on McNabb. Kaedan Korczak is expected to replace McNabb in the lineup if he can't play. Although he hasn't yet appeared in the Finals, Korczak has made 12 appearances this postseason, averaging nearly two hits per game and contributing three assists on offense.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Marcus Johansson Returning to Europe
Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson has signed a contract with Farjestad in his native Sweden, The Athletic's Michael Russo reports. This likely signals the end of Johansson's NHL career, as he will turn 36 at the start of next season. Considering he earned a respectable 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) in 75 games in 2025-26, his highest-scoring total in eight campaigns, it's somewhat surprising that Johansson has decided to move on from the NHL. He could have drawn decent offers as a free agent this summer. Johansson also played for Farjestad before starting his NHL career in 2010 with the Washington Capitals. He has played for six NHL franchises, recording 566 points (200 goals, 366 assists) in 1,058 career games.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Cole Caufield Earns Lady Byng Trophy
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield has been voted the winner of the 2025-26 Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to "the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." This season, Caufield became the first Canadiens player to score 50 regular-season goals since Stephane Richer in 1989-90. He had a career-high 88 points (51 goals, 37 assists) in 81 games. Caufield received only seven minor penalties and 14 penalty minutes. The last time a Montreal player won the Lady Byng Trophy was in 1987-88, when Mats Naslund captured the award. At 25, Caufield has only just gotten started in the NHL and still has untapped fantasy potential.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nick Suzuki Lands Selke Trophy
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki has been named the 2025-26 Frank J. Selke Trophy winner. He became only the third player in Canadiens history to win the award, which honors the NHL's best two-way player. Suzuki had a standout year, reaching a career high of 101 points (29 goals, 71 assists) and continuing to build his reputation as a strong defensive contributor. The 26-year-old won the Selke Trophy ahead of Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche). For five consecutive seasons, Suzuki has increased his scoring, and with his prime years just beginning, he still has room to improve, a prospect that should excite fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Shayne Gostisbehere Dishes Out Two Power-Play Assists in Comeback Win
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recorded two power-play assists as the team tied the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 2 on Thursday. The Hurricanes struggled to generate scoring chances for most of the game, but their offense erupted for three goals in 5:05 midway through the third period. Gostisbehere registered his first assist on the third goal, a deflection by Jordan Staal. After Vegas forced overtime, Gostisbehere collected another helper when Seth Jarvis ended the contest. Gostisbehere has heated up just at the right time for Carolina, stringing together a five-game point streak. He has three goals and six assists in 15 postseason appearances.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Seth Jarvis Ties Finals With Power-Play Goal
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. He was set up by Shayne Gostisbehere and Sebastian Aho for a power-play goal 3:56 into overtime. Jarvis became only the sixth player in Finals history to score an overtime goal on the power play. His fourth goal of the playoffs was a massive relief for the Hurricanes, who were facing a 2-0 series deficit after giving up a late game-tying goal in the third period. Jarvis has struggled to make an impact in the playoffs, but this could be a confidence booster for him. In 15 postseason outings, Jarvis has tallied only nine points (four goals, five assists).
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mark Stone Scores Sixth Playoff Goal in Overtime Defeat
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone potted a late game-tying goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. John Tortorella's team blew a 2-0 lead in the third period, but Stone's sixth goal of the playoffs extended the contest. Four of Stone's goals have come in his last six outings. After missing some action in the postseason due to a lower-body injury, Stone has started to gain momentum. Since returning to the lineup, he has averaged a point per game. The Vegas captain has recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 postseason outings overall, averaging two SOG per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mitch Marner Records Two Assists in Game 2 Loss
Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner finished Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals with two assists. He set up Brett Howden with a lob pass in the first period and bagged another helper when Mark Stone sent the game into overtime late in the third. Marner tied teammate Jack Eichel for the most assists in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has helped set up 17 goals in 18 games, adding seven goals. Currently, Marner is the only player to reach at least 20 points this postseason, putting him in a good position to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy if Vegas wins the Finals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brett Howden Matches Franchise Record With Another Productive Outing
Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden remained red-hot in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night, scoring twice in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Two goals from Howden gave Vegas a 2-0 lead, but Carolina stunned the visitors with a third-period comeback. Howden reached 13 goals in the playoffs, tying him with Jonathan Marchessault for the most for Vegas in a single playoff campaign. He is now one of only seven players in NHL history to score at least 10 regular-season goals and then exceed his total in the playoffs. The 28-year-old has emerged as a serious Conn Smythe Trophy contender, amassing 16 points in 18 postseason games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brayden McNabb Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (face) was taken to the hospital after he was hurt early in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Carolina on Thursday, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. McNabb took an 87 mph slap shot to his face in the first period, exiting the action after logging only seven shifts. Jeremy Lauzon moved up to the first defensive pairing, while the rest of the blue line also saw a heavier workload. McNabb contributed three assists in Game 1 against Carolina and has totaled seven points (one goal, six assists) in 16 games during the playoffs. Kaedan Korczak and Ben Hutton are options to enter the lineup if McNabb can't play in Saturday's Game 3.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen retains the confidence of head coach Rod Brind'Amour despite a recent tough stretch. In the first two rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Andersen had a .950 save percentage. Over the last six games, it has declined to .867. In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, Andersen allowed five goals with a .783 save percentage. "I think a couple of those games, we weren't giving up a lot of shots. So the save percentage count is a tough one for our team," Brind'Amour said ahead of Game 2. "We don't give up a lot. There's still quality chances. There's just not a lot of fluff. So yeah, I'm not concerned about it." Andersen has lost back-to-back starts only twice this calendar year and will look to bounce back on Thursday night against Vegas.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is drawing trade interest, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. Recently, the Maple Leafs ruled out Max Domi indefinitely due to complications from an offseason surgery. As a result, the team is looking to bolster its center depth. Trocheck is an attractive target for teams, as his contract carries a very affordable $5.625 million cap hit. He has three years remaining on the deal. The 32-year-old has finished five consecutive seasons with at least 50 points. In 2025-26, he tallied 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 appearances, averaging nearly three hits per game.
Source: Mollie Walker
Source: Mollie Walker
Dylan Larkin Requests Trade From Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. Larkin looks eager to move on from Motown after the Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a tenth consecutive year. So far, Larkin has shown considerable patience while waiting for a competitive team to be built around him. He has been with the Red Wings since entering the NHL in 2015. The team named him captain in January 2021. Detroit locked Larkin into an eight-year, $69.6 million contract in 2023, giving him a full no-trade clause through next season. While the Red Wings have struggled for a decade, Larkin has been strong individually. He scored a career-high 34 goals this season, adding 33 assists in 74 contests.
Source: Elliotte Friedman
Source: Elliotte Friedman
