ESPN raises idea of Maple Leafs passing on Gavin McKenna for different player at No. 1 overall pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are taking Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, right?

That's been the assumption all along, but there's also been just a hint of uncertainty. What about a winger like Ivar Stenberg from Sweden?

No one has quite been able to rule such a move out.

In a new blurb from ESPN's Kristen Shilton, she asks the questions -- could the Leafs consider an "upset" pick?

Even the fact that the question is being asked just a few days before the draft is interesting.

"The Maple Leafs are widely projected to be locked in on winger Gavin McKenna with their first pick in this week's draft," Shilton writes. "But that hasn't halted conversation around the merits of potentially seeing the Leafs make an 'upset' selection -- with Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg."

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McKenna starred at Penn State. Stenberg gained experience playing professionally in Sweden.

"In several circles, the thought is that a wafer-thin margin separates those skaters, with the edge going to McKenna's dynamic offensive upside," Shilton writes. "He was the Big Ten scoring champion at Penn State last season, with 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games, to prove he could go toe-to-toe with bigger, faster college competition in his only NCAA campaign. McKenna has incredible vision, elite playmaking skills and the speed at which he can process the game improved throughout his season with the Nittany Lions... On the other hand, Stenberg is professionally tested, and McKenna is not. Stenberg spent two years with Frolunda HC; in 2025-26, he had one of the best seasons by an 18-year-old, with 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games."

The reality, the more you read, is that the Maple Leafs probably would get a good player if they took Stenberg, too.

But after so long of looking at McKenna as the top choice, there'd be a lot of pain if he turned out to be this draft's best player but wasn't chosen by Toronto.

They've still got a big decision to make, and evidently, there's still a chance they go a different direction.

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There's a problem with the Senators signing Jason Robertson as an RFA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Restricted free agents in the NHL aren't just defined by whether the original team matches the offer sheet of a new team.

There are also draft picks that get involved, and that could spell trouble for the Ottawa Senators and Jason Robertson.

"The issue with Robertson trying to go that route is cost of acquisition," writes ESPN's Greg Wyshynski in a new article on Tuesday. "For any AAV above $11,939,167, the cost would be four first-round picks in the next five drafts, starting in 2027."

Yep, that's a lot of picks.

The general expectation is that Robertson could command $12 million per year. The Stars almost certainly wouldn't be able to match that, either.

"An offer-sheeting team would have to be willing to pony up those picks because Dallas isn't likely to match, given that the Stars have around $11.06 million in cap space," Wyshynski writes.

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So would the Senators be willing to do that?

Robertson did just score 45 goals with 51 assists. He's about as good a forward as Ottawa could find on the market.

A $12 million per year salary, and giving up four first-round picks, is steep, though.

They could instead pursue a trade.

"Hence, the more likely scenario if Robertson and the Stars can't bridge their gap is GM Jim Nill trading his scoring winger for something slightly less than that offer-sheet yield," Wyshynski writes.

That would get the Senators the rights to Robertson for, say, two first-round picks. It'd be a win for Dallas to some regard, and it'd also give the Senators a better feeling about the whole situation.

Other teams will be interested, too, but Ottawa seems to be a major player in this complicated picture.

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• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
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The NHL has cleared the Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospective buyer.

U.S.-based Hoffmann Family of Companies announced on Tuesday that it had received unanimous approval from the NHL Board of Governors to acquire the team.

In a release, HF Companies said the transaction is expected to close “imminently.” Financial terms were not disclosed.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Hoffmann Family enters definitive agreement to acquire Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group

“This is a defining moment for our family,” said Geoff Hoffmann, CEO of HF Companies’ private equity arm. “The Penguins represent everything Hoffmann Family of Companies stands for — community, excellence and long-term thinking. We look forward to building on the team’s success by providing support and resources to both Kyle Dubas and the hockey operations team, as well as the established leadership group on the business side. We’re proud to represent this storied franchise and are eager to become an active, invested part of the Pittsburgh community.”

George Hoffmann will serve as the team’s governor, alongside alternate governors Greg Hoffmann, CEO of the HF Companies’ real estate arm; Kyle Dubas, Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations; and David Hoffmann, founder and chairman of HF Companies.

Founded in 1989, HF Companies owns Viking Plastics, headquartered in Meadville, and DHR Global, an executive search firm headquartered in Chicago with offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

The firm also owns five-time Kelly Cup champions the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. The Everblades are an affiliate of the St. LouisBlues.

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We know why Bowen Byram wants to leave the Sabres originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When the magical season ended for the Buffalo Sabres, there didn't seem to be any awareness that Bowen Byram might want to leave.

But now, Byram apparently doesn't want to sign a long-term deal with the Sabres, which has put him in the middle of a lot of trade rumors.

Byram is a talented defenseman who will draw a lot of interest.

It's just a bit surprising that he'd be ready to leave what had turned into a really good thing in Buffalo.

Turns out, the reasoning is pretty individualized.

MORE: It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

Why does Bowen Byram want to leave the Sabres?

The latest indication is that Byram simply wants to be in a more highly regarded role.

"The Sabres are also seeing what they can get back for Bowen Byram, who is looking for a bigger role as a No. 1 defenseman," a trio of ESPN insiders wrote on Tuesday. "Byram has a lot of fans across the league, so that could be a splashy trade."

The good news for the Sabres is that Byram is likely one of the best couple players available in a deal this offseason. He could bring back a huge haul.

The bad news, though, is that Buffalo had built up such impressive blue line depth, and losing Byram would be quite the bummer in that context.

The Sabres have a lot of young and talented forwards, but it seemed the defensive unit was set and didn't need to count on any promotions anytime soon.

If Byram moves, Buffalo will have to figure out the defensive pairings again, and another team will end up with a really good player.

Nothing is a given here, but it certainly seems like Byram could end up being on the move.

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• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

June 23 (UPI) -- The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock as their new coach, replacing fired former coach Kris Knoblauch, the NHL franchise announced Tuesday.

Babcock's hiring occurred just days after the NHL announced he was cleared to return to coaching. The league launched an investigation into Babcock earlier this month related to his 2023 resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

His departure from Columbus before the preseason followed criticism he received for requesting to look at personal photos from players' phones. The NHL Players' Association requested the investigation.

Babcock, 63, who never coached a game for the Blue Jackets, totaled 700 wins, 418 losses, 19 ties and 164 overtime losses over 17 seasons as an NHL coach. He led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 173-133-45 mark from 2015-16 to 2019-20. He also spent time with the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Babcock led the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Final on two occasions, including a 2008 victory. He also led the Mighty Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the New Jersey Devils.

The Oilers, who lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2025-26, fired Knoblauch last month. Knoblauch, who led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023-24 and 2024-25, posted a 135-77-21 regular-season record over his three-year tenure with the franchise.

The Oilers also announced Tuesday that D.J. Smith was named associate coach under Babcock. Smith served as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from March 1 through the end of the 2025-26 season.

The hockey season may have just ended, but the Pittsburgh Penguins are already giving fans something to look forward to.

The team just announced its 2026 preseason schedule.

The Penguins will play four preseason games and participate in a Prospect Tournament.

The preseason schedule includes two home games at PPG Paints Arena and two road games, with the Prospect Tournament held in Detroit.

The four-game preseason slate will feature contests against Buffalo and Detroit in Pittsburgh and road games against Columbus and Buffalo.

The Penguins will open their preseason at PPG Paints Arena with back-to-back games. They will face Buffalo on Monday, Sept. 21 and Detroit on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Then, the team will travel to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Nationwide Arena.

The preseason will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 26, against the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

All four preseason games will be broadcast on 105.9 The X.

The Prospect Tournament will be held from Sept. 11-14.

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What Oilers hiring Mike Babcock means for Connor McDavid originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It took a while, but the Edmonton Oilers and Mike Babcock are official.

He was announced Tuesday as the Oilers' new head coach, replacing Kris Knoblauch, and his task is immediately clear: Maximize Connor McDavid.

Babcock comes to town with a strong resume, one that also included a question mark that had to be solved before he could be hired.

Babcock has coached for the Ducks, Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

He was hired in 2023 to work for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the NHL investigated him after Babcock resigned without coaching a game.

"He left the Blue Jackets less than three months into the job after his requests to look at personal photos from players' phones drew criticism," ESPN's Emily Kaplan wrote last week.

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The NHL's investigation of Babcock was completed last week.

"The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith," the NHL said in a statement. "Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League."

Now that the Oilers have made this decision, it all comes down to what Babcock can do with McDavid.

What does Mike Babcock hire mean for Connor McDavid?

This is the kind of hire a team makes to win immediately.

Babcock comes with baggage, but he also comes with strong coaching acumen. The Oilers don't have time to waste.

McDavid has two years left on his current contract. He has yet to win a Stanley Cup in Edmonton. And if it doesn't happen in 2026-27, questions will already start being asked about the potential for a trade. 

It's not clear if McDavid himself has any strong feelings on Babcock. He's probably more worried about getting a good enough roster and depth to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference.

This was Edmonton's next step, and the coaching box has been checked off. Now, they've got to get their roster moves right, because they can't afford not to win with McDavid.

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• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

What are the expectations for the New York area teams in the 2026-27 NHL season? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The natural rivalry between the NHL’s three New York City-area teams – the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils – means that, every year, the trio of teams will be partially judged against each other. And this summer, the Isles, Devils and Rangers are going to be in significantly different places as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.

The Devils have had the highest expectations of the three New York-area teams – and in the past three years, New Jersey has consistently failed to meet those expectations, missing the playoffs in two of the past three years while winning just a single playoff game in the one year the Devils did make the playoffs. 

New Jersey’s struggles ultimately cost GM Tom Fitzgerald his job, as former Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta replaced him. But there have been rumors that the Devils are interested in trading goalie Jacob Markstrom and may be looking to acquire Winnipeg Jets superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck or Panthers star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Acquiring either of those goalies would drastically ratchet up expectations for the Devils this coming year, and the ripple effect that type of move would create would sweep across the rest of the league and the goalie market in particular. 

MORE: Trading Jacob Markstrom Would Allow Devils To Chase Connor Hellebuyck, Sergei Bobrovsky

Meanwhile, the Islanders are also at a crossroads of sorts this summer. They’re going to have their first full year under coach Peter DeBoer, but that doesn’t assure the Isles of any success, either in getting back into the playoffs, or in the post-season itself.

The Isles should be embarking on a longer build around star defenseman and rookie-of-the-year Matthew Schaefer, but they also have several veterans, including star goalie Ilya Sorokin and forwards Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. So is this the summer when Islanders GM Mathieu Darche moves in either the direction of a retool-on-the-fly, or will they be moving in the direction of a fuller rebuild? The answer will be fascinating.

MORE: 3 potential NHL trade destinations for Islanders' Mathew Barzal

Finally, there’s the Rangers – a team that has thus far made no changes despite finishing in 30th place in the league in 2025-26. Blueshirts GM Chris Drury is on record as saying the Rangers won’t be rebuilding, so a retool is what we should expect from them this off-season. But that’s still a nebulous concept, and one that raises a slew of questions.

To wit: it feels like center Vincent Trocheck is a fait accompli to be dealt, but where do the notable changes end in Manhattan? Will star defenseman Adam Fox be traded for prospects and draft picks? What about star forward Mika Zibanejad? And what will Drury do with the $26.5 million in salary cap space he has right now?

This Rangers team needs an infusion of above-average youth if they’re going to regularly be a playoff team again, but they may need another step-back season before they acquire the picks and prospects they need to rise through the standings.

MORE: 2026 NHL draft: 5 best options for the Rangers at fifth overall

So it should be clear why the New York-area teams are so compelling to watch this summer. The Devils, Rangers and Islanders are all at different points in their respective competitive cycles. Still, they will all be facing pressure of one kind or another to have a productive year this coming season.

And no matter what happens, the Rangers, Isles and Devils are going to stay in the spotlight. Thus, don’t be shocked when fireworks erupt in the greater-New-York area. When you have millions of hockey fans crammed into the same patch of land, you’re going to have a particular kind of pressure that’s different in other markets. And that means New Jersey, the Rangers, and Islanders all will be under the gun to deliver better results than they did last year.

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Sabres 1 of 6 teams that could land Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Sabres are one of a bunch of teams that could desire a goalie upgrade this offseason.

For pretty much every one of those teams, one name stands above the rest: Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck is one of the planet's best goaltenders, and he just won a gold medal with the United States earlier this year.

He hasn't explicitly requested a trade, but he has also expressed displeasure with how things went in Winnipeg this past season.

Hellebuyck would be a huge pickup for any team in the NHL, including Buffalo, which went through multiple goalie options throughout their improved 2025-26 season.

On Monday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Sabres are legitimately in the mix, too.

He reported these six teams as possible landing spots for Hellebuyck:

• Sabres
• Panthers
• Mammoth
• Red Wings
• Sharks
• Kings

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A few of those are easier to believe than others. Hellebuyck will also have a chance to give his say to his potential destination.

For fans of each of those teams, though, they simply have to be excited that they might end up with Hellebuyck. He's the kind of goalie who can make everything work better. 

If it was Buffalo, an already strong defensive unit would become even stronger with Hellebuyck back there in net.

This might still take a while to develop, especially with a bunch of teams involved. The Hellebuyck rumors this offseason could wind up being quite fascinating.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

Oilers bashed for letting Connor McDavid down with $12 million move originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Edmonton Oilers got Connor McDavid to sign a two-year contract extension, before the 2025-26 season, and do it at a discount.

The hope would be that the Oilers would then give that money to a big-time player to help McDavid.

Instead, Edmonton has paid Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy and Trent Fredric. 

Yep, that's about as exciting as it sounds.

The Athletic's Thomas Drance summed it up with a savage post on X:

"Convincing the single most impactful individual player I’ve ever watched to leave money on the table, only to turn around and sign nearly $12 million worth of Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson and Trent Frederic is genuinely wild work."

MORE: It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

It's definitely a fair point.

There's something a bit underwhelming about the Oilers deciding before free agency arrived to simply re-sign depth pieces like Dickinson and Murphy. They likely would've been there in a week or two.

The Oilers didn't necessarily explore upgrades. They just gave out a good chunk of their open cap space to guys that aren't bad to have around, but also guys who aren't going to raise a team's upside considerably.

So what now? 

The Oilers may have to explore trades. There are a lot of big names floating around in rumors.

Darnell Nurse has requested a trade out of Edmonton, so that should get things moving more.

The hope for Oilers fans would be that when the new season arrives, McDavid will have more impressive help around him than he does right now. But Edmonton hasn't exactly rushed to make that happen.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

The fallout from Brady Tkachuk‘s blockbuster move to the Florida Panthers has shifted attention toward another American star playing in Canada. That forward is Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.

Shortly after the trade became official, SDPN Sports’ Drew Livingstone posted on X, writing, “First Quinn Hughes, now Brady Tkachuk. We know Hellebuyck is on the way out of Winnipeg. American Olympians just don’t want to play in Canada. Matthews next?”

MORE: Maple Leafs in ‘good place’ with Auston Matthews after Zoom meeting

The comment reflects growing speculation surrounding Matthews’ long-term future in Toronto. While there is no indication that Matthews has requested a trade, recent events have created fresh questions around his commitment beyond his current contract.

Matthews is signed through the 2027-28 season with a $13.25 million cap hit and holds a full no-movement clause. He is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July 2028.

The timing of the discussion is significant because Matthews recently captained Team USA to Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games, cementing his status as one of hockey’s premier leaders. However, he returned to a Maple Leafs organization still recovering from one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

So, the feeling of wanting to play for a perennial contender could entice him, like Brady, his Team USA teammate.

Toronto’s response will matter more for Auston Matthews’ future

In the 2025-26 season, Toronto finished 28th overall after a stunning 30-point decline and missed the playoffs entirely. The collapse triggered sweeping changes throughout the organization.

General manager Brad Treliving was dismissed, while John Chayka was hired to lead hockey operations. Mats Sundin also joined the front office as a senior adviser, giving the organization a respected voice with deep ties to the franchise.

The Maple Leafs then received a major boost by winning the 2026 Draft Lottery. The expected addition of top prospect Gavin McKenna gives the club a potential franchise cornerstone to pair with Matthews.

So, now the next 12 months will determine whether Toronto can convince Matthews that the organization is moving in the right direction. His year-end comments were measured but enough to raise eyebrows. Matthews said he “can’t predict” his future and emphasized the need for meaningful roster improvements.

MORE: Panthers complete blockbuster trade with Senators ahead of NHL Draft

Unlike Ottawa’s situation with Brady Tkachuk, Toronto still controls the narrative. Matthews remains the face of the franchise and has not signaled an intention to leave.

Still, the Tkachuk trade shows that star players are increasingly influencing their destinations. If Chayka’s aggressive retool produces results, Matthews may see a contender taking shape. If the struggles continue, speculation surrounding Toronto’s captain will only grow louder.

Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner provide blueprint for Stars, Jason Robertson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could give the Dallas Stars all sorts of insight into how this might work out.

Mitch Marner last offseason feels a lot like Jason Robertson is feeling right about now.

Robertson is a bit different, as a restricted free agent and not unrestricted like Marner was going to be.

But given that the Stars don't have a lot of cap room, this could function similarly.

The Maple Leafs got the sense that Marner wasn't coming back, so they negotiated a sign-and-trade to send him to the Vegas Golden Knights. They received Nicolas Roy in return for their troubles (and eventually turned Roy into a first-round pick in a deadline deal).

The Stars can do their best to learn from that.

MORE: It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

Of course, they'd prefer not to lose Robertson, but rumors seem to have the Ottawa Senators circulating either via trade or a huge offer sheet.

The least Dallas can do is find a way to make this a sign-and-trade and get something in return for Robertson.

The talented winger just put up 45 goals and 51 assists for a 96-point season, which is remarkable. That's not a player you want to lose for nothing.

The Stars haven't handled their salary cap well enough to keep room for the salary Robertson will likely demand, which means he could end up with a different organization.

Dallas would be wise to at least make sure they get a sign-and-trade out of the situation to get some asset in return for losing Robertson, just like the Maple Leafs did with Marner.

As the Marner situation showed, this can still work out poorly, but it'd be worth if the star player left for nothing.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

Just days before the NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers have pulled off one of the biggest trades of the offseason. According to a report, Florida has acquired star forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in a massive deal that sends three first-round picks and a second-round pick back to Ottawa. The move immediately strengthens a Panthers team that has already established itself as one of the NHL’s premier organizations. The headline-grabbing aspect of the trade goes beyond the draft capital involved. For the first time in their NHL careers, Brady Tkachuk and his older brother Matthew Tkachuk will suit up for the same team.

MORE: Maple Leafs hire their next head coach, and the pressure is already on

Tkachuk Brothers Finally Team Up

The idea of the Tkachuk brothers playing together has been a popular topic among hockey fans for years. Now, it has become a reality. Matthew has been a driving force behind Florida’s recent success, helping lead the franchise to two Stanley Cup championships and cementing himself as one of the league’s most impactful players.

Adding Brady gives the Panthers another physical, skilled forward capable of influencing games in multiple ways. The move creates one of the most intriguing sibling pairings professional sports has seen in recent memory.

Ottawa Cashes In

While the trade may sting for Senators fans, Ottawa did receive a significant return. Three first-round picks and an additional second-round selection provide the organization with substantial flexibility moving forward. Whether those assets are used to accelerate the current roster or build for the future, the Senators now possess valuable draft capital to reshape the franchise.

Rumors surrounding Tkachuk’s future had circulated for months despite repeated denials from Ottawa’s front office. As a result, Sunday’s blockbuster doesn’t come entirely out of nowhere, even if the magnitude of the deal is stunning.

Panthers Continue Their Win-Now Approach

Tkachuk remains one of the NHL’s better power forwards. The 26-year-old recorded 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 games during the 2025-26 season while continuing to serve as one of Ottawa’s emotional leaders. Despite helping the Senators reach the playoffs for a second consecutive year, the team was once again eliminated in the opening round.

Florida clearly believes Tkachuk can help push an already elite roster to another championship level. With Brady under contract through the 2027-28 season, the Panthers aren’t simply making a short-term rental acquisition. They’re adding a proven top-line talent entering the prime years of his career.

As the NHL Draft approaches, no team has made a louder statement than the Panthers.

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Why Senators traded Brady Tkachuk after on-and-off rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's easy to focus on the Florida Panthers in the moments after this headline-grabbing blockbuster trade.

But with Brady Tkachuk now heading to the Sunshine State, it's worth thinking about the Ottawa Senators. A proud franchise has dealt away its biggest name. That's a huge deal in its own right.

It's a massive moment that has arrived before the draft and before free agency. It could have long-lasting implications.

The Senators got four big-time draft picks in return for Tkachuk, which is an obvious reason to do the deal.

There's much more to it than that, though.

MORE: It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

Why did the Senators trade away Brady Tkachuk?

The reality is that this had been trending for a while, and that it seemed like Tkachuk was due for a change of scenery.

He hadn't said anything too definitively, but it was clear from comments and from reports that Tkachuk wasn't happy anymore in Ottawa.

The Senators had a disappointing 2025-26 season, which didn't help, and they had to decide what their future looked like.

As a team without a ton of depth of talent, they likely didn't feel they could build a Stanley Cup-winning roster around Tkachuk, so they've moved on. 

Ottawa has decided to shift its timeline further into the future. Maybe 2026-27 isn't their season. The hope would be that a few years down the road, they can be contenders again.

They took advantage of the obvious interest that Florida would have in adding the other Tkachuk brother to Matthew that they already have. The Panthers are also coming off a disappointing season that put pressure on them to make a big move.

The Senators knew if they waited, Tkachuk's value could decline. So they made the deal while he was still at just about maximum level of return.

More NHL news:

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

Brady Tkachuk trade details: Why Panthers are pairing Senators captain with brother in blockbuster deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In the eyes of the Florida Panthers, two Tkachuks are better than one.

The Panthers are acquiring Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster trade with the Ottawa Senators, TSN's Pierre LeBrun first reported, pairing the former Ottawa captain with his brother in a major splash.

Florida set the stage for a major move after acquiring an additional first-round pick from Seattle in a deal for Mackie Samoskevich earlier Sunday, and that pick is one of three headed to the Senators for the 26-year-old Tkachuk.

Here's a complete look at the details of the Tkachuk deal.

MORE:Inside the Tkachuk family tree

Brady Tkachuk trade details

The Panthers are trading four draft picks for Tkachuk:

Panthers receive:

• W Brady Tkachuk

Senators receive:

• 2026 No. 9 pick
• 2026 No. 25 pick
• 2029 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick

Ottawa is receiving three first-round picks in the deal, including two in Friday's draft. The Senators will now pick ninth and 25th in addition to 32nd, where they are situated because of an NHL punishment for the mishandled Evgenii Dadonov trade with the Golden Knights in 2022.

In addition to this year's two first-round picks, the Senators received a 2029 first-round pick and a second-rounder in 2030. 

Tkachuk is under contract with the Panthers only through 2028.

Why Panthers traded Mackie Samoskevich to Kraken, and what they got in return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It had been suggested for a while, and it finally came to fruition.

The Florida Panthers traded Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday.

The return? The No. 25 overall pick this year goes to Florida, and the Panthers will also receive a second-round pick next year, conditionally belonging to either the Blue Jackets or the Jets.

It's a bit of a bold move, but one that had been rumored for a while.

MORE: It's time to ask a serious Matthew Knies question

Why did the Panthers trade Mackie Samoskevich to the Kraken?

The talented Samoskevich was a restricted free agent for a team without a certainty of being able to match a big offer sheet.

As an RFA, another team could've made him an offer in free agency that was hard for Florida to match, too.

"The Panthers don’t have too much work to do this summer," The Athletic's Shayna Goldman recently wrote. "Florida has 11 forwards and six defensemen already signed, so the bare-minimum summer checklist includes adding two forwards, one defenseman and two goalies. So, unless this team is planning on making a splash with a trade, extending Samoskevich should be pretty cut-and-dry — unless another team steps in and is willing to take a gamble with a pricey contract."

Florida barely would've had the cap space if that happened.

"Evolving-Hockey points to a $5.25 million cap hit on a six-year deal if Samoskevich were to sign outside of Florida," Goldman writes. "A new team would probably have to go bigger than that to 1) keep him out of the Panthers’ grasp and 2) account for the tax factor. While Samsokevich doesn’t have a long track record, he could be worth that swing. The 23-year-old is projected to have a market value worth $6.7 million, on average, over the next six years."

Instead of dealing with that, the Panthers turn Samoskevich into future assets.

It's a smart move, while Seattle takes a chance on a talented youngster.

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Dallas Stars looking to move $3.25m D-Man to make room for Jason Robertson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Stars have a franchise winger to re-sign and a cap sheet that does not have room to do it cleanly. 

Jason Robertson, the team’s leading goal scorer and a pending restricted free agent, needs a contract extension this summer.  His new deal is expected to cost over $12 million per year, matching recent market-setting extensions like Mikko Rantanen's. 

But according to PuckPedia, Dallas has $10.14 million in salary cap space for the 2026-27 season. To fit this salary under the cap, General Manager Jim Nill must clear money and trading defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin seems like the easiest move. 

Earlier this offseason, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioned on the Hello Hockey podcast that Dallas tried to clear salary near the trade deadline and would likely look to move Lyubushkin. Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey now reports that the Stars are actively shopping the defenseman.

Trading him actually makes sense for Dallas. His regular-season appearances dropped from 80 games in his first year with the Stars to just 53 games last season. Paying $3.25 million for a limited, depth role is no longer justifiable.

Lyubushkin is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in 2024. The Stars can afford to lose him because they still have Miro Heiskanen, Nils Lundkvist, and Thomas Harley on defense. If Dallas needs extra depth, they can re-sign Alexander Petrovic for a much lower price.

"The simplest and most impactful move would be trading Lyubushkin," analyst Nick Assimakopoulos wrote for Yahoo Sports. "Simply put, the Stars aren't using him enough to make his $3.25M contract worth it."

The 2026 NHL Draft takes place on June 26–27. Stars GM's Jim Nill's window to clear salary cap space is open right now.

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Dallas Stars may once again part ways with fan favorite Radek Faksa to help lock up Jason Robertson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Stars need to clear salary cap space to re-sign restricted free agent Jason Robertson. As the team's top goal scorer, Robertson is expected to command over $12 million annually, matching Mikko Rantanen's recent extension. 

Per PuckPedia, Dallas carries roughly $11 million in projected cap space heading into 2026-27, and Robertson's qualifying offer alone sits at $9.3 million. To make the math work, General Manager Jim Nill must move money, and center Radek Faksa has surfaced again as a trade candidate. 

This would be the second time in two years that Nill has used Faksa as a cap pressure valve. In July 2024, Dallas shipped the Czech center to St. Louis in exchange for nothing but future considerations to save $3.25 million at the time. 

Last offseason, Faksa returned to Dallas on a three-year, $6 million contract ($2 million AAV). He played well in his first season back under head coach Glen Gulutzan, recording 17 points in 56 games and leading the team's forwards in penalty-kill time.

Trading him is difficult due to a series of unusual injuries. Faksa suffered a concussion at the Olympics in February. While recovering, a skate blade sliced the ligaments in his foot. It might require another surgery this offseason. 

Nill described it as a "unique injury" with "really no history as far as healing time." That medical uncertainty makes him harder to move on the trade market but the Stars have no option left without clearing money. 

Shedding Faksa's $2 million salary and Ilya Lyubushkin's $3.25 million contract would create the space needed to sign Robertson. He is only one year away from unrestricted free agency, and Dallas cannot risk letting him hit the open market in 2027.

Faksa has played 696 regular-season games for this franchise. If history repeats, it may cost him his spot again.

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Where to watch the Hurricanes parade: Start time, TV channels, live streams for Stanley Cup celebration originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A celebration 20 years in the making will play out in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday. 

The Carolina Hurricanes will celebrate their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006 with a parade through the capital city and a rally to follow. 

The 'Canes took down the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to capture the most beloved trophy in sports for the second time, capping a spectacular run that saw them go 16-3 in the playoffs. 

Coach Rod Brind'Amour, captain of the 2006 champions, cemented his status as a hero to Carolina's hockey fans by leading the team back to the promised land. A notch lower, perhaps, are long-serving 'Canes like Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin and Andrei Svechnikov, who finally got to lift the Cup after some tough postseason losses through the years. 

Now, it's time to party in Raleigh. Here's everything you need to know about the Hurricanes' victory celebration. 

Hurricanes parade start time

• Date: Saturday, June 20
• Time: 11 a.m. ET

The parade through Raleigh is set to begin Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. See details on the route below. 

Where to watch the Hurricanes parade: TV channels, live streams

• TV channels: NHL Network (national) | WRAL, ABC11, CBS17, Spectrum (local)
• Live streams:fubo

Fans around the country can watch the Hurricanes' parade and celebration live on NHL Network beginning at 11 a.m. ET. For those in the Raleigh area, all of the local network affiliates will have live coverage. 

Fans can stream those channels on fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. 

Fubo lets you stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Hurricanes parade route 

The Hurricanes' parade through Raleigh is set to jump off from the intersection of Hillsborough and St. Marys streets, heading east on Hillsborough to the state capitol. 

The procession will turn south there, then east on Morgan Street for a block and right on Fayetteville Street. The parade ends at Davie Street, and the team will unload for a celebratory rally at City Plaza. 

We are so excited to celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup win on Saturday, June 20! Here’s what to know if you’re attending the downtown parade! https://t.co/Z1y1mGcsCypic.twitter.com/6oonzWaMQW

— City of Raleigh (@RaleighGov) June 17, 2026

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• How to bet on the NHL

This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.com.

Recently departed Seattle Kraken president of hockey operations Ron Francis is coming back to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

Last season, Francis, 63, was moved up to president of hockey operations after spending six years as the Seattle Kraken’s first franchise general manager. However, rumors of diverging opinions on key matters between him and general manager Jason Botterill persisted, and in April, Francis announced he would step down as president.

Friday, the Penguins announced Francis would rejoin the organization as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations to president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. With the Penguins, Francis won two Stanley Cups (1991, 1992) as a player and served as captain following Mario Lemieux’s retirement for the 1997-98 season.

Francis played for the Penguins from 1991 through the ’98 season.

According to the Penguins’ press release, Francis will be involved in improving the organization’s front office operations.

Click here to read more from PGHHockeyNOW.com.

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Maple Leafs have made their Morgan Rielly decision very obvious originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The dominos have begun.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Emil Andrae earlier this week, and on Friday, they acquired Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It's all pointing to the same thing: Morgan Rielly is a goner.

The defenseman still has four years and $30 million total ($7.5 million AAV) remaining on his contract, but he's been involved in trade rumors for months.

There's no way Toronto can keep him anymore after getting Raddysh.

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What's next for Morgan Rielly?

The Maple Leafs and Rielly have to find a destination that everyone is happy with, but this has to be a trade coming, potentially sooner rather than later.

It sounds like Rielly is starting to come to grips with that, too.

"Rielly had previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause, but has since softened on that stance," The Athletic's Chris Johnston wrote this week.

MORE: How Maple Leafs stunned NHL with Darren Raddysh trade

Even though Rielly's recent time in Toronto hasn't been ideal, he can still be a useful player.

"While Rielly’s skating isn’t the separator it once was, he possesses strong puck skills and can help drive a team offensively," Johnston writes. "He’s also a high-character player who should be viewed as a dressing room asset."

Maybe there was a way to squint earlier this week and see a path for Rielly staying put.

The Raddysh acquisition pretty much puts that possibility to rest. It'd be shocking at this point not to see Rielly traded.

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How Maple Leafs stunned NHL with Darren Raddysh trade that no one saw coming originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

No one saw this coming. Absolutely no one.

Darren Raddysh, by 8:30 a.m. on Friday, wasn't just the newest member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's signed an eight-year contract to be with the Leafs for the long haul.

And if you're just getting into work and catching up with this news, yes, it's quite shocking.

Toronto announced the deal, which sends a fifth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Raddysh is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 70 points, with 22 goals and 48 assists.

The Maple Leafs needed the defensive upgrade, too. It feels like a perfect match.

Yet there were no rumors about it, and the cost was just a fifth-rounder. It feels like incredible out-of-nowhere business by new Leafs GM John Chayka.

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How Maple Leafs traded for pending free agent Darren Raddysh

The whole key here was that Raddysh was heading for free agency. His contract with the Lightning was up.

On July 1, he would've hit the open market. And if Tampa Bay didn't think he'd re-sign there, then they really had nothing else they could do with him.

In looping in the Maple Leafs, they got a fifth-round pick in return -- not a lot, but slightly better than nothing.

The Leafs got a chance to exclusively negotiate with Raddysh rather than having to bid against the rest of the league at the start of July. They also got an extra year, that eighth year on the contract, due to the sign-and-trade nature of the deal.

MORE: Grading the Darren Raddysh trade

The shock value of the Darren Raddysh trade news

There's been all sorts of speculation about Toronto's defensive needs, but Raddysh hadn't come up. 

There'd been a bit of curiosity about whether the Maple Leafs would try to sign him as a free agent, but a trade? Pretty much no one thought of that because that's not normally a train of thought for a pending free agent.

Toronto, though, took a big swing. It didn't cost much in terms of assets -- just in how much they'll pay Raddysh for most of the next decade.

But if there were concerns about the new front office, this is proof that they won't sit back and wait. They made a move to go for it, and it should be well received.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made one of the biggest moves of the NHL offseason, acquiring defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade agreement.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported on X that Toronto and Tampa Bay were finalizing a deal involving the pending unrestricted free agent.

LeBrun wrote, “Confirming that Toronto and Tampa Bay are finalizing a sign-and-trade involving pending UFA Darren Raddysh. Hearing that it will be an eight-year deal with an AAV in the 8’s (north of $8 million).”

The move signals a major shift under new general manager John Chayka. After a disastrous 2025-26 season, Toronto entered the summer searching for a legitimate top-pair defenseman.

MORE: Maple Leafs enter race for Ducks D-man who injured Auston Matthews

Raddysh fits that description after a breakout campaign with Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old recorded 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points in 73 games while averaging 22:41 of ice time.

His 22 goals established a new Lightning franchise record for a defenseman. He also led all NHL blueliners with 10 power-play goals.

Why are the Toronto Maple Leafs willing to pay?

Insider Marco D’Amico reported that the Maple Leafs viewed Raddysh as a top-pair option. He noted that completing a sign-and-trade allowed Toronto to secure an eighth contract year and potentially keep the cap hit below $9 million.

D’Amico later acknowledged the risk involved.

“Now, you can argue whether signing a 30-year-old to an 8-year deal is wise,” D’Amico wrote. “But Toronto absolutely needed to add a player with top-pair experience and didn’t have the assets to trade for it upfront. Interesting gamble of cap space and a draft pick.”

That assessment reflects the reality facing the organization. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division with 78 points and allowed 299 goals, ranking near the bottom of the league defensively.

So, Raddysh addresses several weaknesses immediately. He brings a right-handed shot, elite puck movement, power-play production, and the ability to handle heavy minutes.

His arrival also eases pressure on Morgan Rielly and strengthens a blue line that lacked offensive support. Toronto’s power play struggled after Mitch Marner‘s departure, making Raddysh’s point-shot threat especially valuable.

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There is long-term risk attached to an eight-year commitment for a player entering his thirties. Still, Chayka inherited a roster with glaring holes and limited trade assets.

For a team desperate to re-establish credibility, Raddysh represents a calculated gamble and perhaps the answer Toronto has been searching for on defense.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have emerged as a potential suitor for Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas. NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported that Toronto and the Florida Panthers are among the teams monitoring the veteran defenseman.

Weekes wrote on X: “👀 Per sources, I’m told @AnaheimDucks Captain D Gudas is gaining interest in the marketplace. If him & Ducks can’t get a deal done, @FlaPanthers @MapleLeafs are among potential fits.”

Gudas is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing his three-year, $12 million contract with Anaheim. The 36-year-old reportedly seeks a new deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.

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Toronto’s interest is notable because Gudas ended Auston Matthews’ season in March. The Ducks captain received a five-game suspension after a knee-on-knee hit injured the Leafs star.

Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion. The injury limited him to 60 games and removed Toronto’s top offensive threat.

Why the Maple Leafs could pursue Radko Gudas?

The Maple Leafs are coming off a disastrous 2025-26 season. They finished 32-36-14, missed the playoffs, and posted a -46 goal differential.

Defensive play was a major issue throughout the season. Toronto allowed too many shots and struggled to establish a consistent physical presence on the blue line, especially after Chris Tanev’s injury.

That is where Gudas could help, despite his age. He remains one of the league’s toughest defenders and brings extensive playoff experience. His 2025-26 season was affected by ankle and lower-body injuries, but despite that, he appeared in 56 games and recorded two goals, 11 assists, and 67 penalty minutes.

So, Gudas makes more sense as a depth addition than a major solution. Toronto still needs stronger top-four options if it hopes to return to contention. However, a short-term contract could provide value. Gudas would add leadership, physicality, and defensive edge to a roster undergoing significant changes.

New general manager John Chayka and head coach Jim Hiller are reshaping the organization. Pursuing Gudas suggests Toronto wants a harder, more structured identity moving forward.

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Anaheim still hopes to retain its captain before free agency begins. If talks stall, the Maple Leafs appear ready to enter the race alongside Florida.