Photo Credit: Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs made a franchise-defining move at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, selecting forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. McKenna spent the 2026 season in the NCAA playing at Penn State University in the Big Ten, where he produced 51 points, including 15 goals in 35 games. The Whitehorse native dominated the WHL before heading to the NCAA, where he recorded 129 points, scoring 41 goals in 56 games. McKenna, who has been largely regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive prospects in recent years, enters the organization as a potential cornerstone piece for the Leafs’ next era. Known for his elite skating, high-end vision, and ability to control the pace of the game, McKenna has been projected as a future star at the NHL level. The selection comes as Toronto continues a major organizational reset under general manager John Chayka and senior advisor Mats Sundin. After missing the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, the Maple Leafs have begun to retool around younger talent and reshape their long-term outlook. McKenna can become a centrepiece the Maple Leafs build around, while giving Auston Matthews and William Nylander top-end talent for the future. With lots of speculation regarding the Maple Leafs lineup, McKenna's presence gives the Maple Leafs a breath of fresh air moving forward. With pressure mounting on the front office to deliver a long-term contender, the pick signals a clear direction: Toronto is not just retooling, it is preparing for a new core era.

(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) The Anaheim Ducks have traded promising young defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres in a draft-day deal that adds more picks and a prospect to Anaheim’s growing asset pool. Buffalo acquired Zellweger in exchange for forward prospect Anton Wahlberg and a 2026 second-round pick (No. 45 overall), originally belonging to the New York Islanders. Zellweger has developed into one of Anaheim’s most dynamic young defensemen since being selected 34th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. In 76 games this past season, he recorded 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) while showing growth as a puck-moving, transition-focused blueliner. Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen addressed the acquisition, highlighting Zellweger’s mobility and offensive upside. "He’s a young defenseman who can really skate, move the puck, and impact the game in transition,” Kekäläinen said. “We believe he fits well with our group and brings another layer of skill to our blue line.” While Zellweger’s departure may come as a surprise given his age and upside, the Ducks have multiple young left-shot defensemen pushing for roles, which made him more expendable in the long-term organizational picture. As both teams move forward, the success of the deal will ultimately depend on whether Zellweger can develop into a top-four presence in Buffalo or whether Anaheim’s return package pays off in the long run.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images One of the biggest moves of the NHL offseason became official on Wednesday, as the Washington Capitals acquired forward Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres in a sign-and-trade agreement. Before the trade was completed, Tuch signed an eight-year, $84 million contract with Buffalo, carrying an average annual value of $10.5 million. Washington then acquired the veteran winger in exchange for forward David Kampf and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Alex Tuch heads to Washington after uncertain future with the Sabres The move comes after months of speculation surrounding Tuch's future in Buffalo. The 30-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but instead secured the maximum eight-year term available through a sign-and-trade arrangement. Tuch is coming off another productive season, recording 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points in 79 games. He also added seven points in 13 playoff contests as the Sabres returned to the postseason for the first time in more than a decade. Washington general manager Chris Patrick expressed his excitement after completing the deal. "Alex was a highly coveted player, and we are pleased that he chose to come to Washington," Patrick said. "Alex is a top-six offensive forward who brings size, versatility, and the ability to contribute in all situations." Tuch and the Sabres were expected to split Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen acknowledged earlier this week that the organization did not expect to reach an extension with Tuch, making a sign-and-trade the best avenue to recoup assets rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. With the NHL Draft and free agency still ahead, this move may only be the beginning of what is shaping up to be a busy offseason across the league.

James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images The Washington Capitals made on the one the biggest trades of the summer acquiring Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues from the St. Louis Blues in a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Washington sent forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to St. Louis in exchange for Kyrou, who had spent his entire NHL career thus far with the Blues. Washington acquires Kryou following down season in 2025-26 Kyrou, 28, is coming off a down season by his standards, recording 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points in 72 games. However, his offensive track record remains impressive. Between 2022 and 2025, he recorded four consecutive seasons of at least 27 goals and produced three straight 30-goal campaigns. Over 488 career NHL games, the Toronto native has registered 168 goals and 378 points. Kyrou is also signed long-term, carrying a cap hit of $8.125 million through the 2030-31 season. That contract gives Washington cost certainty while securing a player who remains in the prime years of his career. St. Louis acquires young center piece in McMichael McMichael, on the other hand, arrives in St. Louis after developing into an important piece of Washington's lineup. The 25-year-old recorded 46 points last season and gives the Blues an NHL-ready forward who can immediately step into a larger role. Prospect Milton Gastrin and the 16th overall selection provide additional pieces for a team looking to strengthen its long-term outlook. With the NHL Draft just days away, the Kyrou trade has already become one of the biggest moves of the summer.

Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chi) The Ottawa Senators continued their aggressive offseason on Tuesday, acquiring forward William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks as part of a multi-player trade centred around the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ottawa sent the ninth overall selection, originally acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade, to San Jose in exchange for Eklund, prospect Kasper Halttunen, and the rights to forward Brandon Svoboda. Eklund becomes an important player with the Senators Eklund immediately becomes one of the most important additions to the Senators' forward group. The 23-year-old was selected seventh overall by the Sharks in the 2021 NHL Draft and has developed into a productive top-six forward. Over 252 career NHL games, Eklund has recorded 50 goals and 113 assists for 163 points, including 53 points in 78 games during the 2025-26 season. Senators general manager Steve Staios believes Eklund is a perfect fit for Ottawa's young core. "William is a dynamic and skilled forward, who plays with a competitive edge," Staios said following the trade announcement. "We are excited to welcome him to the Senators organization and he will fit in well with our core group of players." The acquisition comes just days after Ottawa traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in one of the biggest moves of the offseason. Rather than using the draft pick they received from Florida, the Senators quickly turned that asset into an established NHL player who can contribute immediately. Ottawa remains in competitive mode despite Tkachuk's departure For Ottawa, the move signals that the organization still intends to compete despite moving on from its captain. Eklund is under contract through the 2028-29 season with a cap hit of $5.6 million, giving the Senators cost certainty while adding a young player who has yet to reach his prime. Meanwhile, the Sharks continue to stockpile draft capital as general manager Mike Grier looks to build around a young core led by players such as Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. With the acquisition of the ninth overall pick, San Jose now owns three first-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including the second overall pick. The trade is a fascinating gamble for both organizations. Ottawa is betting that Eklund can become a long-term top-line contributor, while San Jose is placing its faith in another premium draft selection as part of its rebuild. As the NHL Draft approaches, this deal could prove to be one of the defining moves of the offseason.

The Florida Panthers made one of the most stunning moves of the NHL offseason on Sunday, acquiring Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster trade that reunites him with his brother, Matthew Tkachuk. Florida paid a large price to land the star forward, sending Ottawa two first-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including the ninth overall pick and the 25th overall selection previously acquired from the Seattle Kraken. The deal also includes a top-10 protected first-round pick in 2029 and a second-round pick in 2027. For Panthers general manager Bill Zito, adding another elite power forward was an opportunity he could not pass up. "Brady is a dynamic competitor and one of the most physical and relentless forwards in the league," Zito said in a team statement on Sunday. "A proven leader and exactly the type of player we want in our locker room, he strives to make everyone around him better both on and off the ice. We're thrilled to welcome Brady to South Florida to join our group as we continue our pursuit of championship hockey." The trade comes as a surprise given Tkachuk's public commitment to the Senators over the past several months. Ottawa's captain expressed confidence in the direction of the franchise, even after the team's season came to an end in April in the first round of the playoffs. However, discussions had reportedly been taking place for weeks. According to multiple reports, Ottawa explored the market for Tkachuk and held conversations with several interested clubs. Because of his no-trade protection, the 26-year-old played a significant role in determining where a deal could ultimately happen. "This was not a decision we took lightly, but ultimately, we did what we felt was best for the long-term future of our hockey club," Ottawa general manager Steve Staios said. "We now possess cap space and draft capital and will be actively working to improve our roster." The move also reunites Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, who helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The brothers have become two of hockey's most recognizable personalities and have openly discussed their close relationship both on and off the ice. Florida's aggressive approach should not come as a surprise. Zito has consistently shown a willingness to make bold moves when elite talent becomes available. His acquisition of Matthew Tkachuk in 2022 transformed the Panthers into a perennial contender, and the organization clearly believes Brady can have a similar impact. For Ottawa, the trade signals the beginning of a new chapter in Senators hockey. For Florida, it represents another all-in move attempting to bring championship hockey back to South Florida.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Maple Leafs also extended Raddysh to an 8-year, $8.5 million annual average value contract. Toronto acquires the puck-moving defenceman they have needed Raddysh arrives in Toronto following a breakout 2025-26 campaign with the Lightning, establishing himself as one of the NHL's most productive offensive defensemen. In 73 regular-season games, the right-shot blueliner recorded 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points, setting a Tampa Bay franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single season. Over parts of five NHL seasons with the Lightning, Raddysh appeared in 249 career regular-season games, registering 35 goals and 108 assists for 143 points. He played an important role in the Tampa Bay defensive group last season, with the Lightning hoping he would stay at a far lower cost than the Maple Leafs offered him. Julien BriseBois speaks on Raddysh following the 2025-26 season Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois spoke on Raddysh and what he meant to the Lightning's blueline. "He stepped up big-time when we needed him this year. He's a phenomenal player, and a key reason that we are as competitive as we are. I foresee him staying in our organization for a very long time, hopefully until the end of his career." The acquisition continues an active offseason for the Maple Leafs under general manager John Chayka. Earlier this week, Toronto acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit. The Maple Leafs view Raddysh as a key piece of their defensive core moving forward as the organization continues to reshape its roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs made headlines this week when they traded Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick. It marked the first major move of the John Chayka and Mats Sundin era, signalling that significant changes are underway in Toronto. While much of the initial reaction focused on the return package, the bigger question remains: was Joseph Woll the right goaltender for the Maple Leafs to move? Why the Maple Leafs have moved on from Joseph Woll At first glance, moving Woll makes sense. The 27-year-old has shown flashes of being a legitimate NHL starter throughout his career. At his best, Woll possesses elite athleticism, strong positioning, and the ability to steal games. When healthy, he has often looked like the Maple Leafs' most talented goaltender. The problem has always been availability. Since entering the NHL, injuries have consistently interrupted Woll's development. Whether it was ankle injuries, lower-body issues, or extended absences, the Maple Leafs could never fully rely on him to carry a starter's workload over a full season. Even when healthy, Woll's performance has occasionally been inconsistent. He would put together stretches of excellent play before struggling to maintain that level over an extended period. The Maple Leafs did not choose Anthony Stolarz over Woll The Maple Leafs chose to keep Anthony Stolarz as the plan between the pipes; however, it likely was not their choice. Stolarz, similar to Woll, has dealt with a lot of injuries over his tenure with the Maple Leafs. He has been inconsistent with the Maple Leafs, as he struggled when in the net for the Maple Leafs this season. With Stolarz being older than Woll and being under contract until the 2029-30 season at $3.75 million, it was likely much more difficult to move from the New Jersey native. Despite this, the veteran netminder provided stability throughout the 2024-25 season and established himself as a trusted option. While he may not possess Woll's long-term upside, Stolarz has shown he can be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL when healthy. The Maple Leafs were not simply trading Woll; they were addressing multiple roster needs. Emil Andrae gives the organization a young, puck-moving defenceman with upside, while the additional draft pick provides flexibility for future moves.

Michael Chisholm/GettyImages NHL insider Chris Johnston reports a major update involving the Toronto Maple Leafs ' longest-tenured defenceman on Tuesday. It is no secret that the Maple Leafs are looking to find a new home for Morgan Rielly. Over the course of the past two seasons, he has regressed and no longer seems to fit within the blueline. While there have been reports of teams being interested in the Vancouver native, Chris Johnston's latest updates report Rielly isn't interested in leaving Toronto just yet. Morgan Rielly not willing to waive his no-movement clause? Rielly has not yet waived his no-movement clause and hasn't given the Maple Leafs "the green light as of now." This comes after many NHL insiders believed Rielly and the Maple Leafs would take it on a case-by-case basis, instead of a list of teams to choose between. Following back-to-back disappointing seasons, many of Leafs Nation are hoping they are able to move on from the 32-year-old this offseason. While Morgan Rielly has been a fan favourite during his time with the Maple Leafs, a change of scenery is needed on both ends. The Maple Leafs are undoubtedly trying to get younger, while Rielly just had one of the worst seasons of his career. In 78 games played during the 2025-26 campaign, Rielly produced 36 points, including 11 goals, while registering a -18. His -18 rating is the second worst mark of his career. Changes are underway in Toronto The Maple Leafs have already begun making changes this offseason, hiring newly appointed general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin. The pair are believed to be in the final stages of hiring a new head coach after they agreed to move on from Craig Berube. Chayka has also already made his first trade as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. With change already underway for the Maple Leafs, many are hoping for a similar decision revolving around their once-star defenceman. With the offseason just beginning, there is still lots of time for a deal to transpire.

RICHMOND, IND — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks split the series against the Richmond Flying Mummies on Tuesday following a 13-4 dominant victory. The Flying Mummies, despite the loss, got out to an early 1-0 lead in the third inning, as Peyton Bittle crossed home plate off Jackson Cliatt’s RBI. This lead, however, did not last long for the Flying Mummies, as the Battle Jacks scored three runs in the top half of the third inning, highlighted by RBI’s by Abraham Maurer, Kyle Hartmann, and Noah Hogan. The Battle Jacks kept the offence rolling in the fifth inning, as they stormed out to a 9-1 lead, taking a commanding 9-1 lead. AJ Lucas’ walk with the bases loaded scored Jake Stedman, while Abraham Maurer’s second RBI of the night came off a single to centerfield. Kyle Hartmann later scored Maurer on a putout, and Payton Bookwalter’s RBI double concluded the scoring for Battle Creek in the inning. The Flying Mummies responded in the second half of the inning as they scored two runs of their own, to make it a 9-3 lead for the Battle Jacks. Richmond later added a run in the seventh as they looked to mount a comeback, but that was quickly stopped as the Battle Jacks scored three runs in the eighth inning off Thomas Cooper’s three-RBI double. The ninth inning saw the Battle Jacks score an insurance run to close out the scoring for the night on both ends as the Battle Jacks took a 13-4 lead. The Battle Jacks continue their road trip on Wednesday as they head to Traverse City for a three game set before returning back to Battle Creek.