The Calgary Flames will be a team to watch during the 2026 NHL offseason. With the Flames rebuilding, it is likely that we will see more of their veteran players moved during the summer. One specific trade candidate to watch from Calgary will be defenseman Zach Whitecloud. Due to this, let's look at three teams that could look to acquire Whitecloud during the offseason. Ottawa Senators The Senators need to be looking to boost the right side of their blueline this offseason, and it ...
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk will be a clear trade candidate to watch during this offseason. With the Canucks being in the middle of a rebuild, the 29-year-old DeBrusk stands out as a player who Vancouver could look to move. Here are three teams that could target DeBrusk during the summer because of it. Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings could be a team to keep an eye on when it comes to DeBrusk this offseason. It is clear that they could use more skill in their top nine, an...
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team to watch on the offseason trade market, as once the new general manager is in place, they'll quickly realize it's going to be an option to move out some goaltending depth to address other holes in the lineup. The Maple Leafs have four goaltenders signed for next season, and all four of them held game action this season. The main two who will be hitting the trade block are the oft-injured Anthony Stolarz, and one-time goaltender of the future, Joseph Woll. Sto...
The NHL's trade market will be as interesting as ever this summer, as there's some very big names being tossed around. Once the Stanley Cup Playoffs conclude and we put an end to this season, all the focus is going to shift heading into the summer on two big names, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Recently, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco addressed the two trade candidates: You nailed the two: the Ontario-team captains in Auston Matthews ...
Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch is the NHL's top pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). The Sabres are certainly going to look to keep him around, and there is a good chance he will stay put in Buffalo. However, it would also be understandable if he looked to land a major payday in free agency. Due to this, let's look at three teams that could target Tuch if he becomes a UFA this July. Boston Bruins The Bruins have been connected to Tuch in the past, and it would make a lot of sen...
Veteran Claude Giroux has been on a Stanley Cup hunt since he left the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021 . He was traded to the Florida Panthers, with much dismay, being in the right place at the wrong time as they wouldn't win a Cup until much later down the road, when Paul Maurice took the helm. Now, as a member of the Ottawa Senators , the veteran center has found himself in trade rumors earlier this season. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic in February: "Giroux has a full no-move clause...
The New Jersey Devils' next order of business as the 2025-26 season comes to an end is to name a new president of hockey operations and/or general manager. But whoever the new man on the job is, he'll have a critical top priority to take care of in short order. Perennial 30-ish goal scorer Nico Hischier is just one year from free agency. As of July 1, he'll be eligible for an extension. Something needs to happen on that front. ASAP, says insider Chris Johnston on his podcast : Probably t...
It was a shock heard around the hockey world this week when the New York Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy with just four games to play in the regular season. But if you thought that kind of move would leave bridges burned behind the fiery Roy and the Island, think again. A report from Emily Kaplan tells us that Roy may actually still stay with the Islanders, perhaps as a scout. "Patrick Roy may stay with the Islanders and scout" - Emily Kaplan Now that would be something. #Isles pi...
The Anaheim Ducks have had a resurgent season, finally climbing out of their rebuild and will be heading back to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. For that, general manager Pat Verbeek has been rewarded, receiving a multi-year contract extension. The Anaheim Ducks announce that GM Pat Verbeek has received a multi-year contract extension — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 10, 2026 "Pat has done exactly as we hoped, having turned the Ducks into what we believe our ...
The Pittsburgh Penguins have added to their burgeoning young talent pool, with the signing of a top NCAA free agent, offensive defenseman Jake Livanavage. The Penguins have signed NCAA free agent defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two-year, Entry-Level Contract. Details: https://t.co/yi0lSHXYCp pic.twitter.com/hEZyzSqeaA — x - Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 10, 2026 It's a two-year entry-level deal for the 21-year-old. The contract begins immediately, and he'll report to Pittsburgh. ...
The Toronto Maple Leafs, if all goes as it should, will be hiring both a new general manager and a president of hockey operations to oversee the whole on-ice side of the operation. To that end, for the more senior role, MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley seems to be focused on Mike Gillis, who we can reasonably call the frontrunner for the hockey boss gig at this point. He's set for a second interview. The Leafs are reportedly very interested in Mike Gillis, who is set for a second meetin...
The Darnell Nurse trade conversation has been cycling through Edmonton for years without much actually happening, but something feels different about this offseason. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported in early March that the Oilers discussed the possibility of moving Nurse before the trade deadline, adding that he's "a name to watch this summer, NMC and all." Oilers analyst Mathew Panchyshyn followed that up on X with a post about Detroit pursuing Nurse, with the Detroit ...
Vincent Trocheck was among the most talked-about trade candidates all season, and yet he's still a New York Ranger . Chris Drury held firm on his asking price at the deadline, nobody met it, and Trocheck stayed. That outcome was a mild surprise at the time, but in hindsight, it does make sense. Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet that the lack of depth in this summer's free-agent market could actually work in the Rangers' favor, as teams that couldn't stomach the price in March might...
The Chicago Blackhawks will once again finish this season at the bottom of the Central Division standings. It is not surprising, as the Blackhawks are still rebuilding and focused on the future. With this, it would not necessarily be surprising if they move some players during the offseason. Because of this, let's look at three Blackhawks trade candidates for the offseason. Tyler Bertuzzi Bertuzzi has had a strong second season with the Blackhawks, as he has a career-high 32 goals ...
Seattle Kraken forward Bobby McMann is one of the NHL's top pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) heading into the summer. The Kraken will certainly be looking to keep him around, as he has thrived since his arrival to Seattle. His eight goals and 12 points in 13 games for Seattle show that. Yet, if the Kraken are unable to extend McMann and he becomes a UFA this offseason, these three teams should be in the mix for his services. Edmonton Oilers The Oilers were heavily linked to ...
The New Jersey Devils have had a very disappointing 2025-26 season. Due to this, there is a chance that they could look to shake up their roster this offseason because of it. One Devils forward who is standing out as a potential trade candidate heading into the offseason is Timo Meier. The 29-year-old winger has simply not been a good fit in New Jersey, so let's look at three teams that could target him this offseason. Chicago Blackhawks The Blackhawks could be a team to watch this...
While the Toronto Maple Leafs organization is dealing with inner turmoil, the team is getting an idea of what they've had stashed away in the AHL this season. Goalie Artur Akhtyamov, drafted 106th overall in 2020 by the Maple Leafs, will get his first NHL start against the New York Islanders tonight. The Maple Leafs are 2-5-3 in their last ten games , and need some fresh blood to help push the team in a positive direction before they head for the golf course in mid-April.&nb...
The Vancouver Canucks bottomed out this season. Sitting with 52 points with five games to play, they're dead last in the entire NHL and are on pace for the worst season the franchise has seen in well over 50 years... since their second or third year of existence, in the early '70s. Sounds like a team in need of a full rebuild, doesn't it? But according to Thomas Drance in The Athletic , the Canucks are willing to trade some of their higher-end draft picks this June in order t...
The Dallas Stars are going to have some salary cap challenges this summer. With top scorer Jason Robertson a restricted free agent, extension talks haven't gained much traction to this point. He's projected to command a $12 million AAV, putting him in the company of the team's current highest-salaried employee, Mikko Rantanen. And it's hard to argue against Robertson being worth that much. He's recorded his third 40-goal season this year and has been well over a point-per-game play...
The Toronto Maple Leafs ' GM search has been loaded with rumors of potential candidates. But after the news dropped today by insider Pierre LeBrun, it appears that one man may be emerging as a top candidate. The Leafs have obtained permission to speak with Florida Panthers' assistant general manager Sunny Mehta. But Toronto will have to act fast, as the New Jersey Devils, who just joined the GM hunt this week , have also received permission from the Cats to talk to him. The Leafs and the...
Last year, the New York Rangers began selling off some big names. A retool was underway. Jacob Trouba was gone by the midway point of the 2024-25 season. Chris Kreider and K'Andre Miller were dealt last summer. Artemi Panarin was sent out this year. But one of the veteran players who has had his name embroiled in trade rumors is still around. And Mika Zibanejad is highly unlikely to be traded this summer, and for good reason. As Andrew Crane writes in the New York Post , Zibanejad ...
The Detroit Red Wings have been struggling big time down the stretch and find themselves on the wrong side of the playoff line with the end of the season almost here. If they end up missing the playoffs, they should be making some moves this summer. Due to this, let's look at three Red Wings who could be traded during the 2026 NHL offseason. Alex DeBrincat DeBrincat could be a player to keep an eye on as a trade candidate this offseason. If contract extension talks do not go well b...
The St. Louis Blues will undoubtedly be a team to watch very closely during the summer. They kicked off their rebuild ahead of the deadline, as they traded Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk. Yet, the Blues should have multiple more moves on the way during the summer. Because of this, let's take a look at four Blues who could be on the move this offseason. Robert Thomas, C Thomas was the NHL's biggest trade candidate leading up to the deadline, but ended up staying put. The Blues are expect...
The Detroit Red Wings' epic collapse during the final portion of the season will likely lead to them making several changes to their roster this summer. With this, it is fair to wonder if Detroit won't sign pending UFA Patrick Kane to a contract extension. Due to this, let's look at three teams that could look to sign Kane if he hits the free-agent market this offseason. Buffalo Sabres The Sabres are finally good, and it is fair to wonder if Kane could finally head home to Buffalo ...
Nick Kypreos raised an uncomfortable question on Sportsnet last week. With Mark Stone turning 34 in May and sitting on the final year of his contract, Kypreos said people around the league are already wondering whether Stone can play next season at all, and whether he might be headed toward the same situation as Alex Pietrangelo, who has been on season-ending long-term injured reserve since last summer with no timeline for a return. That comparison is going to alarm Vegas Golden Kn...