Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Thursday, August 13, 2026
LA Kings Begin New Era With Laviolette as Kopitar Retirement Reshapes Identity
Peter Laviolette arrives as the Kings' 32nd head coach tasked with reversing a team that ranked 29th in goals scored (2.68 per game) last season despite posting the 7th-best goals-against mark. Anze Kopitar—the franchise's all-time scoring leader with 1,316 points over 20 seasons and a two-time Stanley Cup champion—retired this summer, leaving Drew Doughty as the lone survivor from the Cup-winning era. Laviolette, who coached Artemi Panarin with the Rangers, brings an attack-oriented philosophy. New additions include Mats Zuccarello (1yr/$1M) and Corey Perry (1yr/$1M, 41 years old). Brandt Clarke signed a five-year, $37M extension in June.
Nelson Reflects on ‘Crazy Year’: Olympic Gold, 1,000th Career Game and Colorado’s Cup Ambitions
Brock Nelson's first full season with Colorado included a 65-point campaign (33G, 32A) in 81 games, his 1,000th career NHL game, and a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist nod. The center, who turns 35 in October, also captured Olympic gold with Team USA—defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, extending a family tradition that includes uncle Dave Christian's 1980 “Miracle on Ice” win. Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy (55-16-11, 121 pts) but was swept by Vegas in the Western Conference Final. Nelson says the Avalanche are “hungrier than ever.”
Islanders Open Fan Vote Among Eight Finalists for First Fan-Designed Jersey in NHL History
The New York Islanders have opened bracket voting among eight jersey finalists selected from more than 80,000 fan-submitted designs—the first time in NHL history a franchise has allowed its fanbase to design an alternate sweater. The eight concepts include lighthouse and fisherman logos in navy or orange configurations, an “NY” alternate logo in two colourways, and two navy jersey options featuring different wordmarks. Voting opened Wednesday at noon; quarterfinals close Friday, with the final vote after August 20. The winning design is earmarked for the 2027-28 alternate jersey. Islanders president Kelly Cheeseman said fans “blew us away” with their creativity.
Babcock Hired, Nurse Traded and Three-Goalie System Built as Oilers Overhaul After Early Exit
The Edmonton Oilers underwent a significant offseason overhaul after a first-round exit to Anaheim, with McDavid describing the team as “average.” Mike Babcock was hired June 23 as head coach following an NHL conduct investigation stemming from his Columbus tenure, with former LA Kings interim coach D.J. Smith joining as associate. Darnell Nurse was traded to San Jose for Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp. The Oilers overhauled their goaltending—ranked 25th in GAA (3.23) last season—acquiring Frederik Andersen (1yr/$2.8M) and Devon Levi from Buffalo, while Stuart Skinner was dealt to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, creating a three-goalie system.
Appeal Board Confirms Five 2018 WJC Players Breached Hockey Canada Code; McLeod Banned Until 2030
An independent appeal board has confirmed that five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship team breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct, upholding the original staggered suspensions that the players had sought to overturn through the appeals process. Among those affected, Michael McLeod received the most severe penalty—a ban from all Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs extending until November 2030. The players had previously contested the original disciplinary rulings issued by Hockey Canada, with TSN reporting the appeal board's decision Wednesday. The outcome confirms the findings against all five players who challenged the initial sanctions.
Four Things the Columbus Blue Jackets Need to End Their Seven-Year Playoff Absence
The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't reached the postseason since 2019, falling short of a playoff spot by seven points last season despite Zach Werenski winning the Norris Trophy (22G, 81pts, 26:40 TOI). The Hockey News identifies four areas for improvement in 2026-27: retaining Werenski, resolving uncertainty around Kirill Marchenko (27G, 67pts) amid trade rumours, getting consistent goaltending from Jet Greaves (26-19-9, .908 SV%, 2.60 GAA), and development from Adam Fantilli (24G, 59pts) alongside new additions Valeri Nichushkin and Conor Garland. Greaves posted a .920 SV% and 1.88 GAA at the 2026 IIHF Worlds, including a 4-0 quarterfinal shutout of the USA.
Sources: The Hockey News
Eastern Conference 2025-26 Final
Atlantic Division
1. Buffalo — 109 pts
2. Tampa Bay — 106 pts
3. Montreal — 106 pts
4. Boston — 100 pts
5. Ottawa — 99 pts
6. Detroit — 92 pts
7. Florida — 84 pts
8. Toronto — 78 pts
Metropolitan Division
1. Carolina 🏆 — 113 pts
2. Pittsburgh — 98 pts
3. Philadelphia — 98 pts
4. Washington — 95 pts
5. Columbus — 92 pts
6. NY Islanders — 91 pts
7. NJ Devils — 87 pts
8. NY Rangers — 77 pts
Western Conference 2025-26 Final
Central Division
1. Colorado 🏆 — 121 pts
2. Dallas — 112 pts
3. Minnesota — 104 pts
4. Utah — 92 pts
5. St. Louis — 86 pts
6. Nashville — 86 pts
7. Winnipeg — 82 pts
8. Chicago — 72 pts
Pacific Division
1. Vegas — 95 pts
2. Edmonton — 93 pts
3. Anaheim — 92 pts
4. LA Kings — 90 pts
5. San Jose — 86 pts
6. Seattle — 79 pts
7. Calgary — 77 pts
8. Vancouver — 58 pts
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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