Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Hurricanes to Hold Stanley Cup Victory Parade in Raleigh on June 20
The Carolina Hurricanes will celebrate their 2026 Stanley Cup championship with a victory parade through downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 20, beginning at 11 a.m. ET, the city announced. Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell declared Saturday to be Carolina Hurricanes Day. The parade begins at the intersection of Hillsborough Street and St. Mary’s Street, proceeds east down Hillsborough Street toward the state Capitol, and concludes at City Plaza, where a rally will be held. Several downtown streets will close between 3:30 and 5:30 a.m. Carolina clinched its second title, and first in 20 years, with a 3-0 Game 6 win at Vegas on June 14.
Sources: City of Raleigh
Maple Leafs Trade Goaltender Joseph Woll to Flyers in Five-Piece Deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. It was the first major move of new Toronto general manager John Chayka’s tenure. Woll, 27, went 15-16-7 with a 3.34 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage in 39 games last season and carries two years left at a $3.67 million cap hit. Benoit, a 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman, recorded six points in 73 games. Chayka said the deal creates cap flexibility for Toronto’s offseason plans.
Sources: TSN
Predators Acquire Forward Ross Colton From Avalanche for Picks, Goalie
The Nashville Predators acquired forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche on Monday in exchange for goaltender Magnus Chrona, Nashville’s third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and Colorado’s third-round pick in 2027. Colton, 29, is a versatile two-way winger who recorded 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 73 games for Colorado last season. He won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2021. The move marked the first significant transaction for Nashville since the club hired Chris MacFarland as general manager on June 2. MacFarland previously served as the Avalanche’s general manager for four seasons.
Sources: NHL.com
Chayka Says Maple Leafs Are in Final Stages of Head Coach Search
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said Tuesday the club is in the final stages of its head coaching search and expects to name a hire within the next several days. “I think we are on the final phases at this stage,” Chayka said, adding the process has been thorough and included recent in-person meetings. A short list of candidates advanced to a second round of interviews, including former players Joe Pavelski and Patrick Roy. Toronto is seeking a replacement after parting ways with previous coach Craig Berube. The update came the same day Chayka completed his first trade as general manager, sending goaltender Joseph Woll to Philadelphia.
Sources: TSN
Scouts Split on McKenna or Stenberg for No. 1 in 2026 NHL Draft
Penn State left wing Gavin McKenna sits atop NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters for the 2026 NHL Draft, while Ivar Stenberg leads the International skaters list, leaving scouts divided on the No. 1 pick. In a poll NHL.com conducted of 10 NHL scouts asked which player they would choose, McKenna earned a 7-3 advantage. The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the first pick after winning the draft lottery. The Upper Deck 2026 NHL Draft will be held June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, with the first round June 26 and rounds two through seven on June 27.
Sources: NHL.com
Devils Gauging Trade Market for Goaltender Jacob Markstrom
The New Jersey Devils are gauging the trade market for goaltender Jacob Markstrom, according to reports surfacing Tuesday. Moving the 36-year-old netminder would clear his $6 million average annual value, signed through 2027-28, and create cap space the Devils could use toward a contract extension for center Nico Hischier. Markstrom’s age, cap hit and uneven season could weigh on his trade value. However, with quality goaltending scarce in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets, some clubs could still pursue him. The chatter arrives as the NHL offseason ramps up ahead of the June 26-27 draft in Buffalo and July 1 free agency.
Sources: Pro Hockey Rumors
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens — Hurricanes win 4–1
Western Conference Final
Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche — Golden Knights win 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes vs Vegas Golden Knights — Hurricanes win 4–2
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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