Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Friday, June 19, 2026
Jonathan Toews Retires After 16 NHL Seasons
Jonathan Toews officially retired from the NHL on Friday at a press conference in Winnipeg, closing a 16-season career defined by three Stanley Cups and a captaincy record with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 38-year-old centre spent 15 seasons as Chicago’s captain before missing two years managing Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and Long COVID. He returned in 2025 on a one-year deal with his hometown Jets, appearing in all 82 games and recording 29 points alongside a league-leading 62.1 percent faceoff win rate in his final season. Toews finishes with 383 goals, 529 assists, and 1,149 NHL regular season games.
Sources: CTV News
Sharks Acquire Gasseau and Pick from Bruins in Pre-Draft Trade
The San Jose Sharks continued their active pre-draft period Thursday, acquiring the rights to forward Andre Gasseau and a fourth-round selection from the Boston Bruins in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2026 draft. Gasseau, 22, is a 6-foot-4 centre who posted 23 points in 23 games as a senior at Boston College. Originally a seventh-round pick of the Bruins in 2021, Gasseau declined to sign an entry-level contract in Boston. The deal follows Wednesday’s trade in which San Jose moved down in the first round to acquire defenceman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres.
Sources: San Jose Sharks / NHL.com
Edmonton Oilers Sign Goaltender Connor Ungar to Two-Way Deal
The Edmonton Oilers announced the signing of goaltender Connor Ungar to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level on Thursday. Ungar, 24, spent last season split between the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, where he went 9-2-2 with a .923 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average in 13 appearances, and three ECHL affiliates. The Calgary native originally signed with Edmonton out of Brock University in 2024. The Oilers continue to build their roster depth as the 2026 offseason gets underway, with the NHL Draft one week away in Buffalo.
Sources: TSN
2026 NHL Draft One Week Away as Teams Map Prospect Pipeline Needs
With the 2026 NHL Draft a week away at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the NHL released the current order of selection Thursday while analysts mapped every team’s pressing prospect pipeline needs. Gavin McKenna remains the consensus first overall pick, expected to head to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Several franchises enter the draft with notable gaps: the Rangers need a projectable NHL centre, the Islanders have no right-shot defenceman projecting to the NHL, and the Red Wings need left-side defensive help. San Jose holds pick No. 2 while Vancouver and Chicago pick third and fourth. The first round is June 26.
Sources: ESPN
NHL Buyout Window Opens: Teams Have Until June 30 to Act
The NHL’s buyout window opened following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and runs through June 30 at 5 p.m. ET, giving teams the opportunity to shed unwanted contracts at a reduced cap cost. The Hockey News identified Jesperi Kotkaniemi as a potential buyout candidate for the Carolina Hurricanes if no trade partners emerge — he posted just nine points in 42 regular-season games this season and did not appear in the playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks are also weighing options, while goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been discussed but is considered an unlikely buyout candidate for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sources: The Hockey News
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round & Second Round: Carolina Hurricanes advanced (8–0)
Conference Finals: Carolina Hurricanes def. Montréal Canadiens 4–1
Western Conference
Earlier Rounds: Vegas Golden Knights advanced
Conference Finals: Vegas Golden Knights def. Colorado Avalanche 4–0
★ Stanley Cup Final ★
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights 4–2
2026 Stanley Cup Champions — Playoff record: 16–3 (fewest games to win the Cup since the 1988 Edmonton Oilers, 16–2)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency