Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Monday, June 29, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs Select Gavin McKenna First Overall at 2026 NHL Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Gavin McKenna first overall at the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Friday. McKenna, 18, played at Penn State this season, recording 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honours. A native of Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna was a near-unanimous choice to go first, with Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews welcoming him via a video message to the club. Celebrity fan Justin Bieber took the microphone and announced the selection in place of commissioner Gary Bettman.
Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis to Miss Four to Six Months After Shoulder Surgery
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis will miss four to six months after undergoing shoulder surgery, general manager Eric Tulsky announced Friday at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Jarvis, who led Carolina with 32 goals in 71 regular-season games, is not expected to be ready for the start of 2026–27 training camp. Tulsky noted the recovery timeline creates a lineup opening for younger forwards. Eric Robinson, who also underwent a knee procedure, is expected to miss up to eight weeks and should be available for September training camp, Tulsky said.
JJ Peterka Traded to Boston Bruins by Utah Mammoth for Two First-Round Picks
The Boston Bruins acquired forward JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth on Friday in exchange for the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a top-10-protected 2028 first-round pick from the Florida Panthers. Peterka scored 25 goals and totalled 47 points for Utah this season in what was his first year with the club. Utah then sent No. 23 to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for goaltender Sebastian Cossa, addressing their goaltending depth in a secondary move. Peterka gives Boston a proven scoring winger as the Bruins look to retool their offense for the upcoming season.
Anaheim Ducks Trade Mason McTavish to St. Louis Blues for Two 2026 First-Round Picks
The Anaheim Ducks traded center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues on Friday for the No. 15 and No. 29 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. McTavish, 23, posted 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games with Anaheim this season. He is entering the second season of a six-year, $42 million contract carrying a $7 million average annual value. Anaheim used the 15th pick to select forward Nikita Klepov, then traded No. 29 to the Vegas Golden Knights for No. 28, which was used to select wing Marcus Nordmark. St. Louis adds a young centre as the Blues look to retool their forward lines heading into next season.
Hurricanes Acquire Exclusive Rights to Defenseman John Carlson From Anaheim Ducks
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired exclusive negotiating rights to veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, sending prospect Kyle Masters and the No. 192 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Anaheim. Carlson, 36, totalled 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) in 71 games split between Washington and Anaheim this season and is a pending unrestricted free agent. Carolina now holds exclusive rights to negotiate with Carlson before the free-agent market opens at noon ET on July 1. There is no pre-arranged deal in place, but the Hurricanes are among several teams pursuing the veteran blueliner.
Alex Tuch Signs 8-Year, $84 Million Deal as Part of Sign-and-Trade to Washington Capitals
The Buffalo Sabres completed a sign-and-trade with the Washington Capitals on Friday, sending forward Alex Tuch to Washington in exchange for forward David Kampf and a 2026 third-round pick. As part of the deal, Tuch signed an eight-year contract averaging $10.5 million per season with Washington before the trade was executed. The 30-year-old scored 33 goals and 66 points for the Sabres in 79 games this season as Buffalo returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Washington also acquired Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, adding two significant offensive pieces in quick succession.
Bill Guerin Wins NHL Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year for Work With Wild
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin was named the NHL's Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year, announced Friday at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Guerin led the Wild through a landmark year — Minnesota defeated the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the franchise's first series victory in 11 years, before falling to the Colorado Avalanche in the second round. His most significant move came in December, when he acquired star defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster trade that transformed the Wild's blue line heading into the playoff run.
Sources: The Hockey News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NHL Free Agency Opens July 1: Bobrovsky, Andersson Lead Loaded UFA Class
NHL free agency opens Tuesday, July 1 at noon ET, with 32 teams maneuvering to add talent before the official market starts. The 2026 defensive UFA class is headlined by Rasmus Andersson and John Carlson, whose negotiating rights were acquired by Carolina on Friday. In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky — a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Florida — leads the unrestricted market after a down 2025–26 season. Several veteran forwards remain unsigned heading into the noon deadline. Multiple sign-and-trade agreements are expected to be finalized before then, as teams work under salary cap constraints to fill roster needs before the window officially opens.
Sources: The Hockey News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators 4–0
Montreal Canadiens def. Toronto Maple Leafs 4–2
Buffalo Sabres def. Boston Bruins 4–2
Philadelphia Flyers def. Washington Capitals 4–3
Conference Semifinals
Carolina Hurricanes def. Philadelphia Flyers 4–0
Montreal Canadiens def. Buffalo Sabres 4–3
Conference Finals
Carolina Hurricanes def. Montreal Canadiens 4–1
Western Conference
First Round
Vegas Golden Knights def. Utah Mammoth 4–2
Anaheim Ducks def. Los Angeles Kings 4–2
Colorado Avalanche def. Edmonton Oilers 4–1
Minnesota Wild def. Dallas Stars 4–2
Conference Semifinals
Vegas Golden Knights def. Anaheim Ducks 4–2
Colorado Avalanche def. Minnesota Wild
Conference Finals
Vegas Golden Knights def. Colorado Avalanche 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights 4–2
Carolina wins the 2026 Stanley Cup — June 14, 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.