Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Makar Claims Top Defenseman Ranking for Record Fifth Consecutive Year
Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar has claimed the top spot on NHL Network’s ranking of the top 20 blueliners heading into 2026-27, doing so for a record fifth consecutive year. Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes was placed second, with Columbus Blue Jackets rearguard Zach Werenski third. Makar recorded 79 points last season — third among NHL defencemen — and posted a plus-40 rating. His Avalanche teammate Devon Toews landed at No. 20, making Colorado one of two clubs with two defencemen on the list; Minnesota also placed twice, with Brock Faber checking in at No. 14.
Jets Sign Defenceman Tyrel Bauer to Two-Year Contract
The Winnipeg Jets announced Monday they have agreed to terms with defenceman Tyrel Bauer on a two-year deal at an average annual value of $875,000. The pact is two-way in 2026-27 and one-way in 2027-28. Bauer, 24, appeared in 52 AHL games for the Manitoba Moose last season, totaling five points and 110 penalty minutes. He was named the AHL’s Man of the Year in May, receiving the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for community impact. The signing bolsters depth on the left side of Winnipeg’s defence corps ahead of training camp.
Sources: Winnipeg Jets/NHL.com
Larkin Trade Stalls as Detroit Searches for New General Manager
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request, submitted in early June, remains unresolved with no deal in sight. The club is still searching for a new general manager after Steve Yzerman shifted to a senior advisory role in July, leaving interim GM Shawn Horcoff without authority to execute trades. Larkin holds five years at $8.7 million annually on his deal and has approved Minnesota, Florida, Vegas, and Dallas as trade destinations — all cap-constrained clubs. Detroit’s asking price, requiring a first-line centre in return, has not been matched by any suitor, making a pre-camp trade increasingly unlikely.
Sources: The Hockey News
Quinn Hughes Contract Extension Remains Unsigned as Wild Camp Approaches
The Minnesota Wild and defenceman Quinn Hughes remain without a contract extension as training camp approaches, keeping one of the NHL’s top storylines alive into August. Wild GM Bill Guerin traveled to Michigan last month to meet directly with Hughes, 26, and team owner Craig Leipold stated publicly the club will re-sign him — with the question being how long the term will be. Minnesota prefers a longer deal; Hughes reportedly favors three years to sync up with his brother Jack’s expiry. Insiders project the extension will land around $17 to $18 million annually, which would set a new Wild salary record.
Sources: Star Tribune
Laine Remains Unsigned Six Weeks into Free Agency as PTO Looms
Finnish winger Patrik Laine remains unsigned more than six weeks into free agency, with his market narrowing considerably. Several teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild have been linked to the 28-year-old throughout the summer, but no deal has emerged. The New York Islanders made contact, offering only a professional tryout rather than a guaranteed contract. Laine scored 20 goals in 52 games for Montreal in 2024-25 and carries a strong power-play track record, but a 2025-26 season limited to five games by injury has made teams cautious about committing guaranteed money.
Sources: Bleacher Report
Staal Eyes Another Title as Hurricanes Face Depth Questions After Jarvis Surgery
Jordan Staal enters 2026-27 in the final year of his contract with no intention of slowing down. The 38-year-old Carolina Hurricanes captain won the Conn Smythe Trophy in June as the Hurricanes claimed their second Stanley Cup championship, becoming the oldest player in NHL history to receive the award. Staal has already indicated he wants another run at the title. Meanwhile, the defending champions face depth concerns: forward Seth Jarvis is sidelined four to six months after shoulder surgery in late June. Prospects Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum are candidates to fill the top-six gap until Jarvis returns.
Sources: Spectors Hockey
NHL Preview: Babcock Takes Over in Edmonton as McDavid Contract Clock Ticks
NHL.com’s 32-in-32 season preview examined the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, spotlighting a franchise in transition. After a first-round playoff loss to Anaheim, Edmonton replaced coach Kris Knoblauch with veteran Mike Babcock, who was cleared by an NHL investigation and named head coach in June. The Oilers also dealt Darnell Nurse to San Jose and added goalies Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi. The central storyline is Connor McDavid’s contract: he enters a two-year deal at $12.5 million annually and becomes a free agent after 2027-28, giving the organization a clear deadline on its championship window.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division — 2025-26 Final
1. Buffalo Sabres — 109 pts (50-23-9)
2. Tampa Bay Lightning — 106 pts (50-26-6)
3. Montreal Canadiens — 106 pts (48-24-10)
4. Boston Bruins — 100 pts (45-27-10)
5. Ottawa Senators — 99 pts (44-27-11)
6. Detroit Red Wings — 92 pts (41-31-10)
7. Florida Panthers — 84 pts (40-38-4)
8. Toronto Maple Leafs — 78 pts (32-36-14)
Metropolitan Division — 2025-26 Final
1. Carolina Hurricanes — 113 pts (53-22-7)
2. Pittsburgh Penguins — 98 pts (41-25-16)
3. Philadelphia Flyers — 98 pts (43-27-12)
4. Washington Capitals — 95 pts (43-30-9)
5. Columbus Blue Jackets — 92 pts (40-30-12)
6. New York Islanders — 91 pts (43-34-5)
7. New Jersey Devils — 87 pts (42-37-3)
8. New York Rangers — 77 pts (34-39-9)
Western Conference
Central Division — 2025-26 Final
1. Colorado Avalanche — 121 pts (55-16-11)
2. Dallas Stars — 112 pts (50-20-12)
3. Minnesota Wild — 104 pts (46-24-12)
4. Utah Mammoth — 92 pts (43-33-6)
5. St. Louis Blues — 86 pts (37-33-12)
6. Nashville Predators — 86 pts (38-34-10)
7. Winnipeg Jets — 82 pts (35-35-12)
8. Chicago Blackhawks — 72 pts (29-39-14)
Pacific Division — 2025-26 Final
1. Vegas Golden Knights — 95 pts (39-26-17)
2. Edmonton Oilers — 93 pts (41-30-11)
3. Anaheim Ducks — 92 pts (43-33-6)
4. Los Angeles Kings — 90 pts (35-27-20)
5. San Jose Sharks — 86 pts (39-35-8)
6. Seattle Kraken — 79 pts (34-37-11)
7. Calgary Flames — 77 pts (34-39-9)
8. Vancouver Canucks — 58 pts (25-49-8)
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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