Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Friday, August 14, 2026
NHL Announces Condensed 2026-27 Preseason Schedule for September
The NHL will begin its 2026-27 preseason on September 19, running just eight days before the regular season opens September 29. The 65-game slate is the first reduced preseason mandated by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which also expands the regular season to 84 games. Highlights include the Kraft Hockeyville community game on September 21 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, featuring the Montreal Canadiens against the Ottawa Senators. The abbreviated preseason places a premium on early training-camp decisions, giving prospects less time to impress and reducing teams’ ability to evaluate fringe roster candidates before rosters are finalized.
Werenski Reaffirms Blue Jackets Commitment After Trade Turmoil
Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski spoke publicly for the first time since a turbulent summer to reaffirm his commitment to the franchise. The 29-year-old Norris Trophy winner recorded 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games last season. He said he “would have no issues being here for an even longer time,” despite GM Don Waddell having arranged a trade to the Dallas Stars on June 30 — a deal Werenski blocked using his no-trade clause. Werenski ranks second on Columbus’s all-time scoring list with 465 points in 642 games. The Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for a sixth straight season, finishing 40-30-12.
Brock Nelson Reflects on Gold Medal Season, Looks Ahead with Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche centre Brock Nelson called his 2025-26 campaign a “crazy year” — and for good reason. Nelson scored 33 goals and 65 points in 81 games while reaching his 1,000th career NHL game, and helped the United States defeat Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim Olympic gold. His family’s Olympic connection runs deep: uncle Dave Christian played on the 1980 U.S. team that completed the Miracle on Ice, while grandfather Bill Christian and great-uncle Roger Christian won gold in 1960. The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche finished 55-16-11 with 121 points before being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Minnesota Wild Shake Up Roster in Bid to Break Playoff Ceiling
The Minnesota Wild enter 2026-27 with cautious optimism after their deepest playoff run in over a decade. Going 46-24-12, Minnesota beat Dallas in six games — their first series win since 2015 — before falling to Colorado in five. Veteran forward Mats Zuccarello departed for Los Angeles on a one-year, $1-million deal. GM Bill Guerin acquired Blake Coleman and defenceman Olli Maatta from Calgary for Jake Middleton and draft picks on July 2, saying the team is “going for something a little bit different.” Kirill Kaprizov scored 45 goals and Matt Boldy added 42 goals last season, giving Minnesota two of the league’s top scorers.
Wild’s Hughes, Faber Among NHL’s Elite on Skating and Shooting Metrics
NHL EDGE tracking data places several Minnesota Wild players among the league’s statistical leaders. Defenceman Quinn Hughes ranked fourth among blueliners in high-speed skating bursts above 20 mph with 174 such efforts, while Brock Faber finished 10th with 129 and set career highs in goals (15) and shots on goal (173) across 80 games. Kirill Kaprizov tied for fourth in the NHL with 45 goals; Matt Boldy tied for ninth with 42, making Minnesota one of just three teams with two 40-goal scorers. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt ranked second in the NHL in save percentage at .916. Filip Gustavsson had offseason hip surgery.
Los Angeles Kings Turn to Laviolette to Unlock Offensive Potential
The Los Angeles Kings are betting on new head coach Peter Laviolette to fix a persistent offensive problem. Los Angeles ranked 29th in the NHL last season in total goals (220) and average goals per game (2.68), despite finishing seventh in goals allowed (238). The Kings qualified for the playoffs for a fifth straight year but were eliminated in the first round by Colorado. Laviolette, known for attack-oriented systems, reunites with forward Artemi Panarin — coached together with the New York Rangers from 2023-25 — and adds Mats Zuccarello on a one-year, $1-million deal. Defenceman Brandt Clarke signed a five-year, $37-million contract in June. Anze Kopitar retired following last season.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round: Carolina def. Ottawa 4–0
Second Round: Carolina def. Philadelphia 4–0
Conf. Final: Carolina def. Montreal 4–1
Western Conference
First Round: Colorado def. LA Kings 4–0
First Round: Minnesota def. Dallas 4–2
Second Round: Colorado def. Minnesota 4–1
Conf. Final: Vegas def. Colorado 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 — Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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