The 2026 NHL Draft begins tonight. Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
The preseason schedule is out:
We have more trades:
“Even if Nemec has more to give, the Devils don’t have the ability to put him in situations to squeeze that juice out of him. It was time to move on.” [Infernal Access ($)]
Hockey Links
One last mock draft ahead of the start of the draft tonight: [ESPN]
“Sources indicate the Carolina Hurricanes made a pitch this week for United States Olympic gold medalist and three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. The offer was believed to include a first-round pick along with pending RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin, a player swirling in trade winds this week. Nikishin, 24, scored 11 goals in his freshman season as a blue liner and was selected to the All-Rookie team alongside Matthew Schaefer.” [Hockey 24/7]
“The Minnesota Wild will sign Quinn Hughes to a new contract and would like to make it a long-term deal, owner Craig Leipold said. The defenseman is entering the final season of a six-year, $47.1 million contract ($7.85 million average annual value) he signed with the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 3, 2021. He would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.” [NHL.com]
“According to multiple sources, the Seattle Kraken were given permission by Dallas to talk to Jason Robertson, and offered him approximately $15 million per year on a eight-year deal — but the offer was declined.” [Sportsnet]
Colorado clears some space:
“The Washington Capitals completed a sign-and-trade for Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday that saw Tuch sign an eight-year extension with the Capitals averaging $10.5 million a year, and the Sabres getting a third-round draft pick in 2026 and forward David Kampf in return.” [ESPN]
Zach Benson gets a seven-year deal:
The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class has been announced: [NHL.com]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
