Inside the NHL
The names. The moves. The stories behind the sport.
Gavin McKenna set for Toronto Maple Leafs preseason debut vs. Montreal Canadiens on Saturday
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that 2026 NHL Draft No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna will make his preseason debut on Saturday night when Toronto hosts the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena. The NHL.com report also says McKenna is expected to skate on a line with center John Tavares and right wing William Nylander.
Drew Doughty named 15th captain of Los Angeles Kings, with leadership group updated
The National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings announced Drew Doughty as their 15th team captain, appointing Adrian Kempe as an alternate and keeping Mikey Anderson in that role while Artemi Panarin joins as the third alternate captain. Doughty emphasized his goal of winning a Stanley Cup after taking over following Anze Kopitar’s retirement.
Martin Brodeur says Jack Hughes is taking greater responsibility with the New Jersey Devils
NHL Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, a New Jersey Devils executive vice president of hockey operations, says Jack Hughes has returned to the Devils prepared to lead and take on a bigger role after winning gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Mike Babcock says Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will start Oilers season on same line vs. Canucks
Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock says Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will open the season together as two-thirds of the team’s top line when the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks on Sept. 29.
Patrick Kane opens Chicago Blackhawks training camp as alternate captain, ahead of Sept. 29 season opener
The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks began training camp on Thursday with Patrick Kane set as an alternate captain, and the team’s leadership group also includes Connor Bedard as captain. Kane, entering his 20th NHL season and second stint with Chicago, is on a two-year contract signed July 23.
Alex Ovechkin marks 22nd Capitals camp, opened with new teammates and confirms return on a one-year deal
The Washington Capitals began Alex Ovechkin’s 22nd NHL training camp with new faces on the ice and a focus on roster depth as Ovechkin enters his 41st season following a one-year contract signed July 2.
William Nylander says he’s “super excited” to start Maple Leafs training camp on a line with Gavin McKenna
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander said he is “super excited” after being placed on a line with 2026 NHL Draft No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna and captain John Tavares on the first day of training camp, with head coach Jim Hiller describing the pairing as a fit shaped by McKenna living at the Tavares family home.
San Jose Sharks sign coach Ryan Warsofsky to multiyear contract
The San Jose Sharks announced they have signed head coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multiyear contract, extending the deal for the 37-year-old who was hired on June 13, 2024.
Seth Jarvis skates in noncontact jersey as Carolina Hurricanes recover ahead of shoulder-surgery timeline
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, recovering from right-shoulder surgery performed in late June, skated in a noncontact jersey during the team’s first training camp practice on Thursday and said he feels “ahead of schedule.” The Hurricanes also said restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin will not be at camp because he is not under contract, while preparations continue for the season opener against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Sept. 29.
Winnipeg Jets open camp without Connor Hellebuyck as team keeps contract goalie in limbo
Winnipeg Jets teammates began training camp Thursday without Connor Hellebuyck after the team suspended him for failing to report. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said the franchise is seeking the right deal and is not willing to simply trade him away.
Dylan Larkin says Detroit Red Wings trade request ‘wasn't easy’ and remains unclear
Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin said Thursday that requesting a trade was not easy and that he does not regret making the request, but he declined to clarify where the situation stands or whether it has any path to resolution.
Connor Hellebuyck suspended after not reporting to Winnipeg Jets training camp, NHL.com reports
Connor Hellebuyck did not report to the Winnipeg Jets’ training camp on Wednesday and was suspended by the team, according to NHL.com. The move follows Hellebuyck’s earlier public request for a trade from Winnipeg.
Maple Leafs first pick Gavin McKenna joins John Tavares and Auston Matthews at Toronto media day
Toronto Maple Leafs rookie prospect Gavin McKenna, selected first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, attended Toronto’s media day and spoke with leadership including captains Auston Matthews and John Tavares ahead of training camp and the team’s Sept. 29 season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL.com releases 2026-27 fantasy point projections, led by McDavid and MacKinnon
NHL.com has published forward and defenseman point totals projected for the 2026-27 NHL season (84-game basis) for fantasy hockey, with Connor McDavid (135) and Nathan MacKinnon (130) topping the list. The projections also include league-wide notes on injuries and how estimated totals were developed.
NHL.com releases Fantasy Hockey mock draft for 2026-27 season featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini
NHL.com has published a Fantasy Hockey mock draft for the 2026-27 season, simulating rosters for 12 teams and listing 192 players in standard fantasy categories. The first overall pick was Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, ahead of Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com releases top 10 rookie rankings for standard fantasy hockey leagues in 2026-27
NHL.com has published its top 10 rookie rankings for standard fantasy hockey leagues for the 2026-27 season, highlighting 2025 and 2026 draft picks and rookie-eligible players across multiple teams. The list notes which names are eligible for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the best NHL rookie as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.