Hearing of Claude Lemieux’s passing is truly heartbreaking. As someone who has faced mental health challenges, I can only reinforce what so many are already expressing: no one should ever hesitate to reach out and speak with someone when they’re struggling. May he rest in peace.
Lemieux represented Hampus Lindholm with the Bruins.
We lost another legend on Saturday with the passing of Dennis Hull. Often overshadowed by his brother Bobby during their time in Chicago, Dennis was a personal favorite of mine growing up as a young hockey fan. May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to Patrice Bergeron on being inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame on Sunday. Patrice Bergeron made IIHF history already as a teenager when he won a World Championship in 2004 before winning World Junior Championship gold in 2005. He’s also Triple Gold Club member number 25. In typical Bergeron fashion he said: “This is not about me; it’s about all the people who’ve supported me along the way. Hockey is the ultimate team game.”
Inducted along with Bergeron were: Andres Ambuhl, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Niklas Kronwall, Florence Schelling, and Thomas Vanek — and two builders, Ralph Krueger and Luc Tardif.
Group‑6 UFA Georgii Merkulov had his KHL rights transferred from CSKA to Torpedo — a move that normally wouldn’t raise eyebrows, given how frequently these transactions occur. But this one included monetary compensation heading to Torpedo, a detail that strongly suggests some level of dialogue with the player’s camp. One way or another, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Merkulov’s time with the Bruins is coming to an end.
When news broke that the Bruins wouldn’t be bringing back assistant coach Jay Leach, I made the case that Jay McKee would be an ideal replacement. Now, in a twist that underscores how quickly the market shifts, both coaches are being linked to openings with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now he has been named head coach of the AHL Hamilton Hammers.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has reversed a previous decision to ban Russia from all 2026-27 competitions and will now make a decision on Russia’s eligibility in future IIHF tournaments on an “event-by-event basis.”
The rumor mill is already operating at full tilt, and it’s still early in the offseason. Even if only a fraction of these rumors materializes, this could shape up to be the most compelling offseason in recent memory.
Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic: There’s a storm brewing with the potential for massive trades. One player who fits that criteria is Mason McTavish. I have zero evidence to suggest the Ducks are the ones calling teams. Several teams have inquired.
Pierre LeBrun on Melnick in the Afternoon: The Ducks are listening on him [Mason McTavish].
Pierre LeBrun on Melnick in the Afternoon: What I was told in the last couple of days is you’d be surprised at the kind of names that teams are willing to kick tires on that usually you’d be like don’t even ask, that’s ridiculous. It tells you where the temperature is.
Pierre LeBrun on Melnick in the Afternoon: Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid have to decide if they’re staying put, I think they both will stay put for at least another year, but neither one has made a final determination yet.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: As the Kraken look for ways to improve their roster, Kaapo Kakko is very much a trade candidate.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: Keeping him [Jason Robertson] on a long-term deal would lead to other questions and potential trade rumors, namely around Mavrik Bourque, who is also an RFA this summer.
Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet: In the last couple of days, I heard there’s been some positivity around Jason Robertson and Dallas.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: We’ll see what happens with Devon Levi. Sebastian Cossa wasn’t playing. There are a couple young goalies there, Cossa [Red Wings] and Levi, I’m curious to see who’s gonna jump at those opportunities.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: The interesting one there [Buffalo] is Michael Kesselring. He was far down the depth chart. As a right shot, I think they’ll have no problem finding somewhere for him to play if they decide to do it.
Frank Seravalli on Kevin Karius Show: [Alex Tuch] I think this hardball has gone on so long that my guess is it’s probably left a little bit of a sour taste in Tuch’s mouth.
Jeff Marek on Sekeres and Price: At what point is a team ready for the big move. If you’re the Sabres, do you try to get Connor Hellebuyck, and if so, it’s gonna cost you someone like Owen Power.
Dave Pagnotta on Oilers Nation Everyday: I think there is an understanding. He [Connor Hellebuyck] signed that long term deal, he committed. But if this team [Winnipeg] starts to regress, it doesn’t make sense to hold onto him. They’re not there yet by any stretch.
Dave Pagnotta on NHL Tonight: It wouldn’t surprise me if he [Sergei Bobrovsky] goes to July 1 to at least understand what the proper appetite is out there for his services, but again his priority would be to stay in Florida.
Frank Seravalli on Halford And Brough: I view him [Filip Hronek] as more of one of the untouchables. You still need to have pieces to play. You’re gonna need him as one of your leaders moving forward if you’re trying to re-establish that culture.
Elliotte Friedman on Donnie And Dhali: I think they’re [Vancouver and Manny Malhotra] working through it right now. There’s a chance we know in the next few days.
Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show: I still think that there would be some degree of shine on him [Elias Pettersson], or interest in him. I think the conditions are there for someone like him to still be moved.
Elliotte Friedman on Donnie and Dhali: Everybody’s well aware that Trevor Linden pitched the idea of a rebuild, but the ownership [Vancouver] wasn’t ready. I think that’s the thing that stood out right now is that they’ve accepted that needs to happen.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: Lots of teams are thinking long and hard about this player [Jake DeBrusk], and getting him to waive his no-move out of Vancouver is not expected to be an issue.
Frank Seravalli on The Big Show: This is a very movable player [Morgan Rielly]. Consider a team like the Sharks for instance, two NHL defensemen under contract.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: Morgan Rielly still has no-movement protection for the next two years, but the belief is that wouldn’t be a major hurdle to overcome.
Dave Pagnotta on Toronto Sports Rush: Wouldn’t surprise me if they lean in the direction of not qualifying him [Mattias Maccelli].
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: People are looking for goalies and they [Toronto Maple Leafs] have a surplus. They have to basically decide are they gonna have Dennis Hildeby be their backup next year or risk losing him on waivers.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: I just heard it’s likely he’s [Mario Ferraro] going to UFA, it just doesn’t sound like there’s been a lot of movement with him and the Shark.
Dave Pagnotta on Leafs Morning Take: Mario Ferraro wants term, that’s why he’s not staying in San Jose. The Sharks are only willing to give him a 2, 3-year extension and he’s looking for 5, 6 years plus. He wanted to stay
Chris Johnston on the Neilson Show: Ultimately it just feels like the Golden Knights are not gonna hand Bruce Cassidy over for next season to Edmonton, that’s just the way it feels.
Elliotte Friedman on Oilers Now: I think the Oilers are prepared to wait [Bruce Cassidy].
Pierre LeBrun on Oilers Now: The league feels that Vegas is within its legal and CBA rights because Cassidy has another year on his deal. They can deny permission to any team.
Dave Pagnotta on Hello Hockey: They’re [Vegas] probably gonna trade Adin Hill in the summer.
Pierre LeBrun on The Athletic: He’s [Jared Bednar] a quality coach and Cup champion, but I wonder what the wreckage will be in Colorado if the Avs bow out of the Western Conference final, as it sure looks like they will.
Elliotte Friedman on The Fan Hockey Show: The one thing [re Bednar] is this whole David Carle thing, and maybe Colorado decides to wade into that.
Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show: There’ll probably be a coaching discussion in Colorado if this goes the way it looks like it’s going and I do think there’ll be some tweaking to the roster, but I think they’ll largely be rolling back with the same crew’
Frank Seravalli on Frankly Hockey: Jonas Brodin with only two years left at 6 million bucks would be a pretty attractive option for teams that don’t have much defensive depth that Minnesota now does.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: If things were going well in that negotiation [Boone Jenner and Columbus], you don’t make the agent change. It says to me that there’s probably a little bit of disappointment.
Pierre LeBrun from the Athletic: All things being equal, it would appear an extension is the most likely outcome, but things are at an early and delicate stage [Nico Hischier].
Dave Pagnotta on DFO Rundown: What we do know that his name [Simon Nemec] has been floating around the trade market, even last offseason.
Jeff Marek in Sekeres and Price: The Devils were always pretty quick to send him [Simon Nemec] down to the minors for transgressions that they looked the other way on with Luke Hughes. That was not lost on observers, and players.
Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet: It now sounds like he wants to stay. Doesn’t mean he will. If New Jersey does go down the road on a Quinn Hughes trade, Nemec would certainly be a candidate to be part of the deal heading back to Minnesota.
Pierre LeBrun from the Athletic: Peter Laviolette has had preliminary discussions with a couple of teams. The Kings are one of those teams, a league source confirms.
Pierre LeBrun on Oilers Now: Samuel Montembeault is not gonna play another game for the Canadiens. They’re gonna have to move him.
Frank Seravalli on Frankly Hockey: Marc Bergevin is a name that I believe has been in the mix [Nashville Predators] at varying points and still could be that guy if it isn’t Chris MacFarland.
Chris Johnston on The Athletic: A strong desire for change in St. Louis, plus Jordan Kyrou’s dip in performance, has renewed the on-again, off-again trade talk that has surrounded his name.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: Vinny Prospal, really good NHL player. There’s talk out there he could be joining Jim Montgomery on the bench in St. Louis.
Saturday will be the return of The Dom-Hockey The Podcast in a rebranding. It will be available live on X, YouTube and right here on the blog under Podcast. The show will begin at 9:00 am. Follow along on X for updates.
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