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Every NHL Team's Greatest Draft Pick of All Time - One Pick for All 32 Teams
With the 2026 NHL Draft behind us, let's take a look back at some of the greatest selections in NHL history. In this piece, we will name the greatest draft pick of all time from each of the 32 NHL teams. However, to make this a bit more difficult, we will only include names who […]
The return of Chris Tanev will stabilize Maple Leafs’ blueline
The return of Chris Tanev will stabilize Maple Leafs’ blueline
Montreal Canadiens Getting Trade Calls On Arber Xhekaj
The Montreal Canadiens are fielding calls on one of their most popular players. Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, speaking on Leafs Morning Take, multiple teams have been calling Montreal to inquire about defenseman Arber Xhekaj. "Some teams have been calling about Arber Xhekaj," Pagnotta said. Marco D'Amico of RG Media confirmed the same, reporting that multiple teams have reached out about the supersized blueliner. Why He's Available The interest stems from a logjam on Montreal's blue line. Xhekaj, a 25-year-old restricted free agent still without a contract for 2026-27, saw his role diminish significantly last season, at times appearing to fall out of Martin St. Louis' plans and dropping in the pecking order during the playoffs. #Habs Jeff Gorton on contract talks wih Arber Xhekaj "We've already had conversations with Arber himself when he left Montreal for the summer. I feel pretty confident that all our guys will continue good conversations. Right now it's the draft, kind of concentrate on that, and… pic.twitter.com/71JLzPYO6C — Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) June 25, 2026 The bigger factor is the impending arrival of top prospect David Reinbacher, who posted 24 points in 57 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket, along with other young defensemen like Adam Engstrom pushing for NHL time. With the Canadiens' defensive core now largely locked in, Xhekaj could be the odd man out. There also appears to be a disconnect between management and the coaching staff, as GM Kent Hughes has been firm about not wanting to trade him, while St. Louis has barely used him even when he dresses. What He Brings At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Xhekaj is one of the toughest players in the league and exactly the type of physical presence that draws interest. He led the Canadiens with 178 hits during the regular season and posted a plus-5 rating across Montreal's 13-game playoff run, fitting the identity Hughes has tried to build of a team that is difficult to play against. For his career, the undrafted defenseman has 33 points and 416 penalty minutes across 230 games. The Calgary Flames showed interest before the March deadline, and given his profile, it is easy to see rebuilding teams kicking tires on a young, physical, left-shot defender who could earn more consistent playing time elsewhere. The Complication Trading Xhekaj would come with real risk. Montreal has repeatedly emphasized wanting to become bigger and more physical, and moving a player who embodies exactly that would send an unusual message. Financially, the Canadiens are not under pressure to make a move, entering the offseason with roughly $14 million in cap space and no urgent need to clear money. However, Hughes still has holes to fill, having not yet added a right-shot defenseman or an impact top-six forward, and if Xhekaj can be the piece that helps land one of those, Montreal may have to listen.
Gavin McKenna’s First Maple Leafs Test Isn’t Talent — It’s Patience
Gavin McKenna’s First Maple Leafs Test Isn’t Talent — It’s Patience
Thursday Habs Headlines: The case for re-signing Josh Anderson
Montreal Canadiens news and notes Josh Anderson is entering the final year of his current contract and the Habs should get on that extension. [ The Sick Podcast ] The Canadiens’ five best contracts heading into the 2026–27 season. [ The Hockey Writers ] The Habs will open the 2026–27 season in Toronto before facing the defending champs Carolina Hurricanes in their own home opener. [ Montreal Gazette ] Around the league and elsewhere After seven seasons, Steve Yze...
Trevor Zegras Contract: Flyers Sign Center to Almost 40 Million Dollar Deal
Trevor Zegras signs a 4-year, $36.5M extension with the Philadelphia Flyers. Jay On Leafs explains how the Leo Carlsson offer sheet drove up the price tag.
Maple Leafs May Just Be Able to Cash in on GM Change in Detroit
The Toronto Maple Leafs might have an opportunity to pounce on the situation in Detroit, potentially dealing with the Red Wings. The post Maple Leafs May Just Be Able to Cash in on GM Change in Detroit appeared first on HEAVY .
7 Candidates To Replace Steve Yzerman As Red Wings New GM
The Steve Yzerman era is over in the Motor City. The Detroit Red Wings are looking for a new general manager after the franchise icon stepped down from his head of hockey operations role, and moved into a senior advisory position. The search is on for a replacement. Insider Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Tonight that " They will cast a wide net, they will give their internal candidates, you're talking about people like Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff, they will give them the opportunity, but they are also going to go outside." With that, let's have a look at a list of seven candidates that could be in the running for the job in Detroit, starting with the internal candidates that Friedman named. Kris Draper, Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff, Red Wings assistant GM Draper spent 17 of his 20 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, and won 4 Stanley Cups with the club. He was hired into the Detroit front office in 2011 , immediately following his retirement as a player, and has been there ever since. He's been an AGM since 2023. Horcoff has been in the Wings front office in a variety of roles since 2016, and was named an AGM in 2022. Moving on now to several currently employed candidates with other teams, who have had their names up for other GM openings since the season ended: Kevyn Adams, former Sabres GM, now Bruins senior avisor Scott White, Stars assistant GM Ryan Martin, Rangers associate GM Adams just took the job in the Bruins' front office earlier this week, so it might not be cool for him to bail on them this quickly, but in hindsight, the job he did in building the Buffalo Sabres now looks pretty good, as the team he assembled soared to new heights this season, albeit after he was fired. Then there are two candidates who are free from obligations to another team right now, and could be looking for their next opportunity. And one of them is a mighty intriguing possibility: Would Shanahan want the Red Wings job? — Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 15, 2026 Brendan Shanahan : He is a legendary Red Wings player. He was part of three Stanley Cup triumphs with the team in the late '90s/early '00s and spent nine years there. After his playing career, he eventually served as the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2014 through 2025 until parting ways after his contract expired. He's been working in an advisory capacity for the NHL hockey operations department and serving as the leader of a review of men's junior hockey in Ontario for Hockey Canada. Evan Gold, former B ruins assistant GM: He just announced this week that he was leaving his post with Boston, effective August 1st. He was a strong candidate for a few of the GM openings this cycle, including with the Leafs. The Red Wings search for a new hockey boss in on in earnest.
Did the Maple Leafs Focus on What Nick Robertson Wasn’t?
Did the Maple Leafs Focus on What Nick Robertson Wasn’t?
Auston Matthews faces a major leadership question after Craig Berube's Mitch Marner admission
Auston Matthews was called out by Craig Berube when he said Mitch Marner was Toronto's emotional leader and needs to prove he's the right guy to lead the team.