Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL, as we’ve entered NHL Draft week, and we’re just a couple of weeks away from free agency opening. The offseason has already started off with a bang, and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka has been a major reason for all of the noise.

Chayka was hired, proceeded to see the Leafs win the NHL Draft Lottery, and has since traded away Joseph Woll, who started the most games of any Leafs’ goalie last season, and pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning to land Darren Raddysh, who was hands down the best two-way defenceman available on the free-agent market.

While the Maple Leafs have been making most of the headlines recently, there’s plenty of action ongoing around the league, including a Sunday blockbuster. Here’s the very latest from around the NHL, in what’s shaping up to be an all-time offseason, full of transactions:

Brady Tkachuk joins brother Matthew in Florida

Well, well, well, it’s a tough day to be a Senators fan as Ottawa traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for three first-round picks, and a second-round pick. The Senators received the ninth and 25th overall picks in this year’s draft, plus a 2027 second-rounder and a top-ten protected 2029 first-round pick.

There’s been a ton of speculation about Tkachuk’s future since the end of this past season, and despite many saying the Senators captain was committed to the franchise, that turns out not to be the case at all. Tkachuk informed general manager Steve Staios he wasn’t going to sign another extension with the team, and submitted a list of four teams he’d be willing to play for, including the Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, and of course, the Panthers.

Tkachuk has two years left on his contract at $8.2 million AAV, and the Panthers have just over $7 million in cap space, without Sergei Bobrovsky signed, and no starting goaltender in site. While the Senators and Panthers pulled off this blockbuster less than a week ahead of the NHL Draft, don’t be surprised to see both teams making more roster changes ahead of July 1, when free agency begins. Ottawa has already been linked to making a huge splash for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, who is a pending restricted free agent.

Canucks talking Pettersson trade, willing to retain salary

According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Vancouver Canucks are open to dealing Elias Pettersson, and they’ll eat some of his remaining salary to do so.

Pettersson, 27, is signed to the 2032 season at $11.6 million AAV, and with his full no-movement clause, certainly holds legitimate say in the matter. The Canucks’ centre scored just 15 goals and 51 points in 74 games last season, which for $11.6 million, is a tough pill to swallow. With a new management regime, and coaching staff in Vancouver, Pettersson’s future has been top of mind for the fanbase, who is very curious to see how this all plays out heading into the summer.

Previously, the Carolina Hurricanes had trade interest, but with how their season finished, it’s unlikely they make such a drastic trade. The Boston Bruins are in the market for a centre, same goes for the Montreal Canadiens. The Detroit Red Wings have Dylan Larkin on the trade market, but Larkin doesn’t have Vancouver on his short list. Two other teams to keep an eye on are the New York Islanders, who are open to moving Mat Barzal, and the Buffalo Sabres, who have Bowen Byram on the trade market.

With Raddysh signed, John Carlson’s free-agent stock skyrockets

The 2026 free-agent crop isn’t anything to write home about, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a few free agents who can make a serious two-way impact heading into next season. Right-handed defenceman John Carlson watched Darren Raddysh get signed-and-traded to the Maple Leafs last week, which should have been music to his ears, considering now Carlson’s quickly becomes the best offensive defenceman available on the open market.

Carlson started last season with the Washington Capitals and then was shockingly traded to the Anaheim Ducks, despite the Caps being just four points out of a wildcard position. The move stunned Washington’s dressing room, and it stunned Carlson, who went to Anaheim and produced, despite the circumstances.

Carlson posted 14 points in 16 games with the Ducks, and added six assists in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He’s still a very capable power-play quarterback, he can play top-four minutes, and he’s going to likely sign for somewhere between $8-$10 million average annual value on the open market on a short-term deal.

Carlson’s made it very clear he prefers playing closer to home within the Eastern Conference, so a return to Anaheim appears out of the cards. A reunion in Washington seems like a long shot given the blindsiding trade, so where does Carlson wind up signing? Keep an eye on the Philadelphia Flyers, who would like to add another defenceman, and don’t be surprised to see the Tampa Bay Lightning try to work that AAV down, as they look to replace Raddysh’s production.

Quick hits from around the NHL

Bobby McMann is staying in Seattle, as the speedy winger signed a six-year contract extension worth $34.5 million.
Before the Tkachuk blockbuster, the Florida Panthers acquired a 2026 first-round pick from the Kraken in exchange for Mackie Samoskevich.
Dylan Larkin’s preference is to play in the United States, despite trade interest from multiple Canadian teams.
New York Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck changed agents to help facilitate a trade this summer.
The Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, and Florida Panthers are all open to moving their top-10 first-round picks.
Connor Hellebuyck’s name is making it’s rounds on the trade market, and the Panthers seem to be the team to watch. Two other teams to keep an eye on include the New Jersey Devils, who are shopping Jacob Markstrom, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who are never shy to make shocking trades, and could include Adin Hill, Tomas Hertl, and Pavel Dorofeyev in the deal.
Rasmus Andersson is interested in returning to the Golden Knights, even though he could make much more hitting the open market.
Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher remains a prime trade candidate, and has been linked to the Canucks.
On Vancouver, while Pettersson is in play, so too are Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser, according to multiple insiders.
Former Maple Leaf Ilya Lyubushkin is expected to be traded by the Dallas Stars, as they look to shed salary to re-sign Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque.
Alex Tuch is heading to the open market and is likely to sign to richest contract off the summer.
Mike Babcock is expected to be officially introduced this week as the Edmonton Oilers new bench boss.
Sergei Bobrovsky apparently wants a five-or-six year contract, at $7 million AAV. ‘Goalie Bob’ turns 38 in September.
Anthony Mantha, fresh off his 33-goal season, isn’t expected to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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