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Around the NHL: Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe, Devils shopping Jacob Markstrom, Dylan Larkin’s preferred trade list expands
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Photo credit: © Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
Jeremy Tingly
Jun 15, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 15, 2026, 08:34 EDT
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Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the 2026 Stanley Cup. The ‘Canes were led by head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who instilled a passion for hard work, and a culture of doing whatever it takes for your teammates, and to win.
Carolina defeated Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, and Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal took home the Conn Smythe trophy, as Stanley Cup Playoff MVP, the oldest player in NHL history to take home the honour. Staal was unreal all playoffs and turned it up a notch against the Golden Knights. Staal put up 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 19 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with seven of those points, including six goals, coming in the six games of the Final.
“It’s an unbelievable ending to a great story,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I’m so proud of him, and I’m proud that he was able to do that in front of the whole hockey world. Everyone got to see now what I’ve known forever, what kind of player he is, but a leader. We’re not hoisting that without him. It’s just not even close.”
Staal had quite the surprise during his firsthand off of the Cup, finding 36-year-old Frederik Andersen for the first pass. A move that caught Andersen off guard considering he didn’t play in the final couple of games. The veteran netminder, and former Maple Leaf, revealed after the game that he injured his knee in a 4-3 overtime win in Game 2 of the Final.
“I was shocked,” Andersen said. “I was a deer in the headlights. “Yeah, I was not really ready for that, but it was a very cool moment. I think I obviously waited for that a long time and been dreaming of it for a long time.
“So, yeah, that felt good.”
Once again, congrats to the entire Hurricanes organization for winning the Stanley Cup, and happy offseason to all who celebrate.
Here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

New Jersey Devils shopping goaltender Jacob Markstrom

According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the New Jersey Devils have connected with a number of teams to notify them goaltender Jacob Markstrom is available on the trade market. Freshly minted general manager Sunny Mehta hasn’t been on the job long, but nobody should be looking at Mehta to be sitting on his hands and expect to see some significant changes coming to the Devils’ roster.
Markstrom, 36, has two seasons left on his contract at $6 million AAV, and owns a 20-team no-trade list. The Devils have Jake Allen and Nico Daws, who’s a pending restricted free agent, and capable of playing backup to the veteran Allen. As for Markstrom, he appeared in 44 games last season, posting a 23-19-1 record, along with a .883 save percentage, and 3.07 goals against average.
As far as potential trade destinations go, the Florida Panthers jump out as an option. The Panthers haven’t been able to come to terms with Sergei Bobrovsky and could see Markstrom has a capable replacement. Markstrom broke into the NHL with the Panthers and spent parts of four seasons previously with the organization.
Other teams to add to the watch list include the Edmonton Oilers, Utah Mammoth, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets, depending on the future of Connor Hellebuyck.

Detroit asks Dylan Larkin to add more teams to preferred list

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is dealing with a mess on his hands. After a multi-year feud with captain Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings GM is now busy trying to land the best package possible in trade talks.
Reports initially surfaced stating Larkin was open to a deal only to the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights, and now The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting Yzerman has been in contact with Larkin’s agent Pat Brisson and has demanded a few more teams be included as potential destinations. These teams are rumored to be the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and Utah Mammoth.
The Mammoth could quickly become sneaky favorites as they’re loaded with NHL-ready young talent, including Cole Beaudoin, Tij Iginla, and Caleb Desnoyers. They also have Barrett Hayton, who is available, and could be a nice plug-and-play option for Yzerman. There’s also Red Wings goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa, who has been rumored to asked out as well, and Cossa makes sense as a trade target for Utah, as they look to find a long-term solution to tandem with Karel Vejmelka.
Larkin’s getting dealt, that much we know. The feud stems from Yzerman’s lack of additions over the course of the last three seasons, something Larkin’s publicly called him out for in the past.

Quick hits from around the NHL

  • Darnell Nurse trade request continues, as the Oilers’ defenceman has been linked to the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks.
  • If Nurse goes to Philly, don’t be surprised to see Owen Tippett heading back the other way.
  • Taylor Hall became the first NHL player to be drafted first overall, win the Hart Trophy, and win the Stanley Cup, all with three different teams.
  • Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella doesn’t know what his coaching future holds.
  • Brendan Gallagher will be traded or bought out by the Montreal Canadiens, and trade talks continue to link him to the Vancouver Canucks.
  • Tons of speculation brewing recently that the Toronto Maple Leafs informed Gavin McKenna he’s going number one.
  • Ottawa Senators are expected to offer Stuart Skinner a contract on July 1.
  • So far, Zach Werenski hasn’t asked to be traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets, but certainly something to monitor this summer.
  • It appears Alex Tuch will be heading to free agency, as the Buffalo Sabres and Tuch’s camp continue to be far apart in contract talks.
  • Along with Tuch, the same situation is brewing for Anders Lee and the New York Islanders.
  • All signs are pointing to the NHL allowing Mike Babcock to coach the Edmonton Oilers.
  • Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens have significant interest in Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish.
  • Columbus Blue Jackets expected to explore trade market on goaltender Elvis Merzlikins this offseason.
  • For what it’s worth, Joe Pavelski’s son Nathan was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers over the weekend.
  • Remember when Marner rejected a trade to the Hurricanes last season? It’s funny how things work out sometimes.
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