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Around the NHL: Sharks, Blackhawks open to trading top-4 picks; Avs could switch goaltenders ahead of Game 4
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Photo credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Tingly
May 11, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 11, 2026, 09:45 EDT
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Welcome back to another edition of around the NHL, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue to rule the sporting world.
The Carolina Hurricanes have punched their ticket into the Eastern Conference Final by sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers. The ‘Canes have dominated both the Ottawa Senators and Flyers, built on a structured game of defensive responsibility, and taking advantage of grade-A scoring chances.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens won Game 3 at home and now have a 2-1 lead over the Buffalo Sabres. In the Western Conference, the Anaheim Ducks won a huge Game 4 at home to even their series 2-2 with Mitch Marner, and the Vegas Golden Knights. Marner is currently leading the league with 16 playoff points, including two game-winning goals. Also in the West, the Colorado Avalanche hold a 2-1 lead over the Minnesota Wild, after Minny broke out for five goals in Game 3, leaving the Avs searching for answers, which we’ll touch on later.
Here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

San Jose Sharks & Chicago Blackhawks open for business

While the Toronto Maple Leafs may have won the NHL Draft Lottery, the San Jose Sharks had themselves a night as well. The Sharks moved up to the number two slot, leapfrogging several teams, and now general manager Mike Grier has another number two selection on his hands. The only thing is, the Sharks want to win now, so the draft pick is very much in play.
Grier spoke to the media following the lottery and wasn’t shy to put some of his cards on the table. “I’m always open to listening to what’s out there,” Grier told reporters after the lottery, including Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. Grier admitted he was very shocked to see the Sharks spring up the draft board, but now the fun begins reviewing his options.
TSN’s Darren Dreger was on Barn Burner with the Flames Nation crew and was spit balling that if Auston Matthews wanted out, the Sharks could offer a mega-package built around the number two pick:
The Sharks also need defencemen and are nowhere near the salary cap floor heading into the summer. Look for Grier to be the busiest, and likely the most aggressive executive on the trade market this summer, and don’t be surprised to see the second-overall pick moved.
There’s going to be some drama leading into and on draft night next month in Buffalo, and not only with the Sharks likely be involved, same goes for the Chicago Blackhawks. GM Kyle Davidson’s team landed at the number four pick, and while there’s a slew of defenceman who will still be on the board, the Blackhawks want proven NHL talent to surround Connor Bedard and company.
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta joined Daily Faceoff Live recently and mentioned how the Blackhawks are zoned in on moving the pick and could be in contact with John Chayka in Toronto.
“Chicago is definitely going to explore the market and see if you can bring an immediate impact, young, NHL-caliber player who is proven by enticing a team to take a package that includes the No. 4 overall pick. They’re going to circle back on Matthew Knies: I don’t know if Toronto has any interest in exploring it, but that’s not going to stop Chicago from inquiring.”

Colorado Avalanche looking for a save

After a couple of track meets in Colorado, the Avs and Minnesota Wild series made way to Minny, and it was a totally different story. The Wild won 5-1 in a pivotal Game 3 and now have the Avalanche searching for answers.
Head coach Jared Bednar pulled Scott Wedgewood in Game 3, after he gave up three goals on just 12 shots. Wedgewood had started every game for the Avs throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and following a regular season where he went 31-6-6 with a league leading 2.06 goals against average.
“We’ll have a decision to make, but there’s a decision to make every night,” Bednar said when asked who will start Monday, according to ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark. “You know, some are easier than others. I thought Blackwood was good. … So, yeah, we’ll talk about it and make a decision.”
Blackwood, on the other hand, stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced in Game 3, and dating back to the regular season, appeared in 36 games, posting a 2.51 GAA. Regardless of who’s in net, the Avs can’t expect to win many games scoring just one goal, so there’s plenty of things to worry about in their dressing room.

Quick hits from around the NHL

  • Circling back on the Sharks, they have just two defencemen signed for next season, so if they move the second pick, don’t be surprised to see a top-pair blueliner heading back the other way. There’s also been Morgan Rielly linked to being dealt to San Jose.
  • While the Blackhawks and Sharks are two teams to watch on the trade front, same goes for the St. Louis Blues, who could move Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and goaltender Jordan Binnington.
  • Macklin Celebrini has been named captain of Team Canada at the World Championships in Switzerland, an impressive feat considering the 19-year-old’s assistant captains are John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly.
  • Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov were named finalists for the Hart Trophy, as the NHL’s MVP of the regular season.
  • The same Kucherov who many scouts feel Gavin McKenna has the game to turn into eventually.
  • Still no progress on Evgeni Malkin’s contract extension in Pittsburgh, as the Penguins could be turning the page this summer.
  • Brady Tkachuk continues to be linked to offseason trades, and there’s lot of speculation growing about the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils being very interested in making a splash for the Ottawa Senators’ captain.
  • Expect to see Bruce Cassidy land an NHL head coaching gig sooner than later.
  • Keep an eye on the Edmonton Oilers, GM Stan Bowman is on the hot seat to make significant roster changes, as Connor McDavid isn’t going to settle for anything less.
  • One free agent who makes a lot of sense for the Oilers is ex-Maple Leaf, Bobby McMann.
  • Don’t be surprised to see the New York Rangers re-engage in Vincent Trocheck trade talks this summer.
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