June 2026 - Hockey Wiretap

The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs averaged 1.8 million U.S. viewers, setting an all-time record and surpassing the previous mark of 1.56 million set in 1996.

The figure represents a 68% increase over last year's playoff average. The Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights was the most-watched since 2019, according to ESPN, despite neither market ranking among the largest hockey cities in the country.

The viewership surge comes amid broader growth in the sport's popularity, particularly among women. Recent productions including "Heated Rivalry" and "Off Campus" have introduced hockey to wider audiences, while the 4 Nations Face-Off and Winter Olympics also drew increased attention to the game.

Changes in Nielsen's viewer measurement methodology have contributed to rating increases across sports broadly.

Mitch Marner spoke publicly Tuesday about his mental health struggles during his nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, fulfilling a promise he made before the Stanley Cup Final to address difficult periods earlier in his career.

The Vegas Golden Knights forward made the remarks after the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated Vegas in six games to claim the Stanley Cup.

"There were some really dark moments there, that the thought of playing hockey was just really tough, honestly, in a lot of ways," said Marner. "Just a dark kind of vibe, a dark hole in a way. And I'm very thankful that I had people around me, teammates that asked me how I was doing and knew that I was going through something, that I could talk to."

Marner produced 741 points in 657 regular-season games with Toronto but faced persistent criticism from fans and media over his postseason performances. He declined to sign an extension with the Maple Leafs last summer, joining Vegas after the Golden Knights acquired him in a trade.

"You should never be afraid to talk about your emotions and talk about your fears and what you're going through," he said. "I think I tried to check myself out of that in the last two or three years, just try to get off of it, try to get away from it."

Marner led all playoff scorers with 29 points in 22 games before going pointless in the final two games of the Stanley Cup Final. He credited his new environment and a tight team dynamic in Vegas with aiding his recovery.

"I think when you're in that mental blender, it puts a lot of stress on your body, on your mind," said Marner. "I think definitely being in a new environment maybe just helped just release it a little bit."

Nashville Predators general manager Chris MacFarland made his first move Tuesday, acquiring forward Ross Colton and prospect goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

The deal comes two weeks after MacFarland was hired as Nashville's general manager and president of hockey operations. He previously served as Colorado's GM before departing this offseason.

Colton, who has one year remaining on his $4 million contract, posted nine goals and 24 points in 73 games last season. The veteran forward gives Nashville another proven top-nine option as the club attempts to close the gap with playoff contenders in the Western Conference.

The Predators finished four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final Western Conference wild-card spot last season. Nashville carries a projected $23.22 million in cap space, per PuckPedia, with an unrestricted free agent class led by forward Erik Haula.

Colorado moves Colton to address salary cap constraints after finishing with the NHL's best regular-season record before being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals. The Avalanche now project $6.979 million in cap space, per PuckPedia, with four pending unrestricted free agents on defense including Jack Ahcan, Nick Blankenburg, Brent Burns and Brett Kulak.

MacFarland figures to remain active this offseason, with substantial cap space and draft capital available to build around a veteran core featuring Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Jonathan Marchessault, Ryan O'Reilly, Juuse Saros and Steven Stamkos.

The Vegas Golden Knights have named Ryan Craig head coach, the team announced Wednesday. Craig, 44, spent the past two seasons leading the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, compiling a 96-95-13-12 record and guiding the club to its first playoff appearance since 2022.

Craig replaces John Tortorella, whose tenure lasted just 79 days but included a division title, three playoff series victories and a Western Conference championship.

The franchise's previous three full-time head coaches each had at least two prior NHL head coaching stints before joining the organization whereas Craig arrives as a first-time NHL head coach.

Before taking over in Henderson in 2023, Craig served as an assistant with the Golden Knights for six seasons under three different head coaches, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2023. His ability to survive three regime changes as an assistant is considered rare in the league.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon has a longstanding relationship with Craig, dating to Craig's teenage years playing for McCrimmon's Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.

As a player, Craig appeared in 198 NHL games and 711 AHL games between 2003 and 2017, recording 32 goals and 63 points with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Craig's deep familiarity with the Golden Knights' roster and organizational structure is seen as a key factor in his selection, despite limited head coaching experience at the professional level.

Jim Hiller was named head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday following a search that began with 55 candidates, replacing Craig Berube after the team's 28th-place finish last season.

The 57-year-old compiled a 93-58-24 record over two seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings before being fired on March 1. He also previously served four seasons as a Maple Leafs assistant from 2015 to 2019.

"Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today's NHL," said Leafs GM John Chayka. "He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he's the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals."

Hiller spent 10 seasons as an NHL assistant with Detroit, Toronto, the New York Islanders and Los Angeles, focusing primarily on power play development. Toronto ranked among the league's top 10 in power play efficiency in each of his final three seasons with the club.

The candidate pool included Joe Pavelski, Patrick Roy, Dallas Eakins and Pat Ferschweiler, among others. The Leafs also interviewed Peter Laviolette before he accepted the Kings position earlier this month. Bruce Cassidy was never contacted, as the Vegas Golden Knights did not grant him permission to pursue other opportunities while they remained in the playoffs.

Berube was fired May 13 following Toronto's 28th-place finish.

The Vegas Golden Knights will not retain John Tortorella as head coach next season, the team announced Tuesday. Tortorella, 67, joined the club in March on a contract running only through June 30.

Vegas brought in Tortorella after dismissing Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season. He finished 21-8-1, including playoff games, before Carolina claimed the Stanley Cup in Game 6 on Sunday.

"We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March," general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. "Torts' experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final."

Sources told ESPN that Tortorella wants to continue coaching. He built credibility with veteran players by positioning himself as a confidence-builder during the club's stretch run.

Vegas is expected to review its full coaching staff, which includes Dominique Ducharme, Joel Ward, John Stevens, and Sean Burke. Sources indicate the organization views AHL Henderson head coach Ryan Craig as its long-term solution. Craig and McCrimmon share a relationship dating to Craig's playing days as captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings, a junior team McCrimmon operated.

Cassidy remains under contract with Vegas. The Golden Knights have blocked him from interviewing with the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, both division rivals with head coaching vacancies. Los Angeles filled its opening by hiring Peter Laviolette last week. Edmonton continues to pursue Mike Babcock, pending an NHL investigation, though the Oilers had preferred Cassidy. The league has ruled Vegas is within its rights to restrict Cassidy's movement while he remains under contract.

The NHL has opened a formal investigation into Mike Babcock's resignation as Columbus Blue Jackets head coach in September 2023, a person with knowledge of the matter told the Associated Press. The probe comes as the Edmonton Oilers pursue Babcock as their next coach.

A source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the inquiry, citing its private nature. All coaching hires require league approval before taking effect.

The NHL Players' Association requested the investigation last week following reports of Edmonton's interest in Babcock. The league delayed action until after the Stanley Cup Final concluded Sunday, with Carolina defeating Vegas for the championship.

Babcock stepped down from the Blue Jackets job fewer than three months after accepting it, having never coached a game. His departure followed criticism that his requests for personal photos from players constituted an invasion of privacy. The NHL had initially planned an investigation at that time but dropped it after Babcock resigned.

The 63-year-old has not coached an NHL game since Toronto fired him 23 games into the 2019-20 season. His resume includes a Stanley Cup title with Detroit in 2008, Finals appearances with the Red Wings in 2009 and Anaheim in 2003, and back-to-back Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014.

His reputation has since been clouded by misconduct allegations. Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told a Swedish outlet that Babcock was the worst person he had ever met, adding that he was at one point terrified to go to the rink. A separate report alleged Babcock asked a Toronto player to rank teammates by work ethic, then disclosed those rankings to the group.

Edmonton is seeking a replacement for Kris Knoblauch, dismissed after a first-round playoff exit despite consecutive Finals appearances. The Oilers sought permission to speak with recently dismissed coach Bruce Cassidy, but Vegas declined, as he remains under contract through next season.

The Carolina Hurricanes enter the offseason as the favorites to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, according to early odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Carolina captured its second Stanley Cup title in franchise history Sunday, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights to close out the 2026 playoffs. 

The Hurricanes are listed at +650 to win it all again, narrowly ahead of the Colorado Avalanche at +700. The Tampa Bay Lightning sit third at +1000.

The Avs and Lightning entered the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as prohibitive favorites.

The Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers round out the next tier of contenders, each priced between +1100 and +1200. The 2026-27 season is a critical one for the Oilers in what could be their final season with Connor McDavid.

Vegas, fresh off its Cup Final appearance, opens at +1400 for next season.

2027 Stanley Cup Odds

1. Carolina Hurricanes +650
2. Colorado Avalanche +700
3. Tampa Bay Lightning +1000
4. Edmonton Oilers +1100
5. Minnesota Wild +1200
6. Florida Panthers +1200
7. Vegas Golden Knights +1400
8. Ottawa Senators +1600
9. Dallas Stars +1700
10. New Jersey Devils +2000
11. Montreal Canadiens +2500
12. Anaheim Ducks +2700
13. Los Angeles Kings +3000
14. Buffalo Sabres +3300
15. Utah Mammoth +3300
16. Philadelphia Flyers +3500
17. Columbus Blue Jackets +4000
18. Toronto Maple Leafs +4000
19. Winnipeg Jets +4000
20. Washington Capitals +4500
21. San Jose Sharks +4500
22. New York Rangers +6000
23. Pittsburgh Penguins +6500
24. New York Islanders +8000
25. Detroit Red Wings +8000
26. Chicago Blackhawks +10000
27. Boston Bruins +10000
28. Nashville Predators +10000
29. St. Louis Blues +10000
30. Calgary Flames +22500
31. Seattle Kraken +25000
32. Vancouver Canucks +50000

Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella declined to address his future with the team after a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

"I haven't even considered it," Tortorella said. "I have to swallow this loss first."

The comments contrasted with remarks Tortorella made last week in an interview with Sportsnet, when he said he would be done with Vegas by the end of June. That statement appeared to reflect his original arrangement with general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who brought Tortorella in as a short-term replacement for the fired Bruce Cassidy on March 29.

McCrimmon said the Golden Knights had lost their identity under Cassidy and turned to Tortorella to restore it. Vegas went 7-1 to close the regular season under his guidance before advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

"Wild year, crazy year," defenseman Brayden McNabb said. "We came together as a group late in the year. Torts came in late in the year and did a great job. This is going to sting, it's going to haunt us. But we are proud of how we got here and how we played.

"Unfortunately, it just wasn't good enough."

Vegas had stumbled to a 1-5-2 record after the league's Olympic break in February and had fallen to third in the Pacific Division before Tortorella's arrival. Captain Mark Stone said the team's turnaround made the Game 6 result especially difficult.

"When I look at everything that happened this season, to give ourselves a chance, is pretty special," Stone said. "But it doesn't make things better right now. This feeling sucks. I never want to have it again."

The Golden Knights were without top center William Karlsson, who sustained an apparent arm or wrist injury in Game 5. Tortorella inserted Reilly Smith into the lineup in his place and also added Braeden Bowman, who had not played an NHL game since March 21.

Despite Carolina's goaltending change from Frederik Andersen to Brandon Bussi during the series, Tortorella stayed with Carter Hart in net for Game 6. Hart finished with a .909 save percentage but was outdueled by Bussi, who recorded a shutout.

"I thought their goaltender was really good tonight," Tortorella said. "Since he came in, he's been really good. We put some good minutes in too. It's a find a way league and they found a way and we didn't."

Vegas managed just five shots on goal from the first period through late in the third. Carolina extended its lead to 2-0 when Jackson Blake scored in the second period, and Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal in the third to seal the result.

Tortorella indicated he is open to continuing with the franchise.

"I feel very fortunate how this all came about just in a weird way at the end of the year," Tortorella said. "And then to get locked in with these guys, I feel very fortunate to get to know the team and just have the opportunity. I wanted to coach and just in with this group, I feel so fortunate."

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal was named winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs, becoming the oldest recipient in the award's history at age 37.

Staal's honor comes after Carolina defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games Sunday to capture the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, and the first time since 2006, according to ESPN.

The Conn Smythe also makes Staal the first player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup 17 years apart, following his first championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. The previous record of 16 years belonged to Chris Chelios, who won in 1986 and 2002.

"This is something I've been going after ever since we got the first one," Staal said. "You want to win it again and again and again. And what a feeling, what a battle."

Staal finished the playoffs with 12 points across 18 games, becoming the fourth consecutive forward to win the award, which is decided by a vote of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Acquired by Carolina in a trade from Pittsburgh in 2012, Staal spent 14 seasons with the Hurricanes and ranks second in franchise history with 972 games played. His first six seasons in Carolina came without a single playoff appearance.

"I don't want to say that the losing that he had to do for four, five years when he got here might have fueled him even more, but I think it did," Jordan Martinook said of Staal. "The fact that he's seen some pretty dark days here and then to be on the other side of it ... he stuck through it the whole time."

Staal recorded 499 points during his Hurricanes tenure and built a reputation as one of the league's top defensive centers, despite never winning the Selke Trophy. He took on the toughest defensive matchups throughout the playoffs and won 56.4 percent of his faceoffs entering Game 6, a mark that climbed to 69 percent during the Stanley Cup Final.

His offensive production proved decisive in the MVP vote. Staal scored six goals in the first five games against Vegas and became just the fifth player in NHL history to score in five consecutive Stanley Cup Final games.

"He's doing it all right now and it's a lot of fun to watch. That's what you want your captain to do," teammate Jackson Blake said. "He's done so many good things for us. He's so good defensively, but scoring every night, winning faceoffs, penalty killing, on the power play, you name it, he's doing it.

"So he's been special and a lot of fun to watch."