Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 40 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. Here are some big news coming out of the world of hockey:
- Blackhawks Make Major Draft-Day Splash – In a very wild trade, the Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway in exchange for the 4th overall pick, the 45th overall pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier. Byram is coming off a career-best season with 42 points and gives the Blackhawks another cornerstone piece alongside Connor Bedard and their young core. The move signals that Chicago is ready to accelerate its rebuild and begin pushing toward playoff contention rather than waiting on another high draft selection. Meanwhile, Buffalo gains another top-five pick in a draft they are hosting and now possess significant draft capital moving forward. A big price to pay for Chicago?
- Capitals Acquire Jordan Kyrou in Blockbuster Trade – The Washington Capitals made a significant addition by acquiring forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues. In return, Washington sent Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the 16th overall pick in the upcoming draft to St. Louis. Kyrou brings elite speed and offensive upside to a Capitals team looking to remain competitive while balancing the transition from the Alex Ovechkin era. The Blues, meanwhile, continue to reshape their roster and now hold multiple first-round selections heading into draft weekend, giving them plenty of flexibility to continue their retool.
- Brady Tkachuk Traded to Florida Panthers – One of the most significant moves of the offseason saw the Ottawa Senators trade captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the 9th and 25th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional 2029 first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round selection. The trade reunites Brady with his brother Matthew Tkachuk, creating one of the NHL’s most compelling storylines heading into next season. Tkachuk recorded 59 points in 60 games this year and brings a unique combination of leadership, physicality, and offensive production to an already talented Panthers roster. While Florida paid a steep price to acquire the star forward, General Manager Bill Zito has indicated the team may not be finished making moves this summer. For Ottawa, the deal provides valuable draft assets and added flexibility as the organization continues to reshape its roster for the future.
- Ottawa Senators Add William Eklund – Speaking of Ottawa, after moving on from Brady Tkachuk, the Senators quickly reshaped their roster by acquiring forward William Eklund along with prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda, from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Eklund, 23, is coming off a 53-point season and has developed into a skilled top-six winger known for his playmaking ability, speed, and hockey IQ. The move signals that the Senators are attempting to remain competitive rather than entering a full rebuild following the Tkachuk trade.
- Calgary Flames Acquire Simon Nemec – The Calgary Flames made a significant move to strengthen their future by acquiring former second-overall pick Simon Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils. In return, Calgary sent two top-10 protected future first-round picks, a 2026 second-round pick, and defense prospect Étienne Morin to New Jersey. At just 22 years old, Nemec is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s top young defensemen and is expected to become a key piece of Calgary’s blue line for years to come. The Devils, meanwhile, gained valuable draft assets and additional flexibility as they prepare for the NHL Draft and free agency.
- Seattle Kraken Land Mackie Samoskevich – The Seattle Kraken acquire Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2027. The 23-year-old winger is coming off a career-best season with 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games and was a member of Florida’s 2025 Stanley Cup championship team. Florida moved Samoskevich as part of the cap and asset management required to complete their aggressive offseason plans. Shortly after acquiring Mackie Samoskevich, the Kraken locked up another key piece of their forward group by re-signing Bobby McMann to a six-year, $34.5 million contract extension. McMann was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline and quickly made an impact, recording 14 points in 18 games with Seattle. He finished the season with a career-high 29 goals and 46 points, and the Kraken clearly see him as an important part of their offensive core moving forward.
- Mike Babcock Returns Behind an NHL Bench – One of the more controversial stories of the offseason came when the Edmonton Oilers announced Mike Babcock as their new head coach and had his presser this past week. Babcock replaces Kris Knoblauch after Edmonton’s disappointing first-round playoff exit. The veteran coach returns to the NHL after several years away and brings a Stanley Cup championship, Olympic gold medals, and nearly 700 career NHL victories. However, his hiring has generated debate across the hockey world due to past concerns surrounding player relations and leadership style. Edmonton is betting that Babcock’s experience can help guide a talented roster back into Stanley Cup contention.
- Toronto Marlies Capture the 2026 Calder Cup – The Toronto Marlies are the 2026 AHL Calder Cup Champions after defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-1 in the Finals. The championship is the second Calder Cup in franchise history and marks Toronto’s first title since 2018. The Marlies completed an impressive playoff run that included overcoming multiple elimination games before finishing off Chicago on home ice. Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the most valuable player of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old netminder was outstanding throughout the postseason and has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in the Maple Leafs organization after also making his NHL debut during the 2025-26 season.
- NHL Exploring Expansion Opportunities in Texas – The NHL Board of Governors meetings is that the league has officially begun exploring expansion opportunities in Texas, with Houston and Austin emerging as the leading candidates for a potential 33rd franchise. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the league has entered a six-month evaluation process with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his ownership group, who have secured exclusive rights to pursue a team in the state. Both cities would require a new arena, and the total investment, including an expansion fee and arena development, is estimated at approximately $3.5 billion. Houston has long been viewed as a leading expansion candidate due to its large market size, while Austin has gained momentum thanks to its rapid growth and strong sports market. Although no final decision has been made, this represents the most significant NHL expansion discussion since the arrival of the Seattle Kraken.
- PWHL Announces First Outside Investors – The Professional Women’s Hockey League reached another major milestone this week by announcing its first outside investors since launching in 2024. Two prominent sports ownership groups, Ilitch Companies and Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Ventures, have joined the league as strategic partners, bringing additional financial backing and business expertise. The move is viewed as a significant vote of confidence in the league’s long-term future, which has already expanded from six to twelve teams in just three seasons. While the PWHL will continue to operate under its centralized ownership structure led by Mark and Kimbra Walter, the addition of outside investors signals growing confidence in women’s professional hockey and provides further support for the league’s continued growth and expansion.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
