The NHL offseason is heating up, and the New Jersey Devils might be making some key front office moves. According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest "32 Thoughts" podcast, keep an eye on Sunny Mehta potentially adding Bryan McCabe to the Devils' front office. Also on the radar is Braden Birch, currently serving as the Florida Panthers' director of hockey ops and salary cap management. These could be smart additions for a team looking to build on its recent momentum.
Speaking of momentum, the Carolina Hurricanes are absolutely on fire! They've become the first team since 1987 to start the Stanley Cup Playoffs with an 8-0 record. That's a historic run that has fans buzzing across the league.
Meanwhile, Mitch Marner is lighting up the scoreboard, leading all playoff scorers midway through the second round. The Hart Memorial Trophy finalists have also been announced, honoring the player deemed most valuable to their team this season.
In Toronto, all eyes are on Auston Matthews. Despite the Maple Leafs' recent NHL draft lottery win, Matthews remains uncertain about his future, according to an ESPN source. The 28-year-old star has two years left on his contract at a $13.25 million cap hit with a full no-movement clause. A source confirmed that Matthews is unsure if he'll return for the 2026-27 season or seek a trade to a Stanley Cup contender.
Looking ahead to the free-agent market, this year's class might be light on headline names, but there's plenty of quality talent set to hit the open market on July 1. With the salary cap rising, expect some eye-popping contracts for these players.
Finally, a feel-good story: former Canadiens star P.K. Subban has completed his $10-million pledge to the Montreal Children's Hospital—a decade after making the commitment. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation announced it's the largest philanthropic commitment by a professional athlete in Canada.
What do you think of these updates? Drop your thoughts below, and don't forget to gear up for the playoffs with our latest collection!