
NHL Announces 2026‑27 Season Kickoff and Landmark Matchups
The league unveils a September 29 start, a tripleheader on ESPN, and a series of marquee games that promise fresh storylines across North America and beyond.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning John Chayka across Hockey.

The league unveils a September 29 start, a tripleheader on ESPN, and a series of marquee games that promise fresh storylines across North America and beyond.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have hired Brandon Pridham to lead key operational functions, bringing a trusted lieutenant of president Kyle Dubas back into the organization after a stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Minnesota Wild entered the offseason with a sense of déjà vu, marking the second consecutive year that the club’s list of pending moves has stalled at the planning stage. Fans have watched the free‑agent market shift beneath them, hoping that a blockbuster acquisition will finally break the cycle of disappointment.

Steve Yzerman’s departure triggers a five‑candidate hunt, with Evan Gold, Kris Draper, Tom Fitzgerald, Shawn Horcoff and Brendan Shanahan each offering distinct leadership qualities.

The Ottawa Senators finished the 2025‑26 campaign with 99 points and a playoff berth, while the Toronto Maple Leafs slipped to 78 points and missed the postseason. Ottawa’s offseason was marked by the trade request of captain Brady Tkachuk, who ultimately moved to Florida, and the subsequent arrival of forwards William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky, as well as goaltender Samuel Ersson, to shore up the roster. The club also retained key veterans such as Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins and Jordan Spence, preserving much of the talent that drove their strong finish. Toronto responded with a sweeping revision of its hockey operations, appointing Jim Hiller as head coach and overhauling the roster through trades that brought in Darren Raddysh, Nick Paul and Emil Andrae, and by selecting Gavin McKenna first overall in the draft. Free‑agent signings added Sergei Bobrovsky, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Brandon Duhaime and Zack MacEwen, while the organization brought in Daniel Alfredsson as an associate coach. Although the Leafs’ activity appears more extensive on paper, the article argues that Ottawa’s deeper core and the strategic additions made during the offseason give them the edge heading into the 2026‑27 season.
Owner Christopher Ilitch is steering the Detroit Red Wings toward a data‑focused front office, with analytics‑savvy candidates and experienced executives like Brendan Shanahan under consideration.

The Detroit Red Wings are weighing internal candidates for a pivotal front‑office role, with Ryan Martin’s extensive experience and modern outlook positioning him as a leading contender amid a shifting roster landscape.

Despite impressive résumés, many NHL GMs find that past triumphs do not guarantee success in a different organizational culture.

The Toronto Marlies have announced a series of promotions and hires that reshape their hockey operations and coaching staff, positioning the club for another deep playoff run.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have added a seasoned Hall of Fame goaltender to their roster, pairing him with a injury‑prone backup to create a balanced tandem for the 2026‑27 campaign

The Anaheim Ducks have matched Philadelphia's offer for Leo Carlsson, the Toronto Maple Leafs have overhauled their front office, and the Detroit Red Wings are testing the market for Dylan Larkin, while Colorado's Jared Bednar continues to fine‑tune ice time for his stars.

The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, while the Toronto Maple Leafs revamp their management and the Detroit Red Wings explore trades for Dylan Larkin. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche fine‑tune their roster under Jared Bednar, and Pierre‑Edouard Bellemare stays in North America after retirement.

After eight years of service, Hayley Wickenheiser has left the Toronto Maple Leafs’ front office, citing differing expectations with new general manager John Chayka.

After eight years of service, Hayley Wickenheiser announced her departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs front office, citing differing visions with new general manager John Chayka. The move concludes a distinguished career that includes multiple Olympic and world championships for Canada.

Hayley Wickenheiser, a Hall of Famer and Olympic legend, announced her departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs front office after eight years, as part of a restructuring led by new general manager John Chayka.

After eight years of service, Hayley Wickenheiser announced her departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs front office, citing a new direction under general manager John Chayka and expressing gratitude for the organization’s community.

Hayley Wickenheiser, a cornerstone of Canadian women's hockey, announced that she will leave the Toronto Maple Leafs after eight years in the organization's front office. Her departure comes after a series of discussions with the team's newly appointed general manager, John Chayka, who outlined a different strategic direction for the club. Wickenheiser first joined the Maple Leafs in 2018 as assistant director of player development, a role she later elevated to assistant general manager in July 2022, bringing a decorated playing résumé that includes four Olympic gold medals and seven world championship titles. In a statement, Chayka thanked Wickenheiser for her contributions, highlighting her impact on player development and the broader growth of the sport, and wished her success in her future endeavors.

After eight years of service, Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser announced her departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs front office, citing differing visions with new general manager John Chayka.

Hall of Fame player Hayley Wickenheiser is leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs after eight years of service, marking the end of a significant era for the organization.

After eight years of service, former Olympic captain Hayley Wickenheiser has announced her exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs, reflecting on a storied career and the organization’s new direction.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed nine newcomers ahead of the upcoming season, sparking a deep dive into how they will fit around Auston Matthews and what it means for the team's defensive and goaltending plans.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured forward Jacob Quillan with a new contract that blends guaranteed NHL earnings with performance incentives, positioning him as a key depth option while the team navigates a crowded bottom six.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are navigating a crowded salary cap as they aim to finalize a competitive lineup for the upcoming season, with key acquisitions and a top draft pick on the horizon.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured Emil Andrae on a $1.55 million cap‑hit contract, adding a versatile, right‑handed defenseman to their third‑pairing and signaling continued activity in the free‑agent market.