The Kraken made their first coaching change in franchise history during the 2024 NHL offseason, but that wasn’t the only reason it was historic.While Seattle brought Dan Bylsma aboard to replace Dave Hakstol, it was the team’s choice of Jessica Campbell as one of the team’s assistant coaches that raised eyebrows across the NHL.Campbell enjoyed a quality, decade-long career as a hockey player before making the foray into coaching in 2017. She has since become a rising star and will now get a chance to prove herself on the Kraken’s bench.Here’s what to know about the Kraken hiring Campbell and her…

The Steven Stamkos era in Tampa Bay is over. The first day of free agency did not disappoint with the drama. The longtime captain’s time in Tampa Bay has come to an end, as Stamkos is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal with the Predators, leaving the organization with whom he brought two Stanley Cups. There’s no sugarcoating it — Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay is a stunning turn of events. There were rumblings starting in the preseason when Stamkos expressed his displeasure with the front office that an extension had not yet been worked out, signaling a potential divorce. While no…

Let the frenzy begin. Monday marks the official turning of the page in the NHL, as the 2023-24 campaign comes to an end and the 2024-25 season begins. Contracts have expired, and players are hitting the open market as free agents. The madness did not wait for July 1. On the second day of the 2024 NHL Draft, there were plenty of trades, including Utah landing two key members to its blue line, the Leafs giving themselves a better chance to land one of the top available defensemen, and the Lightning clearing some cap space for the captain.There are going to be…

The 2023-24 NHL season is in the books. The 2024 NHL Draft is in the rearview. Now, it’s time for the roster shuffle ahead of the 2024-25 season.Free agency is set to begin at noon ET on July 1, kicking off the period in which players can start signing with new teams.There are no shortage of stars available in free agency. Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamokos and Elias Lindholm are among the most prominent names that will be on the open market. And that’s just the players without contracts. Then there’s trade candidates like Mitch Marner, Patrik Laine and Martin…

There aren’t many insults worse in hockey than calling someone a traffic cone. So when noted Panthers’ fan called Florida defender Aaron Ekblad a traffic cone in 2023, the 2014 No. 1 pick did not take it well.Ekblad got the last laugh in on Sunday. During the team’s Stanley Cup parade, the 10-year Panthers veteran took to the microphone on stage with a traffic cone on his head, and delivered a message to the LIV golfer.”F— you Brooks Koepka,” Ekblad shouted into the mic, followed up with a cheer.“F*** YOU, BROOKS KOEPKA”— Aaron Ekblad, wearing a traffic cone on his…

The Maple Leafs have consistently been tied to defenseman Chris Tanev in the weeks leading up to free agency. The pending unrestricted free agent is regarded as one of the top blue-liners available on the market and fits a role that Toronto is looking to address. Turns out, the Leafs liked him so much, they weren’t willing to wait until free agency opened on Monday.The team announced that it acquired the rights to Tanev in a trade with the Stars, sending a late draft pick and another pending free agent to Dallas. It allows the Leafs to negotiate with the Toronto…

The Utah Hockey Club isn’t wasting any time making a noise for itself. The NHL’s newest franchise made the first bold move of the offseason, landing star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Lightning in a deal made on Day 2 of the 2024 NHL Draft. New team owner Ryan Smith hasn’t shied away from the fact that he wants this team to compete as soon as possible, and Utah GM Bill Armstrong went out and made a statement by acquiring the talent Russian, who was a key cog in the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. For Tampa Bay, it…

2024 NHL Draft orderThe first 32 picks of the NHL Draft came and went last night. Some teams, like the Sharks and Blackhawks, got their key pieces to help the future of the franchise, while 30 other teams may still be seeking that next major piece to help build for the future.Here is the remainder of the draft order, beginning with the 33rd selection.Round 2RoundPickOverallTeam2133San Jose Sharks2234Chicago Blackhawks2335Anaheim Ducks2436Columbus Blue Jackets (optional to Flyers)2537Winnipeg Jets (from Canadiens via Utah and Kings)2638Utah Hockey Club2739Ottawa Senators2840Seattle Kraken2941Calgary Flames21042Buffalo Sabres (from Devils via Sharks)21143Buffalo Sabres21244Pittsburgh Penguins (from Flyers via Hurricanes)21345Minnesota Wild21446Pittsburgh Penguins21547Detroit Red Wings21648St. Louis Blues21749Utah…

Day 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft is in the books. There were 32 names called at The Sphere in Las Vegas Friday night, as the first round of the selection show concluded. As expected, the Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. The Boston University center was viewed as the consensus No. 1 prospect after a stellar freshman season with the Terriers that culminated in a Hobey Baker Award. After that, Artyom Levshunov was selected by the Blackhawks at No. 2, Cayden Lindstrom went to the Blue Jackets at No. 4, and Ivan Demidov was taken fifth by the Canadiens to round out the top…

The first round of the 2024 NHL Draft is in the books. The Sphere in Las Vegas was the site for the first 32 selections of this year’s entry-level draft, where a number of prospects had their dreams come true, hearing their name called by an NHL organization. As is the case every year, there were winners, and there were losers. Some clubs made out like kings, landing a prized possession as a building block for the future. Other teams made puzzling decisions when their time came to pick a player. Who won the first round of the draft, and who will be…