Transaction Notes: Smith, Carrick, Posch
Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith has announced his commitment to the University of Minnesota for the 2026-27 season, he announced via his Instagram page. “I’m excited to announce my commitment to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for the 2026–27 season,” Smith stated in his announcement. “I want to thank everyone in Everett—my teammates, coaches, staff, and fans—for four incredible seasons and for helping me grow both on and off the ice. I’m grateful for everything along the way and can’t wait to get started on this next chapter.” The former third-round pick has spent the last three seasons with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, where he served as the captain during the 2025-26 season. During his time in Everett, Smith has begun to round out his game, seeing a steady increase in production from the back-end. He finished the 2025 season with 16 goals and 71 points in 65 games. Everett, who is set to face the Prince Albert Raiders in Game 1 of the WHL Championship this Friday, has been without the services of their captain for the last two rounds of the playoffs. He has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Additional Notes:
- Out of the NHL this evening, Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick remains out with a left arm injury, via Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca. Carrick sustained the injury in a fight against New York Islanders forward Anders Lee back on March 31st. This morning, Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said Carrick “could be a possibility’ for their game one matchup against Montreal, but Sabres fans will have to wait until game two to see if the 34-year-old center is ready to get back in the lineup. Carrick had five goals and six points in 13 games for the Sabres after coming over from the New York Rangers at the deadline.
- There was also some news out of Colorado today as goaltender Isak Posch has returned to the Colorado Eagles on loan from the Avalanche, per the AHL’s transaction log. This comes as no surprise, as Colorado and Minnesota will have three full days in between their game two and three matchups. Posch played 28 games for the Eagles this season, posting a 2.78 GAA and a .891 SV%. Game 3 in Minnesota is set for 8:00 p.m. CST on Saturday.
Seattle Kraken Assign Jake O’Brien To AHL
The Seattle Kraken are continuing the trend of moving prospects in the Canadian major junior system to the American Hockey League for the Calder Cup playoffs. According to the AHL transaction log, the Kraken have reassigned forward Jake O’Brien to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds.
O’Brien, 18, is only a year removed from being selected with the eighth overall pick by Seattle. He was coming off an exceptional year with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs, scoring 32 goals and 98 points in 66 games with a -2 rating. Although he was nearly 40 points shy of the league’s leading scorer, O’Brien’s final scoring line placed him in the top 10 of scorers in the OHL and was an impressive season by all accounts.
This season, O’Brien took a step forward in nearly every metric. As the new captain of the Bulldogs, O’Brien finished his age-19 season with 28 goals and 93 points in 55 games with a +34 rating. In the postseason, despite falling short in the OHL Conference Final, O’Brien was exceptional, scoring six goals and 23 points in 15 games.
Obviously, the Kraken feel that his offensive game is at the point where he won’t look out of place in professional hockey. He may not play for the Firebirds in the postseason, but being around the team and participating in practice will make his transition easier.
If his progress continues positively, becoming a top scorer at all levels would be the best outcome for Seattle. Partially due to coaching schematics and the team on the ice, the Kraken have desperately needed a high-production forward. This season, Jordan Eberle finished as the team’s highest scorer with 26 goals and 55 points in 80 games. Additionally, the team finished 28th in the league in total scoring.
As O’Brien progresses through his professional career, it’ll be important to pair him with a pure goal scorer. His vision on the ice is his greatest strength, as he can easily pass through defenders to find open teammates. Fellow prospect Jani Nyman has shown flashes of elite goal-scoring at the AHL level, though the Kraken may want to find someone with a higher ceiling to pair with their top prospect.
Bruins Notes: Pastrnak, Sturm, Hagens
Following a first-round exit at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Boston Bruins’ leadership met with the media on Wednesday for a candid end-of-season press conference. While CEO Charlie Jacobs expressed confidence that the organization is on the “right track,” the overarching theme of the day was the identified need for high-end personnel upgrades. President Cam Neely was blunt regarding the roster’s current construction, stating that the team lacks a true No. 1 center and must prioritize adding both talent and speed this summer to become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Additional Bruins notes:
- Cam Neely identified the lack of a premier center as a primary concern. He noted that the solution could come from “growing one from within” or looking “outside our group,” but emphasized that the vacancy must be rectified to move the needle in the postseason.
- Addressing David Pastrnak’s comments about turning 30 and wanting to maximize his prime, Don Sweeney acknowledged the need to “accelerate” the team’s improvement. Sweeney noted that “everything is in play,” including the potential use of future assets to bolster the current roster.
- Sweeney praised first-year head coach Marco Sturm for making the team “a hell of a lot more competitive.” While the foundation is set, management plans to “tweak” the defensive system to eliminate the inconsistencies that crept into their game late in the season.
- The Bruins remain without a captain, but Neely confirmed that discussions for next season have already begun. While Sweeney views leadership as a “collective thing,” Marco Sturm will have a significant voice in determining if a single player will wear the “C” next year.
- Sweeney discussed top prospect James Hagens, noting he would have preferred Hagens play for the Providence Bruins in the AHL playoffs rather than Team USA at the World Championships, but “rules are rules.” He cautioned that the path to the NHL remains a difficult “A-Z” journey.
- Several Bruins are confirmed for the upcoming World Championships, including Joonas Korpisalo and Henri Jokiharju (Finland), James Hagens, Sean Kuraly, and Mason Lohrei (USA), and Fraser Minten (Canada).
NHL Sets Salary Cap For 2026-27 Season
The NHL’s financial landscape is officially shifting toward a period of unprecedented growth. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the league has formally notified its 32 member clubs of the confirmed team payroll ranges for the 2026-27 season. These figures represent a significant victory for the NHLPA and front offices, as hockey-related revenue continues to surge, finally moving past the stagnant cap era of the early 2020s.
For the first time in league history, the salary cap ceiling is poised to break into nine digits. The league has officially set the Upper Limit at $104 million. To maintain the necessary spread across the league, the Midpoint has been established at $90.4 million, while the Lower Limit will rise to $76.9 million. Perhaps most notably for the league’s elite superstars, the maximum individual player salary, which is set at 20% of the upper limit, will climb to $20.8 million per season.
This jump to $104 million marks a massive increase of roughly $8.5 million over the previous year’s projections. This rapid escalation provides vital breathing room for teams currently navigating difficult salary cap situations. Organizations that have locked their core players into long-term deals will see those contracts take a significantly smaller percentage of the overall pool. An $8 million AAV contract that once felt like a burden will soon represent a much more manageable portion of a team’s total budget, allowing General Managers to be more aggressive in the free-agent market while retaining their homegrown talent.
The rising floor also creates a unique dynamic for rebuilding teams. With a minimum spending requirement of $76.9 million, clubs heavy on entry-level contracts will be forced to spend more aggressively to stay compliant. This could lead to a busier trade market where rebuilding teams take on veteran contracts in exchange for draft assets, or it could result in higher-value, short-term “bridge” deals for veteran leaders brought in to mentor young prospects.
With the 2026-27 numbers now set in stone, front offices finally have the clarity needed to plan their long-term rosters. Fans should expect a flurry of contract extensions this summer as agents and GMs look to navigate this new, high-ceiling market before the next wave of superstars resets the bar for what a “max contract” looks like in the modern NHL.
Injury Notes: Cates, Dvorak, Tippett, Nikishin
The Philadelphia Flyers’ postseason hurdles just reached a new height. Down 2-0 as the series shifts back to Wells Fargo Center, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the worst-case scenario for his forward group: Noah Cates is out for the remainder of the series.
Cates, who hit career highs this season with 47 points and has been the team’s most reliable two-way presence, suffered a lower-body injury after taking a shot off the foot in Game 2. While he finished that game, he was seen in a walking boot on Wednesday, and the team has officially ruled him out for the duration of the second round.
Additional injury notes:
- The Anaheim Ducks receive a boost as Troy Terry is expected to return to the lineup for their series against Vegas. However, the blue line takes a hit as veteran Radko Gudas remains out with a lower-body injury. After battling recurring injuries throughout the season, Terry made his return in Game 1 against Vegas.
- Carolina Hurricanes high-profile rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has been cleared to play. After missing the start of the series due to a concussion sustained in the first round, he is an option for Game 3 and will likely slot in alongside Shayne Gostisbehere.
- The Flyers also noted forward Christian Dvorak is currently day-to-day and took a maintenance day on Wednesday, though he is expected to play in Game 3. Also, Owen Tippett, who has missed the first two games of the series, remains a game-time decision for Thursday. While he has returned to practice, his availability hinges on a final evaluation before puck drop.
Blues Assign Justin Carbonneau To AHL
The St. Louis Blues have reassigned top forward prospect Justin Carbonneau from the QMJHL’s Blainville‑Boisbriand Armada to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, the club announced today. The move comes just days after Carbonneau’s junior season ended in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss, but the 19‑year‑old now joins Springfield as the Thunderbirds look to close out their first‑round series against the Providence Bruins.
Carbonneau will join the AHL on the heels of one of the most dominant seasons by any junior forward in 2025–26. The Blues’ 2024 second‑round pick was a force in the QMJHL, leading the league with 51 goals and earning the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the Q’s top goal scorer. He finished his regular season with 80 points and a +31 rating in 60 games, cementing himself as one of the most productive and polished young forwards outside the NHL.
In the postseason, Carbonneau posted 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) in 17 playoff games, finishing tied for fourth in goals and fifth in points across the entire league. He was consistently Blainville‑Boisbriand’s most dangerous forward, driving offense through pace, touch volume, and a heavy shot that translated seamlessly against tighter playoff checking. Even in the series loss, he looked every bit like a player ready for the next step.
Whether that next step includes immediate AHL action remains unclear. Springfield holds a 2–1 series lead over Providence heading into Thursday’s potential clinching Game 4, and the Thunderbirds have not yet indicated whether Carbonneau will dress. It’s not uncommon for junior call‑ups to spend time practicing before entering the lineup, especially after a deep playoff run that ends with a quick turnaround. Still, Carbonneau’s scoring touch and ability to tilt the ice at even strength give Springfield an intriguing option should they choose to use him.
The assignment also gives the Blues’ development staff a valuable window to evaluate Carbonneau against pro competition before next fall’s training camp. His blend of goal‑scoring instincts, competitiveness, and two‑way detail has already made him one of the organization’s most closely watched prospects, and a late‑season AHL cameo would offer a meaningful benchmark for where he stands in the pipeline.
Carbonneau isn’t the only Blues prospect joining Springfield this week. Defenseman Adam Jiricek, whose OHL season also ended in a Game 7 loss, has been promoted as well. Like Carbonneau, his availability for Game 4 remains uncertain.
Anthony Cirelli, Brock Nelson, Nick Suzuki Named Selke Trophy Finalists
The NHL announced today that Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens have been named the three finalists for the 2025–26 Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the forward who “best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.” Voting was conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the conclusion of the regular season.
Cirelli earned his second consecutive Selke nomination after another standout two-way campaign in Tampa Bay. The Lightning posted the NHL’s second-best goal differential (+57) and third-best goals against (229), with Cirelli driving their defensive identity. Despite missing 11 games, he led all Tampa Bay forwards in shorthanded ice time (186:51) for a penalty kill that ranked third in the league at 82.6%. At even-strength, the Lightning outscored opponents 76-42 with Cirelli on the ice, a team-best 64.4% goal share, and the highest mark of his eight full NHL seasons. He also posted a career-high +38 rating and took a team-leading 1,075 faceoffs. Cirelli finished third in last year’s voting, becoming the first Selke finalist in franchise history.
Nelson, a first-time finalist in his first full season with Colorado, played a crucial role in the Avalanche’s defensive turnaround. They captured the Presidents’ Trophy, allowing a league-low 197 goals, 34 fewer than last year and 25 fewer than any other team this season. Nelson logged a career-high 1,591:55 in total ice time and nearly 50% more shorthanded minutes. Colorado’s penalty kill led the NHL at 84.6%, surrendering just 36 goals on 234 opportunities. Nelson also set personal bests in faceoffs taken (1,459) and wins (735, 50.4%). If he wins, he’d become the first player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to claim the Selke, the last Colorado player to reach finalist status was Joe Sakic in 2000–01.
Suzuki, the Canadiens’ captain, helped Montreal win its highest point total (106) since 2014–15 and its stingiest defensive season (251 goals against) in seven years. He played all 82 games, leading the team’s forwards in total ice time and even-strength minutes. Suzuki took 1,449 faceoffs (32.2% of Montreal’s draws) and ranked sixth in the league in total attempts. At even strength, the Canadiens outscored opponents 94–58 with him on the ice, a career-best 61.8% goal share. Suzuki aims to join franchise legends Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau, who won the award seven times.
The Selke Trophy was first awarded in 1977 in honor of longtime executive Frank J. Selke, a key architect of championship teams in both Montreal and Toronto.
The NHL’s awards finalist announcements continue Thursday, May 7, when the league will reveal the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
Philadelphia Flyers Recall Jett Luchanko
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that top prospect Jett Luchanko has been recalled from his OHL team, the Brantford Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs recently lost in game seven of the OHL’s Eastern Conference Final to the Barrie Colts, ending their season. That has freed Luchanko to join the Flyers as a (likely) reserve player. The Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, did not qualify for the postseason.
The Flyers have lost the first two games of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, and a loss tomorrow would push them to the brink of elimination. As a result, it is highly unlikely Luchanko actually gets to dress for games on this recall, but there is nonetheless some value in him getting the chance to join the Flyers in the midst of their run.
The 19-year-old is one of Philadelphia’s very best prospects. He was selected No. 13 overall at the 2024 draft, and has made the Flyers’ main roster out of training camp in back-to-back seasons. Each year, Luchanko has been reassigned back to junior hockey after playing in four NHL games.
Luchanko didn’t have the best season in the OHL this year, scoring 50 points in 53 combined regular-season and playoff contests across two different OHL teams. It’s not always the best sign for such a highly-drafted forward prospect to be scoring at below a point-per-game rate in the CHL a full two years after he was drafted, but Luchanko’s game has always been about more than just scoring. Elite Prospects, who ranked Luchanko as the No. 30 prospect in the NHL entering the season, called the forward a “mature defensive player” and “high-floor prospect.”
Now, as his junior season has come to a close, Luchanko will get the chance to soak in as much as he can by joining the Flyers for their playoff run.
Transaction Notes: Koblar, Liukas, Sekac
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tinus Luc Koblar will exit his club Leksands IF as a result of their relegation to Sweden’s second tier, the HockeyAllsvenskan. Koblar is a 2025 second-round pick of the club and was Toronto’s highest selection of its 2025 draft class. He was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in Toronto’s system by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, who called Koblar a “big, strong, sturdy center who can skate.”
Koblar is coming off of a solid first season since being drafted. Although the lack of success found by his club was undoubtedly disappointing, he had a strong year individually. He made his professional debut for Leksands and managed to stick with the club’s senior team for most of the season, scoring eight goals and 14 points in 47 games. As an 18-year-old who found a way to hold down a full-season role in one of Europe’s best leagues, Koblar could very well have an NHL future ahead of him, though scouts such as Wheeler project that future to be somewhere on an NHL team’s fourth line.
Other transactions from the European leagues:
- New York Islanders prospect Eetu Liukas has elected to return to Europe after a three-year run playing professional hockey in North America. Liukas, 23, was a fifth-round pick of the Islanders, No. 157 overall. Liukas spent two years playing in the Finnish Liiga on a full-time basis after being drafted, before heading to North America in 2023. He spent three years with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, but didn’t make huge progress. This past season, he scored 10 points in 24 games, and now he will continue his career back in Finland. He signed a contract with Liiga side HIFK Helsinki, on a deal stretching until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
- Former NHLer Jiri Sekac, who once upon a time represented the Montreal Canadiens at an All-Star game (in a spot designated for rookies) has signed a contract to return to his native Czechia. His deal is with HC Sparta Praha, who play out of the Czech capital. Sekac has had an extensive professional career in Europe but hasn’t played in the Extraliga since a 21-game loan to Sparta Praha in 2012-13. A two-time KHL Gagarin Cup champion, Sekac has spent the last half-decade of his career in Switzerland, including the last two years with HC Lugano.
Blues Assign Adam Jiricek To AHL
A Blues prospect appears set to make his professional debut in the near future. Per the AHL’s transactions log, the team has assigned defenseman Adam Jiricek from OHL Brantford to AHL Springfield.
The 19-year-old was highly touted heading into the 2024 draft but an injury-riddled pre-draft campaign saw him fall a bit more than expected. St. Louis was certainly content to scoop him up with the 16th selection that year, hoping he could be a mid-round gem.
Last season, the injury bug was an issue for Jiricek once again and he was limited to just 27 regular season games for the Bulldogs and even missed a couple of playoff games. However, things went a lot smoother in 2025-26. On top of putting up six points in seven appearances for the Czechs at the World Juniors, Jiricek recorded 19 goals and 40 assists in 55 games during the season for Brantford. He then produced at a higher clip in the playoffs, notching seven goals and 15 assists in 15 games. However, they were eliminated by Barrie last night, paving the way for him to be reassigned to the Thunderbirds.
While it’s not overly common for players to jump from the junior ranks right into the middle of an AHL playoff series, a prospect of Jiricek’s caliber will often get the opportunity to play. Even if he doesn’t suit up (he wasn’t in the lineup tonight against Providence), he’ll at least have a bit of time to get acclimated to the team, one he’ll likely be playing for on a regular basis next season.