It might be the NHL offseason, but that doesn’t mean that the world of hockey has stopped. Despite fans hunkering down for the summer, franchises are staying busy, and there’s plenty of hockey news, if not action. With fans picking their fantasy teams and setting up a regular and an anonymous sportsbook, eyes are on the headlines to see what’s happening and how it will affect things once the season starts back up in October. Here are four of the hottest NHL stories from the last week or so.
Tyler Johnson retires
After a 13-season career, two Stanley Cups, and 747 regular-season games, Tyler Johnson, one of the NHL’s most unlikely success stories, is retiring. The 34-year-old announced he would be hanging up his boots on 8 July, saying on an Instagram post: “I’m thrilled to focus on starting a family and exploring new paths. This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets, only gratitude for the rinks, the teammates, the fans, and a sport that will always ignite my soul.” Spokane, Washington, native Johnson was an undrafted pick who ended up winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The center scored 193 goals and made 240 assists during regular season play for the Lightning, the Boston Bruins, and the Chicago Blackhawks, and scored 32 goals and made 33 assists in 116 play off matches for the Bolts.
Gavin McKenna enters college hockey
NHL fans are always on the lookout for the next big thing, and the player tipped to be the number one pick in 2026’s draft has made a momentous choice. Left-handed forward Gavin McKenna, who wowed fans in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with his performances for the Medicine Hat Tigers on his way to picking up both the WHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Rookie of the Year honors for the 2023/24 season and the CHL Player of the Year title in 2024/25, has said he will play for the Penn State Nittany Lions next season, describing it as a “great spot”.
Trades and sign-ups
As teams get ready for the start of the 2025/26 season in October, trades and free agent deals have been heating up. The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers got things going, as the Bolts offloaded forward Isaac Howard, who won the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award for the best player in NCAA men’s hockey during his time at Michigan State University, in return for 19-year-old forward Sam O’Reilly. Meanwhile, when it comes to free agents, the Colorado Avalanche has been busy, signing up Montreal Canadiens centre Alex Barre-Boulet and former San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns. However, one player who is going to stay right where they are is Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York. The 24-year-old agreed to a five-year contract worth $25.75 million with the Flyers.
NHL and players’ union make agreement
Things have also been pretty busy in the backroom end of the NHL. The league and the NHL Players’ Association have agreed a new collective bargaining deal, more than a year before the current one was set to expire. The deal, which will last for four years, includes an 84-game regular season, a player salary cap, shorter maximum contract lengths, the elimination of the players mandatory dress code and will allow full-time traveling back-up goaltenders to get rid of the practise of emergency back-up goalies.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said: “The partnership between the players’ association and the league is stronger than it ever has been and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game. We are grateful to the board of governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come.”
Main Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
