The lead-up to the 2026 NHL Draft was full of trades, and it continued in the first round on Friday, June 26.
The big names were the Vegas Golden Knights’ Pavel Dorofeyev going to the New York Rangers, Utah Mammoth’s JJ Peterka heading to the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues. They went for draft picks, shaking up the order in the first round.
Before the draft, the Florida Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway, the Chicago Blackhawks shipped out the No. 4 overall pick for Bowen Byram and the Washington Capitals landed Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou. Valeri Nichushkin, William Eklund, Michael Kesselring and Simon Nemec also moved teams.
Here’s a live look at trades and other transactions that happened during the 2026 NHL Draft weekend:
Los Angeles Kings move down
They send the No. 17 picks to the Utah Mammoth for the 19th and 83rd pick. Utah picks Windsor left wing Ethan Belchetz.
Blues acquire Mason McTavish from Ducks
The Ducks get back the No. 15 and 29 picks. McTavish was expendable because they need to re-sign Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. McTavish had 52 points two seasons ago, but his ice time dropped in 2025-26, particularly in the playoffs.
Latest news on Kirill Marchenko
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports on air that Marchenko doesn’t want to extend when his contract expires after next season. He would be a restricted free agent then with one year left before unrestricted free agency. Weekes said that right before the Blue Jackets drafted Boston College’s Oscar Hemming, whose style compares to Marchenko.
Pavel Dorofeyev gets contract extension
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports it’s seven years at an $11 million average. That’s the same average that Artemi Panarin got with the Kings after his trade to Los Angeles.
Rangers acquire Pavel Dorofeyev from Golden Knights
A huge add for the Rangers, who traded away Artemi Panarin last season. Dorofeyev totaled 72 goals the past two seasons and just went to the Stanley Cup Final. He’s a restricted free agent. The Golden Knights get back into the first round by acquiring the 23rd overall pick, plus the 92nd and a 2028 first-round pick.
Bruins acquire JJ Peterka from Mammoth
The Bruins give up the 23rd overall pick in 2026, plus the Florida Panthers’ 2028 first-round pick (lottery protected). Peterka was dealt after one year in Utah. The German player will play for German coach Marco Sturm in Boston and return to the Atlantic Division after previously playing for the Sabres.
JJ Peterka deal in the works?
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Bruins are working on a deal with the Mammoth over J.J. Peterka.
Latest news on Zach Werenski
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said the Blue Jackets are listening to teams calling about Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. He said Werenski is unlikely to extend his deal past its expiration in 2028.
What Sabres said about No. 4 overall pick
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has said he’s listening to offers on this pick. If he keeps the pick, he’ll go after the best player available. The Sabres have needs both on wing and defense. They moved out Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade and also have traded defensemen Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring. The Sabres got the pick from Chicago in the Byram deal.
Senators acquire Andre Burakovsky from Blackhawks
Ottawa gives up a sixth-round 2027 pick for forward André Burakovsky. He had 33 points last season, but just three from February until the end of the season. The Senators will be his fifth team. His father, Robert, played for Ottawa.
Latest on Mason McTavish trade talks
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said the Ducks are engaged in talks with the Rangers and Blues, with the Rangers offer including a roster player and the Blues offering picks.
Sabres acquire defenseman Olen Zellweger from Ducks
Buffalo needed defensive depth after moving out Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring in recent trades. Zellweger, 22, totaled 14 goals and 42 points the past two seasons. The Ducks get back forward Anton Wahlberg and a 2026 second-round pick (45th overall).
Avalanche re-sign Brett Kulak for five years
Defenseman Brett Kulak, 32, scored the overtime series-clinching goal in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. He was acquired from the Penguins in the Samuel Girard trade after Pittsburgh acquired him earlier in the season from the Oilers in the Tristan Jarry trade. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Kulak will average $4.5 million in his deal.
Avalanche re-sign Brent Burns for one year
Defenseman Brent Burns is coming back for a second season with the Avalanche. Terms weren’t disclosed. Burns, 41, had 35 points with Colorado last season, including five game-winning goals. He has played 1,007 consecutive games and will be in position next season to pass Phil Kessel’s record ironman streak of 1,064.
Maple Leafs trade Samuel Ersson to Senators
Toronto will receive a 2027 fifth-round pick for Ersson, who they acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this month in the Joseph Woll trade. Ersson is a pending restricted free agent and the Senators will need to make him a qualifying offer to retain his rights.
Senators defenseman Jordan Spence gets four-year deal
Jordan Spence will average $5 million in the contract. His seven goals and 31 points last season were career highs.
Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo gets two-year deal
The pending unrestricted agent is staying with the Islanders on a two-year deal with a reported $4.5 million cap hit. DeAngelo had 35 points in 76 games in his second season with the Islanders and 10th in the NHL.
Jets listening to offers on Connor Hellebuyck
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed he has been listening to offers on star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. “As an organization, it’s incumbent on me to listen,” he said. He didn’t answer whether the U.S. Olympic gold medalist has asked for a trade or if there is a timeline for making a deal. Hellebuyck is under contract through 2031. “What I’ve been hearing hasn’t made me act,” he said.
Jason Robertson turns down Kraken offer
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Stars gave Seattle permission to talk to Jason Robertson and he turned down the team’s offer for about $15 million a year. Robertson can become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Sharks getting offers on No. 9 overall pick
Sharks general manager Mike Grier said this week he had been getting calls about the No. 9 overall pick and a few others on the No. 2 pick.
Blues have four first-round picks
After trading Kyrou, the Blues have four picks in the first round, including back-to-back at 15 and 16. Could they potentially package some of those picks to move up in the draft, or to go after another team’s player?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL trade tracker LIVE: Pavel Dorofeyev, JJ Peterka move at draft
Reporting by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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