NHL and collegiate hockey prepare for 2026-27 season

As the 2026-27 hockey season approaches, several major developments are occurring across the NHL and collegiate levels. In the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal has signed a contract extension featuring a $4 million signing bonus and $5.1 million in potential performance bonuses.

Training camp preparations are underway for various teams. The Philadelphia Flyers are evaluating prospects like Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, and Porter Martone, while the New York Rangers are managing roster decisions regarding defensemen Matthew Robertson and Alberts Smits. The league is also tracking top rookie candidates for the Calder Trophy, with Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone highlighted as early standouts.

Other league movements include the Montreal Canadiens signing Zach Bolduc to a four-year, $16.8 million contract, and the Tampa Bay Lightning managing roster spots and contract negotiations for Nikita Kucherov. In collegiate sports, NCAA hockey and basketball previews are highlighting key players and coaching strategies ahead of their respective seasons.