Eight teams around the NHL seem to have decided to make June 23 the new trade deadline. Four major, roster-altering trades were made in quick succession, just three days ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Five different first-round picks were moved, including the 4th, 9th, and 16th overall selections in Friday’s first round. Twelve players were also exchanged in the deals, which came just two days after Brady Tkachuk was dealt to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster trade.
Teams are making these big swings through trade ahead of what is expected to be an incredibly shallow free agent class on July 1.
Here is a recap of the four moves made on Tuesday in chronological order.
Calgary Flames acquire Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils
The Devils kicked the day off by making a long-rumored move, sending 22-year-old defenseman Simon Nemec west to the Flames. Nemec, a pending restricted free agent, is due for a massive raise this summer, and the Devils already have five defensemen making more than $4 million next year. New Jersey also wants to add to its forward group, netting major assets, namely two first-round picks, from a position of strength that will likely help those pursuits.
From Calgary’s perspective, they added a former second-overall pick and potential right-handed first-pairing defender who could unlock untapped offense in a larger role. None of the three draft picks they sent to New Jersey are their own, and the two first-round selections belonged to the still-contending Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, so they will likely be late picks.
The other NHL player in the deal, Russian forward Maxim Tsyplakov, is now on his third team in as many seasons. He recorded four points (2g, 2a) in 49 games with the Devils and New York Islanders last year.
Ottawa Senators acquire William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks
The Senators were rumored to be in the market for a top forward after being forced to trade their captain, Tkachuk, to the Panthers. In that Tkachuk deal, they acquired the ninth overall pick from Florida and quickly flipped that pick to the San Jose Sharks for William Eklund. The 23-year-old Swede and former seventh-overall pick notched 53 points (15g, 38a) in 78 games for the Sharks this past season.
Alongside Eklund, they grabbed two prospects from the Sharks who are projected to be useful bottom-six pieces in the NHL. The Senators still have a competitive core without Tkachuk and likely aren’t done adding back to their roster. Ottawa still has nearly $20 million in cap space after adding Eklund’s $5.6 million hit.
San Jose now owns the second, ninth, and 27th overall picks in this year’s first round. The Sharks are likely to select Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the second pick and then add a defenseman with their other pick in the top 10.
Washington Capitals acquire Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues
The Capitals finally have their top-six winger after what feels like five years of searching for one. Jordan Kyrou will immediately inject speed and elite offensive ability into a stacked group of wingers that will likely also include Tom Wilson, Ryan Leonard, Aliaksei Protas, and a possibly returning Alex Ovechkin.
Before a down year this past season, Kyrou scored 30 or more goals in three straight seasons and recorded at least 67 points in four straight campaigns, topping out at 75 points (27g, 48a) in 2021-22.
St. Louis seems to be fully committing to a light rebuild, opting for the younger Connor McMichael and future assets as their return for Kyrou. McMichael heads to the Blues in need of a contract, becoming an RFA on July 1.
Capitals acquire Jordan Kyrou from Blues for Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and first-round pick
Chicago Blackhawks acquire Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres
The Blackhawks made perhaps what is the most shocking deal of the day, sending incredible value to the Sabres for inconsistent defenseman Bowen Byram. The 25-year-old blueliner, who has one year left on his contract before becoming a UFA, recorded 42 points (11g, 31a) in 82 games this past year.
Byram will be expensive to extend and isn’t likely to ever be more than a high-value number two defenseman on a good team.
In return, the Sabres netted this year’s fourth overall pick, which alone is unbelievable considering they acquired Byram straight up for forward Casey Mittelstadt just two years ago. On top of that, they were able to dump Jordan Greenway‘s contract on the Blackhawks, get an additional second-round pick, and a young defenseman, Louis Crevier.
