Sunday mornings are for coffee, checking the standings, and catching up on everything we might have missed while focusing on the Sabres’ push for the playoffs. Around the NHL is our new weekly tradition here at SabresHub, where we step outside the 716 to bring you the best hockey writing and breaking news from around the league. From trade rumors out West to highlight-reel goals in the Metropolitan, we’ve curated the top stories of the week so you can get caught up in one quick stop.
Sportsnet.ca: NHL sets date for 2026 Draft Lottery – The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery is officially set for May 5, with fans able to catch the live results on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Following the format established in 2021, the first two overall picks for the June draft—which is being held right here in Buffalo—will be determined through two separate draws, though the lottery winner can only jump a maximum of 10 spots in the order. This year’s class is shaping up to be a battle at the top, featuring high-end talents like Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, and North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff. It’s a date that carries massive franchise-altering potential, as seen last year when the New York Islanders defied the odds to move up 10 spots and select defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 overall.
ESPN.com: Inside Jack Hughes’ first month as USA Olympic hockey hero – Since returning from Milan, Jack Hughes has ascended from NHL star to American sports icon following his overtime “golden goal” that secured Team USA’s first Olympic gold medal since 1980. Despite Hughes’ efforts to deflect praise toward goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and the collective “USA Hockey brotherhood,” the image of him celebrating with a bloodied, gap-toothed smile has become an instant cultural landmark, even earning a shoutout from actor Kurt Russell. While Hughes admitted to feeling a lingering “existential dread” when rewatching the play against Canada’s Jordan Binnington, the historic victory has forever bonded the roster and sparked national conversations—ranging from late-night talk show appearances to a heated debate over whether the winning puck belongs to Hughes or the Hockey Hall of Fame.
NHL.com: Goal of the Season? Tkachuk goes between the legs for slick score
Goal of the year? Goal of the year. pic.twitter.com/lNu6X5B9gO
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 28, 2026
TSN.ca: Craig’s List: McKenna reigns at No. 1, Ruck twins make rapid rise – Despite a season of dramatic highs and lows, Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna remains the top-ranked prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft according to TSN’s Craig Button. McKenna’s year has been a “tale of two seasons,” transitioning from a steady 18-point start to an explosive second half where he tallied 33 points in 18 games and earned a Hobey Baker Award nomination. While his on-ice dominance was bolstered by a standout Bronze medal performance for Canada at the World Juniors, his draft year faced a brief hurdle following an off-ice legal incident in January; however, with felony charges quickly withdrawn due to insufficient evidence, his standing among NHL scouts remains solidified. As the NCAA tournament begins, McKenna stays ahead of elite defensemen like Carson Carels (compared by Button to Nicklas Lidstrom) and Chase Reid in what is shaping up to be a top-heavy 2026 class.
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