Sick Puck Links: Habs Expressing Interest In Centre Pavel Zacha; Huge Trades Shakeup The NHL Draft
Welcome to ‘Sick Puck Links’ here at SickPodcasts.com.
From Monday to Friday mornings, we will link not just our content from the previous days but also the hottest news around the NHL.
Here are your Wednesday morning headlines with all the hottest news and NHL trade rumours from around the hockey world!
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My latest Murphy’s Hockey Law for @thesickpodcasts:#GoHabsGo #NHLBruins #Canucks #LGRW #Blackhawks #FlyTogether #GoKingsGo https://t.co/CFputZgWTq
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) June 23, 2026
My colleague Jimmy Murphy discussed in his “Murphy’s Law” column that Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha is receiving a lot of interest from teams around the league, including the Montreal Canadiens, who have shown interest in him last summer as well. However, as it stands, Murphy’s sources are stating that for the time being teams are just checking in on his availability.
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Tuesday was a big day for trades around the NHL with multiple deals that got fans around the league talking. The first deal was when the New Jersey Devils sent defenceman Simon Nemec and right winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for a conditional first-round pick in both 2027 and 2028, a 2nd-round pick in this year’s draft as well as defenceman Etienne Morin. The conditions on both first-round picks are top-10 protected, meaning both picks could be moved to 2029 and 2030 if they land within the top 10 in both years.
GET THE NEW JERSEYS READY ‼️
We have acquired defenceman Simon Nemec & forward Maxim Tsyplakov from NJD for a conditional ’27 1st round pick (VGK), a conditional ’28 1st round pick (COL), a ’26 2nd round pick (NYR) & Etienne Morin.
Both 1st round picks are top-10 protected. pic.twitter.com/P12YS0eyYe
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 23, 2026
A little later in the day, the Ottawa Senators traded the 9th overall pick to the San Jose Sharks for forward William Eklund along with prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda. This trade is indirectly linked to the Brady Tkachuk trade from Sunday that gave the Senators the 9th overall pick, as well as the 25th pick and a second-round pick.
WILLIAM EKLUND IS HEADED TO OTTAWA! 🚨
Powered by @SAP pic.twitter.com/obMc83RmIb
— NHL (@NHL) June 23, 2026
Next up, the Washington Capitals acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St Louis Blues for centre Connor McMichael, this year’s 16th overall pick, and forward prospect Milton Gastrin. Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Canadiens were also in the sweepstakes for Kyrou but ended up pulling out due to the high asking price.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for forwards Connor McMichael and Milton Gastrin and Washington’s first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft.#ALLCAPS | @Shift4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 23, 2026
The final trade came in the evening on Tuesday, when the Chicago Blackhawks traded the 4th overall pick, the 45th overall pick and defenceman Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres for defenceman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway.
WHAT IS HAPPENING 🤯
Bowen Byram has been dealt to the @NHLBlackhawks in exchange for the 2026 fourth overall pick!
Powered by @SAP pic.twitter.com/h2nbJU1gG1
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2026
Also on Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers held a press conference to announce that Mike Babcock will be their next head coach. Babcock was last an NHL coach for a brief period with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 before even coaching a single game, as he resigned after younger players on the team were uncomfortable with his behaviour around the team.
The #Oilers have named Mike Babcock as Head Coach. https://t.co/WSNNP3Yrni
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 23, 2026
According to Frank Seravelli of the DailyFaceoff, a pair of Columbus Blue Jacket players, defenceman Zach Werenski and forward Kirill Marchenko, are now part of the top 40 trade target board. For Werenski, it is expected that he will meet with the Blue Jackets management to discuss his future with the team after the NHL draft.
