News and Notes from Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
News
- In the PWHL, the Hamilton franchise announced that Kris Sparre has been named the first Head Coach in franchise history.
- Sparre was one of of the finalists for Coach of the year in the season that just concluded with the Boston Fleet, which has the biggest season improvement.
- The Expansion Player Distribution Process for the newest franchises was announced.
- Roster Freeze: Only expansion-related transactions can happen. There are to be no trades, extensions, or other signings outside of the allowed phases
- Player Loss Cap: Existing teams can lose up to four contracted players
- Expansion Rosters: Each expansion team must have 10 players under contract once Phase 4 comes to an end. These lists are due by 3 p.m. today
- Phase One: Each Existing team protects 3 players
- Expiring contracts must sign SPA to be protected
- Players that are unsigned may sign with any existing teams
- All signings that happen count as a protection
- Existing teams can only lose one player during this phase
- Phase Two: Expansion Team Foundational Signing Period
- Expansion Teams Sign Five Players Each
- All four expansion teams submit a 20 player target list and are only allowed to sign players on their list
- Players that are unprotected and under contract to expiring deals are eligible
- If there are fewer than 5 players signed, the selection process would then apply
- Phase Three: Preliminary Open Signing Period
- Expansion Teams Can Sign Up to 3 Unprotected Players on Expiring Deals
- Existing Teams May Sign/Protect 3 Additional Players
- The protections may consist of players that are already signed to 2026-27 deals and/or deals that are on expiring deals during this phase.
- Phase Four: Expansion Team Signing Period
- Unprotected Players Under Contract & Unsigned Players Eligible
- Contracted and Expiring Players Eligible
- If there are fewer than 10 players, the selection process then applies
- Unprotected Players Under Contract & Unsigned Players Eligible
- Phase Five: Exisiting Team Re-Signing Period
- Existing Tams May Re-Sign Players on Expiring Deals
- Players are not required to sign new deals during this phase
- 2026 PWHL Entry Draft
- Draft consists of six rounds
- All 12 teams are in the Draft
- #1 pick was determined during the Gold Plan
- There will be a total of 72 players drafted
- Existing Tams May Re-Sign Players on Expiring Deals
- Phase Six: Open Signing Period
- All players that are on remaining expiring deals may sign with any team
- Players that are undrafted can sign with any team
- Remaining draft order will be announced
- Phase One: Each Existing team protects 3 players
- Also in the PWHL, the Billie Jean King MVP Finalists were named.
- Montreal Victoire G Ann-Renée Desbiens recorded a record-setting 19 wins that included a league low six losses amongst all starting netminders. Desbines allowed 28 goals, the fewest among starting netminders with at least 15 starts, and was a part of tandem that only allowed 41 goals.
- Boston Fleet G Aerin Frankel was a key member of the Fleet team that had an 18 point improvement from last season. Frankel has 19 wins in 26 starts that included 14 in regulations as well as being a co-leader with Desbines for a single-season record. Frankel also had 10 wins despite there being a supportive offense that scored two goals or less in that stretch.
- Minnesota Frost Kelly Pannek is the first player to be named as a finalist for the MVP award. Pannek earned a nod as finalist after recording a single-season record of 33 goals in 30 contests. Pannek also was a key contributor to the Frost’s offense, factoring on 36.3 percent of the Frost’s league record of 91 goals.
- The winner of the Billie Jean King MVP Award will be announced on June 16, as well as the rest of the award recipients at PWHL Awards in Detroit.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Carolina Hurricanes v. Montreal Canadiens – 8p ET – Game 4
- In Montreal, the Canadiens look to even the series against the Hurricanes and in the first Carolina took the 1-0 lead with Sebastian Aho’s fourth of the playoffs with a power play tally and then Jordan Staal netted his second to give the Canes the 2-0 lead. Then, Logan Stankoven scored his eighth of the postseason as Carolina went up 3-0. In the third, Andrei Svechnikov then scored an empty net goal, his third of the postseason, as the Hurricanes got the 4-0 shutout win over the Canadiens to take the 3-1 series lead.
Today’s Games
- No Games Scheduled
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Sheet with Jeff Marek: Vegas Sweeps Colorado and ECF Game 4 Preview feat. Peter Baugh and Greg Wyshynski – (Daily Faceoff)
- Presidents’ Trophy ‘Curse’ Lasts Another Year – (Hockey Hotstove)
- 32 Thoughts: The Podcast: The House Always Sweeps – (Sportsnet)
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