NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2026
The highlights from the second and final day of the 2026 Draft are in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins selecting Markus Ruck with the 39th overall pick was the notable highlight from the second day of the 2026 NHL Draft. Ruck’s twin brother, Liam, was chosen at No. 22 in the first round on Friday.
Liam and Markus Ruck (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether the Ruck twins would end up on the same team was among the big questions heading into this draft. It seemed that hope was dashed when Liam was taken by the Penguins in the first round, leaving them facing the possibility that they would be split up for the first time in their young hockey careers before the Penguins chose Markus.
The Ruck twins being on the same NHL franchise have drawn comparisons to Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were selected by the Vancouver Canucks in 1999. Time will tell if they go on to have great careers like the Sedins.
Several prospects in this year’s draft have NHL bloodlines.
Vancouver Canucks first-round pick (third overall) Caleb Malhotra is the son of former NHL player and current Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra. Wyatt Cullen, chosen 10th overall by the Nashville Predators, is the son of former forward Matt Cullen.
St. Louis Blues prospect center Maddox Dagenais (16th overall) is the son of former forward Pierre Dagenais. Anaheim Ducks first-rounder (28th overall) Marcus Nordmark is the son of former defenseman Robert Nordmark. Detroit Red Wings prospect Victor Plante (chosen 47th overall) is the son of former center Derek Plante.
Calgary Flames winger Joe Iginla (65th overall) is the son of Hall of Fame winger Jarome Iginla. Montreal Canadiens prospect winger Parker Trottier (189th overall) is the grandson of Hall of Fame center Bryan Trottier.
A record-setting four players were from Latvia: Alberts Smits (No. 5 by the New York Rangers), Rudolfs Berzkains (No. 58 by the Edmonton Oilers), Patriks Plumins (No. 114 by the Toronto Maple Leafs), and Oliver Murnieks (No. 124 by the Buffalo Sabres).
San Jose Sharks prospect defenseman Alexander Karmanov (201st overall) is the tallest player ever selected in an NHL draft. The 18-year-old is 7’1” and weighs 280 pounds.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the complete list of picks from every round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes acquired the contract rights of defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a sixth-rounder in this year’s draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlson is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’d already informed the Ducks that he intended to sign with an Eastern club. The Hurricanes have his exclusive negotiating rights until noon ET on Wednesday.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy said Jonathan Huberdeau has returned to skating and is trending toward being ready for training camp in September. The 33-year-old winger underwent season-ending hip resurfacing in March.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars GM Jim Nill said forward Radek Faksa underwent surgery to repair a foot injury he suffered during this season. He also said that forward Tyler Seguin is continuing his rehab from a season-ending ACL tear suffered in December.
Both players are expected to be ready for training camp in September.
TORONTO SUN/THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Maple Leafs traded defenseman Brandon Carlo to the St. Louis Blues for two third-round picks in this year’s draft.
The Leafs moved Carlo because he didn’t have the impact the club desired when they acquired him from the Boston Bruins at the March 2025 trade deadline. He’ll get a fresh start in St. Louis, where he’ll be insurance in case promising blueliner Adam Jiricek isn’t ready to make the jump to the NHL next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The move also freed up salary cap space for the Maple Leafs, giving them over $22 million to put toward other moves via the trade and free-agent markets.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW/COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins traded forward Fabian Lysell to the Colorado Avalanche for forward Ivan Ivan.
NEW YORK POST/THE TENNESSEAN: The Rangers trade forward Adam Edstrom to the Predators in exchange for the No. 148 pick in this year’s draft and prospect Massimo Rizzo.
I’m not that familiar with Carlos trade to the leafs, but isnt that one of the worst trades ever?
Still not convinced Malhotra is worthy of being picked 3rd, I would have picked one of the D
Nah, it’s just Chayka cleaning up the mess left by Treliving. The haul that TO paid to get Carlo was clearly a massive overpayment but that comes with the territory of a city hungry and tiresome of not winning. Chayka quickly targeted his D as a major focus when he was hired and he’s made changes accordingly.
ThirstyDeer, I believe Kent is referring to the Carlo trade TO the Leafs by Boston … not Cayka’s recent deal… as one of the worst trades ever by the Leafs.
Speaking of NHL bloodlines, Ottawa took Simon Nemec’s brother Adam (a RW 6’ 1” 180lbs) in the 3rd Round (72 overall) – this past season with Sudbury of the OHL – 14g 21a 35pts in 31gp.
And although no NHL bloodlines, their pick at # 32, Jaxon Cover (also a RW – 6’ 2” 185lbs) grew up in Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands and had only played roller hockey up to 5 years ago when he took up ice hockey after his family emigrated to Canada, and progressed fast enough to draw the attention of Dale Hunter of the London Knights of the OHL. This past season, in 67gp, he had 20g 32a 52 pts and 49 PIMs … and became a 1st round pick in the NHL!
Nemec will be back with Sudbury this coming season, while Cover has committed to Penn State.
Bloodlines also overlooked:
C Jack Hextall (1st round 30th overall by Calgary), son of Brett Hextall, grandson of Bryan Hextall, Jr. And grand-nephew of Ron Hextall;
LD Charlie Morrison – round 3 77th overall by NYR – great-nephew of NHL goalie Dan Bouchard;
LW Logan Stuart 208th overall by Washington– son of Cup winner Brad Stuart (over 1,000 NHL gp)
LD Jean-Samuel Daigneault – Round 7 221st overall by Montreal – son of J. J. Daigneault
Dont forget about Joe Iginla bloodlines too George lol
Lyle does mention that one, Potlicker. I was referring to some he might have overlooked in his summary above.
More bloodlines:
Habs 6th rd pick #189, Parker Trottier, yup THAT Trottier’s grandson. NYI could have picked him.
I’m getting old.
The first 7 foot hockey player has been drafted. I thought the NHL has become a speed and pace game. While watching the draft it seems every player was over 6 feet tall.
Tulsky trading for Carlson’s rights adds more fuel to the rumor that Carolina is trading Nikishin.
at some point aren’t these tall players going to reach it’s limits? they keep getting taller and taller, you’ll have to worry they don’t hit their helmets on the center ice scoreboard during the games ? 🙂
Smart move by Canes to trade for Carlson’s rights. Another low risk move that cost them a pittance if he signs with them. Have to give Tulsky credit for a job well done.
Much ado about the tallest player in NHL history, but the first two picks in the draft are smallish by today’s NHL standards. And while some are dubious about the Penguins selecting the tiny Ruck twins. both Liam and Marcus are about the same size as McKenna and Stenberg, Karmanov is presently practicing kneeling checks.
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