Ryan Kennedy

Losing in the world juniors quarterfinal for the second year in a row, Canada's brass opened itself up to criticism with a host of baffling decisions.

First things first: The Toronto Maple Leafs were not making excuses for their <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/game-day/sharks-stun-maple-leafs-with-comeback-shootout-victory-snap-eight-game-losing-streak">shootout loss to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks</a>, and I'm not here to make excuses for them either.

By Ryan Kennedy, Editor in Chief

When Paul Maurice and&nbsp;Kris Knoblauch met in the Stanley Cup final for the second straight year, they did so at an incredibly volatile time for coaches in the NHL.

It may be the dead of summer and a quiet time in the hockey world, but I've still been to the rink once a week thanks to a <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/after-dominant-rookie-whl-season-landon-dupont-looks-poised-to-shine-at-hlinka-gretzky-cup">number</a> <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/team-canada-u-17-prospect-kaden-mcgregor-just-can-t-get-enough-hockey">of</a> <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/look-out-for-alexis-joseph-a-2027-nhl-draft-prospect-whose-power-game-is-mackinnon-esque">camps</a>, either skills-based or for international tournaments.

With the Hlinka Gretzky Cup completed, it felt like time to kick off the 2026 NHL draft race with some rankings.&nbsp;

Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger became fast friends at the 4 Nations. They’ll team up again to chase Olympic glory, but the road to a Stanley Cup could again see them going toe-to-toe in the NHL playoffs.

With a cluster of four players at the top of the NHL draft class, prospect expert Ryan Kennedy's mid-season rankings feature a new No. 1.

Though the Toronto Maple Leafs had a physical response in the third period in their 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, the team's lack of response following the injury of their captain, Auston Matthews, was glaring.

Devon Toews is kidding when he says he “tries to get away from” his D-partner but that Cale Makar just won't let him. But their opponents – whether that's in the NHL or internationally – may not quite see humor in the prospect of the Avs’ top pair playing together long term.