NHL Rumors: Sharks Blockbuster Coming, Cassidy to Kings & Historic Hurricanes Run – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s edition of NHL rumors, we start with the San Jose Sharks, who have a chance to pull off a blockbuster, and have been linked to big names, including Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. Next, the Los Angeles Kings have an opening behind the bench, and Bruce Cassidy could fit the bill if he doesn’t end up with the Edmonton Oilers.

Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes swept the Philadelphia Flyers and are in a historic spot in the first two rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hanging Sharks 2nd Blockbuster Complete Selection

The San Jose Sharks have a great group of young players, headlined by Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, William Eklund, Igor Chernyshov, and Yaroslav Askarov. Even more than them, the depth of their hope is very deep. Moving up to the second overall pick after having nine-best odds was a stroke of luck.

The Sharks don’t have many strong veterans. Players like Tyler Toffoli, Dmitri Orlov, and others have been helpful, but with the second overall pick, they could make a big splash for an established player to play alongside a wave of youngsters.

Many connections are made to Auston Matthews. For new general manager John Chayka, moving Matthews as one of his first moves wouldn’t be popular, but if he can deliver the second and first overall picks he already has, they could be the star of the draft.

It would take more than a second overall to land Matthews, and the question of his no-movement clause looms, but there are plenty of reasons to think this deal could come to fruition. The Sharks have plenty of assets the Maple Leafs could want, and Matthews and Celebrini in the middle could be one of the best duos in the NHL.

Apart from Matthews, The Athletic’s Mark Lazarus suggested that Jason Robertson could be another option. (from What can the San Jose Sharks do with the NHL Draft’s No. 2 pick?, The Athletic, May 8, 2026)

The second overall pick would be even closer to Robertson’s price than it would be to Matthews, but they would still add a touch to that deal. Robertson is a pending free agent, the Dallas Stars don’t have an easy situation, and he will command north of $12 million per year.

Robertson and the Stars are a good fit, but it will come down to how badly the team wants to keep him. He has no reason to take less than Mikko Rantanen in his contract, so the Stars will have to decide if they want to shell out some money or Robertson.

Lazarus also suggested that Robert Thomas and Matthew Knies could be options for the Sharks, along with Darnell Nurse, although taking Nurse would not lead to a second pick without another from the Edmonton Oilers.

The Bruce Cassidy Sweepstakes Is Officially Underway

Bruce Cassidy has one of the best coaches in the league right now. He wants to get back on the bench next season after being fired from the Vegas Golden Knights just before the end of the regular season, and there may be other options for him.

The Los Angeles Kings may not be bringing back DJ Smith as head coach, who took over midseason in an interim capacity. They have a middle-of-the-road roster, but now they have some cash to spare with the retirement of Anze Kopitar. There’s a lot we like about the Kings’ roster, but they need a little more to get there.

One thing Cassidy does very well is get the most out of her team. Although what worries him is that he seems to live for a short time with his teams, but he succeeds while he is still there.

The Oilers have been rumored to be interested, and could move Kris Knoblauch to bring him in, but there are no indications of that happening right now.

Hurricanes Make History in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

If you look at the Conn Smythe Trophy candidates as we approach the midway point of the playoffs, there are a ton of Hurricanes players in the mix, and, frankly, they’re unbeatable.

The Hurricanes beat the Flyers 3-2 in overtime to complete the second-round sweep, and are now 8-0 in the playoffs. Not only did they go 8-0, but they allowed just 10 goals in total, and no more than two in one game. This prefix type is unknown.

Up front, the second line team of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake has 14 goals. The rest of the list has only 10 goals. Each of those three players has a case to make for the Conn Smythe right now.

Looking at the blue line, Jaccob Slavin and K’Andre Miller are both in contention for the trophy, too. They have always been a good pair.

Frederik Andersen may be leading them, though. Of course, he has an 8-0 record, and sports a .950 save percentage and a 1.12 goals against average. In Game 3 against the Flyers, Andersen saved 18 of 19 shots, and his save percentage throughout the postseason dropped.

Longest winning streak to start a playoff game is 11 games. Will the Hurricanes cement themselves in the history books this season?