NHL rumblings: Decentralized draft stays, plus latest on Gauthier, Kucherov, Hellebuyck, more

The NHL held a digital meeting with all 32 head coaches and general managers via Zoom on Tuesday ahead of the 2026-27 season, covering expectations including the new collective bargaining agreement taking full effect on September 16. On the trade and contract front, the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Utah Mammoth are among the teams pursuing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has requested a trade, while talks on a Nikita Kucherov extension with Tampa Bay have been unusually quiet. The NHL also confirmed its decentralized draft format will remain in place, and a board of governors meeting is scheduled.