Two things can be true. New York was bummed to see Larkin hit the market, as his trade request spoils the Rangers’ plan for Vincent Trocheck. On the other hand, one of the organization’s bucket-list players suddenly became available in the NHL—for the right price. It sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime, and one the Blueshirts will reportedly explore. Perhaps, they already have.

“I’d be stunned if the Rangers don’t make the call—if they haven’t already,” The Athletic’s Vincent Mercogliano said on his X account. “I believe [Larkin’s] a name they’ve inquired about in the past and would love to get their hands on to fuel the retool. I’ve been saying for weeks my sense is they want to take a big swing and this certainly falls into that category.“

Rangers have ties to Larkin

Although the Minnesota Wild are the obvious frontrunner to trade for Larkin, the Rangers can’t be taken for granted. Just as the Wild have GM Bill Guerin and stars Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy, who were with Larkin during Team USA’s gold-medal run at the 2026 Olympics, New York has its fair share of Team USA connections.

Chris Drury was Team USA’s assistant general manager, Mike Sullivan was the head coach, David Quinn served as an assistant, and Vincent Trocheck was in the locker room as well. The latter may be traded soon, but he is still around in the Big Apple for the time being.

“I’ve also repeatedly heard they’ll try to leverage their Team USA connections if the opportunity presents itself, which checks a box in this case,” Mercogliano noted on New York’s case to trade for Larkin. The time may have finally come for the Rangers to cash in on their league-wide connections. However, they face several obstacles.

Would Larkin waive his NMC to go to New York?

That’s the million-dollar question. Larkin is signed through the 2030-31 NHL season at an $8.7 million cap hit and under a full no-movement clause (NMC) for the next two seasons. Thus, he can choose where he’ll play next.

With the cards to his future in his hands, Larkin will most surely opt to join a Stanley Cup contender. Having finished last in the Eastern Conference last season, it’s clear New York isn’t one. The Rangers have some intriguing pieces, though, and if their retool goes according to plan, they might be back at the big boys’ table in a couple of years.

However, the same logic applies to the Red Wings, so what would be in it for Larkin if he waived his NMC just to change addresses and end up in a quite similar situation? Swapping an ‘Original Six’ team, an often disruptive front office, and a major American city for another—in more ways than one, change would actually be quite similar for Larkin if he moved to New York City.

Larkin could leave Michigan for the first time

Perhaps, it’s not about where he goes, but simply about leaving once and for all. The state of Michigan is all Larkin has ever called home in his life and career. Born in Waterford, Michigan, Larkin joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. He played at the NCAA level for the Michigan Wolverines, and he was drafted by the Red Wings.

No one is a messiah in his own land, and the time may have come for Larkin to leave the Great Lakes State. All things considered, it also begs the question: how bad must things be within the Red Wings organization for the homegrown team captain to ask out?

Still, it’s never zero, and players with 100-point seasons under their belts don’t grow on trees around the league. If offered for the right price, there may be a strong market for Pettersson, though his contract could raise other questions.

“I think there are teams that believe in a fresh start situation that they can get more out of [Pettersson],” Chris Johnston said on The Athletic Hockey Show. “And there’s just not a lot of ways to get centers.”

Pettersson is signed through the 2031-32 NHL season at a steep price. His fully protected contract carries an $11.6 million cap hit. If Vancouver wants to trade the Swedish centerman, it must be willing to retain a large portion of his salary. Otherwise, the Canucks won’t be headed anywhere in trade negotiations.

Pettersson could be an option in thinned-out market

Trading Pettersson may no longer be profitable for the Canucks, who would have to clear several hurdles, and the end reward may not be worth it. However, it might be an option on the table.

Johnston noted the lack of centers available. Well, that aged poorly, as Dylan Larkin has flipped the market upside down with a trade request in Detroit. Still, the fact remains: aside from Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, and possibly Alex Tuch, teams in need of centers are dealing with a very thin catalog.

Canucks could accept trading Pettersson

Considering the organization has undergone several changes at every leadership level, parting ways with Pettersson is a possibility worth exploring, at the very least. For the time being, though, anything can happen in Vancouver.

The same argument could be used to make the case that the Sedins and GM Ryan Johnson will stick with Pettersson, and to suggest that the Canucks will ask their former fifth-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to waive his full no-movement clause (NMC).

Many will point out Vancouver should’ve thought better when it gave Pettersson such a deal and decided to stand by it through the final day before the no-trade clause kicked in. However, that was a different organization. For Henrik and Daniel Sedin, they must lie in a bed they didn’t make.

When it comes to Canadian representation, Canada claims the majority of players in this final series. The Vegas Golden Knights feature the most Canadian-born talent, with 18 players on their roster. Captain Mark Stone serves as a prime example of that elite Canadian quality, having put up 28 regular-season goals this year.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are fighting for the Cup with just 9 Canadian players on their roster. Among them, Logan Stankoven has been a key driver for the team during this postseason run, lighting the lamp 9 times in the playoffs.

List of Canadians in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final

Simply looking at roster counts doesn’t mean every player logs ice time during the finals. So far, only 10 Canadians have actually suited up for the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals, while the Hurricanes have utilized 8 of their 9 Canadian options.

The remaining Canadian players waiting in the wings will remain available if needed as the series progresses. This is standard NHL practice during the postseason; once the strict active roster limit lifts, teams can easily call up younger players or depth options to replace injured skaters.

Most of the Canadian talent in this final series brings heavy experience to the table, which explains why Vegas relies so heavily on them to get top-tier results. Winning the Cup with a heavy contingent of Canadians over any other nation will certainly draw plenty of attention in the post-series breakdowns.

“Welcome to the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Larkin,” Stanley Cup champion and ESPN analyst Erik Johnson jokingly said on his X account. He wasn’t breaking any news, simply stating the obvious as Minnesota is arguably the most logical landing spot for Larkin. Greg Wyshynski also pointed at the Wild as the clear-cut number one suitor for Larkin.

The Wild need a center. There’s no way around it. Minnesota was among the biggest bidders for Vincent Trocheck at the NHL trade deadline. Ultimately, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement, but the need for a centerman is still there. Larkin’s trade request out of Detroit spoils the Rangers’ plan, and it could also take one of the biggest suitors out of the market for New York and Trocheck.

In more ways than one, Detroit could take the only positive thing New York has going for it away from it. And the worst part of it all may be that the Red Wings would love not to be in this position.

Wild makes too much sense

The Wild’s desperate need for center help and Larkin’s trade request have created the perfect storm. The main factors behind Larkin’s trade request appear to be that he is tired of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs and has grown apart from the front office in Detroit.

Joining the Wild, he’d be killing two birds with one stone. Minnesota is a perennial playoff team—even if it has only made it out of the first round once in the last decade—and its front office, led by GM Bill Guerin, would reunite Larkin with several familiar faces from Team USA’s administration.

Moreover, Larkin won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics alongside Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy. That’s three more potential teammates than Larkin has ever won anything with among his Red Wings peers. Similar to Trocheck’s case, the Wild and Larkin have history, even if he never played for the organization in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. They seem to be connected, and the trade request may finally bring them together.

Trading for Larkin could solve everything for Wild

For the Wild, acquiring Larkin, who is under contract for the next five NHL seasons, could also help them convince Hughes to re-sign in Minneapolis-St. Paul rather than head to New Jersey, where his brothers Jack and Luke await on the Devils.

If Minnesota can put together an appealing offer, Detroit may not put up much resistance, and Larkin would waive his no trade clause (NTC) to chase glory with the Wild, one of 10 NHL franchises that have never won the Stanley Cup.

The dots simply connect smoothly for Larkin and Minnesota. If the Wild miss out on this chance, they may come to regret it forever. For Larkin, this may be the best chance he ever gets at a fresh start.

Just another Wild postseason run

The Wild witnessed a promising season come to a crushing end at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, many could make the case that Minnesota shot itself in the foot. The organization in the Twin Cities didn’t address its clear void at the centerman position, and it came back to bite the Wild.

They had everything else covered. All they needed were some anchors to fill out the top six. They missed out on Trocheck, and it was only downhill from there. Once one thing failed, the house of cards came crashing down for Minnesota.

It’s no use crying over spilled milk, but it should serve the Wild as a lesson. Heading into yet another long offseason, they must finally address the elephant in the room. With Larkin’s out-of-the-blue trade request, they may have come across just the perfect opportunity. And this train will only stop once.

“According to multiple sources, Dylan Larkin recently requested a trade from Detroit,” as reported by Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet.

The Rangers should’ve expected things to turn south at some point. It wasn’t like them to have everything turn on their favor. Shortly after New York learned it could profit from Jonathan Toews’ reported retirement, the Blueshirts have been dealt an ice-cold bucket, sending them back into a rough reality.

Larkin’s trade requests shifts trade market

While the Red Wings will do everything they can to avoid losing their franchise player and captain, it seems like Larkin has made up his mind. As soon as his name is put on the market, the hierarchy will change. Trocheck will no longer be the best centerman available. Some might say he’d be the second-best, but if he isn’t first, then he might as well be last.

New York had a golden goose on its hands. With Trocheck being the best candidate, the Blueshirts could set the market price and demand a king’s ransom. Now, power will shift hands. Detroit will be in control of that. The Red Wings, however, contrary to the Rangers, wished not to be in this position. But as they may see no other way out, they might use it to their advantage.

In the blink of an eye, the tables have turned around the NHL. All the incredible work New York had done in holding on to Trocheck through the trade deadline may be in vain. Larkin becomes the top centerman available on the trade market, and he will stay that way unless someone of Connor McDavid’s or Auston Matthews’ caliber asks out as well.

Larkin and Trocheck’s contract situations

Though signed to a much different figure, Larkin is under contract for many years to come. The Red Wings’ captain put pen to paper on an eight-year, $69.6 million ($8.7 million cap hit) deal. In 2026-27, he will be entering the fourth season of that contract.

With over half of his contract left, Larkin (29) is indubitably the top trade chip on the league’s market. He holds all the cards regarding his future, as he is signed to a full no-trade clause (NTC). The deal will become a modified no-trade clause (M-NTC) in 2028-29, in the form of a 10-team no-trade list. However, it’s reasonable to believe Larkin won’t be in Detroit by then.

As for Trocheck, he has three seasons left on his seven-year, $39.3 million contract. His deal includes an M-NTC, a 10-team no-trade list. Trocheck is older than Larkin, more of a second-line anchor than a first-line centerman, but he makes up for it with a lower cap hit, a measly $5.6 million per year. For a player with over 50 points in each of his last five campaigns, it’s more than a fair price.

Different contexts in New York and Detroit

Trocheck, however, hasn’t requested a trade out of New York. Indeed, he’d like to join a contender on the East Coast, but is giving his organization time to work. Larkin may not. Thus, reaching an agreement with the Red Wings may be easier, or at least cheaper, than reaching one with the Rangers, whose asking price starts with a first-round pick, a roster player, and a prospect.

Now that Detroit holds the golden ticket and is putting it up for auction—against its will, however—the Blueshirts may have to lower their expectations. Or hope the Red Wings ask for much more than them, so their price for Trocheck is still somewhat mundane.

The organization in the Second City could actually come to the rescue of the Broadway Blueshirts. The Rangers own the fifth overall selection, whereas the Blackhawks stand just one spot ahead with the No. 4 pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Needless to say, fans in Chicago don’t love the idea of moving down, but if New York’s offer is worth it, then Hawks fans may have no say in the matter.

General managers Chris Drury and Kyle Davidson could reach a deal. According to a report, the Hawks are considering sliding down, and it’s clear the Rangers would like to speed up their retool by finding their franchise savior. Moving up from fifth to fourth, though only slightly, does indeed bolster New York’s odds of coming away with such a prospect.

“I could see the Blackhawks trading down,” insider Frank Seravalli reported during an appearance on the Kevin Karius Show.

Rangers-Blackhawks trade hinges on Stenberg

According to reports around the league, the Blackhawks are fixed on their target in the 2026 NHL Draft. That is Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg. Although there is speculation he could be the first overall pick, it just feels like the Toronto Maple Leafs will incline toward the consensus No. 1 prospect, Gavin McKenna.

With the Sharks having no true urge for another top-six forward—it’s more of a want than a need—and instead being in desperate need of help on the blue line, there’s reason to believe Stenberg could fall to No. 3.

The Canucks would be a curious team. Having recently promoted Manny Malhotra to fill their head coaching vacancy, will Vancouver select Manny’s son and the consensus No. 1 center in this year’s class, Caleb Malhotra? Or will the ‘Nucks look to fill Quinn Hughes’ void on the defensive corps?

Chicago will play the waiting game

If neither, then Stenberg would be the obvious choice for the Canucks. As illustrated, many chips must fall into place, but there’s still a scenario in which Stenberg is available at No. 4 for the Blackhawks.

Thus, as long as Stenberg remains on the board past the first two picks, it feels unlikely Chicago will part with its first-rounder, regardless of the package Drury and company can put together.

On the other hand, if Stenberg is off the board at No. 1, 2, or 3, then the Blackhawks may feel more at ease trading down. Perhaps the next-best player on their board is one they feel will still be available in their new draft position.

NY Rangers and Blackhawks need help

Chicago, much like New York, needs all the help it can get. The Rangers have more firepower than the Hawks, but still nothing to brag about. Both teams must address their blue lines as well. For the Blackhawks, however, they must surround Connor Bedard with talent. Ever since he was drafted first overall in 2023, he’s had to play on a first line with talent more fitting for bottom-six roles.

He’s been patient and a good sport, but as he’s reportedly set to be named captain, he wants to see real change. The Blackhawks have a lot to prove to the face of their franchise and their fans as well. New York doesn’t have such a young face of the franchise—Alexis Lafreniere has struggled to establish himself as one, and the jury is still out on Gabe Perreault—but it has passionate fans who, as of late, are just as desperate as those in the Windy City.

Perhaps a draft-night swap works out for the best for both teams. If it’s any consolation to the two sides, they won’t see each other too often, as they play in different conferences. That is a benefit in a Hawks-Blueshirts relationship that doesn’t apply to the Sharks and Blackhawks, for example, as both organizations firmly believe they are on a collision course in the Western Conference for years to come.

The Grammy Award-winning duo will perform on Thursday, June 4, ahead of the matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. The concert is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM ET and will be held outdoors at the South Plaza.

The event is open to the public and does not require a game ticket for admission. With the Stanley Cup Final drawing national attention, the NHL has continued its tradition of pairing championship hockey with live entertainment.

How to watch Stanley Cup Final Game 2 pregame concert live

Fans can watch portions of Dan + Shay’s performance through the official Stanley Cup Final Game 2 broadcast on ABC in the United States.

The NHL announced that the Grammy Award-winning duo will headline a free pregame concert outside Lenovo Center in Raleigh before the Carolina Hurricanes face the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The concert will take place on the South Plaza outside the arena and is open to the public at no cost. Unlike many championship-week events, fans do not need a game ticket to attend the performance.

The NHL and the Hurricanes have also confirmed that a watch party will follow the concert for those who remain outside the venue. For viewers at home in Canada, it will be available on Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports.

While the league has not announced a standalone stream dedicated exclusively to the concert, segments of the performance are expected to be included as part of the pregame coverage surrounding the Stanley Cup Final.

What time does Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final start?

Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final starts at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, June 4. The matchup features the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Vegas Golden Knights at Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

The game carries significant weight after Vegas secured a 5-4 victory in the series opener, stealing home-ice advantage and taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Carolina now faces the challenge of avoiding a two-game deficit.

In the event the Canucks decide to trade Pettersson (the forward, not Marcus nor Elias’ defenseman namesake), there are a series of obstacles. And quite frankly, the end goal may not be worth going through so much trouble. If the Canucks won’t retain a portion of Pettersson’s salary, any trade speculation will only lead to a cul-de-sac.

“I have no doubt that [Pettersson] is tradeable, and likely at full bore. Now the thing is if you’re taking on that full contract, I don’t think the Canucks can expect to get much back in return,” Chris Johnston said on The Athletic Hockey Show.

Canucks trust Pettersson can find his footing

Although he led the team in points, Pettersson’s 2025-26 NHL season was nothing to write home about. His value around the league is nowhere near as high as it once was, and any offer the Canucks may get might be considered a waste of time.

Moreover, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the new co-presidents of hockey operations, general manager Ryan Johnson, and head coach Manny Malhotra may all be willing to try their luck with Pettersson. The revamped front office and the organization’s new leading voices will at least roll the dice. Even if it’s buried deep inside him, somewhere within Pettersson there’s still that fire that led him to a 102-point season in 2022-23.

It can feel like a long time ago, but that was only three years ago. The Canucks believe Pettersson can still reconnect with his best hockey; he isn’t past the point of no return yet. At least they hope so. That’s why they didn’t trade him when they had the chance and the path was clear for such a move. Vancouver is clinging to hope, even if only a sliver remains.

Canucks must live with their decision

Vancouver made a bold commitment to Pettersson when handing him an eight-year, $92.8 million contract. Furthermore, it doubled down on its stance by sticking with him past June 30, 2025. On July 1 of last year, Pettersson’s contract added a full no-movement clause (NMC).

Through the first year of his extension, such a clause wasn’t a part of his deal, giving the Canucks complete freedom to explore Pettersson’s market. In the end, they chose to keep him in town. It was a brazen move then, and one the ‘Nucks may be having cold feet about now. Unfortunately for them, it may already be too late.

There appears to be a no-return policy on this service, and Vancouver may be stuck with Pettersson unless it’s willing to go any distance, including trading him for peanuts and eating up a large portion of the $11.6 million cap hit. Considering there are six more years left on the contract, it doesn’t look like the Canucks would accept such terms.

Vancouver is in trouble

With no easy way out of this pickle, the Sedins and Johnson will carry the can for the old administration’s decisions. The bed was made, and the new front office must now lie in it.

And as most signs point out, it seems like Pettersson will be in Vancity to witness it all unfold. That is, unless the Canucks acknowledge they made a mistake, shop their former fifth-overall pick, find a suitable offer, and Pettersson waives his NMC.

Many chips must fall into place. Considering Vancouver’s luck, it may be easier to simply lie in bed.

“Toronto has reached out about Trocheck in the wake of Max Domi’s back surgery complications,” the New York Post reported. “Domi is out indefinitely, which puts the Maple Leafs in the market for a second-line center.”

Additionally, according to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Buds will interview Laviolette this week as part of their head coaching search. Toronto may be the new New York after all, and there’s a scenario in which Trocheck is back under Laviolette’s orders, only this time on the opposite side of the St. Lawrence River.

Trocheck’s trade clause

As much pull as the Maple Leafs may have in convincing the Rangers, it could all come down to Trocheck’s preference. If the Maple Leafs are on his 10-team no-trade list, then there is nothing that may change his mind, and a trade to Toronto would remain forever an utopia.

Based on reports from around the trade deadline, most teams on Trocheck’s no-go list were located in the Western Conference, as the veteran wanted to remain on the East Coast—where his family is. However, whether he’s willing to move to Canada is a reasonable question to ask. Another logical question is whether Toronto has the assets to trade for Trocheck.

NY Rangers’ reported price for Trocheck

According to most sources at the trade deadline, and as repeated by the New York Post, the Blueshirts are asking for a first-round pick, a current NHL player, and a high-end prospect in return for Trocheck.

However, just like the Rangers could profit from Jonathan Toews’ reported retirement and a thin free-agent class, their asking price may have gone up since March 6.

Trocheck’s contract at roughly $5.6 million per year, signed for the next three NHL seasons, looks like an offer too good to pass up for any team. But just like the Maple Leafs, there will be countless suitors knocking on the Rangers’ door. New York understands that to perfection and thus will be asking for an arm and a leg from each and every one of them.

Toronto may not have right offer for New York

Even if the price remains unchanged, the Maple Leafs may not have as strong an offer as other bidders. Toronto has a first-round pick in 2026 that New York would kill for, but the Buds will never part ways with. That leaves room for their first-round pick in 2027, which originally belonged to Colorado.

There’s a very small chance the Avalanche end up with a lottery pick next season, meaning it’s of little use to the Blueshirts. Toronto has no first-round pick of its own in 2027 or 2028. Waiting for the 2029 first-rounder may not be worth it for the Rangers. After all, they are based in New York, and the City That Never Sleeps isn’t known for its saint-like patience, nor are the fans in town.

As for a roster player and prospects, the Rangers have plenty of options to choose from on the Maple Leafs. Whether the Buds will accept, that’s another question. But if the two sides can’t reach an agreement on the draft pick involved, then they could be in a cul-de-sac right from the get-go.

Toronto could be a contender again

Indeed, Toronto missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs by a mile in 2026. However, it came away with the No. 1 selection in the upcoming Draft, and that could land the Maple Leafs the ultimate rebound.

With Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and others in town, adding Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg—and perhaps Vincent Trocheck—the sky could truly be the limit for them, provided the Leafs address their blue line.

All they could be missing is a mastermind behind the bench, and perhaps that key piece is Peter Laviolette. Still, this perfect scenario for Toronto hinges on two big “ifs,” and that’s whether the Buds can make an appealing offer to the Rangers and whether Trocheck looks forward to—or at the very least can’t veto—a move to The Six.

“Nothing official, but at this point it seems likely Jonathan Toews is retiring,” Darren Dreger reported on his X account about the three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks.

If Toews indeed calls it a career and hangs up the skates after his one-year stint with the Winnipeg Jets, that would be another centerman removed from the NHL free-agent market. In a free-agent class that is shaping up to be one of the thinnest in recent years, the trade market continues to make its case as the preferred alternative for contenders in need of reinforcements.

NY Rangers will set steep price on Trocheck

If any team is missing a veteran center who can perform in the postseason, the Rangers have one signed through the 2028-29 NHL season at a more than reasonable cap hit of $5.6 million per year.

Of course, acquiring Trocheck would come at a cost, but New York is more than willing to sit down and negotiate. With every passing day, however—and with developments such as the rumors surrounding Toews’ retirement—the interest in Trocheck figures to increase.

It’s a basic law of economics. There’s only one Trocheck, but several teams are after him. When supply is low and demand is high, prices skyrocket, and it looks like Chris Drury and company have the belle of the ball in their hands.

Rangers will look at every offer on the table

Trocheck is indeed available, but it will take lengthy conversations with New York to get a deal done. In case teams haven’t visited the Big Apple before, they should know that nothing comes cheap—especially around Midtown Manhattan.

Drury and the Blueshirts need all the help they can get. In Trocheck, they have a golden goose that could very well land them the assets to put the organization back on its feet.

Needless to say, the Rangers will take their sweet time and listen to every single offer before agreeing to a trade. However, all signs suggest a move will ultimately happen, most likely before the 2026-27 NHL season gets underway.

Toews’ retirement remains unofficial

For the time being, Toews’ retirement remains only a report. However, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and this might not be an exception. Toews came out of a two-year hiatus from the NHL when he joined the Jets for the 2025-26 season.

After dealing with injuries throughout much of his professional career, Toews managed to play all 82 games for his hometown club. Hoisting Lord Stanley one more time—or even making the Stanley Cup Playoffs—would have been sweet, but Toews still proved something, most importantly to himself: he still has it. Perhaps it was the perfect way to end a career in which he won it all, including three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a Frank J. Selke Trophy.

If this is indeed the end of the road for Toews’ playing career in the NHL, he can truly say he’s seen it all. He would be going out on his own terms, rather than allowing his physical and mental health to cut his career short. Toews endured a lot, battled even harder, and got to live out his dream. Whether he retires or not, his legacy in the league remains untarnished.

Although fans were still settling into their seats at Lenovo Center when Ehlers beat Carter Hart on a low shot, the first goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final wasn’t the fastest in NHL history in a championship series. However, it’s among the fastest.

Boston Bruins’ John Byce still holds the record thanks to his goal in Game 3 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Byce scored just 10 seconds into the game. As impressive as Ehlers’ tally against Hart and the Golden Knights was, it still took more than twice as long as Byce’s goal in 1990, which established a record that remains intact 36 years later.

Previous record

Byce dethroned NHL legend Jean Beliveau, who scored 14 seconds into Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 1965. Beliveau’s record had stood for 25 years. Beliveau still holds the benchmark for the quickest goal in a true championship-clinching game.

Moreover, Beliveau and the Montreal Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that year, whereas Byce and the Bruins fell to the Oilers in 1990. In more ways than one, Beliveau had the last laugh.

Where does Ehlers’ goal rank?

Following his goal in Game 1 against the Golden Knights, Ehlers is tied at 8th for the fastest goal in a Stanley Cup Final game. He joins Buddy O’Connor (Canadiens) and Gregg Sheppard (Bruins), who also scored 25 seconds into a title game in 1947 and 1978, respectively.

Ehlers’ goal was the fastest in a Stanley Cup Final game since 2006. That year, the Hurricanes were actually on the receiving end of an early tiebreaking goal, as Fernando Pisani scored at the same arena (then RBC Center, now Lenovo Center) just 16 seconds into Game 5.

Fastest goal in Game 1 of SCF

Though noteworthy, Ehlers couldn’t break the record for the fastest goal in a Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. That milestone still belongs to Sid Smith, who opened the scoring for the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 1951 just 15 seconds into the action.

Still, Ehlers’ goal is the third-fastest in Stanley Cup Final Game 1 history, trailing only Smith and Reggie Leach, who scored 21 seconds into Game 1 of the 1976 Stanley Cup Final for the Philadelphia Flyers.

As sweet as setting a record would’ve been, all the Hurricanes care about is hoisting Lord Stanley. Needless to say, early tone-setting goals could go a long way toward making sure that happens—regardless of whether they establish a benchmark or not.