The New York Islanders have dramatically reshaped their future by winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, moving from the 10th pick to the coveted 1st overall position. This leap positions them to potentially select a franchise-altering talent. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club made a notable jump to the 4th spot, while the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks fell to the 2nd and 3rd picks respectively.

In other news, the Calder Trophy finalists have been announced, featuring standout performances from Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson, and Dustin Wolf. Celebrini, an 18-year-old forward for San Jose, netted 25 goals and 63 points in just 70 games, showcasing his remarkable skill. Hutson, representing Montreal, displayed exceptional playmaking ability with an impressive 60 assists and 66 points in 82 games. Wolf, goalie for Calgary, rounded out the trio with a solid 29-16-8 record, a 2.64 GAA, and a .910 SV% with three shutouts.

On the injury front, Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake has been relieved of his duties. The Kings will now begin the search for a new GM following this significant organizational shift. Meanwhile, injuries continue to plague teams as Carolina Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen is returning to practice after an injury during the playoffs, and Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson are uncertain for Game 1 due to their respective ailments. Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen may require offseason surgery, which adds further concern for the Senators as they prepare for next season.