Mikhail Sergachev’s Norris Trophy ceiling centers on offensive surge and zone-entry efficiency. Utah Mammoth’s top-liner logged heavy minutes, ran the power play, and led PK duties, but Norris voters prize all-around offense. To enter the Norris conversation, Sergachev would likely need a 80-to-90-point surge and fewer zone-entry concessions, signaling a true 1D duo capable of driving both ends of the ice.

His path mirrors elite contemporaries: Hedman’s steadiness, Werenski’s breakout, and McDonagh’s leadership. If Sergachev augments offense while tightening transition play, Utah’s rebuild could tilt toward contention as he anchors both leadership and production, reshaping fantasy value and playoff outlook.

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has been named as one of the first six players on Sweden's preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympic Games. Joining him are notable teammates such as Gabriel Landeskog and Victor Hedman. Raymond, drafted fourth overall in 2020, has quickly become a vital player for the Red Wings, posting impressive statistics including 80 points in the 2024-25 season. He has also showcased his international prowess, helping Sweden secure a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships.

This marks the first time since 2014 that NHL players will be participating in the Olympics, as previous Games saw the league withdraw due to various disputes and pandemic-related issues. The 2026 Olympics are set to take place in Italy, a nostalgic venue for Swedish hockey fans, as it hosts the site of their last gold medal victory in 2006. With Raymond's skill and experience, Sweden's chances look promising for the upcoming tournament.

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a precarious position, trailing 3-1 in their playoff series against the Florida Panthers after a distressing 4-2 defeat in Game 4. While speculation abounds about what could have changed the game's outcome—such as Matthew Tkachuk's non-suspension for a hit on Jake Guentzel—the reality is that Tampa's prolific offense has faltered at a critical moment. With their power play stagnant and star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy unable to steal games, the Lightning's championship hopes hang by a thread.

Captain Victor Hedman acknowledged the frustrations of being on the wrong side of pivotal moments, stating, "It sucks, obviously, being on the wrong side of it." Meanwhile, the Panthers exploit their opportunistic gameplay, scoring two quick goals that flipped the momentum in their favor late in Game 4. The Lightning must regroup quickly as they face elimination with Game 5 looming, but questions remain about their depth and ability to adapt. Without Brandon Hagel, who left the game due to an illegal elbow, the Lightning's prospects dim further as they seek to reclaim their offensive edge against a tough opponent.

The Tampa Bay Lightning faced a tough defeat against the Florida Panthers, losing 4-2 in Game 4 of their playoff matchup. The game was overshadowed by a controversial second-period hit by Aaron Ekblad on Brandon Hagel, which left the Lightning forward sidelined for the remainder of the game. Lightning captain Victor Hedman expressed his concerns about the legality of the hit, stating it felt like an elbow, a sentiment echoed in the aftermath.

Head coach Jon Cooper voiced frustration over the ongoing physicality of the series, indicating that the frequency of penalty discussions was becoming tiresome. The game featured a total of 19 penalties, countered by goals from Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak for the Lightning, giving them a temporary lead before Florida scored three unanswered goals to take control of the series with a 3-1 lead.