Three blockbuster trades reshape 2026 draft weekend

St. Louis acquired Mason McTavish from Anaheim for the 15th and 29th overall picks on June 27, 2026.

McTavish deal ends Ducks’ center experiment

Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek accepted the Blues’ offer of two first-round selections after the Rangers withdrew their package. McTavish signed a six-year extension worth $42 million last September and still has five seasons remaining at a $7 million cap hit. The 23-year-old center posted 42 points in 68 games during the 2024-25 season before missing training camp in 2025 due to a contract holdout. Verbeek previously traded Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale after similar disputes, signaling a clear preference for players who fit his preferred profile. With the 15th pick, the Ducks selected Nikita Klepov, adding immediate prospect depth to offset the loss of their young center.

The Rangers had been in active discussions with Anaheim since Thursday night but pivoted once Vegas made Dorofeyev available. Ottawa and Montreal both expressed interest in McTavish yet refused to exceed the asking price, leaving St. Louis as the winner. Blues management views McTavish as a ready-made second-line center who can stabilize their middle six after missing the playoffs in 2025. His foot-speed concerns remain, yet the organization believes a full training camp will restore his 2024-25 form.

Dorofeyev signs seven-year extension with Rangers

New York sent the 26th overall pick originally belonging to Dallas, the 92nd overall selection and a top-10 protected 2028 first-round pick to Vegas for Pavel Dorofeyev. The Rangers immediately extended the 25-year-old winger for seven years at an $11 million average annual value, committing $77 million in new cap space. Dorofeyev recorded 35 goals two seasons ago and 37 goals last season, establishing himself as a top-line sniper. Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon declined to match the offer because of existing cap constraints that still require a new contract for Rasmus Andersson.

The deal gives the Rangers a proven 30-goal scorer under 26 years old while surrendering future draft capital. Dorofeyev’s off-puck intelligence and defensive reliability were cited as factors that justified the large commitment. Vegas retains flexibility to address other roster needs but faces continued pressure to manage its salary cap through the 2026-27 season.

Peterka lands in Boston after Utah detour

Utah traded J.J. Peterka to Boston for the 23rd overall pick in 2026 and a 2028 first-round selection originally acquired from Florida. Peterka had been acquired by Utah from Buffalo only one year earlier in exchange for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. He signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract with a $7.7 million cap hit that still has four seasons remaining. The move reunites the 24-year-old winger with head coach Marco Sturm, who previously worked with him in the Buffalo organization.

Boston surrendered two first-round assets to acquire a player who recorded 61 points in 82 games during the 2024-25 season. Peterka never established chemistry in Utah after the franchise relocated, prompting the quick flip. The Bruins gain a top-six winger who can immediately contribute to their power-play unit while retaining control of their 2028 first-round pick if it falls outside the top ten.

Draft weekend implications

The three transactions cleared significant cap space or added immediate talent for four different organizations. Anaheim replenished its prospect pool with two high selections. St. Louis improved its center depth without surrendering future assets beyond draft picks. New York secured a long-term scoring threat while Vegas avoided a larger commitment. Boston upgraded its wing position at the cost of future draft capital. All three deals were completed within a 48-hour window surrounding the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.