Welcome to your daily roundup of the latest NHL news and hockey news for June 17, 2026. With the 2026 NHL Draft right around the corner in Buffalo and free agency looming on July 1, front offices are making aggressive moves. Today’s major headlines feature a massive coaching hire in Toronto, a key player switching agents amid trade speculation, and the opening of a critical offseason deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs Name Jim Hiller Head Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially named Jim Hiller as the 41st head coach in franchise history. The 57-year-old takes over the bench, replacing Craig Berube following a season that saw the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs.
Hiller is no stranger to the pressure cooker of the Toronto market. He previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the club between 2015 and 2019. Most recently, Hiller served as the head coach for the Los Angeles Kings, leading them to consecutive playoff appearances before being let go in March. New Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka highlighted Hiller’s vast experience and ability to connect with players as the driving forces behind the hire, stating that an “organizational shift” was necessary to get the team back to its winning ways.
Vincent Trocheck Fueling Trade Rumors With Agent Switch
In one of the most intriguing pieces of NHL news and hockey news today, New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck has officially switched representation. The 32-year-old veteran has hired powerhouse agent Pat Brisson and CAA Sports to represent him moving forward.
This sudden agency switch is adding significant fuel to the trade rumor fire. Trocheck was already heavily involved in trade speculation heading into the trade deadline, with teams like the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, and even the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly checking in. Trocheck is entering the fifth season of a seven-year deal carrying a $5.625 million annual cap hit. More importantly, his 12-team no-trade list shifts down to 10 teams on July 1, giving the Rangers a slightly wider window to operate if they decide to pull the trigger. Expect his name to dominate the rumor mill as the draft approaches.
NHL Buyout Window Officially Open
As front offices scramble to finalize their offseason game plans, the NHL buyout window is officially open today and will run through June 30. This gives teams a crucial two-week period to shed problematic contracts and clear valuable salary cap space ahead of the July 1 free agency frenzy. While we haven’t seen a domino fall just yet, several general managers are actively crunching the numbers to see if a buyout makes financial sense for their rosters.
Finding the Latest NHL News, NHL Trade Rumors, and Fantasy Hockey Predictions
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The post NHL News and Hockey News: Leafs Hire Hiller & Trocheck Trade Rumors appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
