NHL superstar poll: Summer highlights, Texas expansion team names, fan culture

NHL superstar poll: Summer highlights, Texas expansion team names, fan culture. Skip to main content Skip to navigation NHL superstar poll: Summer highlights, Texas expansion team names, fan cultureAnaheim Ducks8hGreg WyshynskiBurning preseason questions for all 32 NHL teams: Quinn Hughes' future, Sharks' playoff chances, Panthers' new facesAnaheim Ducks5dRyan Clark and Kristen ShiltonCapitals say Ovechkin was asked to appear in Putin political adWashington Capitals36mWild sign head coach Hynes to multiyear contract extensionMinnesota Wild3hKristen ShiltonLeagues, unions urge action against escalating threats from bettors3hDavid PurdumRed Wings promote Horcoff to interim GMDetroit Red Wings4hGreg WyshynskiBatherson signs 8-year, $86 million extension with SenatorsOttawa Senators5hBlackhawks name Bedard, 21, 2nd-youngest captain in franchise historyChicago Blackhawks5hEmily KaplanCaps re-sign Leonard to 8-year, $84M extensionWashington Capitals5hRyan Clark'Not as bad as some of the others': NHL players react to their odd NHL 27 facial scansChicago Blackhawks4dGreg WyshynskiRemembering Barry Melrose, 'the unquestioned face and voice of hockey in the U.

What happened

S. '5dGreg WyshynskiFantasy hockey draft picks: Grab these defensemen before their breakout year1dSean AllenFantasy hockey breakout forwards: Why Quinn, Coronato should take the next step5dSean AllenCapitals say Ovechkin was asked to appear in Putin political adWashington Capitals36mWild sign head coach Hynes to multiyear contract extensionMinnesota Wild3hKristen ShiltonLeagues, unions urge action against escalating threats from bettors3hDavid PurdumRed Wings promote Horcoff to interim GMDetroit Red Wings4hGreg WyshynskiBatherson signs 8-year, $86 million extension with SenatorsOttawa Senators5hBlackhawks name Bedard, 21, 2nd-youngest captain in franchise historyChicago Blackhawks5hEmily KaplanCaps re-sign Leonard to 8-year, $84M extensionWashington Capitals5hRyan ClarkNHL superstar poll: Summer highlights, Texas expansion team names, fan cultureAnaheim Ducks8hGreg WyshynskiSource: Avs GM Sakic plans to stay; no GM search scheduledColorado Avalanche1dSabres sign 22-year-old Ostlund to 8-year, $52.

Some of hockey's biggest names discuss NHL rule changes they'd like to see; how an 84-game regular season will impact them; how they feel about the current state of fan culture; as well as their offseason life highlights and what they'd name a new expansion team in Houston or Austin, Texas. " — Tkachuk"Every time I think of Texas, I just keep thinking of other teams' names. " — Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden KnightsThe NHL is adding another team in Texas, in either Houston or Austin.

Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHENDERSON, Nev. — With training camps opening up this week, I caught up with over two dozen NHL superstars to get their takes on vital and trivial issues. What was your favorite experience of the summer? That was my absolute favorite week of the summer.

The wider picture

But if it's 30 seconds after and then the team scores, it's like, 'Oh, come on. ' It doesn't affect the play. But I do love it when the other team scores, and then it's offside. " — WilsonHow do you feel about hockey fan culture in 2026, like how they engage with you in person and on social media? We asked a panel of stars at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour for their takes on a variety of hot topics.

8M contractBuffalo Sabres1dBusy Canadiens sign deal with St. Louis, welcome KreiderMontreal Canadiens1dGerman hockey: No NHL consultation on upcoming gamesChicago Blackhawks1dKreider, 35, back in East, lands one-year deal with CanadiensMontreal Canadiens3dEmily KaplanGolden Knights extend Stone with 2-year, $18M dealVegas Golden Knights3dHaul of a deal: OHL's Steelheads net 17 picks for top hockey prospect3dKristen ShiltonGoaltender Ingram says he's retiring from hockey at 29Edmonton Oilers4dplayAvs' Makar agrees to largest deal in NHL history (0:27)Greg WyshynskiSep 15, 2026, 07:00 AM ETCloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN's senior NHL writer.

Interviews were conducted at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour last week in Las Vegas. How to watch the 2026-27 NHL season on ESPN networks, including 100 exclusive games and the out-of-market package (over 1,050 games).

What has been reported

"My dad finding out he got into the Hall of Fame. But that first moment of him telling us, you could see the smile on his face. " — Brady Tkachuk, Florida Panthers"Lots of concerts. I went to Luke Combs, which was actually an awesome concert. Got to meet him afterward, and he was just an amazing guy. I mean, he's a Hurricanes fan, so I wasn't happy about that, but he was an amazing guy.

" — Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders"We did a family trip to Cabo. It's nice to get away from real life for a minute and just shut everything down and just be present with your family.

What happens next

My wife and three kids, and then my parents and my aunt and uncle. " — Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres"Going to the World Cup final. Got to go with a bunch of buddies, so it made it fun. " — Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia Flyers"I just went to Spain with my family. " — Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks"Our family did a little get-together in Michigan, just on the lake, on the water. We all took five days off and just spent time together, fished, hung out, played games.

I had my girlfriend out, and she was out-fishing me, catching these huge bass.