This edition (May 5, 2026) of NHL Trade Talk Recap includes a quick roundup of three key posts today: Dobes has been ridiculous in net for Montreal, shutting down Tampa and suddenly making the Habs a legit threat. In the big news of the day, Toronto somehow lucked into the No. 1 pick (huge for John Chayka and Mats Sundin) after the 7-2-11-12 draw. And the Oilers Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard will head to Team Canada for the Worlds.
Dobes Is Straight-Up Unfair to Shooters
Jakub Dobes has basically taken over this series. When things get chaotic, he stays ice-cold, reads plays instead of guessing, and just eats shots like it’s nothing. Game 7 was wild, and he made it a one-goal game when it could’ve been a blowout, and those calm saves changed everything for Montreal.
He’s shown a great combination of smart positioning, repeatable fundamentals, and the ability to bounce back after a rough night. If he keeps this up against Buffalo, the Habs won’t be a fluke — they’ll be a real problem.
Dobes Is Being Unfair to Shooters — 3 Reasons He’s a Brick Wall
Maple Leafs Somehow Landed the No. 1 Pick — Wild
Toronto sneaks away with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft after the combo 7-2-11-12 hit. It was totally unexpected since they were just hoping to stay top-five and not drop a spot that would’ve sent the pick to Boston. Big night for Special Advisor Mats Sundin (watching by satellite) and new GM John Chayka: it was instant fireworks on day two.
This is only the third time the Maple Leafs have had the top overall pick (after 1985 and 2016), so suddenly they’ve got a chance to grab a franchise-changing player. Excitement level in Toronto just went through the roof.
This marks just the third time in franchise history that the Toronto Maple Leafs have held the No. 1 overall pick—following 2016 (Auston Matthews) and 1985 (Wendel Clark).
The Toronto Maple Leafs Win the 2026 Draft Lottery
Nurse and Bouchard are heading to Team Canada — eh?
Great news for Oilers fans. Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard get a few extra weeks to represent Canada in Switzerland. Nurse’s been there before (2018, 2019 — silver in 2019), and Bouchard’s finally getting his first senior call-up after the World Juniors in 2019. They’re the only Oilers heading to the tourney.
Canada’s kicking off in Group B in Fribourg, starting May 15 against Sweden, and they’ve got a stacked pool with Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and Italy. Canada’s hunting for gold — the last time they won was 2023 — so it should be a fun few weeks.
Nurse And Bouchard Named To Team Canada At Worlds
More Stories:
Canadian Daily Rumours: Fans, Tweets, and a Surprising Lottery
McKenna Could Do What No One in Toronto Can
Oilers Tried to Trade Nurse to Maple Leafs, Says Insider. Is That Off the Table?
Two Nuclear Winger Options Available for Oilers This Summer?
NHL Draft Lottery 2026 Preview: Canucks Lead Odds, McKenna Headlines Top 5
Something Has to Give with Nick Robertson in Toronto
Sundin’s Message to Leafs Fans Should Have Everyone Paying Attention
Victor Hedman Releases Statement About His Struggles and Future with Lightning
Matthews Unwilling to Commit to Maple Leafs Return [Report]
Lightning on the Brink: Is Tampa Bay’s Championship Window Slamming Shut?
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