Fresno Awarded FPHL Franchise

Fresno has been awarded a franchise in the FPHL, a day after the league expanded to the San Diego area in Oceanside. The Fresno team will play at the 7,600 capacity Selland Arena. The story is here.

Toronto Maple Leafs Say They Will Make Decisions Based On Proven Data. Ivar Stenberg Tops Gavin McKenna Based On Proven Data. The Fans Want McKenna. Who Will The Leafs Pick At #1?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have said that they will make decisions based on proven data. They need to have proof that data backs up a decision! Data and analytics is why John Chayka was hired as their general manager. 

The Maple Leafs just won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery for the #1 overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. Winger Gavin McKenna has been promoted as the top player available by most, but when you look closer at selecting between McKenna and fellow winger Ivar Stenberg, it's Stenberg who emerges as the top player available. While the talent level is close between the two, Stenberg stands out as a much more complete player. 

Maple Leafs fans absolutely expect their team to select McKenna, but the data points to Stenberg being the best choice to be selected at #1. Will the Maple Leafs management stick to making their decisions based on proven data or will they bend to the desire of their fans and pick McKenna, who will lead to more hype and sales for the Maple Leafs. It's going to be interesting to find out!. Here is a good article comparing the two players. 

PWHL Expands To Detroit

The PWHL has announced Detroit as their ninth franchise and the league may not be done adding teams, as more expansion news is expected in the coming weeks. The PWHL could add as many as four new teams and in addition to the Detroit announcement, Las Vegas, Denver and Hamilton seem to be the leading contenders to take the league to twelve teams. The story is here. 

Keith Pelley Probably Didn't Talk To This Guy Before Hiring John Chayka

MLSE CEO Keith Pelley probably didn't talk to this longtime Arizona sports personality before hiring John Chayka as the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager. There's more here.

Toronto Maple Leafs Win 2026 NHL Draft Lottery

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and will select #1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. It's almost like it was meant to be, as Maple Leafs fans can now get through the ugly backlash of the John Chayka hiring much quicker, knowing that they have the #1 pick to look forward to. The story is here. 

FPHL Expanding To San Diego Area

Oceanside's Frontwave Arena is already home to pro indoor soccer, basketball and indoor football teams and now it's set to welcome an FPHL franchise this October. The minor league will need to fill in some territory around the San Diego area team, as the closest current FPHL team is the Topeka Scarecrows in Kansas. The story is here. 

Detroit PWHL Expansion Franchise Expected To Be Announced This Week

Detroit is expected to be announced this week as the next expansion franchise for the PWHL. The story is here.