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NHL Notebook: Burke, Bergeron, Price among HHOF electees; Staios says Tkachuk requested trade
Photo credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Jun 22, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 22, 2026, 20:07 EDT
The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class is official.
Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, and Keith Tkachuk are this year’s inductees, along with Brian Burke in the builder category, and Cindy Curley in the women’s category.
Bergeron is the lone first-ballot choice in this year’s class after finishing his 20-year career with the Boston Bruins in 2023. He is a record six-time winner of the Selke Trophy, while winning a Stanley Cup in 2011, and being in the Final two other times. Twice, Bergeron won Olympic gold with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. In 1,294 games, he scored 427 goals and 1040 points. Also in his trophy case is the Clancy Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
This was the second time Price was on the HHOF ballot. He was one of just five goalies to ever win the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy, which he won in 2014-15. Along with Bergeron, Price won Olympic gold in 2014. The long-time Montreal Canadien helped take the Habs on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. He played just five more games the following season before injuries forced the end of his career.
Pekka Rinne won the Vezina Trophy in 2017-18 and is tied for seventh in GAA and tied for fifth in save percentage among goalies with 500 games played. He has 369 wins, a 2.43 GAA, .917 save percentage and 60 shutouts in 683 games. Internationally, he represented Finland at four IIHF World Championships, winning MVP honours in 2014.
Keith Tkachuk has been eligible for many years, retiring in 2010. His 538 goals were the second most amongst all eligible players not already in the Hall of Fame, while also being third most all-time amongst American players. In 1996-97, Tkachuk became the first U.S. born player to lead the NHL in goals with 52. He was a member of the 1996 US team that won the World Cup of Hockey.
Some notable players passed over by the Hall include Tuukka Rask, Henrik Zetterberg, Jason Spezza, Patrick Marleau, and Phil Kessel.
Brian Burke worked as a general manager with the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, while later assuming president roles with the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins. His multi-decade work in league front offices, included getting a foothold in the game by being an agent, and then Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL for five years, beginning in 1993.
Cindy Curley starred with Providence College and helped them win two NCAA championships back-to-back in 1983-84 and 1984-85. Part of the inaugural 1990 IIHF Women’s Hockey Championships, Curley was part of the US team that won a silver medal and continued as team captain until 1996. She won two silver medals in 1992 and 1994.
Tkachuk requested trade: Staios
The long-awaited news of Brady Tkachuk’s trade came down Sunday night when Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios shipped him off to the Florida Panthers in exchange for four draft picks, including two first-rounders in Friday’s draft.
And when Staios met with the media Monday, where he gave a blunt answer when asked about what led to the deal.
“A trade request.”
“I could see that Brady was a different player compared to the year before,” said Staios, referncing how Tkachuk’s mentality had changed. “I wasn’t overly surprised [at the request]. I would’ve liked to have found a way forward, but that wasn’t the case.”
Multiple reports Sunday suggest there were other teams Tkachuk was willing to waive for, the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Carolina Hurricanes, but Staios said one team rose above the rest.
“It was clearly pointed at one team at the end” — the Panthers, where he could play alongside his brother, Matthew.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.
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