Pederson is an undrafted forward who has never made his presence felt at the NHL level, playing just 76 career games, but has become a reliable depth piece who performs well in the AHL. The 28-year-old Pederson scored 48 points (23G / 25A) last season in 63 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL).
Trouba has earned a reputation as one of the NHL's most intimidating and hard-hitting defensemen, securing a lucrative four-year contract worth $33 million ($8.25M AAV) with the San Jose Sharks. The 32-year-old Trouba remains in the Pacific Division after spending the 2025-26 season with the Anaheim Ducks, recording 35 points (10G / 25A) and 143 hits in 81 games.
Calvert is an undrafted forward who has yet to play an NHL game. The 22-year-old forward spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he scored 38 points (16G / 22A) in 70 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Klimovich was a second-round pick, 41st overall, of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Belarusian forward has yet to play an NHL game, but has been reliable at the AHL level. In 2025-26, Klimovich scored 34 points (18G / 16A) in 63 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL).
Vilmanis, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season, recording five points (3G / 2A) in 19 games with the Panthers. That said, the 22-year-old forward spent most of last season in the AHL, where he picked up 38 points (17G / 21A) in 48 games with the Charlotte Checkers.
Schenn's days of being an intimidating presence on the blueline are likely behind him, but he remains a viable bottom-pair option and adds a veteran presence to the Vancouver Canucks. The 36-year-old defenseman recorded seven points (1G / 6A) and 149 hits in 50 games last season, split between the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres.
Kessel has been a reliable depth defenseman for the St. Louis Blues the past three seasons, playing 97 combined games, but will have a change of scenery in 2026-27, signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old defenseman scored three points (2G / 1A) in 25 games with the Blues last season.
Perunovich was a high-pedigree prospect, drafted 45th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but has not been able to translate his talents to the NHL level. The 27-year-old defenseman scored nine points (2G / 7A) last season in 35 games split between time with the Blues and the New York Islanders.
Vancek's hopes of becoming a starting goalie are likely behind him after promising stints with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, but he has settled into a serviceable backup role, which should continue with his new team, the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Czech goalie posted a 2.93 GAA and .883 SV% last season in 22 games with the Utah Mammoth (5-13-3).
Last offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli with the hopes that he could provide supplementary offence and playmaking after the departure of Mitch Marner. The 25-year-old Finnish forward had a decent season with the Maple Leafs, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 71 games, but the team opted not to give the restricted free agent a qualifying offer, sending him to free agency and ultimately signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.
Veleno was a first-round pick, 30th overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but he has failed to live up to that billing, settling into a bottom-six defensive role. The 26-year-old Montreal native spent the 2025-26 season with his hometown Canadiens, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games.
After spending the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Acciari will remain in the Metropolitan Division, signing a two-year contract worth $5.6 million ($2.8M AAV) with the Philadelphia Flyers. The veteran 34-year-old forward is a reliable, defensively sound bottom-six forward who should add some stability to a young and improving Flyers team. He had 25 points (13G / 12A) last season in 67 games with Pittsburgh.
Rumours have circulated about the Winnipeg Jets regarding a possible trade of starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck. It's unclear if these rumours will come to fruition this offseason, but the team added some depth to their goaltending position in the interim, signing Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract worth $7.5 million ($3.75M AAV). The 27-year-old Skinner battled adversity during his tenure with the Edmonton Oilers, ultimately being dealt last season to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he posted a 2.95 GAA and .885 SV% in 27 games (12-9-5).
The Maple Leafs added solid offensive depth on the opening day of free agency, signing Jack Roslovic to a two-year contract worth $8 million ($4.0M AAV). The 29-year-old forward spent the 2025-26 season with the Edmonton Oilers, playing up and down the lineup, averaging 15:46 time-on-ice and scoring 36 points (21G / 15A) in 69 games.
Benning was a fourth-round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft who made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season. The 24-year-old defenseman averaged 16:54 time-on-ice and scored six points (2G / 4A) last season in 18 games with the Panthers.
Belzile is an undrafted forward who has spent most of his career in the AHL, playing just 44 NHL games. The 34-year-old scored 62 points (29G / 33A) last season in 66 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
GM Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings have faced some adversity this offseason, but made a quality offensive acquisition on the opening day of free agency, signing Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth $10 million ($5.0M AAV). The 33-year-old Swedish forward has battled some injury concerns and consistency in his career, but is coming off an excellent 2025-26 season with the Boston Bruins, scoring 54 points (25G / 29A) in 69 games.
Carlile is an undrafted defenseman who never made an impact at the NHL level until last season, when he played a career-high 42 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 3 points (1G/2A). The 26-year-old adds some depth to Pittsburgh's blueline on a two-year contract worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV).
