
NHL Hockey Player News


Manson still had one year left on his current contract, but will extend his time with the Avalanche for two more years after he signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.95 million AAV ($7.9M total). The 33-year-old bruising defenseman only appeared in 48 games in 2024-25 due to injury, but still had a goal, 15 points and 28 PIMs. He is entering his fifth season with Colorado and is expected to return to his regular defensive role.

San Jose added to their goaltending depth on Thursday after adding 25-year-old netminder Jakub Skarek on a one-year, two-way contract. The Czech goaltender made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with the Islanders, but struggled with a 0-1-0 record, .872 SV% and 3.94 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

Dallas managed to move some much-needed salary on Thursday after trading Matt Dumba ($3.75M cap hit) and a 2028 2nd Round Pick to Pittsburgh for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Kolyachonok is a 24-year-old defenseman entering his fifth NHL campaign, having recorded two goals and seven points in 35 games played between Utah and Pittsburgh last season.

Pittsburgh took advantage of Dallas' need to shed salary on Thursday by acquiring Matthew Dumba and a 2028 2nd Round Pick from Dallas for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Dumba has been on the move often lately, joining his fifth team in the last four seasons, entering his 13th NHL season. In 63 games with Dallas in 2024-25, he had a goal, 10 points and 60 PIMs.

With funds tight in Florida for the upcoming 2025-26 season, Mackie Samoskevich has signed a one-year, $775,000 bridge contract to remain with the Panthers. The 22-year-old scrappy right-winger was Florida's 2021 1st-round pick (24th overall) and made a big impact throughout their lineup in 2024-25 with 15 goals, 31 points and 129 SOG in 72 games played.

Nash last played in the NHL with the New York Rangers in 2023-24 and announced his retirement from professional hockey on Wednesday after 12 NHL seasons. The Albertan center enjoyed a solid NHL career with 63 goals and 176 points in 628 games while representing 8 different organizations (CAR,CBJ,BOS,ARI,WPG,TBL, TOR, NYR).

Vancouver has signed their 2025 1st-round pick in Braeden Cootes after the 18-year-old forward signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The Alberta native spent 2024-25 captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games played. He will attempt to secure a position on the Canucks for the upcoming season but is expected to eventually return to Seattle for the majority of 2025-26.

Antonio Stranges will return to Texas (AHL) for a fourth consecutive season after Dallas announced they had signed the 23-year-old to a one-year, two-way extension. The shifty forward was Dallas' 2020 4th-round pick (123rd overall) but has yet to make an NHL appearance despite picking up 18 goals and 43 points in 55 games played in 2024-25 with Texas (AHL).

After three successful seasons in Henderson (AHL), Lukas Cormier will return for a fourth campaign after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with Vegas on Wednesday. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman only appeared in 19 games with Henderson in 2024-25 due to injury, but still picked up nine assists and a -9 plus/minus. He is expected to start 2025-26 with Henderson but will provide depth if needed for the Golden Knights.

Morton made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with one goal in one game and has earned himself a one-year, two-way extension to remain in Calgary for the upcoming season. The undrafted 25-year-old spent his first full professional season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) in 2024-25, picking up 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games played.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

With Tampa Bay expected not to sign Isaac Howard, they have traded his rights to Edmonton for Sam O'Reilly on Tuesday night. O'Reilly is a 19-year-old center who was drafted by Edmonton at the end of the 1st round (32nd overall) in the 2024 Draft. He put up 28 goals and 71 points in 62 games with London in his third OHL season and is expected to return for the Knights for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Kindel was Pittsburgh's 2025 1st round pick (11th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract just weeks after being drafted. The 18-year-old right-winger spent 2024-25 with Calgary (WHL), where he was a point shy of the century mark with 35 goals and 99 points in 65 games played. He is expected to return to Calgary this season but may receive an extended look with the Penguins with a strong training camp.

Vadim Zherenko will return for a fourth season in Springfield (AHL) after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with St. Louis. The 24-year-old Russian netminder was St. Louis' 2019 7th-round pick (208th overall) and spent the entire 2024-25 season with Springfield, where he struggled with his 12-17-5 record, .897 SV% and 3,44 GAA.

After one successful season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sheldon Rempal has returned to North America and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension wth Washington. The 29-year-old last spent time with Vegas in the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in nine games and recorded two goals and three assists in limited minutes. In 68 games in the KHL in 2024-25, he had 31 goals and 61 points. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six spot on Washington to start the 2025-26 season.

York will get a massive payday increase as we enter the 2025-26 season after signing a five-year contract worth $5.15 million AAV ($25.75M total) to remain with Philadelphia. The 24-year-old is coming off a two-year, $3.2 million contract ($1.6M AAV) and earned his contract with a four-goal, 17-point season across 66 games played in 2024-25. York is expected to take on a big role as one of Philadelphia's top defenders this season.

After 40 wins in the last two seasons with Abbotsford (AHL), Nikita Tolopilo has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Vancouver. The 25-year-old undrafted Belarusian netminder made his NHL debut in 2024-25 but struggled in just two appearances, with a .885 SV% and 2.15 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season in Abbotsford and will likely have to battle with Arturs Silovs for the starting position yet again.

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