NHL Signings & Free Agents

Balinskis was in and out of the lineup to start the season, but injuries on Florida's blueline have awarded him with a larger role, earning himself a two-year contract extension. The 29-year-old Latvian defenseman has eight pints (1G / 7A) in 36 games this season.

Hutson has played four games with the Oilers earlier this season, scoring his first career goal, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 24-year-old undrafted forward has 38 points (23G / 15A) in 30 games with Bakersfield (AHL).

Lizotte is in his second season with the Penguins and continues to be an effective bottom-six defensive forward, earning himself a three-year, $6.75 million contract extension. The 28-year-old forward is averaging 13:57 time-on-ice and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 35 games this season.

With Linus Ullmark (personal) away from the team, Ottawa has needed reinforcements between the pipes in recent weeks, and will give Reimer a chance after signing him to a one-year, $850,000 contract. The 37-year-old Reimer was awarded the contract despite struggling on his PTO in Belleville (AHL), allowing six goals on 28 shots (.786 SV%) in his only game, a 6-5 loss to Rochester. Reimer appeared in 22 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season (10-8-2), posting a 2.90 GAA and .899 SV%.

Hryckowian is an undrafted forward who impressed in the AHL last season, winning the rookie of the year, scoring 60 points (22G / 38A) in 67 games with the Texas Stars (AHL), ultimately earning himself a roster spot with Dallas in training camp this season. The 24-year-old has played all but one game for Dallas this season, primarily in a bottom-six role, scoring 13 points (6G / 7A) in 42 games.

Pittsburgh recently acquired Zamula in a trade, but he failed to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), leading to the team placing him on waivers and terminating his contract. He has since since a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:02 time-on-ice and recorded one assist in 13 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The extension marks a major pay day for Dvorak, who signed with the Flyers on a one-year deal this off-season. Long thought of as a defensive specialist, the two-way centre is on pace to fly past his previous career high in points of 38, racking up nine goals and 16 assists in 39 games this season. The five-year deal ties down the 29-year-old Dvorak through the 2030-31 season.

Annunen was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but they traded him to Nashville last season. Since joining the Predators, the 25-year-old goalie has a 3.21 GAA and .884 SV% in 35 combined appearances (12-16-2).

Torpochenko was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has spent his entire career with the organization. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 12:22 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games this season.

Injuries on Tampa Bay's blueline gave D'Astous a chance to draw into the lineup, and he has impressed with his opportunity in his first NHL season, earning a one-year, $875,000 contract extension. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:05 time-on-ice and has 13 points (3G / 10A) in 33 games this season.

Cooley has unexpectedly been excellent in a supporting role in his first season as a full-time NHL backup and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 28-year-old California-born goalie has a solid 2.40 GAA and .914 SV% in 13 appearances (4-4-2).

Moser was key piece of the Mikhail Sergachev trade in 2024 and has been outstanding on the Lightning's blueline in 2026. Moser and Darren Raddysh have formed one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL, leading the league in xGF% (64.3%) of pairings with at least 150 minutes together.

Pickford was drafted in the third round, 81st overall, by the Canadiens in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman is in his fourth WHL season and has 44 points (25G / 19A) through 31 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Lombardi was drafted in the fourth round, 125th overall, by the Kings in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old, in his third season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL), has 41 points (21G / 20A) in 33 games during the 2025-26 season.

Sasson's extension means he will no longer become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. The 25-year-old forward has appeared in 29 games for the Canucks this season, logging six goals and two assists while featuring primarily in Vancouver's bottom-six.