NHL Signings & Free Agents

After three successful seasons with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Nick Abruzzese has signed a one-year, two-way contract in Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old left-winger has appeared in 11 games (3 Pts) with the Maple Leafs since 2022-23 but spent the majority of his professional career in the AHL where he averaged nearly 50 Pts a season across three years.

Detroit added to its minor league depth on Tuesday by signing John Leonard to a one-year, $775,000 contract. The 26-year-old winger finished in goals across the AHL with 36 and 61 points in 72 games played with Charlotte (AHL) in 2024-25. He should compete for a bottom-six spot on the Red Wings this season.

After a successful bounce-back campaign with Vegas in 2024-25, Tanner Pearson has signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. The 33-year-old left-winger is entering his 13th NHL season with his 6th different team after picking up 12 goals and 27 points in 78 games played with the Golden Knights in 2024-25.

Dallas has signed their 2024 5th round draft pick (158th overall), Niilopekka Muhonen to a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday. The 19-year-old Finnish defenseman spent 2024-25 in Medicine Hat (WHL) after being selected in 1st round of the CHL import draft and had four goals, 17 points and a +20 plus/minus in 60 games played.

Before playing his first career game in the KHL, Kirill Gerasimyuk signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Florida. The 21-year-old goaltender was Florida's 2021 5th-round pick (152nd overall) and excelled in the VHL last season posting a SV% above .930 between Yugra Khanty-Manisysk and SKA-Neva.

Colorado added to its defensive depth on Day 1 of free agency by bringing in Ronald Attard on a one-year, two-way contract. The 26-year-old appeared in 29 NHL games with Philadelphia across the last three seasons, picking up two goals and six points with a -1 plus/minus. He is expected to battle for one of Colorado's final defensive openings when training camp roles around.

Koepke established himself as a full-time NHL player last season, playing a career-high 73 games and scoring 17 points (7G / 10A) with the Boston Bruins. He is averaging 2.34 hits per game over 99 games in his career and add some grit to Winnipeg's bottom-six forward group.

After putting up an impressive 39 goals and 72 points with Texas (AHL) in 2024-25, Matej Blumel has earned himself a one-year, $875,000 one-way contract with the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Czech right winger was originally drafted by Edmonton in the 2019 4th round (100th overall) and has appeared in 13 total NHL games across the last three seasons with Dallas.

Studnicka was the 53rd overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has split time between the AHL and NHL throughout his career. The 26-year-old forward spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 45 points (16G / 19A) in 72 games with the Ontario Reign.

After falling out of favour with the Montreal Canadiens, Drouin took an opportunity with the Colorado Avalanche to rediscover his scoring prowess alongside Nathan MacKinnon and did just that. In 122 games with Colorado over the previous two seasons, Drouin scored an impressive 93 points (30G / 63A) after playing on back-to-back team-friendly one-year deals with the team. He joins the New York Islanders on a two-year $8 million contract.

The Dallas Stars traded Faksa's $3.25 million cap-hit to the St. Louis Blues in the previous offseason. After spending a season with the Blues, scoring 15 points (5G / 10A) in 70 games, he returns to the Stars on a three-year, $2 million AAV contract. The Stars drafted Faksa 13th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

With the departure of David Rittich, joining the New York Islanders, the Kings have signed Forsberg to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million AAV to slide into their backup goalie position behind Darcy Kuemper. The 32-year-old Forsberg has been inconsistent in his career but recorded a career-high three shutouts last season in addition to a 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 30 appearances (11-12-3).

Dumoulin joins his fifth team in the last three years, signing a three-year deal with the Kings worth $4 million AAV. The veteran 33-year-old defenseman averaged 19:33 time-on-ice, recording 109 blocks, 74 hits, and 22 points (3G / 19A) in 80 games between the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils last season.

Ceci joins his fourth team in the previous three seasons, signing a four-year contract worth $4.5 million AAV with the Kings. The 31-year-old Ceci joined the Dallas Stars before the trade deadline last season, recording nine points (0G / 9A), 55 blocks, and 24 hits in 31 games.

In a market desperate for right-handed defenseman, Perbix was a sought-after free agent who opted to sign a two-year deal for $2.75 million AAV with the Predators. The 27-year-old Perbix scored 63 points (13G / 50A) in 220 career games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After spending his previous two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Petry joins the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on a one-year contract worth $775K. The veteran 37-year-old defenseman averaged 18:54 time-on-ice and scored eight points (1G / 7A) in 44 games last season.

Harris joins his third NHL team, entering the 2025-26 season with the Boston Bruins on a one-year, $825K contract. The 24-year-old defenseman averaged 11:23 time-on-ice and scored five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season.

Steeves is an undrafted 25-year-old forward who played a career-high seven games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season but has spent most of his career in the AHL. He had an outstanding 2024-25 season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), scoring 62 points (36G / 26A) in 59 games.

Fanti is an undrafted goalie who has split time between the AHL and ECHL over his five-year professional career. The 25-year-old posted an impressive 1.45 GAA and .946 SV% in seven appearances with the Syracuse Crunch last season (3-1-0).

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season, Schmidt has secured a three-year deal worth $3.5 million AAV with the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Schmidt averaged 16:32 time-on-ice and scored 19 points (5G / 14A) in 80 games last season.