NHL Signings & Free Agents

After setting a career high in goals (16), PIMs (14) and SOG (110) in 2024-25, Noah Cates has earned himself a four-year, $16 million contract extension ($4,000,000 AAV). The 26-year-old American left-winger has spent his entire four-year career with the Flyers after being drafted in the 5th round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He had 16 goals and 37 points in 78 games played in 2024-25.

Despite not collecting a point in eight games with Seattle in 2024-25, Ben Meyers has earned himself a one-year, $775,000 contract extension. The undrafted 26-year-old is currently with his third NHL team in five seasons and has six goals and eight points in 75 career NHL games.

After an impressive season with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), Garin Bjorklund has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with Washington for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old Canadian netminder was Washington's 2020 6th-round pick (179th overall) and posted a 21-4-3 record, .927 SV% and 2.02 GAA with South Carolina last season. Washington is hoping he can bring his success from last season to Hershey (AHL) as he takes a further step forward in his development.

Gourde spent the first six seasons of his career in Tampa Bay before heading back to Seattle for four years before being traded back to Tampa Bay at last year's Trade Deadline and has signed a six-year, $13.98 million contract extension ($2,330,000 AAV to remain with the Lightning. The 33-year-old forward reached 30+ points for an eighth straight season in 2024-25 after putting up seven goals and 31 points in 57 games between Seattle and Tampa.

Amongst a flurry of different trade rumours, Minnesota has strengthened up their offensive depth on Monday by signing 34-year-old Marcus Johansson to a one-year, $800,000 contract extension. The Swedish winger is entering his 16th NHL season after putting up 11 goals and 34 points in 72 games with the Wild in 2024-25.

The 2024-25 season was the first full NHL season for Kleven, who had 19 points (4G / 6A) in 79 games. He also had a solid postseason, posting two assists, eight blocked shots and 16 hits while averaging 15:47 TOI/gm in six games vs. the Maple Leafs.

Hammell was Seattle's 2023 5th-round pick (148th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Sunday. The 20-year-old defenseman captained the Everett Silvertips (WHL) in 2024-25 and had 10 goals and 38 points in 59 games played.

Kirasanov was Los Angeles's 2021 3rd-round pick (84th overall) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Kings after spending the last five seasons in the KHL. The 22-year-old Russian defenseman is expected to report to Ontario (AHL) for the start of this season. In 2024-25, he had three goals, seven points, and a +5 plus/minus in 34 games played with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL).

Ilyin is Pittsburgh's 2023 5th-round pick (142nd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on Saturday. The 20-year-old Russian winger spent 2024-25 with Severstal (KHL) and had seven goals, 30 points and 14 PIMs in 64 games played.

Smith is Utah's 2024 4th-round pick (103rd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract upon the completion of Moncton's Memorial Cup run. The 18-year-old center spent 2024-25 with Moncton (QMJHL) and had 20 goals, 39 points and 62 PIMs in 52 games played.

Nabokov was Colorado's 2024 2nd-round pick (38th overall) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche. The 22-year-old Russian netminder has already been loaned back to Metallurg (KHL) for the 2025-26 season after posting a 23-17-6 record, .923 SV% and 2.22 GAA in 49 games played in 2024-25.

Grans only appeared in six games for the Philadelphia Flyers in his rookie season in 2024-25, picking up an assist and two PIMs and has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract worth $787,000 AAV. The 23-year-old defenseman was Los Angeles's 2020 2nd round pick (35th overall) and spent the majority of 2024-25 putting up eight goals and 23 points in 66 games played with Lehigh Valley (AHL).

Boqvist was acquired off waivers by Long Island in 2024-25 and has signed a one-year, $850,000 contract extension to remain with the Islanders for at least one more season. The 24-year-old mobile defenseman was once the 2018 8th overall pick but has struggled to find his footing, even playing forward at times for the Islanders last season. In 35 games combined between Florida and New York, he had four goals and 14 points while producing a -9 plus/minus.

After five successful seasons on Long Island, Kyle Palmieri has committed to two more after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension ($4,750,000 AAV). The 34-year-old continued to play a crucial top-six role in 2024-25, picking up 24 goals, 48 points and 169 SOG in 82 games played. He is only 100 games away from reaching the illustrious 1000 games played mark.

Foerster was the 23rd overall pick of the Flyers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has 83 points (48G / 35A) in 166 career games with the team. The 23-year-old Foerster played a career-high 81 games last season and scored a career-high 43 points (25G / 18A).

Utah acquired DeSimone via waivers and he made an impact with the club, securing a one-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman had six points (1G / 5A) in 20 games with Utah this season.

Mukhamadulin played a career-high 30 games with the Sharks this season and will return to the club in 2025-26. The 23-year-old defenseman had nine points (2G / 7A) in 30 games this season.

Hayden has spent the last three seasons in Seattle and will remain with the Kraken for two more years after signing a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV) on Wednesday. The 30-year-old forward appeared in 20 games with the Kraken in 2024-25, picking up a goal and two points to go alongside 31 PIMs while averaging 8:31 TOI/GP.

But was Utah's 2023 1st-round pick (12th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday. The 20-year-old left-winger is expected to head over to North America for the 2025-26 season after putting up nine goals and 28 points with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) in 2024-25.