NHL Hockey Player News

Gravel's deal will kick in starting in 2024-25 but he has signed a two-year, two-way contract to stay with the Nashville Predators on Friday. The 31-year-old defensemen has spent the entire 2023-24 season with Milwaukee (AHL) and has a goal and five assists in 36 games played.

Tippett has become one of the main offensive cogs in Philadelphia and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension. The 24-year-old broke out last season with 49 points (27G / 22A) in 77 games and, despite currently being on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, is producing at a higher pace this season with 30 points (18G / 12A) in 46 games. This season, Tippett has established himself as a skilled power-forward, evident by his 168 shots on goals and 68 hits.

Smith's 16 points (5G / 11A) in 46 games have been rewarded with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. The 28-year-old winger has most recently been playing on a line with Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino.

Mrazek's 3.01 GAA and .907 SV% are his best totals in three seasons, considerably more impressive considering he plays for the defensively troubled Blackhawks. As a result of his strong play, Mrazek has been rewarded with a two-year, $8.5 million ($4,250,000 AAV) contract extension. He should continue to see an edge in starts over Arvid Soderblom for the remainder of the season.

Perry hasn't played in the NHL since his contract was terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in late November. In a statement released by the Blackhawks, the team stated Perry engaged in "unacceptable conduct" that violated his contract and team standards. Prior to having his contract terminated, Perry was amid a somewhat resurgent start to the season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games. It is speculated Perry could be ready to play for the Oilers as early as later this week.

Perry hasn't played in the NHL since his contract was terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in late November. In a statement released by the Blackhawks, the team stated Perry engaged in "unacceptable conduct" that violated his contract and team standards. Prior to having his contract terminated, Perry was amid a somewhat resurgent start to the season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games. It is speculated Perry could be ready to play for the Oilers as early as later this week.

Protas has performed well in a depth role for the Capitals this season and has been rewarded with a five-year, $17-million dollar extension. The 23-year-old Belarusian was the 91st-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and split the last two seasons between Washington and Hershey (AHL) before establishing himself as a full-time NHL player in 2023-24. He has three goals and 15 assists in 42 games this season while playing just over 13 minutes a night.

With Pinto's 41-game suspension for activities relating to sports wagering nearing an end, the Senators have signed the 23-year-old to a one-year $775,000 contract. The final game of his suspension is on Saturday, and he will be eligible to return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Senators forward had 35 points (20G / 15A) in 82 games last season.

Dickinson is pacing for the best offensive season of his career and has been rewarded with a two-year, $4.25M AAV contract extension. Through 43 games this season, Dickinson has 21 points (14G / 7A) and is well on pace to break his career-high of 30 points that he set last season with the Blackhawks.

Foligno, currently on IR due to a fractured finger, has made an impact in his first season with the Blackhawks, scoring 17 points (8G / 9A) in 39 games, his best point-per-game pace (0.44) in five seasons. Foligno has also contributed an impressive 73 shots and 84 hits this season. His $4.5 million AAV next season ranks second among all forwards on the Blackhawks, only behind Taylor Hall ($6 million AAV).

The Blues have signed the Welsh-born Walker to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension on Tuesday. Walker has spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, scoring 29 points (13G / 16A) in 30 games.

After ongoing contract negotiations, Nylander and the Maple Leafs have agreed to terms on an eight-year, $92 million contract extension ($11.5 AAV). The 27-year-old Nylander has steadily seen his production increase in the last three seasons, arguably being the Maple Leafs' most dynamic player at times, and is currently pacing for a career-best 120-point season. With Nylander locked up long-term, the Maple Leafs guarantee they will have Nylander and Auston Matthews on their roster through the end of the 2027-28 season, while John Tavares and Mitch Marner have contracts that expire at the end of 2024-25.

Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.

Booth has signed his first professional contract, a three-year, entry-level deal with the King with an AAV of $852,500. The 19-year-old was the 116th overall pick of the Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has 14 points (2G / 12A) in 29 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL.

After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and prolonged contract negotiations, Bear has signed a two-year, $4.125 million contract with the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Bear played 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A), recording a +6 plus/minus, and registering 82 blocks while averaging 18:32 time-on-ice. Bear should help solidify the blueline for a Capitals team that already ranks top-10 in the league defensively, allowing only 2.75 goals per game.

Hutton is nearing 500 games played (496) in his ninth NHL season and has signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract ($975,000) with Vegas Friday. The 30-year-old defenceman has almost surpassed his games played from last season at the quarter point of the 2023-24 season and has a goal, seven assists, 45 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 28 games played.

Chadwick was drafted in the sixth round (185th overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman has 24 points (7G / 17A) in 30 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League this season.

Hutchinson has played the entire season with the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL, posting a 2.98 GAA and .895 SV% through 13 games (5-7-1). He will get the opportunity to serve as the backup to James Reimer as Alex Lyon and Ville Husso are both battling injuries.

The 18-year-old Gauthier was the 37th overall pick of the Lightning in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He has remained in the QMJHL this season where he has scored 30 points (13G / 17A) in 28 games.