NHL Hockey Player News

Willman played in nine games for Philadelphia in 2022-23 and failed to pick up a point but had nine SOG, four PIMs, and a -3 plus/minus and has officially signed a one-year, two-way deal with New Jersey. The 28-year-old centre has appeared in 50 games for the Flyers over the last two seasons since making his debut in 2021-22 and has four goals, six points, and 16 PIMs on his career. He is expected to start the season with New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Utica.

Buffalo has locked up one of the league's premiere defensemen with a huge eight-year contract extension. The first overall pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft had a breakout season last year, scoring 73 points (15G / 58A) in 78 games. Look for Dahlin to build on those totals as the star defenseman is, once again, expected to compete for the Norris Trophy.

Aston-Reese was released on a PTO earlier in the week by Carolina and has now found himself a spot on Detroit's roster after signing a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. The 29-year-old forward had 10 goals, four assists, 89 SOG, 25 PIMs, and a -6 plus/minus through 77 games with Toronto in 2022-23. The Red Wings will make his fourth NHL team in seven seasons.

The 26-year-old forward was brought into Pittsburgh camp on a PTO and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. The Boston-born veteran had eight goals, seven assists, 64 SOG, and 12 PIMs across 68 games in his only season in Florida in 2022-23. He is joining his third NHL team after spending six years in Ottawa and one with the Panthers.

Hartman is coming off a 37-point (15G / 22A), 59-game campaign, in which he predominantly centred a line between Kiril Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. The nine-year veteran is expected to reassume his role as the top-line center for the Wild.

Furlong was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (140th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks on Thursday. The 19-year-old Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) captain had seven goals, 43 assists, 40 PIMs and a +47 plus/minus in 67 games in 2022-23 in the Quebec league. He has returned to Halifax for his 2023-24 season.

Drysdale missed 74 games in 2022-23 after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder but has signed a three-year deal worth $6.9 million ($2.3M AAV) with Anaheim. The 21-year-old was limited to only eight games last season and failed to pick up a point while posting a -3 plus/minus with two PIMs. He was Anaheim's 2020 first-round pick (6th overall) and has seven goals, 40 points, 24 PIMs and a -41 plus/minus through 113 games played across three NHL seasons.

Stonehouse impressed as an undrafted free agent at the Oilers' rookie camp and has earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract with Edmonton. The 19-year-old right-winger had 37 goals, 20 assists, 66 PIMs and a +28 plus/minus in 68 games played last season with Ottawa (OHL). He has rejoined the 67's for the 2023-24 season but is now officially part of the Oilers organization.

Musty was San Jose's 2023 first-round pick (26th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks on Wednesday. The 18-year-old left-winger had 26 goals, 52 assists, 71 PIMs and a +16 plus/minus through 53 games played with Sudbury (OHL) in 2022-23. He is expected to return to the OHL for his third season with Sudbury for the 2023-24 season.

Brunet was Boston's 2022 fifth-round pick (132nd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2,580,000 ($860,000 AAV). The 20-year-old had 16 goals, 57 assists, 28 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 66 games played with Rimouski (QMJHL) and Victoriaville (QMJHL) in 2022-23. He is expected to play for the Providence Bruins (AHL) for the 2023-24 season.

Zebras had 23 goals, 42 assists, 88 PIMs, 184 SOG, and a -24 plus/minus through 81 games played in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract extension worth $5,750,000 AAV. The 22-year-old was Anaheim's 2019 first-round pick (9th overall) and has 49 goals and 139 points in 180 games played across three seasons in California.

Foligno had seven goals, 14 assists, 97 PIMs, 83 SOG, and a -6 plus/minus in 2022-23 and signed a four-year, $16 million extension with Minnesota on Friday. The 32-year-old is entering his seventh season in Minnesota and has 116 goals and 272 points across 12 NHL seasons and 743 games played. He should have a key-role in the Wilds' bottom six yet again this season.

Zuccarello had 22 goals, 45 assists, 198 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 2022-23 with Minnesota and has signed a two-year, $8.250 million contract extension ($4,125,000) with the Wild. The 36-year-old enters his fifth season with the Wild and has an impressive 186 goals and 573 points in 766 career games played. He is expected yet again to be a key cog on the Wilds' top line with Kirill Kaprizov.

Backlund had 19 goals, 37 assists, 36 PIMs, 260 SOG, and a +24 plus/minus in 82 games in 2022-23 with Calgary and has signed a two-year contract extension worth $9.0 million ($4.5 million AAV). Along with the new contract, Backlund has been announced as the Flames' 21st Captain in team history. The 34-year-old centre is entering his 16th NHL season as a Flame and has 185 goals, 492 points and a +66 plus/minus in 908 career NHL games played.

Bjarnason was Philadelphia's 2023 second-round pick (51st overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2,850,000 ($950,000 AAV). The 18-year-old goaltender went 21-19-5 with a .900 SV% and a 3.08 GAA with Brandon (WHL) in 2022-23. He also represented Canada at the Under-18 World Championships this offseason where he led the squad with a 4-2-0 record, .849 SV% and 3.51 GAA.

Mynio was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft (89th overall) by Vancouver and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2.85 Million ($870,000 AAV). The 18-year-old defensemen had five goals, 26 assists, 40 PIMs and a +50 plus/minus through 68 games with Seattle (WHL) in 2022-23. He is expected to return to Seattle for the 2023-24 season.

Young was Vancouver's 2022 fifth-round pick (144th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks. The 19-year-old goaltender went 15-13-3 with a .889 SV% and 3.89 GAA with the Prince George Cougars (WHL) in 2022-23 and is expected to return to the team for the 2023-24 season.

Barlow was drafted by the Jets in the 2023 first-round (18th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Winnipeg worth $3.6 million ($1,200,000 AAV). The 18-year-old left-winger had an exceptional season captaining the Owen Sound Attack (OHL) as he picked up 46 goals, 33 assists, 29 PIMs and a +14 plus/minus through 59 games played. He is expected to return to Owen Sound for the 2023-24 season but will have a chance to make an impact in Jets camp.