NHL Signings & Free Agents

Vancouver has signed their 2025 1st-round pick in Braeden Cootes after the 18-year-old forward signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The Alberta native spent 2024-25 captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games played. He will attempt to secure a position on the Canucks for the upcoming season but is expected to eventually return to Seattle for the majority of 2025-26.

Antonio Stranges will return to Texas (AHL) for a fourth consecutive season after Dallas announced they had signed the 23-year-old to a one-year, two-way extension. The shifty forward was Dallas' 2020 4th-round pick (123rd overall) but has yet to make an NHL appearance despite picking up 18 goals and 43 points in 55 games played in 2024-25 with Texas (AHL).

After three successful seasons in Henderson (AHL), Lukas Cormier will return for a fourth campaign after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with Vegas on Wednesday. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman only appeared in 19 games with Henderson in 2024-25 due to injury, but still picked up nine assists and a -9 plus/minus. He is expected to start 2025-26 with Henderson but will provide depth if needed for the Golden Knights.

Morton made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with one goal in one game and has earned himself a one-year, two-way extension to remain in Calgary for the upcoming season. The undrafted 25-year-old spent his first full professional season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) in 2024-25, picking up 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games played.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

Kindel was Pittsburgh's 2025 1st round pick (11th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract just weeks after being drafted. The 18-year-old right-winger spent 2024-25 with Calgary (WHL), where he was a point shy of the century mark with 35 goals and 99 points in 65 games played. He is expected to return to Calgary this season but may receive an extended look with the Penguins with a strong training camp.

Vadim Zherenko will return for a fourth season in Springfield (AHL) after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with St. Louis. The 24-year-old Russian netminder was St. Louis' 2019 7th-round pick (208th overall) and spent the entire 2024-25 season with Springfield, where he struggled with his 12-17-5 record, .897 SV% and 3,44 GAA.

After one successful season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sheldon Rempal has returned to North America and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension wth Washington. The 29-year-old last spent time with Vegas in the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in nine games and recorded two goals and three assists in limited minutes. In 68 games in the KHL in 2024-25, he had 31 goals and 61 points. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six spot on Washington to start the 2025-26 season.

York will get a massive payday increase as we enter the 2025-26 season after signing a five-year contract worth $5.15 million AAV ($25.75M total) to remain with Philadelphia. The 24-year-old is coming off a two-year, $3.2 million contract ($1.6M AAV) and earned his contract with a four-goal, 17-point season across 66 games played in 2024-25. York is expected to take on a big role as one of Philadelphia's top defenders this season.

After 40 wins in the last two seasons with Abbotsford (AHL), Nikita Tolopilo has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Vancouver. The 25-year-old undrafted Belarusian netminder made his NHL debut in 2024-25 but struggled in just two appearances, with a .885 SV% and 2.15 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season in Abbotsford and will likely have to battle with Arturs Silovs for the starting position yet again.

After four successful seasons in Abbotsford (AHL), Jett Woo will remain in Vancouver's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was drafted by Vancouver in the 2nd round (37th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft but has yet to make his NHL debut. In 67 games with Abbotsford (AHL) in 2024-25, he had two goals, 18 points and 90 PIMs.

Utha and Jack McBain have come to an agreement through arbitration after the 25-year-old was signed to a five-year extension worth $4.25 million AAV ($21.25 million total). The three-year pro is fresh off a season where he posted career highs in almost all categories, including goals (13), points (27) and PIMs (78).

Schwindt was claimed off waivers from the Flames in early October and spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Golden Knights. The 24-year-old winger had one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 42 games with the Golden Knights but will likely serve as their No.13 forward to start 2025-26.

Rondbjerg spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, where he tallied 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points) in 53 games. He's shuffled back and fourth between the AHL and NHL for four straight seasons, appeared in 76 total NHL games, posting three goals and seven assists (10 points). Expect him to be a fringe roster player again in 2025-26.

Lavoie was claimed off waivers from Edmonton in early October but appeared in just nine games with the Golden Knights, spending most of the season in Henderson (AHL). The 24-year-old forward had 17 goals and 10 assists (27 points) in 42 AHL games and will likely begin the 2025-26 season with Henderson.

Gatcomb split the 2024-25 season between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Islanders, he had nine points (8G / 1A) and 149 hits in 39 games. He'll be a fringe roster player for them in 2025-26 and could end up back in the AHL to begin the season.

Lapierre began the 2024-25 season with the Capitals but ultimately split his time between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Capitals, Lapierre had eight assists in 27 games. He should be back with the Capitals as the No.3 centre to start 2025-26.

Lakovic was selected with the No.27 overall pick in this summer's NHL draft and quickly signed his entry-level deal with the Capitals. The 18-year-old left winger spent the 2024-25 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), where he led the team in goals (27) and points (58) despite appearing in just 47 of 68 games.

O'Brien was selected No.8 overall in this summer's NHL draft and quickly signs his entry-level deal with the Kraken. The 18-year-old centre spent the 2024-25 season with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), where he was third on the team with 98 points (32G / 66A) in 66 games. Expect him to return to the OHL for the 2025-26 season.