Wild GM Bill Guerin said that something has come up with Zuccarello in recent weeks, and he's going to miss some time. With Zuccarello likely to miss the start of the regular season, Liam Ohgren was skating in the Wild's top-6 on the first day of training camp.
After appearing in two games with the Senators in 2024-25, Jan Jenik will remain with Ottawa after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension on Monday. The 24-year-old forward is expected to start 2025-26 with Belleville (AHL) but will provide Ottawa with some offensive depth if they happen to face injury problems. He had 12 goals, 29 points and 75 PIMs with Belleville in 2024-25.
Los Angeles has locked up one of their key young players on Friday after they announced the signing of Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract extension worth $4.1 million AAV ($12.3M total). The 23-year-old right-winger improved on nearly all his rookie numbers in his sophomore campaign last season, putting up 19 goals, 42 points, and a +22 plus/minus in 77 games played. He is expected to occupy a top-six role again in 2025-26.
Ward made his NHL debut last season, scoring a goal in one game with the Los Angeles Kings and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension. The undrafted 27-year-old forward spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 27 points (12G / 15A) in 66 games with the Ontario Reign.
After a successful season in Rockford (AHL), Cole Guttman has earned himself a two-year, $1.55 million contract ($750,000 AAV) with the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old is likely to start the 2025-26 season in Ontario (AHL), where he is likely to continue his minor league success after putting up 23 goals and 57 points in 70 games played with Rockford (AHL) in 2024-25.
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.
