July 25, 2025
New York Islanders left wing Maxim Tsyplakov has avoided salary arbitration by signing a new two-year deal worth $4.5 million. The Islanders picked up Tsyplakov last offseason as a free agent on a one-year, entry-level contract worth $950,000. Tsyplakov adapted well to his new environment, scoring 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 77 games, which ranked ninth among first-year players. The 26-year-old Russian also brought physicality to the Islanders' lineup, finishing the campaign with 140 hits. Fantasy managers can expect similar production from Tsyplakov next season, as he's no longer a very young player and probably doesn't have much upside left.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 25, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake has signed an eight-year, $45 million contract extension. The deal will come into effect in 2026-27. Blake, a former fourth-round draft pick, broke into the NHL during the 2024-25 campaign, ranking 10th among first-year players with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 80 contests. The team expects a lot more from him going forward. "Jackson had an outstanding rookie season, and we think he is just scratching the surface of the player he can be," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. "His tenaciousness on the puck and competitiveness match our team's culture, and we're excited about his future with our club." Next season, Blake should continue to see regular top-six minutes and power-play time.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 23, 2025
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is desperate to secure a spot on the roster for the start of the season. "I want to be in that opening-night roster and there's still some things I got to work on in the gym, on the ice," said Schaefer on TSN Radio 1050. "I think just getting stronger is the thing for me." The top draft picks usually make their NHL debut the following season, but there is a recent example of a player not jumping straight into action with Buffalo's Owen Power. Schaefer will turn 18 just before the start of training camp in September. He's very raw and inexperienced and may initially struggle to find his footing in the NHL. However, the opportunity is there for him to carve out a significant role on the Islanders' blue line after Noah Dobson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
July 23, 2025
Right wing Daniel Sprong has signed a one-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. The Dutch native will head to Russia after playing nine seasons in the NHL. Over 374 career regular-season outings, Sprong has recorded 87 goals and 166 points. He's had some decent campaigns, but Sprong bounced around three teams in 2024-25, suiting up for only 30 games and notching seven points (two goals, five assists). A successful season abroad could help Sprong find a path back to North America. Goaltender Spencer Martin has also left the NHL for CSKA this offseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: CSKA Moscow
July 23, 2025
Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko has signed a three-year, $13.575 million contract to avoid arbitration. Kakko was dumped by the New York Rangers last season, but he had a solid stint with the Kraken, who traded for him in December. Across 49 regular-season appearances for Seattle, Kakko produced 10 goals and 30 points. Kraken general manager Jason Botterill called Kakko's extension a "top priority" for the team this summer, and now it's finally done. The Finnish winger is highly rated by the organization and could make a big leap in 2025-26 as a top-six regular with the Kraken.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 20, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Matthew Savoie played in only a handful of games in 2024-25 but is expected to become a regular in the lineup next season. "There is some growth from within," Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said. "I think Matt Savoie is probably poised to take a big step next year." Savoie notched one assist in four NHL outings last season while going for 54 points (19 goals, 35 assists) in 66 AHL games for the Bakersfield Condors. The 21-year-old is an exciting talent, and Edmonton seems ready to give him every chance to become an important part of the team. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much too soon from Savoie.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
July 20, 2025
Right wing Blake Wheeler announced his retirement from the NHL on Saturday. He will hang up his skates after missing the entire 2024-25 season. Wheeler, who will be 39 next month, played in 1,172 regular-season games, mostly with the Winnipeg Jets. He captained the Jets for six years and became the franchise's all-time leader in games (897), assists (550), and points (812). The speedy forward was a two-time All-Star and notched 943 career points (321 goals, 622 assists). Only 13 American-born players have registered more points in the NHL.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
July 19, 2025
Goaltender Jaroslav Halak hasn't played in the NHL since the 2022-23 season, but he has only now made his retirement official. Halak began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 2006-07 and played for seven teams over 17 seasons. He made 581 regular-season appearances, posting a 295-189-69 record, along with a 2.50 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, and 53 shutouts. In 2014-15, Halak was an All-Star and set a New York Islanders franchise record with 38 wins. He is a two-time winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy, which is awarded to the best goaltending duo in a single season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 19, 2025
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson has landed a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension. The 24-year-old completed his entry-level contract with the 2024-25 campaign and was a restricted free agent who had filed for salary arbitration. Through his first 59 career games, Helleson has recorded 14 points (five goals, nine assists), 67 shots, 76 blocks, and 101 hits with a plus-six rating. Last season, Helleson led all rookie defensemen in shorthanded time on ice (54:32) and was second to Lane Hutson in both points and assists among first-year rearguards. Helleson has upside in his games but currently doesn't have much fantasy value because he's limited to third-pairing minutes in the Anaheim defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
July 19, 2025
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi has inked a six-year, $45 million contract extension. The Kingston, Ontario native is receiving a huge pay increase after previously being on a two-year, $6.88 million deal. Vilardi has fully earned it, as the 25-year-old has notched 97 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 118 contests since arriving in Winnipeg in 2023. During the 2024-25 season, Vilardi was Winnipeg's third-highest goal-scorer with 27 markers and had 61 points in 71 games. He will continue to be a regular on the top line and the power play next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 18, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov does not see a future for himself in Ohio and has requested a trade. Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, posted a statement on his behalf on social media Thursday. "I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade," Chinakhov said in the post. "I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here." First-year head coach Dean Evason scratched Chinakhov several times last season after he returned from a back injury. With health issues constantly affecting him, Chinakhov has made only 175 appearances in four seasons. In 2024-25, he played in 30 games, scoring seven goals and 15 points. The Blue Jackets signed Yegor Chinakhov to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension last offseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 18, 2025
Forward Dakota Joshua will start next season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old was traded by the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. The Canucks sent him packing after Joshua endured a difficult 2024-25 campaign. He missed the start of the season while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer and was limited to 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 57 appearances. Joshua had managed over 50 points across the previous two seasons. The Ohio State University also likes to get physical, averaging 3.15 hits per game in his NHL career. If he gets back to top form in Toronto, Joshua's fantasy stock could start rising quickly.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 18, 2025
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal has signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract extension. The 25-year-old Czech native was a restricted free agent and avoided an arbitration hearing. Dostal posted a 23-23-7 record last season, allowing 3.10 goals with a .903 save percentage and one shutout. With John Gibson now in Detroit, the Ducks see Dostal as their undisputed No. 1 between the pipes. "Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender and we are so pleased to get this deal done," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "He is just entering the prime of his career with his best hockey ahead of him." Anaheim is hoping to get back into playoff contention next season, and with a stronger team supporting him, Dostal will have more fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 15, 2025
Winger Michael Carcone has signed a new one-year contract with the Utah Mammoth. He was an unrestricted free agent after spending four years in the Utah/Arizona organization. The 29-year-old returned to the team on a minimum-salary deal. Carcone made 53 appearances with Utah last season, recording 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists). He experienced a significant drop in form after enjoying a 21-goal campaign in 2023-24. Carcone has been a scoring machine in the minors, so it's not out of the question that he can regain his offensive spark in the big league, but fantasy managers definitely shouldn't count on it.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
July 15, 2025
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram has reached an agreement on a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension. Byram was a restricted free agent and avoided a salary arbitration hearing that Buffalo had elected. 2024-25 marked Byram's first full season with the Sabres, and he made a significant impact with a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. Additionally, Byram was tied for the team-high with 116 blocks. Byram has become a capable two-way defenseman and is well-positioned to continue developing his game over the next few years.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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