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
July 15, 2025
Winnipeg Jets forward Morgan Barron has agreed to a two-year contract extension valued at $3.7 million. As a restricted free agent, Barron filed for arbitration earlier this month, but the two sides avoided it by reaching a new agreement. With the 2024-25 campaign, Barron completed a two-year, $2.7 million deal. He posted 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 74 outings while providing physicality in a bottom-six role with 122 hits. Barron has registered 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists) in 256 career games, which indicates limited value in standard fantasy leagues.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 14, 2025
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin has denied rumors that 2025-26 will be his final season in the NHL. Ovechkin is about to begin the final year of his current contract, and it has been rumored that the 2025-26 season will be his last in the NHL after the Capitals' marketing team sent out an email in late May referring to next season as Ovechkin's last. However, when speaking to Sport-Express in Russia, the Capitals captain said, "Anything can happen" when asked if he would continue playing in the NHL after next year. Ovechkin will turn 40 before next season starts, but if 2024-25 is any indication, fantasy managers should still hold him in high regard.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
July 14, 2025
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Silovs moves to Pittsburgh following an outstanding AHL campaign. He led the Abbotsford Canucks to their first-ever Calder Cup victory, going 16-7 in the playoffs with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. Silovs also impressed during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he made only nine starts for Vancouver in 2024-25. The Latvian netminder had a 2-6-1 record last term with the Canucks, allowing 3.65 goals on average with a .861 save percentage. Due to Tristan Jarry's inconsistent form, the Penguins have struggled with goaltending, and Silovs may get an extended look at some point if things don't improve next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
Winger Nikolai Kovalenko has signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. The 25-year-old will return to Russia after only one full NHL season. He featured 57 times for the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche in 2024-25, scoring seven goals and 20 points. Kovalenko made his NHL debut during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche moved him to San Jose in December in a deal that brought the team goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. The Sharks did not issue a qualifying offer to Kovalenko, making him an unrestricted free agent, and he ultimately signed with the three-time KHL champions.
--Taavi PailkSource: The Hockey News
July 12, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson is reportedly open to a trade. Speaking on his podcast, Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic said Karlsson was willing to be moved despite having a no-move clause. However, Johnston added that there are only a few teams Karlsson is willing to move to. Karlsson's time with the Penguins has been a disappointment, and a move elsewhere might benefit both him and the team. In 2024-25, Karlsson finished with 53 points (11 goals, 42 assists) in 82 games, a far cry from his 101-point effort during his final year with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23. The Swedish veteran, who turned 35 in May, has two years remaining on his contract, which carries a $11.5 million cap hit. San Jose covers $1.5 million of it.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Johnston
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