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A.J. Greer Lands Four-Year, $17 Million Deal With Ducks
Anaheim Ducks left wing A.J. Greer has signed a four-year, $17 million contract with the team, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. The 29-year-old is getting a significant salary boost after just completing a two-year deal with an $850,000 cap hit. Greer was a pending free agent when the Ducks acquired him from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Radko Gudas last week. In his final season with the Panthers, Greer enjoyed a career year with 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists) in 78 games. He led the team with 203 hits. In 2025-26, Greer benefited from Florida's injury problems and is unlikely to match his offensive production next season. But he will add grit and experience to the lineup as a bottom-six piece.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Bobby Brink Re-Signs With Wild for One Year
Minnesota Wild right wing Bobby Brink will stay with the franchise on a one-year, $2.75 million contract. The 24-year-old joined his home-state team in March after a four-year run with the Philadelphia Flyers. Brink struggled to adjust to his new surroundings, posting only four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 games. He even spent time as a healthy scratch during the playoffs. However, the Wild are ready to give Brink another go, and he should be determined to prove his worth in 2026-27. Brink will hold a middle-six spot and could see increased power-play time following the departures of Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Johansson.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Bowen Byram to Become NHL's Highest-Paid Defenseman
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram has agreed to a historic six-year, $75 million contract extension. The deal will take effect in 2027-28 and carry a $12.5 million cap hit, the highest ever for a defenseman. Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson currently has the largest cap hit among defensemen at $11.5 million. Chicago acquired Byram last week in a deal that included the No. 4 pick in the 2026 draft. His current cap hit stands at $6.25 million. In 2025-26, the 25-year-old blue-liner registered a career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 appearances. With his eye-popping new contract, Byram will face high expectations, and it will be interesting to see how well he handles the situation.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Devils Extend Arseny Gritsyuk for Three Years
New Jersey Devils winger Arseny Gritsyuk (shoulder) has signed a three-year, $9.75 million extension with the franchise. He needed a new contract after completing a one-year entry-level deal. After starring in the KHL, Gritsyuk recorded 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games during his maiden NHL campaign. He finished sixth among first-year players with 149 SOG. Gritsyuk's season ended early due to shoulder surgery, but he's expected to be ready for training camp. The Russian forward will aim to build on his solid rookie campaign and deliver a strong sophomore year in 2026-27.
Source: New Jersey Devils PR
Source: New Jersey Devils PR
Evan Rodrigues Traded to New Jersey
Forward Evan Rodrigues (finger) will skate with his fifth NHL team next season after the Florida Panthers traded him to the New Jersey Devils. He was part of a deal that saw Florida acquire goaltender Jacob Markstrom. The Panthers also picked up minor-league forward Angus Crookshank in exchange for Rodrigues and forwards Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves. In 2025-26, Rodrigues posted his fifth straight 30-point season, even after breaking a finger in late March. He tallied 11 goals and 20 assists in 69 outings. The 32-year-old will be part of the middle-six group in New Jersey and should see regular power-play time.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jacob Markstrom Returns to Florida
The Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils. The Swedish shot-stopper rejoins the team that drafted him in 2008. In the transaction, the Devils also parted ways with minor-league forward Angus Crookshank in exchange for three forwards: Evan Rodrigues (finger), Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves. Markstrom had a tough year in 2025-26, but he now finds himself in a good position to bounce back. He has strong career numbers, including a 2.73 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to move on after being the No. 1 in Sunrise for seven seasons.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Eric Robinson Recovering From Knee Procedure
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson underwent a knee procedure and will be out for 6-8 weeks, general manager Eric Tulsky announced. The timeline suggests Robinson is expected to be healthy in time for training camp. Robinson also dealt with health issues during the 2025-26 season and was limited to 67 appearances. He posted 12 goals and 18 points. The 31-year-old doesn't move the needle in fantasy leagues, but he's been an effective bottom-six forward for Carolina. With Seth Jarvis (shoulder) set to miss the start of next season, Robinson may have an expanded role on the frontline.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Seth Jarvis Likely to Miss Start of Season Due to Shoulder Surgery
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 months. This means the newly-crowned Stanley Cup champions will be without one of their most productive forwards for at least the first month of the 2026-27 campaign. This season, Jarvis led his team with 32 goals, adding 34 assists in 66 appearances. His absence could give Jackson Blake a larger role on offense. Balke will carry plenty of momentum into next season after being a point-per-game player during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Ducks Send Mason McTavish to St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues acquired forward Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for the No. 15 and No. 29 picks in the 2026 draft. McTavish, a third-overall pick in 2021, had a couple of promising years in Anaheim, but the team decided to cut ties with him after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. In 75 appearances, McTavish managed 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). This was the first season of his six-year, $42 million contract extension signed last September. At 23, McTavish is still young, and a new environment might help him meet the expectations that came with his status as a top-three pick.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Bruins Acquire JJ Peterka for Pair of First-Round Picks
Winger JJ Peterka will suit up for the Boston Bruins in 2026-27 after the Utah Mammoth traded him for two first-round draft picks. Boston gave up the No. 23 pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Utah acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres just 12 months ago, signing him to a five-year, $38.5 million contract extension. Unfortunately, he failed to meet expectations with the Mammoth, finishing the 2025-26 campaign with 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games. Peterka flirted with a 70-point season only a couple of years ago and will be a bounce-back candidate in 2026-27. He joins a team that scored for fun in 2025-26, averaging 3.27 goals per game.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Rangers Bring in Pavel Dorofeyev for Three Draft Picks
Winger Pavel Dorofeyev was traded ahead of the 2026 NHL draft on Friday, moving from Vegas to New York. The New York Rangers acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the No. 26 pick in the 2026 draft, a third-round pick (No. 92) in the 2026 draft, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Dorofeyev was Vegas' top goal-scorer in 2025-26, but the team lacked the financial resources to keep him around. The 25-year-old is expected to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract extension with the Rangers after scoring 37 goals and 64 points in 82 contests. A move to a different team always comes with a certain level of risk, but Dorofeyev has all the tools to become a star in New York.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Gavin McKenna Selected First by Maple Leafs in 2026 Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs surprised no one with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, using it to select forward Gavin McKenna. The 18-year-old Whitehorse, Yukon, native became the fifth U.S. college hockey player to be selected first overall. McKenna recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games this season with Penn State, finishing tied as the NCAA's fifth-highest scorer. The Maple Leafs endured a tough 2025-26 season, but adding McKenna could instantly push the club back into playoff contention. He's seen as a future superstar and will have plenty of offensive talent around him in Toronto, including fellow No. 1 picks Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Hendrix Lapierre Moves to Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired center Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. Lapierre will be a restricted free agent on July 1. The Penguins have Todd Nelson, Lapierre's former AHL head coach, serving as an assistant coach, which may help Lapierre bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Lapierre, who was the AHL playoff MVP under Nelson two years ago, was limited to 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 74 appearances. He has posted 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 158 career games.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Anthony Stolarz Confirmed as Maple Leafs Starter Ahead of Training Camp
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (groin) is seen as the starter for next season ahead of training camp, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reports. Maple Leafs general manager John Chyka confirmed that Stolarz has recovered from a groin strain suffered in April and currently holds the No. 1 spot. Chyka traded away Joseph Woll for Samuel Ersson a couple of weeks ago, giving Toronto's goalie department a slightly different look. But the Maple Leafs plan to ride Stolarz primarily next season. The 32-year-old made 25 starts in 2025-26, posting a 10-10-2 record. He had a career-worst .893 save percentage and allowed 3.28 goals. Stolarz must improve his form in 2026-27 if he wants to stay ahead of Ersson and Dennis Hildeby on the depth chart.
Source: Luke Fox
Source: Luke Fox
Blue Jackets Acquire Valeri Nichushkin
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nichushkin is signed for four more years at a $6.125 million cap hit. The Russian veteran is a proven scorer in the NHL and a valued defensive contributor. However, durability concerns affect his fantasy value. In 2025-26, Nichushkin played 70-plus games for the first time in eight seasons. He fell short of his third 50-point campaign by a single point, tallying 17 goals and 32 assists in 72 outings.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
