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Matvei Michkov Eyes Bounce-Back Season After Intensive Offseason Training
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov is determined to bounce back from a down year and has put in intensive work in the offseason. "There was no vacation at all, because an important season is ahead," Michkov told Daria Tuboltseva of RG. "I need to play well, I want that myself. So I need to keep my body in shape at all times." After a 63-point rookie campaign, Michkov barely cleared 50 points in his second year and ended up as a healthy scratch for a pair of postseason games. But with his talent and something to prove, Michkov could be an intriguing fantasy option next season.
Source: Daria Tuboltseva
Source: Daria Tuboltseva
Devils Sign Colin White to Two-Way Contract
Right wing Colin White has joined the New Jersey Devils organization on a one-year, two-way contract. He will be paid $900,000 in the NHL and $400,000 in the AHL. White has over 300 NHL games under his belt, but he played exclusively in the minors last season. The 29-year-old was one of the standout players in the AHL, recording 21 goals and 48 points in 46 games with the San Jose Barracuda. A first-round pick in 2015, White had some success at the NHL level early in his career as a member of the Ottawa Senators, including a 41-point campaign. However, he hasn't had any points in his last 42 NHL appearances, dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Source: Kristy Flannery
Source: Kristy Flannery
Tomas Nosek Signs With Hometown Team
Forward Tomas Nosek has signed a contract with his hometown team, HC Dynamo Pardubice, in Czechia. This likely marks the end of Nosek's 11-year NHL career, as he will be 34 in September. Nosek was part of the 2025 Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers squad and made 514 career regular-season appearances, tallying 47 goals and 120 points. Unfortunately, due to a significant knee injury and a broken leg, Nosek was limited to 21 outings in 2025-26. Overall, Nosek suited up for five NHL teams, doing a solid job as a bottom-six forward wherever he played. His accolades in North America include the 2017 Calder Cup win with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Source: HC Dynamo Pardubice
Source: HC Dynamo Pardubice
Brett Pesce Healthy for New Season
New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (knee) is healthy ahead of training camp, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News reports. Pesce suffered a season-ending knee injury in March, spraining his MCL. Earlier in the campaign, he also sustained a finger injury. As a result, Pesce made a career-low 37 appearances. He recorded seven points (one goal, six assists) and 80 blocks. Pesce's presence on the back end is a major asset for the Devils, but his lack of offensive production limits his fantasy value.
Source: Kristy Flannery
Source: Kristy Flannery
Collin Graf Re-Ups With Sharks for Three Years
San Jose Sharks winger Collin Graf has inked a three-year, $12.75 million contract extension. He was a restricted free agent after an impressive 2025-26 campaign. Graf finished last season as San Jose's sixth-highest scorer, posting 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 81 appearances. Only Macklin Celebrini (45) and Will Smith (24) scored more goals. Additionally, Graf played an important role as a penalty killer and contributed with his physical play, recording 88 hits. Graf will be 24 at the start of next season, so he could still have untapped potential.
Source: San Jose Sharks
Source: San Jose Sharks
Tommy Novak Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tommy Novak signed a three-year, $13.95 million contract on Friday. The deal will begin in 2027-28 after Novak completes his current three-year, $10.5 million contract. Novak had his first full season with the Penguins last term, contributing 16 goals and 26 assists in 82 games. It was his third 40-point campaign in four years. Novak has shown great consistency, but at 29, he's probably reached his ceiling and is unlikely to develop further. He will likely spend most of next season in a middle-six role.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Ryan Reaves Hopes to Play One More NHL Season
Winger Ryan Reaves remains a free agent deep into the offseason, but the 39-year-old enforcer hasn't given up hope of earning one more contract. "Playing 1000 games in the NHL is an honor for sure, especially in the role that I play," Reaves said recently on TSN1050's First Up. "I've been training all summer already and the body is holding up pretty well. I just think I've got one more left in the tank." Reaves is just 38 games away from joining the 1,000-game club. According to Reaves, a couple of teams have shown interest in his services, but no offers have come in yet. Last season, Reaves skated in 50 games for the San Jose Sharks.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Jacob Moverare Signs Deal With Zug in Switzerland
Defenseman Jacob Moverare has signed a two-year contract with EV Zug in Switzerland. The Swedish blue-liner will return to Europe after becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He has appeared in 109 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, including 15 in 2025-26. Moverare has earned 11 career points (two goals, nine assists) in the NHL. He struggled to secure a consistent role in L.A. and will now try his luck in Switzerland. At Zug, Moverare will join several other former NHLers, including Tomas Tatar and Dominik Kubalik.
Source: Swiss Hockey News
Source: Swiss Hockey News
Drake Batherson, Senators Far Apart in Contract Talks
Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson is currently on track to start the 2026-27 season as a pending unrestricted free agent. According to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia, Batherson and the Senators "aren't close" to a contract extension. Batherson will finish a six-year contract with a $4.95 million cap hit. His new deal is expected to carry an average annual value of $10 million to $11 million. Keeping Batherson will be vital for Ottawa, especially after losing Brady Tkachuk this offseason. Batherson was the team's second-highest scorer in 2025-26, contributing 33 goals and 38 assists in 79 games.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Michael Hutchinson Retires After 11 NHL Seasons
Goaltender Michael Hutchinson has announced his retirement from the NHL. He has called it a career after 11 NHL seasons. Hutchinson represented six teams, going 57-62-18 over 154 regular-season appearances. He totaled six shutouts and had a 2.94 goals-against average with a .902 save percentage. The Barrie, Ontario native had the most success early in his career with the Winnipeg Jets, where he posted three consecutive 20-win campaigns. Hutchinson's final NHL outing was in 2023-24 with the Detroit Red Wings. He sat out the 2025-26 season after spending one year in Finland.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Quinn Hughes and Wild Scheduled for Contract Talks This Week
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes could have his future sorted out soon. According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, Hughes and his representatives are scheduled to meet Wild general manager Bill Guerin this week to discuss a new contract. Hughes will play out the final season of a six-year, $47.1 million contract in 2026-27. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if a new deal isn't reached. Last season, Hughes had a great run with the Wild after arriving from the Vancouver Canucks. He notched 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 games, adding 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 postseason outings.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Macklin Celebrini Inks $94 Million Extension With Sharks
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million contract extension on Wednesday. He will finish his entry-level deal in 2026-27, after which the new contract will take effect. Celebrini is set to become the NHL's highest-paid player, with the average annual value of his contract extension at $18.8 million. In just two seasons, Celebrini has established himself as one of the leading talents in hockey's new generation. He set a Sharks record in 2025-26 with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games. Overall, Celebrini has tallied 70 goals and 178 points in 152 career games. These are extraordinary numbers for a 20-year-old.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Vyacheslav Buteyets Set to Continue Career in KHL
Goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets has signed a two-year deal with the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk. He was immediately loaned out to the Shanghai Dragons, where he will spend the 2026-27 campaign. Buteyets has just completed his entry-level contract in the NHL. He made his NHL debut in December, playing one period for the Anaheim Ducks against the Utah Mammoth. During his time in the Ducks organization, Buteyets mostly saw action in the ECHL. Last season, he went 18-19-5 with the Tulsa Oilers, allowing 3.11 goals with a .908 save percentage. At 24, Buteyets is at a critical stage in his development and clearly sees better opportunities outside North America. The Ducks extended a qualifying offer to Buteyets earlier in the offseason, meaning the club will retain his NHL rights.
Source: KHL
Source: KHL
Akira Schmid Signs Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Florida Panthers goaltender Akira Schmid has agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract. He was scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing next week, but that won't be necessary now. Schmid joined the Panthers in late June when the team acquired his rights from the Vegas Golden Knights. The 26-year-old posted a 16-10-6 record, a 2.59 goals-against average, a .893 save percentage, and two shutouts last season. The Panthers' blue paint will look very different next season, with Jacob Markstrom also brought in this offseason and Sergei Bobrovsky heading to Toronto. Schmid is set to be Markstrom's backup in Sunrise.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Cole Sillinger Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for Three Years
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger signed a three-year, $13.875 million contract on Friday, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. This looks like a decent deal for both sides. Sillinger is a versatile player who still has room to grow. He has finished with 30-plus points in four of his five NHL campaigns. In 2025-26, Sillinger recorded a career-high 25 assists and 33 points in 81 games. The 23-year-old was third on his team with 112 hits. A couple of seasons ago, Sillinger averaged 0.5 points per game, making 40 points a realistic target for 2026-27.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
