RADIO
Pierre Engvall Good to Go for 2026-27
New York Islanders left wing Pierre Engvall (ankle) is at 100 percent ahead of the new NHL campaign, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward missed the entire 2025-26 season due to hip and ankle issues. Even with him now available, Engvall's future with the Islanders looks uncertain. He hasn't lived up to his seven-year, $21 million contract and spent part of the 2024-25 season in the AHL after being waived. With a healthy lineup, it's hard to see where he would fit.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
Kyle Palmieri Looking "Great" Ahead of Training Camp
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Palmieri (knee) has fully recovered from a right ACL tear, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. "Kyle Palmieri's been skating all summer. He's been here all summer," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "He looks great, fully healthy." Palmieri injured his right knee in late November and played only 25 times in 2025-26. He tallied six goals and 12 assists. It remains to be seen how the injury affects Palmieri's performance. Before tearing his ACL, the veteran forward didn't miss a single game in back-to-back seasons, posting over 100 points.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
Semyon Varlamov Ready for Comeback Campaign
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (knee) is healthy and ready for training camp, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. Varlamov has undergone two knee procedures and hasn't played since Nov. 29, 2024. "He's doing great, actually. It's almost a miracle," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "Well, it's not a miracle because he's really put in the work. He's been back here for at least a month. He's on the ice four to five times a week, no medication, no pain, anything like that." Throughout his 18-year career, Varlamov has been a solid netminder. He will compete with Vitek Vanecek for playing opportunities in 2026-27, with Ilya Sorokin firmly holding the starting role on Long Island.
Source: Stefen Rosner
Source: Stefen Rosner
Jonathan Huberdeau Suffers Setback in Hip Surgery Recovery
Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau (hip) has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from hip resurfacing surgery, according to general manager Craig Conroy. "This is a major surgery so he had a little bit of a setback, maybe two weeks ago, with his skating," Conroy said during an appearance on QR770 on Monday. "We just want to make sure we do the right thing for him. If it's to take a little bit more time and have him 100% feeling good about the hip, that's what we're going to do." Huberdeau was shut down early last season, playing his final game on Feb. 4. He finished with 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games. Conroy's update suggests Huberdeau may also miss time at the start of the new campaign.
Source: Daniel Austin
Source: Daniel Austin
Eeli Tolvanen Joins Rangers
Winger Eeli Tolvanen has joined the New York Rangers for the start of the 2026-27 season, signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Tolvanen was an unrestricted free agent deep into the offseason and took a major pay cut to continue his NHL career. Previously, he was on a two-year, $6.95 million deal with the Seattle Kraken. Last season, Tolvanen recorded 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) and 187 hits in 78 outings. Provided he meshes well with his new linemates, Tolvanen may be around the 40-point plateau again this season.
Source: New York Rangers
Source: New York Rangers
Devils Acquire Luke Evangelista
The New Jersey Devils have acquired right wing Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2028 draft. Despite a very strong 2025-26 campaign, Evangelista apparently had no future in Nashville. The 24-year-old recorded a career-high 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 81 games. Evangelista looks like a great pickup for the Devils, who averaged the sixth-fewest goals in the league last season. He could become an important piece at even strength and on the power play.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Kevin Korchinski Signs Two-Year Deal With Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski has inked a two-year contract extension. He will earn $2.65 million over the next couple of campaigns. Korchinski was a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks have had high hopes for Korchinski, selecting him seventh overall in the 2022 draft. However, he has yet to make a significant mark in the NHL. The 22-year-old has recorded 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) and 109 blocks in 105 career regular-season games. Korchinski saw action in just 13 games for Chicago in 2025-26 and, with the Blackhawks' revamped blue line, looks likely to open 2026-27 as the seventh defenseman.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cale Makar Agrees to Record Extension
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports. It's the richest deal in NHL history, making Makar the first player to earn at least $20 million annually. He will have a cap hit of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season. Makar will more than double his current $9 million per year salary. Colorado has seen Makar develop into one of the league's best defensemen, making this raise well earned. The deal includes a full no-movement clause and will keep Makar under contract through the 2034-35 season, when he will be 36 years old.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cal Petersen Signs Tryout Deal With Capitals
Goaltender Cal Petersen will join the Washington Capitals' training camp on a professional tryout agreement. After a strong start to his career, Petersen has been limited to AHL action in recent campaigns. In 2025-26, he posted a 13-16-2 record, a 2.73 goals-against average, and a .896 save percentage with the Iowa Wild. The 31-year-old made his last NHL appearances in 2023-24 with the Philadelphia Flyers. Petersen has also suited up for the Los Angeles Kings in the big league, compiling a 46-44-10 record. Across 106 NHL games, he has registered a 2.96 goals-against average with a .903 save percentage. Petersen could be a solid depth piece for Washington in 2026-27, behind Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Flames Invite Alexander Nylander to Training Camp
Left wing Alexander Nylander will join the Calgary Flames for training camp on a professional tryout agreement, Bryan Wilson of The Hockey News reports. Nylander is looking to return to NHL action after playing exclusively in the AHL last season. He had a good year with the Toronto Marlies, recording 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 65 games and winning the Calder Cup. The Swedish forward has tallied 25 goals and 49 points in 126 NHL career games. Earning a spot on the Flames would be special for Nylander, a Calgary native whose father, Michael, played for the team for five seasons.
Source: Bryan Wilson
Source: Bryan Wilson
Chris Driedger Joins Canucks on Professional Tryout Agreement
The Vancouver Canucks announced they have signed goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout agreement. Recently, it emerged that Thatcher Demko (hip) might not be available at the start of training camp, and adding Driedger to the mix gives Vancouver an additional option between the sticks. Driedger has been out of the NHL for a couple of seasons and suited up for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL last term. He holds a solid 31-24-5 career record in the NHL, along with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Simon Nemec Eyes Major Role With Flames
Calgary Flames defenseman Simon Nemec hopes to play a major role with his new club. "It's a new challenge," Nemec said. "That was a good spot for me, for the team. I feel like they need a player like me. I can play a lot of minutes there. I can be part of the future there and be one of the leaders of the team." Nemec moved to Calgary this offseason following a modest three-year run with the New Jersey Devils. He notched a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 contests last season, but the former second-overall pick has the potential to make an even bigger impact. Speaking at the European Player Media Tour, Nemec said he wants to earn a spot on the Flames' top power-play unit, which would certainly boost his fantasy production.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Macklin Celebrini Looks to Evolve as Player and Leader
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is confident he can still improve after his spectacular 2025-26 campaign. The 20-year-old posted a new franchise record with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, ranking fourth on the NHL's scorers' charts. "I still have a lot of space to grow. I think in my game and off the ice," Celebrini said. "Growing into myself as hopefully a leader for this team. We have a great group of vets that have been amazing and helped guide all of us young guys and gave us the best kind of role models as possible." Celebrini is a special talent, giving San Jose a player to build around. No doubt, he'll also lead many fantasy teams to success next season.
Source: Max Miller
Source: Max Miller
Connor Hellebuyck Requests Trade From Jets
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is ready for a new chapter in his career, confirming that he has requested a trade. In a statement via his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he made the request privately several months ago and "tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options." The Jets drafted Hellebuyck in 2012, and he has been a cornerstone of the franchise, earning the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP in 2025. Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder three times. He's looking to move on despite inking an eight-year, $59.5 million contract extension in October 2023. A change of scenery could do wonders for Hellebuyck's performance after he endured a career-worst year in 2025-26, finishing with a .895 save percentage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kevin Hayes Signs KHL Deal
Forward Kevin Hayes has signed a one-year contract with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL. He will head to Russia after 12 seasons in the NHL. Hayes has recorded 446 points (185 goals, 261 assists) in 805 career games. However, he was limited to eight points (four goals, four assists) in 28 outings with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025-26. Hayes has the ability to make a significant impact in the KHL, but at 34, the NHL door may be closed to him going forward.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
