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Predators Acquire Jack Drury From Avalanche
The Nashville Predators have acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche. The team also picked up forward Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round draft pick in exchange for forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux. Drury had a solid 2025-26 campaign, notching a career-high 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 82 games and even receiving some Selke votes. He finished plus-15 for the season and won an impressive 58.1 percent of his faceoffs. As a bottom-six center, Drury has limited fantasy value, but he'll be a nice addition in the middle for the Predators. This trade marks the second offseason transaction between the Predators and the Avalanche, following Chris MacFarland's move from Denver to Nashville to succeed Barry Trotz as general manager.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Zach Benson Inks Seven-Year Extension With Sabres
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension on Wednesday. He was locked up long-term with an average annual value of $7.5 million. Benson was eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The Sabres announced the signing after shipping Alex Tuch to Washington in a sign-and-trade agreement. Tuch's departure should increase Benson's playing opportunities next season. The 21-year-old tallied a career-high 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 65 outings this season. If Benson remains injury-free and sees more ice time, he could realistically approach the 60-point mark in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alex Tuch Joins Capitals in Sign-And-Trade Deal
The Washington Capitals have acquired winger Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade deal with the Buffalo Sabres, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Sabres received a 2026 third-round draft pick in 2026 and forward David Kampf in return for Tuch, who inked an eight-year, $84 million contract. Tuch was among the best unrestricted free agents on the market this offseason. He had a productive five-year stint with the Sabres, recording 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) in 79 games in 2025-26. Washington also acquired Jordan Kyrou (knee) from the St. Louis Blues this week, reshaping its offense after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
Simon Nemec Lands in Calgary
The Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Simon Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for conditional first-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, a second-round pick in the 2026 draft, and defenseman prospect Etienne Morin. Both conditional picks are top-10 protected. Nemec, a No. 2 pick in 2022, has just completed his entry-level contract and will become a restricted free agent on July 1. He didn't quite reach his full potential in New Jersey but recorded a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games this season, along with 101 SOG and 104 blocks. The 22-year-old should see plenty of minutes, including power-play time, in Calgary.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Blackhawks Give Up No. 4 Pick in Trade for Bowen Byram
Defenseman Bowen Byram will suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks next season after being acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. In the deal, Chicago also acquired forward Jordan Greenway, giving up the fourth and 45th picks in the 2026 draft and defensemen Louis Crevier. This marks the first time in 15 years that a team has traded a top-five draft pick in the NHL. It came as part of a deal for a player who could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Byram had a strong year in Buffalo, amassing a career-high 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games. He also recorded 109 SOG, 93 blocks, 50 hits, and a plus-15 rating. On a Chicago team in dire need of more quality on defense, Byram figures to play a major role and log plenty of ice time.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
William Eklund Moves to Ottawa
The Ottawa Senators have acquired winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks. The team gave up the ninth-overall pick in Friday's draft in exchange for Eklund, forward Kasper Halttunen, and forward prospect Brandon Svoboda. The Senators obtained the pick from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade. Eklund should be Tkachuk's direct replacement in the top six. San Jose traded Eklund just a year after signing him to a $16.8 million contract extension. He is coming off back-to-back 50-point campaigns. In 2025-26, Eklund recorded 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) and 72 hits in 78 games.
Source: Ottawa Senators
Source: Ottawa Senators
Blues Acquire Connor McMichael
Forward Connor McMichael was traded by the Washington Capitals to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. He was shipped out along with a first-round draft pick and prospect forward Milton Gastrin in exchange for forward Jordan Kyrou. McMichael, who turned 25 in January, is a restricted free agent and needs a new contract from the Blues before he can play for the team. He has completed a two-year, $4.2 million deal. McMichael has looked promising and could have a big campaign in a larger role next season. After flirting with a 60-point year in 2024-25, McMichael recorded 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 78 games this season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jordan Kyrou Traded to Capitals
The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Jordan Kyrou (knee) from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Connor McMichael, the 16th pick in the 2026 draft, and forward prospect Milton Gastrin. Kyrou is moving to D.C. after a disappointing 46-point campaign, but the Capitals have high hopes for him. "We are thrilled to acquire Jordan and welcome him to our team," Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. "Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club. His skill, creativity, and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition to our group. At just 28 years old and under contract for the next five seasons, Jordan is entering the prime years of his career. We believe he is an ideal fit for our team both now and for the long term." Kyrou could be rejuvenated on a new team after he recovers from offseason knee surgery.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Oilers Hire Mike Babcock as Head Coach
Mike Babcock will return to the NHL in 2026-27 after the Edmonton Oilers announced him as their new head coach. The 63-year-old has been without a job since leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023. Less than three months into the job, Babcock resigned after backlash over asking to see personal photos on players' phones. The NHL recently investigated the situation and cleared Babcock to return to coaching in the league. Babcock reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times early in his coaching career, winning the championship with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. He has a 700-418-164 record with 19 ties in 1,301 career games as a head coach. Babcock is the 10th head coach in the past 15 years for the Oilers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nicolas Deslauriers Stays in Carolina on Two-Year Contract
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers has earned a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension. Hurricanes head coach Eric Tulsky announced the deal during the team's championship celebration in Raleigh. Deslauriers joined the Hurricanes in a midseason trade from the Philadelphia Flyers. He made only seven regular-season and one playoff appearance. However, Tulsky praised him as a good fit in the locker room. Deslauriers, who will turn 36 in February, provides veteran leadership and physicality for the Hurricanes, but his fantasy value is limited to hits. He averaged 3.87 hits per game in 2025-26.
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
Jason Dickinson Lands Five-Year, $20 Million Extension
Edmonton Oilers center Jason Dickinson inked a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the team on Sunday. He was less than two weeks away from unrestricted free agency, having completed a two-year, $8.5 million pact. Dickinson moved to Edmonton in March ahead of the trade deadline, recording four points (one goal, three assists) and 34 hits in 17 outings with the Oilers. Including his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Dickinson finished the campaign with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) and 85 hits in 64 games. Dickinson lacks fantasy value but fits well in Edmonton as a bottom-six piece and penalty killer.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kraken Re-Sign Bobby McMann on Six-Year Deal
Seattle Kraken left wing Bobby McMann has landed a six-year, $34.5 million contract extension. The Kraken picked him up on an expiring contract midseason from the Toronto Maple Leafs. McMann recorded 10 goals and 14 points in 18 appearances with the Kraken, earning a juicy pay raise. His previous deal carried a $1.35 million cap hit. Overall, McMann produced 46 points (29 goals, 17 assists) and 165 hits in 78 outings this season. He was a great fit in Seattle and could be poised for a big year on a team that has full confidence in his ability.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mackie Samoskevich Traded to Kraken
The Seattle Kraken have acquired right wing Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. Samoskevich had his sophomore campaign in 2025-26, registering 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) and 136 hits in 77 appearances. "Mackie is a talented young player who we are excited to bring into the fold," Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said. "He has speed, skill and scoring ability. A Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers in 2025, Mackie's a player who can contribute offensively and add a spark to our lineup." Samoskevich is the former college teammate of Matty Beniers, and the two will look to rekindle some magic in Seattle.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonathan Toews Announces Retirement
Center Jonathan Toews has announced his retirement. "I have to say I'm satisfied; I'm fulfilled. I'm so thankful and grateful for the career I had," Toews said in a statement. Toews spent 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before ending his playing days with his hometown Winnipeg Jets. After missing two full seasons due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long COVID, Toews played in all 82 regular-season games with the Jets in 2025-26. He made 1,149 career appearances, scoring 912 points (383 goals, 529 assists). Toews won the Stanley Cup three times with the Chicago Blackhawks and the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. In 2013, Toews was awarded the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best two-way forward. He is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won the World Championship and two Olympic gold medals with Canada. Toews also won the World Cup of Hockey with Team Canada in 2016.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Panthers Acquire Brady Tkachuk
The Florida Panthers made a blockbuster move on Sunday, acquiring forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Senators parted ways with their captain in exchange for three first-round draft picks and a second-round pick. Tkachuk will link up with his brother, Matthew, in Florida, joining a stacked team that will look to bounce back next season after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. According to Kaplan, Ottawa talked with a handful of teams about Tkachuk in recent weeks before sending him to Florida. The star forward had a no-trade clause in his seven-year, $57.5 million contract, which has two seasons remaining. Tkachuk is in the prime of his career and could have a big fantasy season in 2026-27 if he stays healthy.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
