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
July 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (wrist) hopes to be available for the 2025-26 season opener. "I haven't set a date or anything like that," Hyman said this week at his charity golf tournament. "Once you set a date, you get disappointed if you don't play on the date. I hope to play on opening night." Hyman dislocated his wrist on May 27 during the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars and underwent surgery. In 2024-25, Hyman took a step back, managing 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 73 regular-season appearances. He wasn't quite at his best during the playoffs either, scoring 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 15 contests. The 33-year-old will look to bounce back next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
July 12, 2025
Winger Jeff Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday. The veteran forward will join his fourth NHL team. Skinner played last season with the Edmonton Oilers, earning 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 72 games. His time in Edmonton included his first-ever playoff games, although Skinner spent most of the postseason as a healthy scratch. Skinner is just one point short of reaching 700 career points and has 373 goals, which shows he can be a significant threat offensively. However, recent years have been tough for Skinner, and fantasy managers should not set high expectations for him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
July 11, 2025
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded winger Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Reaves is set to suit up for his seventh NHL franchise next season. The 38-year-old enforcer made 35 appearances with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25, recording two assists and 103 hits. He ranks seventh all-time in the NHL with 3,065 hits. Additionally, Reaves has racked up 1100 penalty minutes in 912 career games. The veteran forward will add toughness and physicality to a young Sharks team but won't have any fantasy value in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 11, 2025
The Dallas Stars have acquired defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Matt Dumba. The Stars also sent out a 2028 second-round pick to shed Dumba's contract, which has a $3.75 million cap hit. Kolyachonok is on a much cheaper deal and could likely match Dumba's production if he makes the team for the 2025-26 season. The Belarusian blue-liner will begin the second season of a two-year, $1.55 million contract. Last term, he recorded seven points (two goals, five assists), 31 blocks, and 27 hits in 35 games with the Penguins and Utah Hockey Club.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 11, 2025
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenseman Matt Dumba in a trade with the Dallas Stars. Dallas received defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok and a 2028 second-round draft pick as part of the deal. Dumba played only one season with the Stars, having moved to Texas as a free agent on a two-year, $7.5 million contract last summer. It was a quiet campaign for Dumba, who posted 10 points (one goal, nine assists), 60 blocks, and 70 hits in 63 outings. Dumba was a 50-point guy early in his career with the Minnesota Wild, but he has seen very little offensive success in recent years and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 11, 2025
Florida Panthers winger Mackie Samoskevich has re-signed with the team for one year. According to reports, the deal is worth $775,000, the league minimum. Samoskevich enjoyed a decent rookie campaign in 2024-25, ranking 11th in scoring among first-year players with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 72 outings. He also averaged 1.9 hits per game. During the playoffs, Samoskevich made only four appearances, but he should be a regular again in the Panthers lineup once the 2025-26 season begins.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 11, 2025
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson has signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract extension with the club. He was scheduled to hit free agency next summer before agreeing to a new deal with the Avalanche. Manson has spent three and a half seasons in Denver. He's had a difficult time with injuries and made only 48 appearances in 2024-25. Manson picked up 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) and had 105 hits during the campaign. From a fantasy perspective, Manson offers little, but he's been a reliable defenseman throughout his NHL career, and the Avalanche will be happy to keep him around.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 11, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard is set to make his NHL debut in 2025-26 after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the club. The Oilers acquired Howard on Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for fellow forward prospect Sam O'Reilly. Howard is ready to make the jump to the big league after dominating in the NCAA. He won the 2025 Hobey Baker Award as the top college player and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. During the campaign, Howard registered 26 goals and 52 points in 37 appearances. Howard could find immediate success on a high-scoring team like the Oilers, although he might also face some growing pains at the beginning of his NHL career.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 8, 2025
Forward Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement from the NHL. He made 747 regular-season appearances in the league, recording 193 goals and 433 points. Johnson became a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2011. The 5-foot-8 forward also suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. Boston signed him to a one-year contract in November, but Johnson was waived after just a month and a half, limiting him to nine appearances in 2024-25.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 8, 2025
Utah Mammoth forward Jack McBain has agreed to a five-year, $21.25 million contract with the team. The two parties reached an agreement on a new deal a little over 24 hours after the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward. With the 2024-25 campaign, McBain completed a two-year, $3.2 million contract. The 25-year-old hit new heights on the offensive end by producing 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 82 games and finished sixth in the league with 291 hits. Fantasy managers can expect similar production from McBain next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 8, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York has re-upped with the team, signing a five-year contract worth $25.75 million. He was a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $3.2 million deal. York receives a big boost in salary with his new deal, but it could still end up being a favorable contract for the team, considering the rising salary cap. While the 24-year-old is seen as an important piece of the Flyers defense, York has only provided modest fantasy production during his time in the NHL. In 2024-25, he recorded 17 points (four goals, 13 assists), 65 shots, 126 blocks, and 60 hits in 66 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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