RADIO
Rangers Sign Alberts Smits to Entry-Level Contract
The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Alberts Smits to a three-year, entry-level contract. With the fifth pick, the Rangers made Smits the highest-drafted Latvian player in NHL history this summer. The team appears ready to give him his debut in 2026-27, despite his tender age of 18. While Smits is a very young player, he has experience playing top-level hockey in Finland and Germany. Additionally, he represented Latvia at both the Olympics and World Championships last season. Rangers general manager Chris Drury recently called Smits a "terrific prospect." He's one for the future but has the potential to make an immediate impact on the Rangers' new-look blue line.
Source: New York Rangers
Source: New York Rangers
Steve Yzerman Steps Down as GM of Red Wings
Steve Yzerman has left his position as the general manager and executive vice president of the Detroit Red Wings. He will continue to serve the organization as a senior adviser to CEO Chris Ilitch. Yzerman, the longest-serving captain in Red Wings history, was appointed as general manager in April, 2019. The team had a 224-251-9 record during his tenure and never made the playoffs. Last season, the Red Wings went 41-31-10, missing the postseason by seven points. Yzerman has also worked in the Tampa Bay Lightning's front office, winning the NHL General Manager of the Year Award in 2015.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nicholas Robertson Inks Two-Year Contract With Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Nicholas Robertson has signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract. As a restricted free agent, Robertson filed for salary arbitration, with a hearing scheduled for late July. Ultimately, he managed to work out a deal with his new team. The Penguins acquired Robertson's rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1 in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. Robertson posted a career-high 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 78 games last season, but it wasn't enough to interest the Maple Leafs' brass in keeping him around. A fresh start in Pittsburgh isn't a bad alternative for Robertson, especially if he can carve out a top-six role.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Cole Perfetti Agrees to Five-Year Contract With Jets
Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti has avoided a salary arbitration hearing by signing a five-year, $30 million contract. The Jets now won't have to worry about Perfetti's contract situation for quite some time, though questions about his ability may linger within the organization. In 2025-26, Perfetti totaled only 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 68 games. Still, at 24 years old, Perfetti is a relatively young player and has time to prove his worth in the league. He was a 50-point scorer only two seasons ago.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Anthony Mantha Joins Devils on Two-Year Deal
Winger Anthony Mantha will remain in the Metropolitan Division next season after agreeing to a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. Last term, Mantha had an impressive year as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording a career-high 64 points (33 goals, 31 assists) in 81 contests. Previously, the 11-year veteran hadn't even reached the 50-point mark in the NHL. It remains to be seen whether he can replicate that form with the Devils. Given his unusually high 21.7 shooting percentage last season, Mantha probably won't maintain the same goal-scoring pace in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Trevor Zegras Signs Four-Year Extension With Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras signed a four-year, $36.5 million contract on Wednesday, avoiding salary arbitration. With the average annual value of his contract at $9.125 million, Zegras is now Philadelphia's highest-paid player. He earned a handsome deal after putting up a career-high 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists) in 81 games last season. Zegras chipped in with two goals and four assists in 10 games during the postseason. Six years into his NHL career, Zegras has reached the 60-point plateau three times. Provided he stays injury-free, a 70-point campaign should be well within his reach next season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Viggo Bjorck Expected to Fill Second-Line Center Role in Winnipeg
Winnipeg Jets center Viggo Bjorck is expected to start his rookie campaign as the team's second-line center, Murat Ates of The Athletic reports. Bjorck was the eighth-overall pick in this year's draft after becoming Sweden's youngest-ever player at the IIHF World Championship. He turned just 18 in March. Last season in the Swedish SHL, Bjorck posted 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 games. If he can secure a spot on the second line, Bjorck will have a good opportunity to finish among the top-scoring first-year players next season and be in contention for the Calder Trophy. Only five Swedish players in history have won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie.
Source: Murat Ates
Source: Murat Ates
Rodrigo Abols Moves to Switzerland
Center Rodrigo Abols has joined the Swiss team SC Bern on a three-year deal. He has decided to move back to Europe after spending two seasons in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers. Abols contributed three goals and seven assists in 42 games with the Flyers last term. His campaign was derailed by a fractured ankle in mid-January. Although Abols didn't see much success in the NHL, he has been a productive player in the European league. Before joining the Flyers, he played for Rogle BK in Sweden. Abols will turn 31 in January, making it unlikely he will return to the NHL.
Source: SC Bern
Source: SC Bern
Jordan Oesterle Retires From NHL
Defenseman Jordan Oesterle has retired from the NHL after a 12-year career. He suited up for seven teams, making 409 regular-season appearances. Oesterle spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL and was limited to one outing with the Nashville Predators. He earned 96 career points (23 goals, 73 assists). The American blue-liner, who won bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Championships, began his career with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014 after going undrafted from Western Michigan University. He also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins.
Source: O2K Sports Management
Source: O2K Sports Management
Oilers Re-Sign Colton Dach for Two Years
Edmonton Oilers forward Colton Dach has signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract extension. He finished his entry-level contract at the end of the 2025-26 season, becoming a restricted free agent. The Oilers acquired Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks in March. Due to health issues, he appeared in only eight regular-season games for his new club, scoring two goals and delivering two assists. Dach also racked up 30 hits. For the season, he managed 13 points (five goals, eight assists) and 219 hits in 61 games. The 23-year-old is a hitting machine, but doesn't offer much else in fantasy hockey.
Source: Edmonton Oilers
Source: Edmonton Oilers
Braden Schneider Agrees to One-Year, $5.5 Million Deal With Rangers
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider will stay in the Big Apple for the start of the 2026-27 campaign with a one-year, $5.5 million contract. The two sides reached a new deal before a salary arbitration hearing. Schneider has just finished his fifth season with the Rangers, recording a team-high 141 blocks in 82 games. He ranked third with 163 hits and tallied 18 points (two goals, 16 assists). Schneider's role has steadily expanded in New York, but his fantasy value remains limited by his lack of offensive upside.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Peyton Krebs Avoids Arbitration With Four-Year, $18 Million Contract
Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs signed a four-year, $18 million contract extension on Monday. He was a restricted free agent who filed for salary arbitration on July 5. Krebs cashed in on a career year. Despite averaging only 13:46 of ice time, he recorded 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) and 201 hits in 82 games. Krebs added six points (two goals, four assists) in 13 outings during his first career postseason campaign. Buffalo has used Krebs throughout the lineup, making him a valuable piece for the team. However, his inconsistent ice time makes him difficult to trust in fantasy leagues.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Dylan Larkin Adds Fourth Team to Trade List
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has expanded his list of acceptable trade destinations to four teams, MLive's Ansar Khan reports. His original list included the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. It has now been revealed that the Red Wings captain would also accept a trade to the Dallas Stars. According to Khan, there have been discussions about a potential deal involving Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson. Larkin has five years remaining on his contract, which carries an average annual value of $8.7 million. The American star is seeking a fresh start after missing the playoffs in Detroit for 10 consecutive seasons.
Source: Ansar Khan
Source: Ansar Khan
Frederik Andersen Confident of Being Healthy for Start of Season
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Frederik Andersen (knee) is confident he will be available at the start of the season. Speaking to reporters at his introductory media conference, Andersen said he sustained a knee injury during the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. "I did some medicals and I was assured that I just needed some time to rest," Andersen said of his knee. "No intervention, surgery or anything was said to be necessary, so that's very reassuring." After winning the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, Andersen signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent. He will be part of a three-man rotation in the crease alongside Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi. All three netminders will see their fantasy value decline because of this situation.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Ducks Match Flyers' Offer Sheet for Leo Carlsson
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson will remain with the team after the club matched the Philadelphia Flyers' eye-popping offer sheet, ESPN's Kristen Shilton reports. After Carlsson finished his entry-level contract, the Flyers signed him to a five-year, $90 million deal. This contract makes Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL. He will have an $18 million cap hit, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov's new deal, which will take effect next season, by $1 million. "It's going to be a special feeling, having this pressure," Carlsson said. "I always wanted to be a Duck. It's my home, too. I'm just super excited to be back." Last season, Carlsson narrowly missed out on being a point-per-game player, finishing with 29 goals and 38 assists in 70 appearances. Questions will arise if he cannot increase his production in the 2026-27 season.
Source: Kristen Shilton
Source: Kristen Shilton
