RADIO
Canadiens Open to Trading Adam Engstrom
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom could be on his way elsewhere, The Athletic's Arpon Basu reports. "It is no secret Engstrom's name is floating around out there," Basu wrote. "Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to those discussions." Engstrom is a highly rated defensive prospect who appeared in his first 15 NHL games last season. He didn't make a significant impact, but Engstrom also had a very limited role, averaging 13:03 of ice time. The Swedish blue-liner boasts impressive scoring numbers in the minors, with 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 111 appearances. He's a pending restricted free agent, finishing a three-year, $2.69 million deal in 2026-27.
Source: Arpon Basu
Source: Arpon Basu
Morgan Rielly Expects to Start Season in Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly expects to stay with the team for the start of the 2026-27 season, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports. Questions have lingered about Rielly's future after Toronto's miserable 2025-26 campaign. Yet he appears set to remain part of the team's core. The 32-year-old has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs. Next season, Rielly will aim for a bounce-back campaign after a mediocre 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 78 games. That was his lowest-scoring year since 2020-21. With Darren Raddysh in town, it may be hard for Rielly to reach his previous offensive levels.
Source: Dave McCarthy
Source: Dave McCarthy
Sidney Crosby Expected to Discuss New Contract Before End of Offseason
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is currently on track to enter the 2026-27 campaign with an expiring contract. But The Athletic's Josh Yohe reports that Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, has contract talks planned with the team before the offseason ends. "When I recently spoke with Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, he said he hadn't discussed the contract with Crosby yet, indicating he was letting his most famous client enjoy his summer before getting back to business," Yohe wrote. "Brisson said there's an understanding that they'll discuss the contract before summer is over. The Penguins' first preseason game is Sept. 21." Crosby signed his previous extension - a two-year, $17.4 million deal - in September 2024, shortly before training camp opened. The legendary forward is entering his 22nd NHL campaign and said at the end of last season that he wants to keep playing for "as many years as possible."
Source: Josh Yohe
Source: Josh Yohe
Drake Batherson Seeking Eight-Year Extension
Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson hopes to sign an eight-year contract extension, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. The Senators have until Sept. 15 to sign Batherson to an eight-year deal. When the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect on Sept. 16, the maximum contract length for players signing with their current teams will drop to seven years. Garrioch reported last month that Batherson and the team aren't close to agreeing on a new deal. Batherson is a pending unrestricted free agent. The upcoming campaign will be the final season of his current six-year deal, worth $4.95 million annually. He is likely seeking a significant raise after becoming a 30-goal scorer and posting a career-high 71 points in 2025-26.
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Source: Bruce Garrioch
Alexander Romanov Healthy After Shoulder Surgery
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is healthy for training camp, Jon Lane of NHL.com reports. The Russian rearguard underwent shoulder surgery in November and played in only 15 games last season. But he has recovered in time for the new campaign. Romanov has averaged 1.9 blocks and 2.4 hits in his NHL career. The Islanders' defense will receive a big boost with him healthy. However, Romanov has never posted more than 22 points in a season, meaning he only has limited fantasy value.
Source: Jon Lane
Source: Jon Lane
Nicolas Aube-Kubel Heads to KHL
Right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel has signed a one-year contract with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. The 30-year-old was limited to six regular-season appearances with the Minnesota Wild in 2025-26 and will now try his luck in Europe. Aube-Kubel has played for seven NHL franchises and made 310 regular-season appearances, tallying 32 goals and 50 assists. His best campaign came in 2021-22 with the Colorado Avalanche, when he tallied 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 67 games and won the Stanley Cup.
Source: KHL
Source: KHL
Jeff Skinner Inks One-Year Deal With Swiss Club
Left wing Jeff Skinner will link up with Swiss club EHC Biel-Bienne for the 2026-27 season. He will move to Europe after playing in a career-low 32 NHL games last term. Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the San Jose Sharks in the 2025 offseason, but he was waived on Feb. 16 for the purposes of terminating his contract. After leaving San Jose, the veteran forward failed to land a new gig in the NHL, and it appears unlikely that he will receive another opportunity. Snapping up a player of Skinner's caliber is quite a coup for Biel-Bienne. He has scored 712 points (379 goals, 333 assists) in 1,110 career NHL regular-season appearances.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Brad Marchand Could Miss Start of Season
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (lower body) is recovering from offseason surgery and may miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports. According to Richards, Marchand is believed to be dealing with a hip injury and a sports hernia. Health issues limited Marchand to just 52 games last term, and now it appears he could be sidelined at the start of the upcoming season as well. The Panthers will kick off their regular season on Sept. 29, playing on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Source: George Richards
Source: George Richards
Boris Katchouk Signs With KHL Team
Winger Boris Katchouk has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL, AHL Insider Tony Androckitis reports. He will play at least one season in Russia after failing to secure a regular role in the NHL. Last season, Katchouk skated in three games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He finished the campaign in the Philadelphia Flyers organization and became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In total, Katchouk has appeared in 179 NHL games, posting 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists). The former second-round pick has recorded 169 points (71 goals, 98 assists) in 286 AHL outings.
Source: Tony Androckitis
Source: Tony Androckitis
Jack Roslovic Excited for New Chapter in Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic is looking forward to linking up with his new teammates. "A mixture of everything," Roslovic said about his decision to sign with the team during an appearance on TSN's OverDrive. "They've been a team that you could say didn't have their best year last year. But it's a team that's new, it's young, it's vibrant, it's ready to win. A couple of familiar faces around. A really cool, really good style of hockey that's exciting, and I just wanted to be a part of it." Over the last three seasons, Roslovic has played for four NHL teams. He never seems to stick around for long but has been a solid contributor wherever he's been. If Roslovic stays injury-free, a 40-point campaign looks reachable for him in 2026-27.
Source: OverDrive
Source: OverDrive
Ilya Protas Expected to Have Full-Time NHL Role in 2026-27
Washington Capitals forward Ilya Protas is likely to have a full-time NHL role in the upcoming campaign, Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News reports. After showing off spectacular form in the AHL, Protas skated in his first NHL games late last season. He notched one goal and three assists in four appearances. Protas' efforts included a three-point performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While Protas is set to see more action in 2026-27, the Capitals have beefed up their frontline during the offseason, so there will be only limited ice time available for the talented Belarusian.
Source: Tony Ferrari
Source: Tony Ferrari
Dylan Larkin Could Start Season With Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin could remain with the team at the start of the season, Ted Kuflan of The Detroit News reports. Larkin requested a trade at the start of the offseason, but the team hasn't found any suitable deals. A source told Kuflan that the organization expects Larkin to report to training camp if he isn't traded by then. He would reportedly forfeit $8 million in salary if he doesn't appear in camp. From a fantasy perspective, it would likely be better if Larkin moved away from Motown, as unhappiness in Detroit could affect his performance.
Source: Ted Kulfan
Source: Ted Kulfan
Zach Werenski Hints at Long-Term Future With Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has put trade rumors behind him and is ready to commit his long-term future to the team. "I think everyone knows how much I love this city and how much it means to me and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time," Werenski said. Next season, Werenski plans to be "even a better player, better leader, and a better person" for his teammates and the club. On June 30, Werenski vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars. The 2026 Norris Trophy winner has two seasons left on a six-year, $57.5 million contract. His commitment to the Blue Jackets is encouraging news for fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Daniil Miromanov Returns to Russia
Defenseman Daniil Miromanov has signed a two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg. He will spend the next couple of seasons in the KHL after struggling to earn a regular role in the NHL. Despite making his NHL debut five years ago, Miromanov appeared in just 94 games, registering 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) and 110 blocks. In 2025-26, Miromanov made only one NHL appearance with the Calgary Flames. That contest might end up being Miromanov's final NHL outing, as he will turn 30 next year. Before moving to North America, Miromanov played in the KHL with HC Sochi.
Source: KHL
Source: KHL
Flyers Sign Nikita Grebenkin to Two-Year Deal
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nikita Grebenkin has agreed to a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the team. The 23-year-old Russian forward was a restricted free agent and will retain his restricted free agency status in the 2028 offseason, when his new deal expires. After impressing in training camp, Grebenkin skated in 55 games last season. He recorded 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and 86 hits. Grebenkin's rookie campaign ended early due to an upper-body injury. According to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Grebenkin is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp next month. Grebenkin will be a middle-six option for the Flyers and won't have significant fantasy value.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
