RADIO
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
Tyson Hinds Signs Two-Year Contract With Ducks
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tyson Hinds has signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract. The 23-year-old made his first six NHL appearances in 2025-26 and is expected to have a full-time role next season. In his six outings, Hinds didn't register any points, but he averaged one hit per game and had 10 blocks across 15:37 of ice time per game. He held a regular role during the postseason, recording one assist, one SOG, 17 hits, and five blocks in nine games. Hinds went down in history as only the second player to earn his first career point with the Ducks in the playoffs. While it's always exciting to see new talent enter the league, Hinds doesn't offer much for fantasy purposes.
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Barrett Hayton Remains With Mammoth
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton will stay in Salt Lake City after the team matched the New Jersey Devils' offer sheet, ESPN's Kristen Shilton reports. Hayton inked a one-year, $4.775 million deal. Under the terms of the offer sheet, the Mammoth aren't allowed to trade Hayton for 12 months. However, he will be eligible to sign a contract extension on Jan. 1. While Hayton had a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong called him "a key piece" for the team. The former fifth-overall pick produced 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 67 games. Utah will want to see the 2024-25 version of Hayton next season. Two seasons ago, he had a career year with 20 goals and 46 points.
Source: Kristen Shilton
Source: Kristen Shilton
Connor Bedard to Miss Start of Season Due to Shoulder Surgery
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (shoulder) underwent surgery and won't be available for the start of the 2026-27 season, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Chicago announced that Bedard is expected to make a full recovery in "an approximate timeline of four months." The new season will start in late September. Bedard, who is a restricted free agent, injured his left shoulder a week ago during a training session. Last season, the young superstar missed time due to a right shoulder injury, finishing with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 contests. It's unfortunate that Bedard has suffered another injury blow. However, he should provide outstanding fantasy value once he has recovered. Until then, Frank Nazar appears poised to serve as the top-line center.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
David Kampf Heads to Europe
Buffalo Sabres center David Kampf has signed a three-year deal with HC Litvínov in the Czech Extraliga. He will return to his home country after nine seasons in the NHL. Kampf split the 2025-26 campaign between the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals. He couldn't establish himself on either squad, tallying only six points (two goals, four assists) in 40 games. In June, Washington traded his rights to the Buffalo Sabres as part of the Alex Tuch deal. Kampf also played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL, scoring 50 goals and 149 points in 576 career games. Given his age -- Kampf turned 31 in January -- it appears unlikely that he will return to North America.
Source: HC Litvinov
Source: HC Litvinov
Claude Giroux Signs New Deal With Senators
Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract on Tuesday. After being linked to a return to Philadelphia, where Giroux spent the first 15 years of his NHL career, the veteran forward opted to stay with the Senators for a fifth campaign. His new contract could reach $5 million with bonuses. Although Giroux's production has steadily declined, he made a positive impact in 2025-26. Across 82 games, Giroux posted 49 points (14 goals, 35 assists) and led all Senators forwards with a plus-20 rating. He still looks capable of producing a 50-point year, despite approaching his 39th birthday.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Flames Sign Simon Nemec to Five-Year, $36.25 Million Deal
Calgary Flames defenseman Simon Nemec has signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract with the team as a restricted free agent. Calgary acquired Nemec from the New Jersey Devils on June 23. Nemec, a former second-overall pick, notched a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games last season. His work included 101 SOG and 104 blocks. While Nemec didn't stand out in New Jersey, he is expected to have a larger role with his new squad, which should boost his fantasy profile. He won't be 23 until February, so the Slovak native has plenty of time to grow as a player.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
