Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

 Anaheim Ducks sign unrestricted free-agent forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The New York Rangers signed winger Will Cuylle to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle was a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract.

Buffalo Sabres re-sign center Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. McLeod was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.

 

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt inked a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) and forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract ($2.5 million AAV).

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, blueliner Brian Dumoulin to a three-year deal with a $4 million AAV, and winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Winger Jonathan Drouin agreed to a two-year contract ($4 million AAV) with the New York Islanders.

Forward Radek Faksa inked a three-year contract ($2 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars.

 

The Vancouver Canucks brought back Brock Boeser, signing him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

The New York Rangers sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million AAV.

The Boston Bruins signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a four-year deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign forward Connor Brown to a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

The San Jose Sharks sign winger William Eklund to a three-year deal with an AAV of $5.6 million. Eklund, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

Logan Stankoven signs an eight-year contract extension ($6 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward was slated to become an RFA next July.

Jake Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old goaltender agreed to a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million.

The Edmonton Oilers trade winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027. This move frees up $4 million of salary-cap space for the Oilers.

Thatcher Demko signs a a three-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old goaltender was eligible for UFA status next July.

The Canucks also confirmed that Conor Garland signed a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $6 million. Like Demko, he was slated to become a UFA next July.

Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth an AAV of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

by | Jun 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

The NHL and NHLPA are expected to announce a new CBA extension, the first round of the 2025 draft begins Friday, the latest on pending free agents Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, the Stars re-sign Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the NHL and NHL Players’ Association could announce the framework of a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the NHL Draft on Friday.

The two sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), followed by a formal ratification that isn’t expected to face any obstacles. Once ratified, the extension would take effect for 2026-27 and expire at the end of the 2029-30 season.

Among the notable potential changes:

The NHL will move to an 84-game regular-season schedule starting in 2026-27. The preseason would be shortened to four games per team. Players with 100-plus games of NHL experience can play a maximum of two preseason games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL veteran players should be happy with that change. Most find the preseason too long or a waste of time.

Player contracts will be term-limited from eight years to seven for players re-signing with their current clubs, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents starting in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many players won’t have an issue with this change. The average length of an NHL contract is three years. The longest contract most can expect to see is four years.

A comprehensive playoff salary-cap mechanism will be implemented to remove the long-term injury reserve loophole that allowed teams to pad their playoff rosters by using injury relief cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the biggest problem in the current CBA that drew criticism from teams, players, and fans around the league. It’ll be interesting to see the details of this mechanism.

Other notable changes include outlawing deferred salary in player contracts to reduce the salary cap hit, signing bonuses capped at 60 percent, significant increases in the playoff bonus pool, establishment of a full-time emergency backup goalie for each team, improved player benefits such as health insurance and post-playing career insurance stipends, and the elimination of a mandated player dress code for arriving and departing games.

The next three seasons of the salary cap will be $95.5 million for 2025-26, $104 million for 2026-27, and $113 million for 2027-28.

NHL.COM: The New York Islanders are looking forward to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles on Friday. They hold the first-overall pick and are expected to select defensemen Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters. The 17-year-old Schaefer is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I conducted an updated mock draft of the first round for Bleacher Report earlier this week. It’ll be fun to see how things shake out because there are always surprises. Some players go higher or lower than expected, and there might even be a trade or two involving first-round picks.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving anticipates Mitch Marner will test the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1. The 28-year-old left winger spent nine seasons with the Leafs and will be the top player among this year’s UFA class.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to continue contract talks with Nikolaj Ehlers. However, recent reports indicated the 29-year-old winger intends to head to the UFA market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. There’s been no contract discussions between Marner and the Leafs, and there’s been an expectation that this season could be Ehlers’ last with the Jets. Both will land lucrative contracts with new clubs next month.

TSN: The Dallas Stars re-signed captain Jamie Benn to a one-year, bonus-heavy contract. The deal has a base salary of $1 million, with $3 million in bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn completed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.5 million. The 35-year-old center has spent his entire career with the Stars and took a significant pay cut to stay in Dallas. The reduction also reflects the recent decline in his play. He had 16 goals and 49 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but only three points in 18 playoff games.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on unconditional waivers to buy out the final season of his eight-year contract. Vlasic, 38, spent his entire 19-season NHL career with the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buyout counts as $4.66 million against the Sharks’ cap for 2025-26, dropping to 1.16 million for 2026-27.

During his playing prime (2008-09 to 2017-18), Vlasic was among the league’s best shutdown defensemen. However, his performance steadily declined, and injuries limited him to 27 games this season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly set to sign winger Conor Garland to a six-year, $36-million contract. The average annual value is $6 million, and would begin in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland currently earns an AAV of $4.95 million. He’s a fast and hardworking forward whose energetic style has made him a fan favorite among Canucks fans. Garland will be 30 when this deal begins, which could become burdensome if his play declines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Panthers acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Tarasov will back up starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be another instance of Florida GM Bill Zito acquiring a struggling player who goes on to shine with the Panthers. Zito was assistant GM with the Blue Jackets when they drafted Tarasov in 2017.

This move opens the opportunity for promising goalie Jet Greaves to earn a full-time roster spot with the Blue Jackets. He played well in call-up situations over the past couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, the Jackets’ intentions for struggling starter Elvis Merzlikins remain uncertain. He has two seasons remaining on his contract. There’s speculation he could be traded or bought out. It’s also believed that they might not be done making other moves in this summer’s trade market.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken acquired center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL center Evgeny Kuznetsov will attempt a comeback next season. The 33-year-old had 37 points in 39 games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 20, 2023

by | Nov 20, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – November 20, 2023

Are the Sabres a fit for Patrick Kane? Could the Panthers pursue Nikita Zadorov? What’s the latest Canucks speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE THE SABRES A FIT FOR PATRICK KANE?

THE BUFFALO NEWS: In his latest mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked why so many Sabres fans think Patrick Kane will sign with their club if he’s trying to latch onto a Stanley Cup contender.

Kane has links to his hometown Sabres including with Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Don Granato. He noted that the club is among the few with the cap space, opportunity and supporting cast to entice the 35-year-old free-agent winger.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

However, Lysowski doesn’t see Kane selecting the Sabres unless they overpay or give him a multi-year contract. The latter scenario seems unlikely as they have several right-wing options for next season that include Alex Tuch, Jack Quinn and Matthew Savoie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are among a handful of clubs (including the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs) that have been linked to Kane in the media rumor mill. He’s expected to decide by the end of this week as to where he’ll spend the rest of this season. The Sabres and Panthers have reportedly kept in touch with his camp since the summer.

COULD THE PANTHERS PURSUE ZADOROV?

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: In a recent mailbag segment, George Richards was asked if he thinks the Panthers will be in on Nikita Zadorov. The defenseman recently requested a trade from the Calgary Flames.

Richards believes the Panthers always have an interest in any player who could help them out. However, he doubts that they have what it would take to make a move for someone like Zadorov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means depth in draft picks and prospects, something the Flames would want in return for Zadorov.

The Panthers have traded away their first-round picks for 2024 and 2025 as well as their 2024 second-rounder. Their prospect pipeline was ranked No. 23 by The Athletic back in August largely because of Anton Lundell’s success. They won’t part with Lundell as he’s a key part of their roster.

THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

THE PROVINCE: In a recent mailbag segment, Patrick Johnston was asked if the Canucks are continuing to search for more defensive depth with Carson Soucy sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Johnston noted that the Canucks were interested in the Flames’ Nikita Zadorov since before last summer’s draft. His teammate Chris Tanev loved his time playing in Vancouver and would probably welcome a return, especially with how well the Canucks are playing right now.

However, Johnston doesn’t believe the Flames want to trade either player to Vancouver. To make it work, the Canucks might have to find an Eastern Conference club willing to swing a three-team deal.

The Canucks would also like to add another winger or two. Conor Garland has been in the rumor mill for some time but no one’s sprung for him yet. If the Canucks could trade Anthony Beauvillier and his expiring contract, they could use the savings to add a more effective player to their lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks strong performance of late means management doesn’t have to rush around trying to find a suitable deal this early in the season. They could end up having to wait until the calendar flips to 2024 before they start finding any suitable possibilities in the trade market.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 8, 2023

by | Nov 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – November 8, 2023

What next for the Oilers after placing Jack Campbell on waivers? Are the Canucks planning any big moves? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE OILERS AFTER DEMOTING CAMPBELL?

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Oilers hope that Jack Campbell will regain his form playing for their AHL affiliate and return at some point to help them at the NHL level. In the meantime, they’re recalling Calvin Pickard, who makes considerably less than Campbell’s $5 million cap hit, allowing them to accrue more cap space for potential wheeling and dealing later in the season.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (NHL Images).

Pierre LeBrun points out the difficulty the Oilers face in finding a goalie upgrade via the trade market. General manager Ken Holland isn’t dealing from a position of strength here. Any attempt at an upgrade would mean overpaying for a replacement for Campbell, who would also have to be traded in a separate deal.

As for a coaching change, LeBrun and Darren Dreger agree that Holland likely doesn’t want to replace head coach Jay Woodcroft just yet. If things continue to go sideways they could consider promoting assistant coach Glen Gulutzan.

Dreger also noted that owner Daryl Katz and his advisors are very involved in seeking solutions for what currently ails the Oilers. Among the questions being asked is whether it’s time to start peddling draft picks and prospects and try to shake up the current roster core right now.

Following the news yesterday of Campbell going on waivers before assignment to the AHL, TSN’s Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug expressed his belief that there was no trade imminent to bring in a replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ limited salary cap space and that of most teams around the league leaves them with few options to improve their goaltending. The fact they’re demoting Campbell in the hope that he’ll regain his confidence and improve his performance speaks volumes to the difficulties they’re facing in addressing that glaring issue.

Replacing Woodcroft as head coach won’t make the goaltending any better. If anyone on the Oilers coaching staff should be feeling the heat it is Dustin Schwartz, who’s been their goalie whisperer since 2014.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun also pondered what missing the playoffs could mean for the Oilers’ hopes of signing Leon Draisaitl to a contract extension after this season. He’s got one year remaining on his current deal.

Emptying the cupboard to save the season could help the Oilers keep Draisaitl in the fold. However, it might be best to retain those assets in case he decides to move on.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Draisaitl goes when his contract expires in 2025, does Connor McDavid follow suit in 2026?

Yes, the Oilers hired McDavid’s former agent Jeff Jackson as their CEO of hockey operations this summer. However, that might not be enough to deter the Oilers captain from moving on if this club is still spinning its wheels by 2026 and Draisaitl is no longer on the roster.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Gerry Moddejonge noted that there are just as many alarm bells ringing over the Oilers’ struggling offense and defense as there have been over their goaltending. He wonders who else on the current roster could be next to get moved.

Moddejonge believes that the only real option to shake things up is a trade and not a one-for-one deal. It would have to be someone (other than Connor McDavid) agreeing to waive their no-trade clause to bring in two or three pieces in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moddejonge suggested everyone except McDavid should be on the table. Those with no-trade/no-movement clauses include Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse and Campbell.

Good luck convincing any of them to waive their clauses or find a suitable trade partner this early in a season with a flattened salary cap. It’s not impossible but it’s still damn difficult to pull off.

Moves of that magnitude tend to occur in the offseason when teams have more cap space and willingness to swing major trades.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered what would happen if the Oilers contacted the Bruins about Linus Ullmark.

ESPN host John Buccigross recently suggested the Oilers offer up Draisaitl and Warren Foegele in exchange for Ullmark, winger Jake DeBrusk, rookie Matthew Poitras, prospect Fabian Lysell and the Oilers’ 2026 first-round pick. However, Murphy doesn’t see that deal happening, in part because the Oilers are likely on Ullmark’s 16-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Off to another strong start, the Bruins are under no pressure to make that kind of move at this stage in the season. Not that they wouldn’t be interested in Draisaitl but the cost of his contract and what they’d have to give up to get him right now doesn’t suit their immediate needs. Besides, it’s a moot point if the Oilers are on Ullmark’s no-trade list.

COULD THE CANUCKS MAKE A BIG MOVE?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently addressed a question from one of his readers regarding speculation that the Vancouver Canucks could be planning to add “a big piece” to their roster.

Johnston cited sources claiming that the Canucks would like to add another forward. However, it won’t be an easy swap to make. They’d also love to add another defenseman to their blueline.

The Canucks have tried to move Tyler Myers’ contract but they may be stuck with it until it expires at the end of this season. They’ve also looked into moving forwards Conor Garland and Anthony Beauvillier but both are struggling to score which hurts their value in the trade market. Unlike Myers, they lack no-trade protection which could help efforts to move them later in the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks’ hot start to the season alleviates pressure to make a big early-season move. Nevertheless, they’ll likely continue to monitor the trade market and gauge interest in Myers, Garland and Beauvillier as the season continues.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2023

by | Nov 3, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2023

Check out the latest on Leafs forward William Nylander and Canucks winger Conor Garland in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NYLANDER

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stan Fischler considers William Nylander one of the best players in Canada. He also thinks the 27-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger will become one of the NHL’s highest-paid players on his next contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

Fischler believes Nylander will want to get out from under the shadow of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares and be the top banana with another club.

TSN: Earlier this week, Dave Poulin took note of Nylander’s hot start to this season and how it might affect the Leafs’ efforts to re-sign him. He believes fair compensation for the 27-year-old winger would be what teammate Mitch Marner is earning annually ($10.9 million) on his current contract.

That’s $4 million more than Nylander, who has scored more goals than Marner over that time and outperformed him in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the latter is going to get a raise on his next contract.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan also weighed in on Nylander’s performance thus far and his contract situation. He noted that it’s clear the winger has been underpaid.

If $10 million annually was a sticking point between Nylander and Leafs management at the start of the season, that number is bound to rise as he continues his dominating play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have just 11 players under contract for 2024-25 with a projected $33.4 million in cap space. $10 million annually for Nylander will eat up roughly one-third of that cap room, leaving little room to re-sign or replace fellow UFAs Tyler Bertuzzi, TJ Brodie, Max Domi, John Klingberg, Mark Giordano and Ilya Samsonov.

Assuming the Leafs re-sign Nylander, they’ll have over $45 million invested in just four forwards (Matthews, Marner and Tavares) for next season. That will be over half of what could be an $88 million cap payroll.

Some observers believe the Leafs will trade Nylander by the March 8 trade deadline if he’s not under contract by then. I doubt that’ll happen as long as they’re in playoff contention. They’ll keep him for one more postseason run even if it means losing him to free agency next July.

One way or the other, though, this could be Nylander’s final season with the Leafs. He will draw plenty of interest next summer from clubs that will consider him as a franchise player and pay him accordingly on a long-term contract.

GARLAND

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Fischler also noted the number of teams reportedly interested in Conor Garland. The Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets are among the clubs linked by the media to the 27-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger.

Fischler pointed out that it’s been over a year since the Garland rumors began and yet he remains with the Canucks. He suggested the possibility that the winger might never get dealt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The interest in Garland seems genuine but the timing has been all wrong. The flattened salary cap since last season has made it difficult for clubs to take on his $4.95 million cap hit through 2025-26 even with the Canucks reportedly willing to retain 30 percent of his cap hit.

Perhaps that situation changes closer to the trade deadline when teams will accrue more cap space. Otherwise, it might have to wait until the offseason when the salary cap is expected to jump by at least $4 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2023

by | Oct 28, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2023

Could the Flames’ sputtering start affect efforts to re-sign Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm? Which players could be early-season trade candidates? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST FLAMES SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: In his recent “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Calgary Flames will continue to close in on a contract extension for Noah Hanifin despite the club’s rocky start to this season. Hanifin turns 27 in January and is in his playing prime plus he’s more open to an extension than he was at the end of last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the Flames’ negotiations with Hanifin may have hit a bit of a snag because of their shaky start to this season. He suggests that it leaves a lot of questions about where they go next as they attempt to sign pending unrestricted free agents such as Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli goes on to say the Flames don’t want to become “the New York Islanders of the West” where they have a team locked into long-term contracts with a group of players that can’t get over the hump.

So far, it seems like Flames management wants to retain core players like Hanifin and Lindholm. How much willingness there will be from both sides to continue those negotiations could depend on whether this club can snap out of its early-season swoon.

EARLY SEASON TRADE CANDIDATES

SPORTSNET: Also in this week’s “32 Thoughts” column, Friedman listed five players whose teams would like to move them or they might welcome a trade. They are Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia, Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland, San Jose Sharks forward Kevin Labanc, Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Peeke.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman acknowledged cap space is tight and rosters are short around the league. It could take some time for those players to get traded during this season.

Garland has garnered the most attention after the Canucks allowed his agent permission to speak with other clubs about a trade. However, his $4.95 million cap hit through 2025-26 seems to be difficult to move right now.

Armia started the season with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval. He was recently recalled but hasn’t seen any NHL action yet this season. He’s signed through 2024-25 with an annual average value of $3.4 million.

Labanc’s in the final season of his contract with an AAV of $4.725 million but his production’s been in decline since his career-best 56-point effort in 2018-19. Mantha is also in the last year of his contract and has struggled offensively since his career-high 48 points in 2018-19 with the Detroit Red Wings. His $5.7 million cap hit for this season is the most expensive of this bunch.

Peeke is in the first season of a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.75 million. The Blue Jackets are reportedly looking to move a defenseman now that promising David Jiricek has earned a regular roster spot. Peeke’s been a healthy scratch for every game except the Jackets’ season opener. Adam Boqvist is another Jackets blueliner who has surfaced as a trade candidate.