NHL Hockey Player News

GM Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings have faced some adversity this offseason, but made a quality offensive acquisition on the opening day of free agency, signing Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth $10 million ($5.0M AAV). The 33-year-old Swedish forward has battled some injury concerns and consistency in his career, but is coming off an excellent 2025-26 season with the Boston Bruins, scoring 54 points (25G / 29A) in 69 games.

Carlile is an undrafted defenseman who never made an impact at the NHL level until last season, when he played a career-high 42 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 3 points (1G/2A). The 26-year-old adds some depth to Pittsburgh's blueline on a two-year contract worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV).

Colorado added some reliable depth to their blueline on the first day of free agency, signing Noah Juulsen to a two-year contract worth $2.2 million ($1.1M AAV). The 29-year-old defenseman played 52 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, averaging 13:49 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (1G / 9A).

Viel has played only 99 career NHL games but had an impact with the Ducks last season, primarily in a fourth-line role, earning himself a five-year contract worth $12.5 million ($2.5M AAV) with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old forward was especially effective in the postseason with the Ducks, recording four points (2G / 2A) and 17 penalty minutes in 12 games.

Gilbert has played 119 career NHL games, but only suited up in eight last season with the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old defenseman will provide some reliable depth on Buffalo's blueline after signing a one-year deal worth $850K.

Johnston has struggled to be a full-time NHLer over his career, but at age 31 in the 2025-26 season, he had a breakout season in a fourth-line role for the Anaheim Ducks, tallying 14 points (3G / 11A), 107 penalty minutes, and 192 hits in 62 games. He earns himself some security, joining the Blues on a three-year contract worth $6 million ($2M AAV).

Korpisalo has spent the previous two seasons as a serviceable backup for the Boston Bruins, but he will head to the New York Rangers in the 2026-27 season to serve as Igor Shesterkin's backup. The 32-year-old Korpisalo posted a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% last season in 31 appearances (14-9-6).

Vaisanen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. The 23-year-old forward spent his first full professional season in North America, recording four points (3G / 1A) in 51 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

It was widely assumed that Andersson would sign a lengthy extension with the Vegas Golden Knights after they acquired him in a trade last season, which came to fruition on the first day of free agency, with a seven-year extension worth $59.5 million ($8.5M AAV). The veteran 29-year-old Swedish defenseman was solid in a brief run with the Golden Knights, averaging 21:42 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (7G / 10A) in 33 games.

Moroz was a third-round pick, 88th overall, and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract. The 22-year-old Belarusian forward has spent the previous four seasons with Minsk Dynamo in the KHL. He scored 29 points (14G / 15A) in 54 games in 2025-26.

Lomberg became a fan favourite with the Calgary Flames over the past two seasons as an intimidating bottom-six forward, but he will join his third NHL team after signing a two-year contract worth $2.6 million ($1.3M AAV) with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old scored nine points (4G / 5A) in 57 games last season.

Cole spent the previous two seasons with the Utah Mammoth and will have a change of scenery in 2026-27, signing a one-year, $4.0 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, his 10th NHL team. The 37-year-old defenseman scored 23 points (3G / 20A) last season in 82 games.

Perry signed with the Los Angeles Kings last offseason on a one-year contract before being dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline. The 41-year-old forward will return to the Kings to start the 2026-27 season on a one-year contract worth $1.0 million. Last season, he scored 37 points (17G / 20A) in 72 combined games.

After spending his first five NHL seasons with the Nashville Predators, the team traded him to Vegas mid-season in 2025-26. The 30-year-old forward will have another change of scenery entering year seven of his career, signing a three-year contract extension worth $3.0 million AAV with the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored 12 points (8G / 4A) in 63 combined games last season.

Schwartz spent the past five seasons with the Seattle Kraken and has opted for a change of scenery, signing a three-year, $9.75 million contract ($3.25M AAV) with the Colorado Avalanche. The 34-year-old veteran forward averaged 16:08 time-on-ice and scored 26 points (11G / 15A) in 50 games with Seattle.

After being thrust into a starting role with the Philadelphia Flyers the past two seasons, Ersson was overtaken by Dan Vladar in the 2025-26 season, making Ersson expendable for the Flyers. The 26-year-old Ersson posted a 3.12 GAA and .870 SV% last season in 33 games (14-11-5) with the Flyers and hopes to provide complementary goaltending for Ottawa behind Linus Ullmark.

After seven successful seasons in Minnesota, Mats Zuccarello will start a new adventure in his 17th NHL season after signing a one-year, $1 million contract with Los Angeles on Wednesday. The 38-year-old Norwegian winger has surpassed 54+ points in each of his last five seasons and is expected to provide an offensive spark to Los Angeles who finished 4th worst in the NHL in goals for in 2025-26.

Samoskevich's rights were acquired from Florida prior to the NHL Entry Draft for a 2026 1st round pick (25th overall) and a 2027 condition second-round pick and the 23-year-old has now signed a three-year, $3.85 million AAV contract extension ($11.5M total) with Seattle. The former 2021 1st round pick (24th overall) is entering his third full season in the NHL after putting up a career high in points in 2025-26, with 12 goals, 32 points, 30 PIMs and 161 SOG.

One of the dominos of free agency has dropped after it was announced moments after the signing window that Los Angeles has signed Erik Haula to a two-year, $3.5 million AAV ($7.0M total). The 35-year-old is entering his 14th NHL season with his eighth organizations after spending last season with Nashville where he had 14 goals and 38 points in 81 games played.