NHL Hockey Player News

Chinakhov was drafted 21st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft but never lived up to expectations with the team. The Penguins made a deal to acquire Chinakhov from Columbus in December of last year; he immediately thrived with his new team. The 25-year-old Russian forward played 48 games with Pittsburgh, scoring 36 points (18G / 18A), earning himself a sizeable three-year contract extension.

With the recent offer-sheet signing by Leo Carlsson, Anaheim is on high alert and has decided to bypass another looming threat by signing Mintyukov to a massive, five-year, $36 million contract ($7.2M AAV). The 22-year-old Russian defenseman, about to enter his fourth NHL season, recorded 22 points (8G / 14A), 112 blocks, and 39 hits in 73 games in the 2025-26 season with Anaheim.

Stastney split the 2025-26 season, starting it with the Nashville Predators, the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, before joining the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old American defenseman made a lasting impact in his brief stint with the Oilers, earning a one-year contract extension worth $1.525 million. He played 36 games in 2025-26 with the Oilers, averaging 16:02 time on ice and recording 1 goal and 38 blocks.

After two incredibly impressive seasons with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), Jacob MacDonald has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old joins his fourth NHL organization after appearing in 135 career NHL games, picking up 10 goals and 27 points. The defensemen will be expected to be a key part Hershey (AHL) after scoring 31 goals just two seasons ago with the Eagles.

Stillman spent the 2025-26 season with the Canucks' organization, where he spent the entire season in the AHL. The 23-year-old winger had three goals and six assists (nine points) in 24 games with Abbotsford. He'll almost certainly start the 2026-27 season in Grand Rapids (AHL).

Tverberg will remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for a fourth straight season after the forward signed a one-year, two-way contract on Sunday. The 24-year-old was Toronto's 2020 7th round pick (213th overall) and appeared in two games with the Maple Leafs last season after putting up 15 goals and 36 points with the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

Colorado has added to their minor league defensive depth on Sunday after they announced they had signed Christian Wolanin to a one-year, two-way contract. The 31-year-old journeyman defender joins his 7th NHL organization after spending 2025-26 with Providence (AHL), where he had seven goals and 31 points in 53 games played. He last appeared in the NHL with Vancouver in 2022-23.

With Carolina losing Frederik Andersen to free agency, the Hurricanes were in need of goaltending depth and have signed Zachary Sawchenko to a one-year, two-way contract. The 28-year-old net-minder last appeared in the NHL with San Jose in 2021-22 (7 appearances), but spent last season in Cleveland (AHL), where he had a 14-10-3 record, 3.05 GAA and .880 SV%.

The Dallas Stars, facing salary-cap issues, feared an offer sheet they couldn't match and ultimately dealt Bourque to the Nashville Predators moments before free agency opened on July 1st. The 24-year-old Bourque, the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has quickly committed to his new team, signing a lucrative six-year contract worth $33 million ($5.5M AAV). In the 2025-26 season, Bourque averaged 15:29 time-on-ice and scored a career-high 41 points (20G / 21A) in 82 games.

Tippett missed games 2 through 4 of the Flyers' second round series vs. the Hurricanes due to an "internal bleeding issue" that he sustained during Round 1 vs. the Penguins. Tippett said in a statement that he is "confident for a full recovery and look forward to returning for training camp in September."

McKenna was selected 1st overall by Toronto at this year's NHL Entry Draft and has signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs. The 18-year-old Yukon native spent 2025-26 at Penn State (NCAA) after three seasons in the WHL and set the world by storm after putting up 15 goals, 51 points and 36 PIMs in 35 games played with the Nittany Lions.

Parent made his NHL debut last season, playing five games with the New Jersey Devils and made a lasting impression, earning himself a one-year, two-way contract extension. The undrafted 25-year-old forward spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 39 points (20G / 19A) in 63 games with the Utica Comets.