Johnson's up-and-down tenure in Columbus will continue after the 21-year-old former top prospect signed a three-year, $5.4 million contract ($1,800,000 AAV). The ex-Michigan superstar was Columbus' 2021 1st round pick (5th overall) and took a noticable step backwards in 2023-24 only picking up six goals and 16 points in 42 games after amassing 40 points (16G/24A) in 79 games played the season before.
Lundmark completed his third AHL season with Manitoba in 2023-24 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with the Jets. The 23-year-old defensemen was Winnipeg's 2019 2nd round pick (51st overall) and had five goals and 17 points in 67 games with Manitoba (AHL) last season.
Bordealeau set career highs in 2023-24 in games played (27), goals (6), assists (5), points (11), PIMs (18) and SOG (48) and earned himself a one-year, $875,000 contract extension with San Jose. The 22-year-old was the Sharks' 2020 2nd round pick (38th overall) and has six goals and 18 points in 43 games played across three NHL seasons.
Yager was Pittsburgh's 2023 1st round pick (14th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on Thursday. The 19-year-old forward has spent the last four seasons in Moose Jaw (WHL) and had 35 goals and 95 points in 57 games played in 2023-24.
After a long offseason discussion period Oliver Wahlstrom will remain in New York after signing a one-year, $1 million contract extension with the Islanders. The 24-year-old right-winger had an incredibly down 2023-24 season, appearing in his least amount of games (32) in the passed four seasons and only putting up two goals, six points, eight PIMs and 41 SOG.
George was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (57th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Los Angeles. The 18-year-old goaltender spent 2023-24 with the Owen Sound Attack (OHL) and had a 3.30 GAA and .907 SV% while appearing in 56 games. He is expected to be one of the best goalies in the CHL in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Signing one of the biggest contracts in Philadelphia history, Travis Konecny is locked up as a Flyer until he is 38 years old after signing a eight-year, $70 million contract extension ($8,750,000 AAV) starting in 2025-26. The 27-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season and set career highs in goals (33), points (68), and SOG (244) in 76 games played in 2023-24.
Thrun appeared in 51 games for San Jose picking up three goals, 11 points and a -22 plus/minus and has earned himself a two-year, $2 million contract extension. The 23-year-old was drafted by Anaheim in the 4th round of the 2019 NHL Draft and is expected to take a big leap forward in 2024-25 in San Jose's top defensive pairings.
Stastney and Nashville had gone to arbitration over his contract and settled on an approximate two-year, $1.65 million contract ($825,000 AAV). The 24-year-old former fith-round pick has appeared in 28 NHL games for Nashville over the last two seasons and has two goals, six points, six PIMs and a +14 plus/minus.
Buffalo solified its goaltending for years to come after it signed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a five-year, $23.75 million contract extension ($4,750,000 AAV). The 25-year-old was drafted by Buffalo in the 2nd round of the 2017 NHL Draft (54th overall) and set career highs in wins (27), appearances (54) and GAA (2.57) in 2023-24 as Buffalo's starter.
Clarke's rights were acquired by Minnesota a month ago in a one-for-one trade for Adam Beckman and has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Wild. The 23-year-old was an AHL All-Star in 2023-24 after putting up 25 goals and 49 points in 67 games with Utica (AHL) and will compete for a bottom-six role with the Wild this season.
Toronto and Connor Dewar have settled after arbitration on a one-year, $1.18 million contract on Tuesday. The 25-year-old forward was acquired by the Maple Leafs' at last year's trade deadline from Minnesota and had 11 goals, 19 points, 28 PIMs and 77 SOG in 74 games between the Maple Leafs and Wild.
Buffalo acquired Beck Malenstyn's rights on June 29th in a trade with Washington for a 2024 second-round pick and have signed the 26-year-old forward to a two-year, $2.7 million contract ($1,300,000 AAV). The left-winger is entering just his second full NHL season after playing in only 24 games in his first three years in the NHL before completing 81 games played in 2023-24. He set career highs last season in all statistical categories with six goals, 21 points, 25 PIMs and 98 SOG.
Hatakka played 12 games in his first season in New Jersey in 2023-24 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was acquired in Febuary of 2023 in the blockbuster trade that brought Timo Meier to New Jersey and had two asssits, 12 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in 12 games played last season.
Beaudoin was Utah's 2024 1st round pick (24th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday. The 18-year-old centre spent 2023-24 with the Barrie Colts (OHL) and had 28 goals, and 62 points in 67 games played. He is expected to return back to Barrie for the 2024-25 season but will compete in Utah's upcoming training camp for a spot on this year's roster.
Greentree was the No.26 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old winger played the 2024 season in Windsor (OHL), leading the rebuilding roster with 90 points (36G / 54A) in 64 games. He'll be back with Windsor to start the 2025 season.
Veleno has served primarily as a bottom-6 centre for the Red Wings over the last three seasons. 2023-24 was his best offensive season to date, scoring 12 goals with 16 assists (28 points) in 80 games. Expect Veleno to continue operating in a similar role in 2024-25.
Sprong played in Detroit during the 2023-24 season, scoring 18 goals with 25 assists (43 points) in 76 games while playing all over the lineup. That's back-to-back 40-plus point campaigns for Sprong, an effective middle-6 winger who could have a career year if he sticks on a line with Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller.
Squires was selected in the fourth-round (No.122 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old winger has spent the last three seasons with Cape Breton (QMJHL), where he led the team with 72 points (33G / 39A) in 66 games during the 2023-24 season.
Brunicke was a second-round pick (No.44 overall) in this summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old right-shot blueliner played for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) during the 2024 season, scoring 10 goals with 11 assists (21 points) in 49 games.
Some of the top NHL free agents available this summer are Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Aaron Ekblad, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Brock Boeser, Brad Marchand and Linus Ullmark.
This offseason will bring a stacked crop of free agents to the market that will shape the landscape of the 2025-26 NHL season. Not only will the final landing spots for each of the top 2025 NHL free agents shake up the framework of the league, but will also have major implications on the upcoming fantasy hockey season. Be sure to stay in the know in regard to the latest free agency updates with our NHL player news.
On July 1st, 2025, at 12 PM EST, the 2025 NHL free agency period officially opens. While some players will have all but signed the dotted line up to this point, nothing can become official until noon on Canada Day.
