NHL Hockey Player News

Sparks won the backup goalie battle in the preseason but has had a tough season, going 7-5-1 with a 3.09 GAA and .902 SV% in 14 games. Sparks likely has the inside track to remain the Maple Leafs backup next season but don’t be surprised if they bring in a veteran to push him in training camp.

Staal’s name floated around at the trade deadline as a potential rental, but ultimately signs a two-year extension to remain in Minnesota. Staal enjoyed a resurgent year in 2018 but has seen his production dip this year—he is on-pace for 18 fewer goals and four fewer assists. Staal will turn 35 at the start of next season, so his career will likely end in Minnesota.

Stone was a pending free-agent and the Golden Knights likely wouldn’t have part with their top prospect Erik Brannstrom if they weren’t re-signing Stone. Stone is projected to start on the Golden Knights’ top-line with William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault, where he should take his game to the next level.

The Capitals acquired Jensen from the Red Wings on Friday afternoon and wasted no time signing the 28-year-old to an extension. Jensen carried a +1.1 CF% rel in 60 games with the Red Wings this season, picking up two goals and 13 assists (15 points) along the way.

Oesterle has quietly enjoyed a quality season out in Arizona, scoring six goals with 14assists (20 points) in 51 games this season. Oesterle has been a reliable daily fantasy option thanks to his 0.4 points per game, 1.98 blocked shots per game and 1.14 shots per game.

Because of salary cap issues, the deal can’t officially be signed until after Monday’s trade deadline but Silfverberg’s new cap-hit is expected to be north of $5.0 million. Silfverberg has always been a player who shoots the puck a lot and has been able to maintain 2-plus shots per game even on a bad Ducks team this season, scoring 16 goals with just eight assists (24 points) in 51 games. The Ducks are expected to be sellers at the deadline but Silfverberg will be sticking around.

The Canucks goaltending depth took a hit when they traded Anders Nilsson and lost Mike McKenna on waivers. They brought Leighton in on a PTO and he went 6-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .915 SV% in seven games so they signed him to remain there moving forward.

With Corey Crawford continuing to deal with concussion issues, Delia has been thrust into the NHL after just 45 career AHL starts. The 24-year-old has performed extremely well for the Blackhawks so far, going 6-2-3 with a 2.98 GAA and .923 SV%. Delia has the look of a potential starting goalie and a three-year contract with a $1.0M AAV cap-hit is a very team-friendly deal.

Matthews was set to become a restricted free-agent this summer but signed through 2023-24 with an $11.634M cap-hit. Matthews has had a strong season, scoring 23 goals on 121 shots (19.0 SH%) with 23 assists (46 points) in 38 games. Matthews has broken through as one of the best goal-scorers in the league but continues to have a difficult time staying healthy—missing 20 games last season and 14 so far this year.

The Capitals backup has appeared in 19 games this season, going 10-5-3 while ranking 33rd in GAA (2.98) and SV% (.903). Copley has been a fine backup for Braden Holtby and will likely continue to start 30 percent of the Capitals games moving forward.

Stalock is in his third season with the Wild and has gone 6-5-0 with a 2.92 GAA and .894 SV% in 14 games. The Wild are comfortable with Stalock as their backup and an $783K AAV cap-hit will allow them to easily move-on in the future if need be.

“Jordan has really fit in well with our group and provides veteran leadership both on and off the ice,” said GM Don Waddell. “He skates with a relentless energy that epitomizes the way Coach Brind’Amour wants the Hurricanes to play.” The 26-year-old winger has 10 goals and three assists (13 points) in 50 games during his first season with the Hurricanes.

Koskinen’s NHL career got off to an excellent start, going 11-3-1 with a 2.12 GAA, .930 SV% and three shutouts in his first 16 appearances. However, since then he is 3-7-0 with a 3.94 GAA and .879 SV% in 11 games. It is a bit alarming to sign a goalie to that kind of money in the middle of a very difficult stretch but in Koskinen’s defence, he doesn’t have a great blue line in front of him.

Teravainen is on-pace or 17 goals and 50 assists (67 points), which would be career-highs in helpers and points. Teravainen was set to become a restricted free agent this offseason with a two-year, $5.72M deal expiring.

Moore spent some time with the Maple Leafs while Zach Hyman was sidelined, collecting one goal and two assists in six games. Moore has impressed with the Marlies as well, tying for the team-lead in goals (19) and adding seven assists (26 points) in 30 games.

The undrafted 27-year-old netminder has gone 12-7-4 with a 2.47 GAA and .924 SV% in 26 games with the Penguins this season. DeSmith has played very well while Matt Murray was sidelined and proved that he is a more than capable No.2 netminder who can serve as a No.1 when called upon.

Radil came over to North America after spending the las three years in the KHL. The 28-year-old had six points (1G / 5A) in 11 AHL games and nine points (6G / 3A) in 18 NHL games since being recalled. Radil is carrying a strong 58.6 CF% and +2.8 CF%rel and appears to be a candidate to remain with the Sharks through the remainder of the season.

Guentzel was set to become a restricted free agent this summer but is now signed though the 2023-24 season. Guentzel is on-pace to shatter all of his previous career highs, picking up 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 37 games—a 33-goal, 40-assist (73 points) pace.