NHL Player News

McAvoy (shoulder) is feeling good and is expected to be ready for training camp in September, per Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald.

McAvoy said had the Bruins made the playoffs, he would have been able to play, indicating he was just about fully recovered from the shoulder infection that sidelined him during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The defenseman is expected to step into a larger leadership role for 2025-26 and has worked through a fairly normal summer of training in preparation for the upcoming campaign. In addition to the NHL season, McAvoy was one of six players named to the initial Team USA Olympic roster for the 2026 tournament in Italy.

Parekh (lower body) will miss the remainder of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.

The Flames announced that Parekh will sit out the tournament as a precaution, but the 19-year-old defenseman is expected to be a full participant at training camp in September. Parekh scored a goal for the Flames in his NHL debut against the Kings on April 17 after compiling 74 assists and 107 points in 61 regular-season appearances for OHL Saginaw in 2024-25. Parekh will compete for a spot on Calgary's Opening Night roster during camp.

Struble agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.825 million contract with Montreal on Monday.

Struble has played in 56 regular-season games in each of the past two campaigns, registering a combined five goals and 18 assists along the way. With the acquisition of Noah Dobson this offseason, the Canadiens' blue line is somewhat crowded, so it's possible Struble finds himself serving as a healthy scratch more often than not this season.

Timmins signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract with Buffalo on Sunday.

Timmins compiled three goals, 15 points, 69 shots on net, 90 blocked shots and 55 hits across 68 regular-season appearances between Pittsburgh and Toronto in 2024-25. The Sabres acquired the 26-year-old defenseman from the Penguins at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. Timmins should be in the mix for a third-pairing role in the 2025-26 campaign.

Ludvig agreed to terms on a one-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czechia) on Wednesday.

Ludvig saw action in just eight NHL games for the Avalanche last year in which he generated two assists, nine shots and 16 hits while averaging a mere 12:57 of ice time. The blueliner was slightly more productive in the minors, generating 12 points in 31 regular-season games for AHL Colorado, but it wasn't enough for him to earn a qualifying offer from the Avs this offseason. At just 24 years old, the door is certainly still open for Ludvig to eventually return to the NHL, though he likely faces an uphill battle to do so.

Helleson signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with Anaheim on Friday.

Helleson established himself on the Anaheim blue line in 2024-25, playing 56 regular-season games. The 24-year-old, who was selected in the second round, 47th overall, in 2019 by Colorado, generated four goals, nine assists, 47 PIM, 99 hits and 73 blocked shots. He is slated to play on the third unit, alongside Olen Zellweger.

Crevier signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with Chicago on Thursday.

Crevier split his time between the NHL and AHL last year, making 32 appearances for the Hawks while also logging 15 games with the IceHogs. Given the one-way nature of his new deal, Crevier will likely spend less time in the minors during the 2025-26 campaign but figures to remain a fringe lineup player and will likely serve as a healthy scratch more often than not.

Kuznetsov signed a two-year contract with the Flames on Thursday.

Kuznetsov was a restricted free agent, so it isn't particularly surprising to see him return to the Flames. The first year of his new contract will be a two-way deal, while the second year will become a one-way agreement. Kuznetsov made 72 regular-season appearances with AHL Calgary last year and recorded six goals, 15 assists and 38 PIM.

Bjornfot signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Thursday.

After making a career-high 70 NHL appearances with the Kings during the 2021-22 campaign, Bjornfot has spent most of the past three seasons in the minors. He made 14 regular-season appearances in the NHL with Florida last year and was held without a point while recording 13 hits, 10 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating. The 24-year-old could join the Panthers for training camp this fall, but it seems as though he'll play mostly in the minors once again during the 2025-26 season.

Smith agreed to terms on a contract with Dinamo Minsk (KHL) on Thursday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Smith was not given a qualifying offer by the Penguins this offseason, and it appears he has been unable to land an NHL deal. The 25-year-old blueliner saw action in eight games for the Hurricanes last year in which he generated one goal on 14 shots, one assist and two hits while averaging just 13:40 of ice time. Given his age, it's possible Smith will get another shot at an NHL deal, but he will need to impress in the KHL first.