NHL Player News

Schaefer signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on Monday.

Schaefer, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, will now have every opportunity to make the Islanders' Opening Night roster out of training camp. If he does, the smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman could compete with Tony DeAngelo for the quarterback spot on the top power-play unit, but Schaefer will likely receive time with one of the combinations nonetheless. Schaefer's 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to mononucleosis and a collarbone injury, but he still recorded seven goals, 15 helpers and a plus-21 rating across 17 regular-season games with OHL Erie.

Samberg signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract with the Jets on Wednesday, Murat Ates of The Athletic reports.

After appearing in a career-high 78 regular-season games with Winnipeg during the 2023-24 season, Samberg was limited to just 60 regular-season appearances last year, but his efficiency improved in most areas. The 26-year-old logged six goals, 14 assists, 120 blocked shots, 56 hits, 26 PIM and a plus-34 rating while averaging 21:08 of ice time. The blueliner should continue to play a prominent role for Winnipeg over the next several years.

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.