NHL Player News

Soderstrom's rights were traded to Chicago from Utah on Friday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Soderstrom has been playing overseas this season, but his NHL rights will be on the move as part of a transaction that also sent Shea Weber's contract and Aku Raty to Chicago. Soderstrom has made 47 appearances with Brynas IF of the SHL this year, and he's logged nine goals and 27 assists.

Weber's (ankle) contract, Victor Soderstrom and Aku Raty have been shipped to Chicago from Utah on Friday in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

Weber hasn't played since the 2020-21 campaign and isn't expected to play again, but his 14-year, $110 million contract runs through 2025-26. This is the third time his contract has been moved since his final game -- Montreal traded it to Vegas in 2022, and the Golden Knights sent it to Arizona (now Utah) in 2023.

Vaakanainen inked a two-year, $3.1 million contract extension Friday.

The 26-year-old defenseman was selected No. 18 overall by the Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and was dealt from Anaheim to the Rangers on Dec. 6 in the Jacob Trouba trade. Vaakanainen has established himself with the Rangers and has two goals, seven assists and 26 blocked shots in 30 games with New York this season.

Del Mastro was reassigned to AHL Rockford on Friday, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The move is just a paper one as it makes Del Mastro eligible for the AHL playoffs. Del Mastro should be recalled ahead of Friday's game against Utah. He has a pair of goals and one assist in 12 NHL games this season.

Mateychuk was sent to AHL Cleveland on Friday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Mateychuk will almost certainly be called back up by the Blue Jackets shortly after Friday's trade deadline, but this transaction will make him eligible for the AHL playoffs. The 20-year-old has made 25 appearances in the NHL this year, logging three goals, two assists, 39 blocked shots, 12 hits and 12 PIM while averaging 18:16 of ice time.

Heiskanen (knee) was put on long-term injured reserve Friday, per PuckPedia.

Heiskanen was injured Jan. 28 in Vegas and underwent subsequent surgery on his knee. He was considered month-to-month at the time of his surgery. Heiskanen has five goals and 20 assists in 50 contests this season.

Burns scored a goal on three shots, blocked three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Bruins.

Burns ended his five-game point drought with the second-period tally. He's picked up four points over 11 outings since the start of February, but his ice time has dipped slightly -- he's averaging 21:01 in that span compared to 21:23 per game this season. At 39 years old, he remains an effective defender, but his offense has taken another hit with just 22 points across 63 appearances in 2024-25.

Schuldt was loaned to AHL San Jose on Friday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Schuldt will be eligible for the AHL playoffs with this move. He made his season debut Thursday, managing three shots on goal and one hit in 14:15 of ice time. Schuldt had four goals and 13 helpers over 53 games with the Barracuda before his promotion. He could be recalled ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Islanders.

Thompson was reassigned to AHL San Jose on Friday, per Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Thompson has three goals and six points in 24 appearances with the Sharks in 2024-25. Players need to be on an AHL roster by 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday in order to be eligible to be sent to the minors at any point for the remainder of the campaign, so Thompson's demotion might simply be a paper transaction to maintain that eligibility.

Kovacevic signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Devils on Friday.

Kovacevic was slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, but his deal will keep him under contract with New Jersey through the 2029-2030 season. The 27-year-old is on pace for a career-best season this year, as he's logged a goal, 13 assists, 83 hits, 81 blocked shots and 49 PIM while averaging 19:43 of ice time.