NHL Player News

Zajicek agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Bruins on Tuesday.

Zajicek failed to break into the NHL last year, spending the entire year in the minors with AHL Providence, where he went 14-6-1 with a 2.44 GAA and a .915 save percentage. With both Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo under contract next year, not to mention Michael DiPietro, the 24-year-old Zajicek will be hard-pressed to break into the NHL any time soon.

Garand signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Rangers on Sunday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Garand had a 2-0-1 record while allowing only five goals on 96 shots in three appearances for the Rangers last campaign. He also went 16-15-2 with a 2.83 GAA and an .896 save percentage across 36 regular-season appearances with AHL Hartford in 2025-26. The 24-year-old will compete for the backup role behind Igor Shesterkin during training camp.

Akhtyamov recorded a 24-save shutout in AHL Toronto's 1-0 win over Chicago in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals on Tuesday.

Akhtyamov has stood out in the playoffs with a 14-6 record, two shutouts, a 2.10 GAA and a .928 save percentage over 20 games. His effort Tuesday was a big one, giving the Marlies a 3-0 lead in the championship series. Akhtyamov will likely get the chance to close out the sweep in Game 4 on Thursday.

Nashville acquired Posch and Ross Colton from Colorado on Tuesday in exchange for Magnus Chrona, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.

Posch posted a 15-8-5 record with a 2.78 GAA and an .891 save percentage over 28 regular-season appearances with AHL Colorado in 2025-26. He is under contract through the 2026-27 campaign, and he will probably spend most of the year in the minors.

Gauthier signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Gauthier posted a 21-9-5 record with a 2.09 GAA, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 36 regular-season appearances for ECHL Wheeling in 2025-26. He also went 9-8 with a 2.23 GAA and a .922 save percentage during the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The 25-year-old will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia on Tuesday along with Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

In 33 regular-season appearances this year, Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage. While the 26-year-old backstop should still be in the mix for plenty of opportunities with the Leafs, he figures to be the No. 2 option to start the season behind Anthony Stolarz (groin). Still, with Stolarz's extensive injury history (he's only hit the 30-game mark in one of his last five seasons), Ersson could get a chance to play No. 1 minutes if called upon.

Woll and Simon Benoit were traded to Philadelphia from Toronto on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Woll saw action in 39 regular-season games for the Leafs this season, going 15-16-7 with a 3.34 GAA, .898 save percentage and two shutouts. With his new club, the 27-year-old backstop figures to slide into the backup role behind Dan Vladar, though he should still see about 25-35 games as the No. 2 option for the Flyers.

Bussi posted a 22-save shutout in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bussi won the last three games of the series to finish what Frederik Andersen started. The Hurricanes' defense did its part, and Bussi handled the rest to post his first career playoff shutout in the biggest game of his life. He allowed just six goals on 87 shots (.931 save percentage) over his four playoff appearances to help the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup. After signing a three-year contract extension in February, Bussi is a virtual lock to open 2026-27 on the Hurricanes' NHL roster.

Hart allowed two goals on 22 shots in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

This was Hart's best game of the series, but the Golden Knights' offense couldn't give him any support. Sunday's loss brought Vegas' pursuit of a second championship to an end, as the Golden Knights came up two wins short. Hart finished the postseason 14-8 with a 2.56 GAA and a .907 save percentage in a league-high 22 games. He is under contract for 2026-27 and will likely get a chance to enter the season as the Golden Knights' top goalie.

Bussi will patrol the road blue paint in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Golden Knights on Sunday, per Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News.

Bussi has won back-to-back starts after replacing Frederik Andersen between the pipes in Game 3. The 27-year-old Bussi has posted a .908 save percentage and a 2.18 GAA over three appearances during this series. The Golden Knights will have a few changes for Game 6 -- William Karlsson (arm) and Keegan Kolesar aren't suiting up, while Reilly Smith and Braeden Bowman are drawing into the lineup. Kaedan Korczak is also set to skate in a third-pairing role at the expense of Dylan Coghlan. If Vegas staves off elimination Sunday, Game 7 would be set for Wednesday in Raleigh.