NHL Player News

Bedard (shoulder) signed a five-year, $75 million contract with Chicago on Saturday.

Bedard amassed 30 goals, 75 points and 226 shots on net in 69 games during the 2025-26 regular season. It was the final year of his entry-level contract, and he earned a significant pay increase. The 21-year-old forward will miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign after having surgery on his left shoulder. He suffered the injury while practicing in Vancouver on July 2 and underwent the procedure six days later. Bedard is expected to need four months to recover. Once he is back in the lineup, he will center the top line and occupy a spot on the first power-play unit.

Drysdale signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Flyers on Friday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Drysdale was a restricted free agent who would have gone to arbitration if he had been unable to agree to terms with Philadelphia. He had eight goals, 32 points, 33 PIM, 16 hits and 94 blocks in 78 regular-season outings with the Flyers in 2025-26. The 24-year-old matched his previous career high of 32 points from the 2021-22 regular season. He should serve in a top-four capacity and receive significant power-play minutes next season, which puts him in a great position to get at least 30 points again if he stays healthy.

Dach signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Canadiens on Thursday.

Dach had eight goals, 15 points, 31 PIM and 53 hits in 37 regular-season outings with Montreal in 2025-26. The 25-year-old has struggled to live up to his potential as a top-six power forward, and his lengthy injury history has certainly been part of the problem. He might surpass his career high of 38 points if he stays relatively healthy this campaign, but he's played in fewer than 60 games in each of the past four regular seasons.

McMichael signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the Blues on Thursday.

McMichael was a restricted free agent after completing his two-year, $4.2 million contract. St. Louis acquired him from Washington on June 23 as part of the trade that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals. The 25-year-old McMichael had 14 goals and 46 points in 78 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2025-26, which was down from 26 goals and 57 points in 82 outings during the 2024-25 regular season. He's expected to open the upcoming campaign in a middle-six capacity and should receive some power-play ice time.

Skarek inked a one-year contract with DEL club Straubing on Thursday.

Skarek played in two NHL games for the Islanders back in 2024-25, going 0-1-0 with a 3.95 GAA and an .872 save percentage. At 26 years of age, the door isn't completely closed on Skarek eventually returning to the NHL, but he will certainly face an uphill battle to make it back.

Zegras signed a four-year, $36.5 million contract with the Flyers on Wednesday.

Zegras is coming off a career year after posting 26 goals and 67 points in 81 regular-season games in 2025-26. The 25-year-old forward is expected to continue filling a top-six role with a spot on the first power-play unit in 2026-27. Zegras should continue to be a reliable fantasy forward regardless of if he's able to stick at center or ultimately moves to the wing later in the contract.

Perfetti signed five-year, $30 million contract with the Jets on Wednesday.

Perfetti was a restricted free agent. He had 12 goals, 32 points, 20 PIM, 54 hits and 33 blocks in 68 regular-season appearances with Winnipeg in 2025-26. That was down from 50 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but it was also his fourth consecutive campaign with at least 30 points. He's still just 24 years old and has the potential to establish himself as a solid top-six forward.

Blumel signed a four-year contract with HC Sparta Praha on Wednesday.

Blumel's decision to ink such a long contract could mark the end of his NHL career. The 26-year-old winger has tallied two goals, 21 shots and 15 hits in 17 career regular-season games for the Stars and Bruins. He had 21 goals and 52 points in 58 appearances for AHL Providence during the 2025-26 regular season.

Mantha agreed to terms on a two-year, $9.5 million contract with New Jersey on Wednesday.

Mantha racked up 33 goals and 31 assists, setting new personal bests in both categories, across 81 regular-season games with the Penguins in 2025-26. He also tied his previous career high with 13 power-play points. With the Devils, the 31-year-old winger should be in the mix for a top-six role and power-play minutes.

Robertson signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Robertson had been headed for an arbitration hearing, but it seems the two sides were able to work out a deal. In 78 regular-season games with the Leafs last year, the 24-year-old winger notched 16 goals and 16 assists, reaching the 30-point threshold for the first time in his career. For now, Robertson can likely be penciled in for a third-line role, but he could move up the lineup later in the year.