NHL Player News

Leason inked a one-year, two-way contract with San Jose on Thursday.

Leason logged just six games for the Capitals last year, failing to register a point while notching 10 hits and one shot. At this point, the 27-year-old winger is more of an organizational depth piece that will help San Jose's minor-league system. As such, fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting him to make much of an impact.

Middleton, a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick were traded to the Flames from the Wild on Thursday in exchange for Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Middleton spent his fourth full season in Minnesota during the 2025-26 campaign, recording two goals, 14 assists, 117 blocked shots, 87 hits and 76 PIM while averaging 17:30 of ice time across 75 regular-season appearances. The 30-year-old has logged under 100 hits in back-to-back years after reaching that threshold in the three prior seasons, but he's still been a fairly reliable contributor who should have the opportunity to maintain a consistent role with his new team.

Maatta and Blake Coleman were traded to the Wild from the Flames on Thursday in exchange for Jake Middleton and three draft picks, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports.

Maatta logged 43 regular-season games for the Mammoth and Flames last year, registering two goals, 13 assists and 34 shots. With the move to Minnesota, the 31-year-old Maatta could find himself serving as a healthy scratch periodically. As such, Maatta is unlikely to offer much in the way of fantasy value.

Coleman and Olli Maatta were traded to the Wild from the Flames on Thursday in exchange for Jake Middleton, a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Coleman was a consistent contributor over his five years in Calgary, recording at least 33 points and 107 hits in each season. Across 69 regular-season appearances last year, he recorded 20 goals, 15 assists, 152 hits, 49 PIM and 48 blocked shots while averaging 17:20 of ice time. Coleman is entering the final year of a six-year, $29.4 million contract, and the Flames will retain 50 percent of his salary for the 2026-27 campaign.

Alexeyev signed a two-year contract with KHL club Salavat Yulaev on Thursday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Alexeyev was given a qualifying offer by the Penguins, so the team will retain his NHL rights while he is playing in Russia. The 26-year-old blueliner saw action in 38 regular-season games with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, generating three goals and nine assists, but he never logged an appearance with Pittsburgh.

Smith agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Shanghai Dragons (KHL) on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Smith was limited to just 25 games with AHL Chicago last season due to injury, producing two goals and three assists when healthy. At this point, the 28-year-old winger will be hard-pressed to make his way back to the NHL, and he could play out his career overseas or in the minors.

Sebrango agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Florida on Wednesday, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports. Per PuckPedia, the contract is a one-way deal worth $850,000.

Sebrango finished the 2025-26 season on a high note, recording four helpers in the final five games of the regular season. Still, the 24-year-old blueliner has yet to find the back of the net in 44 career NHL games, so fantasy managers probably shouldn't be banking on him producing a ton of offense.

Felhaber signed a contract with the Sharks on Wednesday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Per PuckPedia, it's a one-year, two-way contract. The 27-year-old forward played exclusively in the AHL in 2025-26, earning 15 goals and 16 assists over 63 regular-season outings as well as seven points over 17 playoff contests. Felhaber will likely play all of 2026-27 in the AHL.

Carlson signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Lightning on Wednesday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Even at age 36, Carlson will get a slight annual raise compared to his last deal, which carried an $8 million cap hit. The blueliner racked up 14 goals, 46 assists, 153 shots on net, 106 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 71 regular-season outings between the Capitals and the Ducks last year. With the Lightning, Carlson will likely compete with Victor Hedman for top billing on the power play. Carlson is also still capable of handling a heavy role in the top four at even strength, so fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to consider him in the middle-to-late portions of drafts.

Barre-Boulet signed a contract with the Sharks on Wednesday, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

According to PuckPedia, it's a two-year, $1.75 million contract. Barre-Boulet was a point-per-game player in the AHL in 2025-26, logging 26 goals and 44 assists over 70 regular-season outings, though he dipped to 12 points in 17 playoff games. Barre-Boulet will likely spend most of 2026-27 in the AHL, but he could get a look at times as a depth forward.