NHL Player News

Pederson signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Kings on Wednesday, PuckPedia reports.

Pederson's deal will be a two-way agreement for the 2026-27 campaign worth $650,000 at the AHL level and $850,000 at the NHL level before converting to a one-way deal with a $900,000 salary for the 2027-28 season. Pederson made double-digit NHL appearances in three consecutive years between the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons, but he played exclusively in the AHL across the next two seasons. He made just five regular-season NHL appearances for the Flyers last year. He spent most of his time in the minors, recording 23 goals, 25 assists and 44 PIM across 63 regular-season appearances for AHL Lehigh Valley. He'll have an opportunity to get a fresh start in Los Angeles.

Trouba signed a four-year, $33 million contract with San Jose on Wednesday.

Trouba missed just one regular-season game for the Ducks last year and recorded 10 goals and 25 assists along the way. His 35 points represent his highest total since 2021-22, when he was with the Rangers. With the Sharks, the veteran defenseman should see plenty of minutes while seeing time on the penalty kill.

Schenn signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Canucks on Wednesday.

Schenn had a goal, seven points, 43 PIM, 149 hits and 57 blocks in 50 regular-season appearances between Winnipeg and Buffalo in 2025-26. He's returning to the Canucks after playing for them in 2022-23 and part of 2023-24. The 36-year-old blueliner will likely open the upcoming campaign on the third pairing and help with the penalty kill. Schenn should accumulate plenty of PIM and hits as long as he stays healthy and in the lineup.

Kessel signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Islanders on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Kessel had a consistent role with the Blues in the past two campaigns. He recorded two goals, an assist, 26 blocked shots, 22 hits and 10 PIM while averaging 12:32 of ice time across 29 regular-season appearances last year, production that was nearly identical to the 2024-25 campaign. He'll have the opportunity to compete for a role with the Islanders on a one-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

Kirkland inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Wild on Wednesday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Kirkland is far from a lock to make the team coming out of training camp and could spend much of the year in the minors with AHL Iowa. Still, the 29-year-old winger is a decent depth piece who figures to be atop the list of potential call-ups when the need arises.

Maccelli signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Islanders on Wednesday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Maccelli became an unrestricted free agent after Toronto declined to present him with a qualifying offer before Monday's deadline. He had 14 goals and 39 points in 71 appearances with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26. Maccelli hasn't managed to recapture the success he enjoyed in the 2023-24 regular season when he finished with 57 points, but he's still just 25 years old, so there's still a fair chance he bounces back. Maccelli is likely to begin 2026-27 in a middle-six role.

Vanecek signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Islanders on Wednesday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Vanecek made a career-low 22 regular-season appearances with the Mammoth during the 2025-26 campaign, going 5-13-3 with a 2.94 GAA and .883 save percentage. If Semyon Varlamov (knee) returns to full health ahead of the 2026-27 season, Vanecek should compete for No. 2 goaltending duties with him behind Ilya Sorokin.

Cotter agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.15 million contract with Vancouver on Wednesday.

Cotter missed the 20-point mark last year for the first time since his 2022-23 rookie campaign, which may have factored into New Jersey's decision not to give him a qualifying offer. Even with a change of scenery, the 26-year-old center is unlikely to be anything more than a bottom-six forward who helps kill penalties. He'll add some value in formats that utilize hits, but is otherwise a relative non-factor.

Veleno signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rangers on Wednesday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Veleno's production decreased during his time with Montreal in the 2025-26 campaign. He recorded two goals, three assists, 166 hits, 32 blocked shots and 19 PIM while averaging 12:05 of ice time across 61 regular-season appearances. He snapped a four-year streak with double-digit points but will attempt to bounce back with the Rangers.

Benning penned a one-year, two-way contract with the Flames on Wednesday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Benning was a fringe roster player for the Panthers last year, logging just 18 NHL games while garnering two goals and four assists along the way. With Calgary, the 24-year-old Benning should have a shot at playing more NHL games, but he will need to string together a strong performance at training camp in the fall.