NHL Player News

Kesselring signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Sharks on Sunday, according to PuckPedia.

Kesselring played in only 34 regular-season games with Buffalo in 2025-26, in part due to injuries, but he fell out of favor with the coaching staff even when he was healthy later in the year. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Sabres on June 17 and should be much more of a factor with the Sharks, who have been in need of a right-shot defenseman. However, San Jose selected two right-shot blueliners in the first round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, so Kesselring probably won't be in the team's plans after his new deal expires. Kesselring's three-year deal also doesn't include any trade protection.

Drury signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with Nashville on Sunday, PuckPedia reports.

Drury generated 10 goals, 27 points, 99 shots on net, 56 blocked shots and 46 hits in 82 regular-season games for Colorado in 2025-26. The Predators acquired Drury, Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick from the Avalanche on Wednesday in exchange for Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux.

Anaheim acquired Masters and the No. 192 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft from Carolina on Saturday in exchange for the rights to John Carlson.

Masters had three assists in 10 regular-season appearances for ECHL Wichita in 2025-26. The 23-year-old is eligible for restricted free agency this summer. The Ducks selected Noah Kosick with the No. 192 selection to close out the sixth round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Lysell was acquired by Colorado from Boston on Saturday in exchange for Ivan Ivan.

Lysell had 17 goals, 42 points and 51 PIM in 57 regular-season outings with AHL Providence in 2025-26. Despite being the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Lysell has appeared in just 12 career regular-season NHL games. Perhaps a fresh start with a new organization will benefit the 23-year-old.

Carolina acquired Carlson from Anaheim on Saturday in exchange for Kyle Masters and pick No. 192 in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Carlson is eligible for unrestricted free agency Wednesday, which doesn't give the Hurricanes much of an exclusive negotiating window. He compiled 14 goals and 60 points in 71 regular-season games between Anaheim and Washington in 2025-26. He also earned six assists in 12 outings for the Ducks during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ivan was acquired by Boston from Colorado on Saturday in exchange for Fabian Lysell.

Ivan had an assist in nine regular-season appearances with the Avalanche in 2025-26. While he didn't play much at the top level in 2025-26, he got plenty of work with AHL Colorado, recording 11 goals, 26 points and 40 PIM in 66 regular-season games before contributing three goals and 15 points in 17 playoff appearances. The 23-year-old is likely to start the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Ostapchuk signed a four-year, $9.4 million contract with San Jose on Saturday.

Ostapchuk set career bests with four goals and seven points in 59 games during the 2025-26 campaign. He also delivered a 51.6 faceoff win percentage. Ostapchuk is best known for his grit, recording 140 hits and averaging 2.92 blocked shots per 60 minutes. He will continue to provide the Sharks with a bottom-six edge in 2026-27.

The Rangers acquired Rizzo and the No. 148 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft from Nashville on Saturday in exchange for Adam Edstrom.

Rizzo has been traded three times in a span of three-and-a-half months. He went from Philadelphia to Boston on March 6 and was then moved to Nashville six days later. Rizzo appeared in 14 AHL games between Providence and Milwaukee last regular season, supplying two goals and three assists. He also recorded 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 29 games for ECHL Reading in the 2025-26 regular season. He's a depth move for the Rangers' system.

Edstrom has been traded from the Rangers to Nashville on Saturday in exchange for Massimo Rizzo and the No. 148 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Edstrom is a 6-foot-7, 232-pound behemoth who appeared in 35 games for the Rangers last season. He had three goals, five points, 31 shots on net, 22 blocked shots and 65 hits in 2025-26 while averaging just 9:28 of ice time per contest. He will compete for a fourth-line role with Nashville in the 2026-27 campaign.

Carlo (lower body) has been traded from Toronto to St. Louis in exchange for two 2026 third-round draft picks, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Saturday.

The picks are No. 73 and 76. Carlo is a massive, right-shot shutdown specialist who plays a safe, low-risk game that coaches adore. He's excellent on the penalty kill, but endured a lot of injury issues last season. He produced seven assists, 66 shots on goal, 98 blocked shots and 65 hits across 55 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. Carlo has one more season left on his six-year, $24.6 million contract.