NHL Player News

Benoit and Joseph Woll were dealt to the Flyers from the Maple Leafs on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Benoit suited up for 73 games in 2025-26, logging six helpers, 194 hits, 114 blocked shots and a minus-22 rating while averaging 17:18 of ice time. The Flyers' top four appears to be set for at least the 2026-27 campaign, but Benoit should be able to be a fixture on the third pairing with his new team. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is entering the final season of his three-year, $4.05 million deal -- he's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.

Andrae, Samuel Ersson and a 2026 third-round pick were acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Flyers on Tuesday in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

With this move to Toronto, Andrae will have the chance to carve out an everyday role with his new club. The 24-year-old accounted for two goals, 13 points, 68 hits, 58 blocks and a plus-15 rating over 61 regular-season games with the Flyers in 2025-26. Andrae will likely fill a third-pairing role to start with the Maple Leafs, and he could factor into the second power-play unit if he performs well in the early going.

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.

Koblar signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Toronto on Monday.

Koblar had eight goals and 14 points in 47 games with Leksands IF of the SHL in 2025-26. He was impressive at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 10 games to help Norway capture the bronze medal. After signing a one-year deal with Rogle BK in May, he could remain in the SHL for the 2026-27 campaign. However, he could also compete for playing time in North America in the AHL or NHL.

Bear agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on Monday.

Bear has spent the last two seasons playing exclusively in the AHL, having last appeared in an NHL game back in 2023-24 when he was with Washington. With Bridgeport in 2025-26, the 28-year-old blueliner notched four goals and 23 assists in 40 regular-season contests. If he can earn a call-up from the Isles in 2026-27, Bear should be capable of offering decent upside, considering he has 67 points in 275 career regular-season games.

Duehr signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with Winnipeg on Monday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $875,000 in the NHL. Duehr spent most of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Manitoba, picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 62 regular-season games before adding one goal and two assists in seven playoff outings. The 28-year-old also appeared in three NHL contests for Winnipeg in March, but he didn't reach the scoresheet while posting two shots on net, two blocked shots and 10 hits.

Staal was named the Conn Smythe winner after Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Staal was tied for 22nd in points (12) during the playoffs, but he tied for fifth in goals (eight) thanks to an impressive five-game goal streak to start the Cup Finals. He didn't score in the clincher, but Staal did enough earlier in the series to sway the voters away from Vegas' playoff points leader Mitch Marner or any of the Hurricanes' other top forwards. At 37 years and 277 days old, Staal is the oldest Conn Smythe winner in NHL history. He is under contract with the Hurricanes for one more season.

Ehlers scored an empty-net goal on three shots in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

It's not every year that a big splash in free agency pays off, but Ehlers brought everything the Hurricanes could have asked for. His tally to seal the championship was his eighth goal of the playoffs, and he added 10 assists, 39 shots, 14 hits and a plus-9 rating over 18 appearances. He also had a 26-goal, 71-point effort -- a career-best year -- during the regular season. This was just the first campaign of a six-year deal, so expect Ehlers to be an early-round pick in fantasy drafts in the fall.

Hall scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vegas bungled a zone entry, and Hall took a pass from Jaccob Slavin to get behind the defense. Hall made no mistake on the shot, and his goal at 3:47 of the first period was the game-winner in the Hurricanes' Cup-clinching victory. The 34-year-old had a stellar postseason with seven goals, 12 assists, 55 shots on net, 24 hits, 14 PIM, 13 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating over 19 appearances. Hall signed a three-year contract extension in April of 2025, so he figures to continue to be a part of the Hurricanes' middle six in 2026-27.