NHL Player News

Bedard will be sidelined for four months following shoulder surgery, the Blackhawks announced Wednesday.

Based on his recovery timeline, Bedard figures to miss the first month or two of the regular season. The 20-year-old center was limited to just 69 regular-season games last year, but he still managed to set new personal bests in goals (30) and points (75). While he could certainly aim even higher with a full season, Bedard should still offer plenty of fantasy upside even with his absence.

Hayton (upper body) signed a one-year, $4.775 million contract with Utah on Wednesday.

Hayton had previously agreed to an offer sheet with the Devils, but the Mammoth agreed to match the deal to retain the forward's services. In 67 regular-season games last year, the Ontario native notched 10 goals and 15 assists, including six power-play points. If Hayton can stay healthy, he should be capable of getting back to being a 20-goal, 40-point producer for Utah in 2026-27.

Gushchin signed a two-year contract with the KHL's Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey reports Wednesday.

Gushchin was an unrestricted free agent after the Avalanche declined to present him with a qualifying offer. He had 18 goals and 32 points in 49 regular-season appearances with AHL Colorado in 2025-26. The 24-year-old has 18 games of NHL experience, all with the Sharks.

Schmidt signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Wild on Tuesday, per PuckPedia.

Schmidt split last season between three AHL clubs, totaling just three assists over 49 regular-season contests. He had two assists in 19 games for AHL Iowa, and clearly the organization saw enough to keep him around for another year. Expect the blueliner to spend most or all of 2026-27 in the minors again.

Hinds signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with Anaheim on Tuesday, per PuckPedia.

Hinds appeared in six regular-season games with the Ducks in 2025-26, including his NHL debut against Calgary on April 4. During that six-game span, he registered nine shots on goal, 10 blocked shots and six hits, but he didn't earn a point. However, he had one assist, one shot on net, five blocked shots and 17 hits in nine playoff outings. Hinds will probably be a regular in the Anaheim lineup during the 2026-27 campaign.

Giroux inked a one-year, $2 million contract with the Senators on Tuesday, per PuckPedia.

While Giroux's base salary is $2 million, he can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonuses. The right-shot forward might move around the lineup a bit in 2026-27, but he will probably play mostly in a middle-six role. The 2006 No. 22 overall pick supplied 14 goals, 49 points (13 on the power play), 138 shots and a plus-20 rating over 82 regular-season games in 2025-26, so he's proven to be a reliable contributor even at 38 years old, due in large part to his hockey sense.

Kampf agreed to terms on a three-year contract with HC Litvinov on Tuesday.

Kampf last played in the Czech league back in 2016-17, when he produced 31 points in 52 regular-season games for Chomutov Pirati. Since that time, the 31-year-old forward logged 576 regular-season games for the Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Canucks and Capitals in which he racked up 50 goals and 99 assists. Given the length of his contract, this could mark the end of Kampf's NHL career.

Quillan inked a one-year, two-way contract with Toronto on Monday, according to PuckPedia.

Quillan appeared in 23 games with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26, chipping in a goal, two assists and 46 hits while averaging 10:16 of ice time. The 24-year-old was much more productive with the Marlies en route to their Calder Cup championship, earning 14 goals, 36 points and a plus-12 rating over 40 regular-season games. He also had three goals and six helpers over 19 playoff games in the minors. Quillan will contend for an Opening Night roster spot with the big club in training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Cormier signed a one-year contract with the Golden Knights on Monday.

Per PuckPedia, it's a two-way deal. Cormier earned his newest contract after the strongest offensive campaign of his AHL career. Across 49 regular-season games with AHL Henderson, the 24-year-old blueliner compiled eight goals, 39 assists and 121 shots on net. He produced when it mattered as well, adding five points in six postseason appearances. While he's yet to see consistent minutes at the NHL level, he'll return to Vegas' system as one of the top options for a call-up if the Golden Knights run into injury problems. He has one assist in two career NHL games, with both appearances coming in the 2023-24 regular season.

Commesso signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with Chicago on Monday, per PuckPedia.

Commesso has a two-way deal with the Blackhawks for 2026-27, and it becomes a one-way agreement in 2027-28. In three NHL outings with Chicago last year, he posted a 2-1-0 record while allowing only seven goals on 85 shots. Commesso also went 13-20-2 with a 3.08 GAA and a .901 in 37 appearances for AHL Rockford in the 2025-26 regular season. The 23-year-old netminder will probably begin the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.