NHL Player News

Kiviranta signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Stars on Wednesday.

Kiviranta will have a second stint with Dallas after playing there from 2019-20 to 2022-23. He's coming off a down year of nine points, 50 shots on net and 63 hits over 51 regular-season games with the Avalanche in 2025-26. Kiviranta will contend for bottom-six minutes in 2026-27, giving him limited potential in fantasy.

Jones (lower body) signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Oilers on Wednesday.

Jones had just five points with 22 shots on net and 56 hits over 21 regular-season outings with the Oilers last season. He also had 18 points in 39 games with AHL Bakersfield. He ended the season sidelined by an injury, but he was expected to be healthy in May. That should clear the way for Jones to compete for bottom-six minutes in training camp.

Mitchell signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ducks on Wednesday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Mitchell produced 17 points and 87 PIM over 58 regular-season games with AHL Bridgeport in 2025-26. He has just nine games of NHL experience over the last four campaigns. Expect Mitchell to spend the bulk of 2026-27 with AHL San Diego.

Imama signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Imama brings some grit to the lineup, but he hasn't shown much offense in the NHL. With the Penguins last season, he logged three hits and five PIM over two appearances in December. He also had six goals, five assists and 137 PIM in 66 regular-season games for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Imama will probably spend most of 2026-27 in the AHL.

Lafferty signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Lafferty earned just two points in 29 games for the Blackhawks in 2025-26. He added nine shots on net, 14 PIM and 35 hits. The 31-year-old will likely max out as a fourth-line option, and if he doesn't impress in training camp, he'll likely get waived and demoted to the AHL.

Vilmanis signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract extension with the Panthers on Wednesday.

Vilmanis will play on the last year of his entry-level contract in 2026-27 before the extension kicks in for 2027-28. Both years of the extension are one-way deals. Vilmanis had five points in 19 NHL games as well as 38 points in 48 regular-season outings for AHL Charlotte last season.

Beecher signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Beecher had three goals, four assists, 37 shots on net, 23 hits, 31 blocked shots and 31 PIM over 35 regular-season games between the Bruins and the Flames in 2025-26. The 25-year-old was not tendered a qualifying offer by Calgary on Monday. He'll compete for fourth-line minutes in Florida, but he may find himself on waivers prior to the start of the season if he doesn't impress in training camp.

Ferraro signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Jets on Wednesday, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.

Ferraro will bolster the Jets' blue line in a big way as a shutdown defender. The 27-year-old put up career highs in goals (seven) and points (23) in 82 regular-season games with the Sharks in 2025-26. He's also logged at least 125 blocked shots in five straight years and at least 120 hits in each of his seven campaigns. Keep an eye on Ferraro in banger leagues, as he should be a candidate for top-four minutes in Winnipeg.

Bjornfot signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Bjornfot had four points in 19 games with the Panthers last year, as well as 12 points in 33 regular-season outings for AHL Charlotte. The defenseman could stick around the NHL as a seventh blueliner, but there's a decent chance he spends at least some of 2026-27 in the AHL again.

Joseph signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Oilers on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Joseph had 11 points, 36 shots on net, 115 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating over 51 regular-season outings between the Blues and the Kings in 2025-26. The 29-year-old forward will be on his fifth NHL team in his career. If Joseph makes the Oilers' roster in training camp, he'll likely fill a bottom-six role.