NHL Player News

Florida acquired Crookshank and Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) from New Jersey on Tuesday in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, (finger), Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Crookshank had 24 goals and 36 points in 60 games for AHL Utica during the 2025-26 regular season. He also picked up one goal, seven blocked shots and five hits in eight NHL appearances with the Devils last campaign. Crookshank will compete for a depth role on Florida's Opening Night roster during training camp.

Florida acquired Markstrom (undisclosed) and Angus Crookshank from New Jersey on Tuesday in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, (finger) Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves, per Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

Before missing the final three games of the 2025-26 campaign because of nagging injuries, Markstrom went 23-19-1 with a 3.07 GAA, an .883 save percentage and one shutout in 44 regular-season appearances for the Devils. However, the veteran netminder will have bounce-back appeal in 2026-27 if he seizes control of the No. 1 role between the pipes with the Panthers.

Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues (finger) and Ben Steeves were dealt from Florida to New Jersey on Tuesday in exchange for Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) and Angus Crookshank, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

Boqvist posted four goals, 13 points, 64 shots and 141 hits over 73 games in 2025-26. With his new team, Boqvist should fill a bottom-six role while potentially seeing time on the penalty kill. He has one season remaining on the two-year, $3 million contract he signed with Florida in March of 2025.

Ersson was not given a qualifying offer by the Senators on Monday, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.

While the decision will allow Ersson to test free agency Wednesday, according to McKenzie, the Senators are still working to re-sign the 26-year-old backstop after acquiring him from the Maple Leafs on June 26. If he does return to Ottawa, Ersson will likely battle for the No. 2 spot alongside Leevi Merilainen.

Samson was not given a qualifying offer from the Lightning on Monday, which means he will become an unrestricted free agent, per PuckPedia.

Samson picked up five goals and 18 points over 40 games between AHL Lehigh Valley and Syracuse in 2025-26. The defenseman was a sixth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021 and has never appeared in an NHL game.

Thrun will become an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from Toronto on Monday, according to PuckPedia.

Thrun appeared in just four games with the Maple Leafs this past season. However, he helped AHL Toronto win a Calder Cup championship, producing two goals and nine points over 24 postseason outings. The left-shot blueliner also had five goals and 23 points over 55 regular-season games with the Marlies in 2025-26.

Montreal did not present a qualifying offer to Chiasson on Monday, meaning he will be an unrestricted free agent, per PuckPedia.

Chiasson played with AHL Belleville and ECHL Allen in 2025-26. He didn't appear in a game with AHL Laval after being dealt to Montreal from Ottawa in March. The 23-year-old has never suited up in an NHL game.

Schmid was dealt from the Golden Knights to the Panthers on Monday in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick.

Considering that the Panthers' goaltending duo of Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov is set to become unrestricted free agents, Schmid might have an opportunity to command a sizable role in 2026-27. It will be worth monitoring what the Panthers do with their goaltending situation when free agency begins, but Schmid could be an intriguing sleeper for fantasy managers this coming season, even if he's working in tandem with another netminder. The 26-year-old Schmid went 16-10-6 with a 2.59 GAA and an .893 save percentage over 34 regular-season games with Vegas in 2025-26. He will need a new contract as well, as he is a restricted free agent.

Olausson was not tendered a qualifying offer from Minnesota on Monday, PuckPedia reports.

Olausson is now an unrestricted free agent, so he can sign with any team July 1, however, he signed a contract with Frolunda of the SHL in May. The Swedish winger contributed 12 goals and 29 points across 63 appearances with AHL Iowa this past season. The No. 28 overall pick in 2021 has just four games of NHL experience to his name.

The Wild chose not to give a qualifying offer to Butler on Monday, according to PuckPedia.

Butler is eligible to sign with a new organization when free agency starts Wednesday. The 24-year-old played in both the AHL and ECHL in 2025-26. Butler has played in one NHL game in his career, which came during the 2023-24 campaign with Columbus.