NHL Player News

Burakovsky was acquired by Ottawa from Chicago on Friday in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Burakovsky has one campaign remaining on his five-year, $27.5 million contract before he's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. The 31-year-old had 11 goals and 33 points in 75 outings with the Blackhawks in 2025-26. It was his fourth straight regular season with under 40 points after setting a career high of 61 in 80 regular-season outings with Colorado in 2021-22. Burakovsky is unlikely to match his previous high, but he still should be a serviceable middle-six forward for the Senators.

Wahlberg was traded to Anaheim from Buffalo on Friday, along with the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, in exchange for Olen Zellweger.

Wahlberg has put up back-to-back campaigns with at least 30 points for AHL Rochester but has yet to make his NHL debut. While the 2023 second-round pick could take that next step this upcoming year with the Ducks, he's still likely to play the bulk of his games in the minors with AHL San Diego. As such, Wahlberg has minimal fantasy value except in deeper dynasty formats.

Zellweger was traded to Buffalo from Anaheim on Friday in exchange for Anton Wahlberg and the No. 45 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Zellweger had seven goals, 22 points, 34 PIM, 37 hits and 85 blocks in 76 regular-season appearances with Anaheim in 2025-26. He's set to become a restricted free agent Wednesday, so the Sabres will need to work out a contract with him. Zellweger will probably start next season as part of the Sabres' third pairing, but the 22-year-old has the potential to develop into a top-four blueliner.

Burns signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with Colorado on Friday.

Burns and Corey Perry are the last two players remaining from the 2003 NHL Draft class, having both been selected in the first round that year. The 41-year-old Burns also leads that group in games played, having logged 1,579 regular-season contests, in which he has produced 273 goals and 672 assists, while also making 148 postseason appearances. Despite the impressive resume, Burns' return for another year is almost certainly linked to trying to win the Stanley Cup, a feat which has thus far eluded him.

Ersson was traded to the Senators from the Maple Leafs on Friday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia in mid-June, and he'll be on the move once again just over a week later. He made 33 regular-season appearances for the Flyers during the 2025-26 campaign, going 14-11-5 with a 3.12 GAA and .870 save percentage. Leevi Merilainen is slated to be a restricted free agent during the offseason, while James Reimer will be an unrestricted free agent, so Ersson could have the opportunity to carve out a backup role behind Linus Ullmark during the 2026-27 season.

Kulak signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Avalanche on Friday.

Kulak was moved around during the 2025-26 campaign, spending time with the Oilers, Penguins and Avalanche. However, he'll gain some stability over the next few years after he was slated to become a free agent during the offseason. Across 83 regular-season appearances between his three teams last season, he logged a goal, 11 assists, 108 blocked shots, 38 PIM and 19 hits while averaging 18:58 of ice time.

Chibrikov (abdomen) is back to full training ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, Murat Ates of The Athletic reports Friday.

Chibrikov failed to register a point in 11 NHL games this year while averaging 9:11 of ice time. The 2021 second-round pick was slightly more productive in the minors, recording six goals and 10 assists in 53 regular-season tilts. Given his offensive limitations, Chibrikov could face an uphill battle in making the team out of training camp.

Spence signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Senators on Friday, Alex Adams of Sportsnet reports.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Kings, Spence joined the Senators for the 2025-26 campaign. He made 73 regular-season appearances, recording seven goals, 24 assists, 59 blocked shots, 55 hits and 22 PIM while averaging 18:44 of ice time. He was slated to become a restricted free agent during the offseason, but he'll remain under contract with Ottawa for the next four seasons following his new agreement.

Berard was traded to the Canadiens from the Rangers on Friday in exchange for William Trudeau, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Berard was limited to just 13 NHL games with the Rangers last year, failing to produce a point while generating 10 shots, 17 hits and nine blocks. With the move to Montreal, the 23-year-old winger will at least get a chance at securing a spot on the Opening Night roster during training camp, though he is far from a lock to avoid spending time in the minors.

Trudeau was traded to the Rangers from the Canadiens on Friday in exchange for Brett Berard, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Trudeau has played exclusively for AHL Laval over the past four seasons, most recently recording eight goals, 12 assists and 54 PIM across 62 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. He'll get a change of scenery ahead of the 2026-27 season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend most, or all, of his time in the minors once again.