NHL Player News

Czata signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Lightning on Wednesday.

Czata was selected by the Lightning in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft, and he was able to come to terms with the organization just under a month later. He made 68 regular-season appearances with OHL Niagara last year and racked up 21 goals and 34 assists. The 18-year-old will likely require more time to develop before he's in the mix to make his NHL debut.

Suzuki signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina on Monday.

Suzuki made his NHL debut in January but was held off the scoresheet in two regular-season games. The 24-year-old fared much better with AHL Chicago, generating 12 goals and 47 assists across 69 regular-season outings. The 2019 first-round pick will most likely spend the majority of 2025-26 in the minors since the Hurricanes have plenty of depth up front.

Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract with the Jets on Friday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Vilardi was a restricted free agent who would have gone to arbitration if he hadn't agreed to terms with Winnipeg. The 25-year-old recorded 27 goals and 61 points in 71 regular-season outings with the Jets in 2024-25. It was his third straight 20-plus goal season, but he shattered his previous career high of 41 points, which was set in 2022-23. His new cap hit suggests Winnipeg anticipates his 2024-25 production being his new normal. He's projected to serve on Winnipeg's top line and first power-play unit in the upcoming campaign, and he should maintain that role for years to come.

Joshua was brought in by the Leafs on Thursday from the Canucks in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round pick.

Joshua is coming off a disappointing 2024-25 campaign with Vancouver in which he failed to reach the 20-point threshold for the first time since 2021-22 -- a problem that was in no small part caused by his 57 regular-season appearances. If he can stay healthy this season, Joshua should be capable of locking down a middle-six role with the Leafs, though he's far from a lock to avoid stints on the fourth line or in the press box.

Kerins penned a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary on Thursday.

Kerins led the AHL Wranglers in scoring last year during the regular season, potting 33 goals and adding 28 assists across 63 games. He made his NHL debut with the Flames last season, generating four assists in five games. Kerins is a bubble player at this time, but a strong training camp could garner him a job as a third-line winger.

Leschyshyn inked a one-year, two-way deal with the Sabres on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

Leschyshyn was let go by the Rangers this offseason after the team failed to issue him a qualifying offer. Considering the 26-year-old center failed to make an NHL appearance for the club last season -- and played in just one game for the Rangers the year prior -- his departure shouldn't come as a surprise. While NHL minutes could be easier to come by for Leschyshyn with Buffalo, he still figures to spend the bulk of his time in the minors with AHL Rochester.

Hebig signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday, PuckPedia reports.

Hebig spent last season with AHL Tucson, his fifth consecutive year with the minor-league club. He recorded 26 goals, 21 assists and 34 PIM over 67 appearances. He hasn't yet made his NHL debut, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend most of the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

Veleno inked a one-year contract with Montreal on Wednesday.

Veleno split the 2024-25 campaign between Detroit and Chicago, racking up eight goals and nine helpers in 74 combined regular-season games. After being traded to Seattle and then bought out by the Kraken, the 25-year-old center was free to return to his native Montreal. With the Habs, Veleno should challenge for a middle-six role and figures to push for the 20-point threshold after missing that mark last time around.

Mysak signed a one-year, two-way contract with Anaheim on Tuesday.

Mysak registered 18 goals and 42 points in 68 regular-season appearances with AHL San Diego in 2024-25. The 23-year-old forward hasn't made his NHL debut yet and could spend most of the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

Frondell signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Chicago on Tuesday.

Frondell notched 11 goals and 25 points across 29 regular-season outings with Djurgardens IF of Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan in 2024-25. He added three tallies and seven points in 16 qualification games to get the club back into the SHL. He will likely remain in Sweden for at least one more campaign. Chicago chose the 18-year-old forward with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.