NHL Player News

Kozak put pen to paper on a three-year, $2.325 million contract with Buffalo on Tuesday.

Kozak's new deal starts out as a two-way contract for the first two years before switching to a one-way deal for the 2027-28 campaign. Given the nature of the agreement, the 22-year-old center should probably be expected to spend the bulk of 2025-26 in the minors with AHL Rochester. During his rookie campaign, Kozak notched three goals and two assists in 21 regular-season tilts with the Sabres.

Tomasino secured a one-year, $1.75 million contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Tomasino will stick with the Penguins after joining the club via a trade from Nashville last year. In his 50 regular-season outings with Pittsburgh, the 23-year-old natural center generated 11 goals and 12 helpers, including eight power-play points. While listed as a center, Tomasino could be in line to play on the wing alongside Evgeni Malkin this year and should secure minutes with the No. 2 power-play group.

Sturm agreed to terms on a two-year, $4 million contract with Minnesota on Tuesday.

Sturm rejoins the Wild following his trade to Colorado back in March of 2022. Since his previous stint with the club, the 30-year-old German has won a pair of Stanley Cups, including this past season with the Panthers. Sturm will give the team some much-needed depth, likely in a bottom-six role.

Kurashev signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Sharks on Tuesday, according to PuckPedia.

Kurashev accounted for seven goals, 14 points and a minus-28 rating with Chicago in 2024-25. The Sharks arguably have more talent than the Blackhawks, looking ahead to 2025-26, so Kurashev's production could increase, but his plus-minus rating may not improve much, if any. The 25-year-old should be able to work his way into a middle-six role with his new club this coming season.

Dewar signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Penguins on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Dewar did not receive a qualifying offer from Pittsburgh by Monday's deadline, but he is ultimately staying with the team that acquired him in March. The left-shot forward logged just three helpers over 31 regular-season appearances with Toronto in 2024-25, but he fared much better in his time with the Pens, generating four goals and three helpers over 17 appearances. The 26-year-old is set to be a fixture in the bottom six this coming season.

Faksa signed a three-year, $6 million contract with the Stars on Tuesday.

After being acquired by the Blues from the Stars last summer, Faksa is returning to the team that took him in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft. The veteran forward contributed 89 goals, 200 points and 852 hits across nine seasons with Dallas from 2015-16 through 2023-24. The 31-year-old will be a valuable depth piece in the bottom six in 2025-26 for a team that is in its Stanley Cup window, though he has minimal value in the fantasy realm.

Steeves penned a one-year, $850,000 deal with Boston on Tuesday, Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star reports.

Steeves appeared in 14 NHL games during his four-year stint with the Leafs but will now join the Bruins in the hopes of securing more opportunities. The B's added the likes of Matej Blumel, Tanner Jeannot and Viktor Arvidsson in various deals Tuesday, so Steeves faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Opening Night roster.

Abruzzese signed a one-year, two-way contract with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Abruzzese produced 15 goals and 43 points in 71 regular-season games with AHL Toronto in 2024-25. The 26-year-old forward will compete for a depth role with the Lightning during training camp but might spend most of the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

Studnicka signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

It's a two-way deal for Studnicka, so he could spend a lot of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Charlotte. The 26-year-old registered 16 goals, 45 points and a plus-4 rating across 72 regular-season games with AHL Ontario this past season. Studnicka last appeared in the NHL in 2023-24 with the Sharks.

Kuraly signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the Bruins on Tuesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Kuraly spent the last four years with Columbus after playing five seasons with the Bruins from 2016-17 to 2020-21. The Ohio native appeared in all 82 games with the Blue Jackets in 2024-25, having logged six goals, 17 points and 163 hits. The 32-year-old will contend for bottom-six minutes with Boston this coming campaign.