NHL Player News

Leschyshyn didn't receive a qualifying offer from the Rangers on Monday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.

Leschyshyn hasn't appeared in the NHL since the 2023-24 campaign and will have to test the open market during the offseason. He made 69 appearances with AHL Hartford last year and recorded 13 goals, 11 assists and 34 PIM.

Lorentz signed a three-year, $4.05 million contract with Toronto on Monday.

Lorentz chipped in eight goals, 19 points, 76 shots on net, 55 blocked shots and 199 hits across 80 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. He will probably occupy a bottom-six role with the Maple Leafs in the 2025-26 campaign.

Ponomarev was given a qualifying offer from Pittsburgh on Monday.

An initial report indicated that Ponomarev was not going to be retained by the Penguins but it seems like that plan changed. The 23-year-old center is signed with KHL club Avangard Omsk for the next three seasons, so even if he does return to the NHL, it won't be any time soon.

Merkulov signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with the Bruins on Monday.

Merkulov made six appearances for Boston last year and logged an assist, seven blocked shots, two hits and two PIM while averaging 13:44 of ice time. While he'll remain with the organization in 2025-26, he'll likely spend plenty of time in the minors.

Kostin was not given a qualifying offer ahead of Monday's deadline.

Kostin played in 35 games for the Sharks this past season in which he recorded one goal, six assists and 111 hits while averaging 10:41 of ice time. With his departure from the Sharks, the 26-year-old winger will be looking to join his fifth NHL franchise, having previously played with the Blues, Oilers and Red Wings. He could also opt to continue his career overseas.

Berglund was not issued a qualifying offer ahead of Monday's deadline.

Berglund hasn't made his NHL debut yet, and at this point, it seems like he may never get a chance to do so. In order to extend his playing career, the Swede will need to either sign a minor-league deal or head back to Europe.

The Ducks didn't tender a qualifying offer to Lundestrom on Monday, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Lundestrom appeared in 79 games for the Ducks during the 2024-25 campaign, recording four goals, 11 assists, 68 blocked shots and 48 hits while averaging 13:33 of ice time. The 25-year-old was limited mainly to a bottom-six role and will now need to seek out other opportunities after spending the first seven years of his career in Anaheim.

Raty signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract with Vancouver on Monday.

Raty collected 17 goals and 40 points in 43 AHL regular-season appearances with Abbotsford last campaign. He also had seven goals, four assists, 34 shots on net and 80 hits across 33 NHL outings with Vancouver in the 2024-25 regular season. Raty will compete for a depth role with the big club during training camp.

Kurashev won't receive a qualifying offer from Chicago on Monday, making him an unrestricted free agent, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Kurashev contributed seven goals and 14 points in 51 regular-season appearances with the Blackhawks in 2024-25 while averaging only 13:43 of ice time per game. The 25-year-old forward had 18 tallies and 36 assists across 75 outings in the 2023-24 regular season. If he receives an increased role in the right situation, he could have bounce-back potential in the 2025-26 campaign.

Sasson agreed to terms on a one-year, $775,000 contract with Vancouver on Monday, PuckPedia reports.

Sasson's new deal is a one-way contract, so he should be expected to earn a roster spot coming out of training camp. During his 2024-25 campaign, the 24-year-old center saw action in 29 regular-season outings for the Canucks, notching three goals, four assists, 31 shots on net and 18 hits. Sasson should be in the mix for a bottom-six role that likely won't come with power-play minutes, making him unlikely to be a fantasy option in most formats.