NHL Player News

Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million contract with the Panthers on Friday, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press reports.

Bennett put together a career year as he played for a new contract, earning 25 goals and 51 points in 76 regular-season games. That alone doesn't justify the salary, but Bennett's 22-point effort in 22 playoff games bumps him up a level and was clearly enough for Florida to be interested in keeping him as part of a core that has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Bennett is locked in as a second-line center and a member of the second power-play unit for years to come, and his fantasy profile as a hard-hitting scoring forward gives him mid-round appeal in all formats.

Brindley, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round selection were acquired by Colorado from Columbus on Friday in exchange for Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Brindley had six goals, 17 points and 24 PIM in 52 regular-season appearances with AHL Cleveland in 2024-25. Columbus originally took Brindley with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He excelled with the University of Michigan, supplying 25 goals and 53 points in 40 outings as a sophomore in 2023-24, but he likely needs more time in the minors to develop.

Coyle and Miles Wood were acquired by Columbus from Colorado on Friday in exchange for Gavin Brindley, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round selection, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Coyle had 17 goals and 35 points across 83 regular-season appearances between Boston and Colorado in 2024-25. That was a major drop from his career highs of 25 goals and 60 points in 82 regular-season outings with the Bruins in 2023-24, but Coyle has finished the regular season with 30-50 points in seven of the last eight campaigns, so his most recent showing was on the low end in terms of offensive production, but it wasn't completely out of the ordinary. Coyle will likely start 2025-26 as Columbus' third-line center and on the second power-play unit.

Tavares agreed to a four-year, $17.52 million contract with Toronto on Friday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Tavares wanted to remain in Toronto and will do so with a hometown discount as his $4.38 million AAV is well below what he likely could have received on the open market. Tavares had a big year in 2024-25, scoring 38 times while adding 36 assists across 75 regular-season appearances. He was without a point in eight of his last nine playoff games, managing five goals and seven points in 13 postseason contests. Tavares will likely wind up as the second-line center in Toronto, behind Auston Matthews.

Frederic inked an eight-year, $30.8 million contract with Edmonton on Friday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Frederic played in just 23 games for the Oilers this year, including the postseason, after being acquired by the club at the trade deadline. Apparently, that was enough for the organization to commit to the 27-year-old center long term. In those outings, the St. Louis native generated one goal and three assists while dishing out 87 hits. It's that physicality that Frederic brings to the table as he heads into the 2025-26 campaign.

Gaunce was acquired by Columbus from Minnesota on Thursday in exchange for Cameron Butler.

Gaunce had an assist, four PIM, 11 shots, 18 hits and seven blocks in 12 regular-season appearances with Minnesota in 2024-25. He also recorded 15 goals, 29 points and 20 PIM in 39 regular-season outings with AHL Iowa. The 31-year-old will be competing for a bottom-six spot with the Blue Jackets during training camp, but it wouldn't be surprising if he started the season in the minors.

Gregor won't receive a qualifying offer from San Jose, which means he'll become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports Thursday.

Gregor had four goals, seven points, 28 PIM, 60 shots and 94 hits in 52 appearances between Ottawa and San Jose in 2024-25. The Sharks would have needed to present him with a qualifying offer of $892,500 for 2025-26 to retain his rights and make him a restricted free agent. Gregor would have also had arbitration rights. The 26-year-old has a decent shot of remaining in the NHL next season as a bottom-six forward.

Gaudreau was dealt to Seattle from Minnesota on Thursday in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Gaudreau registered 18 goals, 19 assists and 110 shots on goal across 82 regular-season games for the Wild in 2024-25. The 32-year-old led Minnesota in faceoff draws with 1,097, winning 529 (48.2 winning percentage). He will center one of the bottom two lines with the Kraken, likely the fourth unit, with Matty Beniers, Chandler Stephenson and Shane Wright ahead of him on the depth chart.

Edstrom (lower body) signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract with the Rangers on Monday.

Edstrom earned five goals, four assists, 40 shots on net, 34 blocked shots and 94 hits across 51 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. He sustained a lower-body injury against Boston on Feb. 1 and missed the final 31 games of the year. However, he should be ready for the beginning of training camp after having surgery to address the issue. Edstrom could occupy a bottom-six role with the Rangers going into the 2025-26 campaign.

Anaheim acquired Poehling, the No. 45 pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and a 2026 fourth-round selection from Philadelphia on Monday in exchange for Trevor Zegras, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Poehling produced 12 goals, 31 points, 71 shots on net and 79 blocked shots over 68 regular-season appearances with the Flyers in 2024-25. The 26-year-old forward will probably occupy a bottom-six role as a member of the Ducks in the 2025-26 campaign.