NHL Player News

Crevier signed a one-year, two-way contract with Chicago on Monday.

Crevier made his NHL debut last season, logging 24 games for the Hawks in which he generated three assists, 18 shots and 30 hits while averaging 15:41 of ice time. With the additions of T.J. Brodie and Alec Martinez in the offseason -- not to mention the club drafting Artyom Levshunov No. 2 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft -- there is a significant logjam on the blue line in Chicago, which could see Crevier spending the bulk of his time in the minors.

Butcher signed a one-year contract with KHL club Barys Astana on Thursday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Butcher hasn't played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 campaign when he was with the Sabres. Selected by the Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, the 29-year-old defenseman's move overseas likely marks the end of his NHL career. If that's the case, he'll eventually hang up his skates having logged 275 games in which he tallied 16 goals and 98 helpers.

Cholowski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

Cholowski picked up 31 points in 68 games with AHL Bridgeport last season and didn't see any NHL playing time. The defenseman is likely to receive similar usage in 2024-25, with only third-pairing minutes if he draws into an NHL game.

Thrun signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Sharks on Wednesday.

Thrun just finished his entry-level contract and posted 11 points over 51 contests last year. He earned four of those points on the power play and added 71 blocked shots and a minus-22 rating. With the Sharks expected to take a small step forward in 2024-25, Thrun should be able to contribute a bit more as a bottom-four defenseman with a power-play role, though his fantasy usefulness is still likely to be limited to deep formats.

Stastney's arbitration hearing will see him sign a two-year, $1.675 million contract with Nashville on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Stastney's deal will be a two-way contract in year one before converting to a one-way deal for the 2025-26 campaign. The 24-year-old blueliner has just 28 games of NHL experience in which he recorded two goals on 20 shots, four assists and 38 blocks. Given his two-way status for the upcoming campaign, Stastney figures to split his time between the AHL and NHL.

Hatakka signed a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey on Monday.

Hatakka notched five goals and 20 points in 48 regular-season appearances with AHL Utica in 2023-24. He also contributed two assists, 12 shots on goal, 12 blocked shots and 14 hits in 12 NHL outings with the Devils last campaign. The 23-year-old defender will battle for a depth spot during New Jersey's training camp but may spend most of 2024-25 in the minors.

Krug was diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle and will be evaluated in 6-8 weeks.

That timeline puts Krug's next check-up at just before training camp. If his ankle gets worse, surgery is on the table, which would cost him the entire 2024-25 campaign. As is, it's likely the defenseman misses at least some time early in the season since his offseason ramp-up will be disrupted. If Krug misses the year, it could lead to a full-time role for Pierre-Olivier Joseph on the third pairing, while Scott Perunovich and Justin Faulk would figure to get the most additional power-play time.

LaCombe signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract with Anaheim on Monday.

LaCombe accounted for two goals, 17 points, 55 shots on net, 129 blocked shots and 50 hits in 71 regular-season contests with the Ducks in 2023-24. His roster spot isn't a certainty for the upcoming campaign, but he will be in the mix for a depth position on the blue line during training camp.

Heinola signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Winnipeg on Monday.

Heinola accumulated 10 goals and 27 points in 41 regular-season appearances with AHL Manitoba in 2023-24. He also had two assists in two playoff outings. Heinola has provided one goal and 10 helpers in 35 career NHL contests. The 23-year-old defenseman will compete for a spot on Winnipeg's bottom pairing at training camp.

Robertson signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Rangers on Monday.

Robertson registered four goals and 21 points in 68 regular-season contests for AHL Hartford in 2023-24. He also chipped in one assist in 10 playoff outings. The 23-year-old defender doesn't have any NHL experience yet. Robertson will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2024-25 campaign in the minors.