NHL Player News

Aho agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.55 million contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Aho managed just nine points in 58 regular-season games for the Islanders last season while averaging 16:23 of ice time. The 28-year-old Swede joins fellow free-agent acquisition Matt Grzelcyk on a revamped Penguins blue line, though a spot in the lineup is not guaranteed for Aho. He'll enter training camp in a positional battle with the likes of Jack St. Ivany and John Ludvig (wrist).

Poolman signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo on Tuesday.

Poolman chipped in three goals and three assists across 66 regular-season outings with AHL Calgary in 2023-24. The 28-year-old defender doesn't have any NHL experience. Poolman will likely begin the 2024-25 campaign in the minors.

Brannstrom signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Colorado on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Brannstrom won't find minutes easy to come by with the Avs, especially after the team re-signed Jacob MacDonald and brought in Calvin de Haan. At best, Brannstrom figures to be the sixth or seventh blueliner heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

Fitzgerald secured a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.

Fitzgerald saw action in 69 regular-season contests with AHL Charlotte last season in which he tallied four goals and 17 assists. Despite the decent production, the 27-year-old defenseman was unable to break his way into the NHL, having last played at the top level back in 2022-23 when with the Panthers. Given New York's forward depth, Fitzgerald will likely face an uphill battle in securing minutes at the NHL level.

Lilleberg penned a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with the Lightning on Tuesday.

Perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that Lilleberg's new deal is a one-way contract, which makes it harder to move him between the NHL and AHL once his new deal begins in 2025-26. For now, the 23-year-old defenseman will likely continue dividing his time between levels, though the free-agency departure of Calvin de Haan should open up a spot on the blue line.

Roos penned a one-year, two-way contract with Ottawa on Tuesday.

Roos was limited to just four NHL games for the Blackhawks last season, registering zero points, two shots and eight hits while averaging 14:44 of ice time. While he likely faces an uphill battle, the 25-year-old Swede should at least have a chance of making the Opening Night roster as a third-pairing defenseman.

Hedman agreed to terms on a four-year, $32 million contract extension with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Hedman has one year remaining on his current deal, which means he is tied to the Lightning through the 2028-29 campaign. There's no doubt the Bolts' front office will hope this softens the blow with the fan base after Steven Stamkos was allowed to depart in free agency Monday. The 33-year-old Hedman is coming off a bounce-back year in which he topped the 75-point threshold for just the second time in his career. Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, Hedman figures to remain among the elite defensemen in the NHL, providing top-end fantasy value as the No. 1 power-play quarterback.

Stetcher (ankle) signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract with the Oilers on Monday.

Stecher underwent ankle surgery this offseason and his recovery timeline is currently unknown. The 30-year-old scored seven points in 54 regular-season games with Edmonton and Arizona but did not appear in a playoff game. Once healthy, he'll provide the Oilers with some depth on the blue line.

Korczak signed a two-year, $825,000 AAV extension with the Golden Knights on Monday.

Korczak had nine points in 26 regular-season games last season but was a healthy scratch throughout Vegas' postseason run. The 23-year-old posted the same line with AHL Henderson as well, adding nine points in 26 contests. He could split time between the two levels again during the 2024-25 campaign.

Brodie signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Blackhawks on Monday.

Brodie had a goal, 26 points, 40 PIM, 41 hits and 159 blocked shots in 78 regular-season contests with Toronto in 2023-24. He'll likely serve in a top-four capacity at even strength in 2024-25 but almost certainly won't be utilized on the power play.