NHL Player News

Hakanpaa's lower-body injury is a knee issue that required an arthroscopic procedure, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports Friday.

Hakanpaa didn't play past March 16 because of the injury. He had two goals, 12 points, 33 PIM, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 regular-season outings in 2023-24. Although there isn't a specific timetable for Hakanpaa's recovery, he's not expected to need further knee procedures.

Koch signed a one-year, two-way contract with Utah on Thursday.

Koch provided some extra aggression for AHL Tucson last year, recording 97 PIM and 15 points in 63 contests. He also appeared in one NHL game with the Coyotes while playing on his entry-level deal. Koch is likely just organizational depth on the blue line for Utah.

McWard inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Canucks on Thursday.

McWard had the option to become a restricted free agent in July after completing his entry-level deal. The 23-year-old had four goals and 17 points in 57 regular-season games with AHL Abbotsford in 2023-24. McWard has also provided a goal across six career contests with Vancouver.

Matinpalo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Thursday.

Matinpalo was eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer after completing his previous one-year, two-way deal for the 2023-24 campaign. He had four goals and 14 points in 67 regular-season outings with AHL Belleville in 2023-24. Matinpalo also appeared in four contests with Ottawa, recording no points, two shots, four hits and two blocks in that span.

Friedman inked a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Canucks on Wednesday.

Friedman was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his two-year, $1.55 million deal. He had an assist, 21 PIM, 33 hits and 35 blocks in 23 regular-season games with Vancouver in 2023-24. The 28-year-old blueliner might start the 2024-25 campaign as the Canucks' seventh defenseman.

Bahl was acquired by the Flames from the Devils along with a 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Jacob Markstrom on Wednesday, per Darren Dreger of TSN.

Bahl had a goal, 11 points, 82 PIM, 151 hits and 103 blocks in 82 contests while averaging 17:24 of ice time with New Jersey in 2023-24. The 23-year-old was originally taken by Arizona with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, but he ended up being included in the package that sent Taylor Hall to the Coyotes in 2019. Bahl might have a shot at a top-four spot in Calgary, but that is far from guaranteed.

Montour notched an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

Montour has managed three helpers with a minus-3 rating over his last eight games. The 30-year-old defenseman set up an Evan Rodrigues tally in the second period of Tuesday's loss. Montour is at 11 points, 47 shots on net, 47 hits, 32 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 22 playoff appearances in a top-four role.

Ekman-Larsson scored a goal on three shots, added two hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

Ekman-Larsson's third-period goal brought the Panthers within one, but they couldn't tie the game. It was his second goal of the postseason and his second point in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals. The veteran defenseman has six points, 25 shots on net, 57 hits, 18 blocked shots, 24 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 22 playoff outings in a bottom-four role.

Bouchard notched three assists and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Panthers in Game 5.

Bouchard helped out on all three of the Oilers' goals in the second period, two of which were on the power play. The defenseman has gone seven games without a goal but has earned nine assists in that span. He's at six goals, 26 helpers, 66 shots on net, 40 blocked shots, 26 hits and a plus-12 rating over 23 playoff contests, with 14 of his 32 points coming on the power play.

Hronek signed an eight-year, $58 million contract with Vancouver on Tuesday.

Hronek registered five goals and a career-high 48 points in 81 regular-season contests with the Canucks in 2023-24. He also added 148 shots on net, 87 blocked shots and 104 hits. Hronek was a good fit alongside Quinn Hughes, which will likely be Vancouver's top pairing going into the 2024-25 campaign.