NHL Player News

Crevier signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with Chicago on Thursday.

Crevier split his time between the NHL and AHL last year, making 32 appearances for the Hawks while also logging 15 games with the IceHogs. Given the one-way nature of his new deal, Crevier will likely spend less time in the minors during the 2025-26 campaign but figures to remain a fringe lineup player and will likely serve as a healthy scratch more often than not.

Kuznetsov signed a two-year contract with the Flames on Thursday.

Kuznetsov was a restricted free agent, so it isn't particularly surprising to see him return to the Flames. The first year of his new contract will be a two-way deal, while the second year will become a one-way agreement. Kuznetsov made 72 regular-season appearances with AHL Calgary last year and recorded six goals, 15 assists and 38 PIM.

Bjornfot signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Thursday.

After making a career-high 70 NHL appearances with the Kings during the 2021-22 campaign, Bjornfot has spent most of the past three seasons in the minors. He made 14 regular-season appearances in the NHL with Florida last year and was held without a point while recording 13 hits, 10 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating. The 24-year-old could join the Panthers for training camp this fall, but it seems as though he'll play mostly in the minors once again during the 2025-26 season.

Smith agreed to terms on a contract with Dinamo Minsk (KHL) on Thursday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Smith was not given a qualifying offer by the Penguins this offseason, and it appears he has been unable to land an NHL deal. The 25-year-old blueliner saw action in eight games for the Hurricanes last year in which he generated one goal on 14 shots, one assist and two hits while averaging just 13:40 of ice time. Given his age, it's possible Smith will get another shot at an NHL deal, but he will need to impress in the KHL first.

Fensore signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina on Wednesday.

Fensore appeared in just two NHL games last year in which he generated five shots, three hits and two PIM while being held off the scoresheet. The Boston University product was significantly more productive in the minors with nine goals and 23 helpers in 67 regular-season tilts with AHL Chicago. While the 2019 third-round pick could see a little more action with the Canes this year, he figures once again to spend the bulk of his minutes in the minors.

Mrtka agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with Buffalo on Tuesday.

Mrtka was selected by the organization with the ninth-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old blueliner should get a look during training camp this fall, but he figures to play the bulk of his minutes in juniors with WHL Seattle. With the Thunderbirds last year, the Czech native notched three goals and 32 helpers in 43 regular-season contests before adding another trio of helpers in six playoff appearances.

Byram signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Sabres on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Byram had been involved in plenty of trade and offer-sheet speculation recently, but the previously restricted free agent is now tied into Buffalo through 2026-27. The No. 4 overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft had a career year in 2024-25, generating seven goals, 38 points, 116 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 82 games. The 24-year-old blueliner also set a new high-water mark in average ice time (22:42), and his role could continue to grow if he receives top-pairing minutes alongside Rasmus Dahlin in 2025-26.

Mitchell inked a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Islanders on Monday, according to PuckPedia.

This is a two-way deal for Mitchell, who is likely to spend most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Bridgeport. The 25-year-old defenseman accounted for four goals, 13 points, 101 PIM and a minus-22 rating over 65 appearances in the minors last season.

Thompson signed a one-year, two-way contract with San Jose on Monday.

Thompson contributed four goals, 10 points, 41 shots on net and 54 blocked shots across 31 appearances with the Sharks in 2024-25. He also had three goals and 14 points in 27 outings with AHL San Jose during the 2024-25 regular season. The Sharks added veteran blueliners Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg and Nick Leddy in the offseason, which could lead to the 23-year-old Thompson starting the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

Bayreuther agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina on Friday.

Bayreuther hasn't appeared in an NHL game since 2022-23 when he was with the Blue Jackets. That season, the 31-year-old blueliner notched two goals and 12 helpers in 51 tilts while averaging 15:57 of ice time. It certainly seemed like the New Hampshire native was close to becoming a full-time NHL option, but instead spent last year playing overseas with Lausanne HC, notching five goals and 18 helpers in 52 regular-season contests. At this point, if Bayreuther logs any NHL minutes, it will probably be the result of an injury among the Hurricanes' defensive group.