NHL Player News

Schenn signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Canucks on Wednesday.

Schenn had a goal, seven points, 43 PIM, 149 hits and 57 blocks in 50 regular-season appearances between Winnipeg and Buffalo in 2025-26. He's returning to the Canucks after playing for them in 2022-23 and part of 2023-24. The 36-year-old blueliner will likely open the upcoming campaign on the third pairing and help with the penalty kill. Schenn should accumulate plenty of PIM and hits as long as he stays healthy and in the lineup.

Kessel signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Islanders on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Kessel had a consistent role with the Blues in the past two campaigns. He recorded two goals, an assist, 26 blocked shots, 22 hits and 10 PIM while averaging 12:32 of ice time across 29 regular-season appearances last year, production that was nearly identical to the 2024-25 campaign. He'll have the opportunity to compete for a role with the Islanders on a one-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

Benning penned a one-year, two-way contract with the Flames on Wednesday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.

Benning was a fringe roster player for the Panthers last year, logging just 18 NHL games while garnering two goals and four assists along the way. With Calgary, the 24-year-old Benning should have a shot at playing more NHL games, but he will need to string together a strong performance at training camp in the fall.

Juulsen signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Avalanche on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Juulsen had a goal, 10 points, 15 PIM, 104 hits and 45 blocks in 52 regular-season appearances with the Flyers in 2025-26. The 29-year-old blueliner will probably begin the season as Colorado's seventh or eighth defenseman on the depth chart. While he could be a healthy scratch when everyone is available, Juulsen could slot into a third-pairing spot if the Avalanche blue line runs into injury issues.

Carlile put pen to paper on a two-year, $3 million contract with Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Carlile played in just 42 regular-season games for the Lightning in 2025-26, producing one goal, two assists, 51 hits and 38 blocks. The Penguins certainly aren't bringing the 26-year-old blueliner into the lineup for his offensive upside, and neither should fantasy managers.

Gilbert signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Sabres on Wednesday, per Darren Dreger of TSN.

Gilbert managed to secure a one-way deal, which might indicate that Buffalo plans to start 2026-27 with him on the NHL roster. However, the 29-year-old is likely to serve as the seventh defenseman and spend most games as a healthy scratch if he does make the team. Gilbert had an assist in eight regular-season outings with Ottawa in 2025-26. He also recorded 13 assists in 37 AHL regular-season appearances between Belleville and Lehigh Valley last campaign.

Andersson signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract with the Golden Knights on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Andersson joined the Golden Knights via trade in January of 2026, and he recorded seven goals, 10 assists, 60 blocked shots, 18 PIM and eight hits while averaging 21:42 of ice time across 33 regular-season appearances with his new club. While he became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, the Golden Knights expressed a consistent interest in bringing him back, and the two sides agreed to a long-term deal on the first day of free agency. Despite a slight dip in production after joining Vegas last year, he should continue to occupy a spot on a prominent defensive pairing in future seasons.

Cole signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Chicago on Wednesday, PuckPedia reports.

Cole has moved around the league in recent years, and he'll join his seventh team in as many seasons during the 2026-27 campaign. He's appeared in all 82 regular-season games in two consecutive seasons, most recently recording three goals, 20 assists, 151 blocked shots, 73 hits and 50 PIM while averaging 18:16 of ice time with the Mammoth last year.

Gudas (ankle) signed a six-year, $9 million contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

The Ducks traded Gudas' rights to the Panthers on Monday. Florida was able to reach an agreement on a long-term deal with Gudas before free agency. Across 56 regular-season appearances with Anaheim last year, he recorded two goals, 11 assists, 164 hits, 88 blocked shots and 67 PIM while averaging 16:11 of ice time.

Zellweger signed a three-year, $9.3 million contract with the Sabres on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

Zellweger was a restricted free agent before signing this deal. Buffalo acquired him from Anaheim on Friday. He had seven goals, 22 points, 34 PIM, 33 hits and 85 blocks in 76 regular-season outings with the Ducks in 2025-26. The 22-year-old is likely to begin next season on Buffalo's third pairing, but he has untapped upside and could grow into a bigger role over the length of this new contract.