NHL Player News

Blankenburg signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Toronto on Sunday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Blankenburg attended training camp with the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout agreement. He impressed enough to earn a standard contract for the 2026-27 season. Blankenburg registered 16 assists, 24 points, 72 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and 55 hits in 61 regular-season appearances with Nashville and Colorado in 2025-26.

Poitras (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Bruins on Sunday, per Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe.

Poitras suffered his lower-body injury during Tuesday's practice session and was kept out of the Bruins' preseason finale Friday. The 22-year-old center saw limited action at the NHL level last season, where he posted a goal and eight shots on net across three regular-season appearances. When he's healthy enough to return from IR, the Bruins will have to make a decision on whether he will factor into the NHL lineup or to start his 2026-27 campaign with AHL Providence, where he posted 44 points in 69 regular-season games a year ago.

Jarvis (shoulder) was placed on the injured non-roster list Sunday.

Jarvis was initially pegged to miss about 4-6 months after having shoulder surgery in June. However, he believes he could return ahead of schedule after taking to the ice during training camp. Jarvis amassed 32 goals, 66 points, 224 shots on net and 81 hits in 71 games for the Hurricanes during the 2025-26 regular season.

Valimaki was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on Sunday.

Valimaki almost left the United States to play in the SHL, but the Canes were able to retain him on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old blueliner was acquired by Carolina from Utah midway through last season, and he ended up playing in 24 regular-season games with AHL Chicago. Valimaki will likely start the year with the Wolves, where he'll look to improve on an impressive 2025-26 campaign of 20 points across 24 regular-season appearances.

Nielsen was placed on waivers by the Avalanche on Sunday.

Nielsen had a chance to factor in for the Avs to begin the upcoming campaign, but the team elected to move forward with Georgi Merkulov and Parker Kelly to battle for an everyday depth center role. The 26-year-old Nielsen had a solid tryout at the NHL level last season, where he posted an assist, three shots on net and nine hits across four regular-season games. He was effective in his first full season with AHL Colorado, posting 49 points across 66 regular-season outings, which should allow him to retain a large role with them to open the upcoming campaign.

Hinostroza was placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of assignment to AHL Colorado.

Hinostroza signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche in July. He earned 12 assists, 18 points, 65 shots on net and 41 hits in 65 regular-season appearances between Minnesota and Florida in 2025-26. Assuming he goes unclaimed, he could become a depth call-up option for the Avalanche in the 2026-27 campaign.

Middleton was placed on waivers by the Avalanche on Sunday.

Middleton faced an uphill battle to make the Avs' roster out of training camp, with the team returning the majority of its defensive core from last season. The 28-year-old blueliner had a solid NHL showing in limited action during the 2025-26 campaign, where he posted an assist, four PIM and six hits across three regular-season outings. He's set to open the upcoming campaign with AHL Colorado, marking his seventh season with the Avs' affiliate.

Beckman was put on waivers Sunday with the intention of assigning him to AHL Colorado.

Beckman registered 30 goals and 51 points for AHL Bridgeport in the 2025-26 regular season. He agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Avalanche in July. Assuming he clears waivers, Beckman could spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Aamodt was placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of being assigned to AHL Colorado.

During the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Colorado, Aamodt notched four goals and 24 points in 65 regular-season games. He also had one goal and two assists in 17 outings during the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Lysell was placed on waivers by the Avalanche on Sunday.

Lysell was acquired by the Avalanche in late June in a trade with Boston where he was swapped for Ivan Ivan. The 23-year-old Lysell was given a one-year extension with the Avs and is coming off a solid season with AHL Providence where he posted 42 points in 57 regular-season outings. The first-round selection from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft still holds the potential to be a regular at the NHL level, but he'll make his AHL Colorado debut before then, given he goes unclaimed on waivers.