NHL Player News

Ostlund (lower body) signed an eight-year, $52.8 million contract extension with Buffalo on Monday.

Ostlund generated 11 goals, 27 points, 60 shots on net and 30 blocked shots across 60 regular-season appearances with the Sabres in 2025-26. He missed the final eight games of Buffalo's postseason run because of a lower-body injury, but he expressed optimism in May that he would be fine in a couple of weeks. Assuming he didn't suffer any setbacks during the offseason, Ostlund should be available for the start of training camp.

Horvat was named the Islanders' captain Monday.

Horvat was limited to 68 regular-season appearances last year, but he remained efficient with 31 goals, 26 assists, 51 hits, 40 PIM and 38 blocked shots while averaging 20:46 of ice time. The 2026-27 campaign will be his fourth full season with the Islanders, and he's set to take on a leadership role for the team. Prior to the 2025-26 season, Horvat had appeared in 81 regular-season games in back-to-back campaigns, and he should remain a strong source of offensive production if he can remain healthy this year.

General manager Jim Nill said Sunday that Schmidt is dealing with the flu and probably will not be able to play in the Stars' rookie tournament as a result, Robert Tiffin of NHL.com reports.

Schmidt posted a 100-point season in 2025-26, appearing in a total of 72 regular-season games between WHL Vancouver and Seattle. The 2025 third-round pick has yet to make his NHL or AHL debut, but he might start his professional career in the minors this year. The right-shot winger should be considered questionable for the start of the Stars' training camp, which begins Thursday.

Soucy signed a professional tryout agreement with Columbus on Sunday.

Soucy compiled five goals, 12 points, 62 shots on net, 91 blocked shots and 105 hits across 76 games between the Rangers and Islanders in the 2025-26 regular season. He will compete for a depth role with Columbus during training camp.

Samanski is expected to compete for a checking-line center role during training camp, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports Sunday.

Samanski flashed his skills as a reliable two-way forward last campaign. He contributed two goals, four points, nine shots on net, 14 blocked shots and 27 hits over 24 regular-season appearances with the Oilers in 2025-26. Samanski should get a long look at training camp, as Mattias Janmark (undisclosed) continues to recover from surgery. Janmark underwent the procedure in March, and it remains unclear when he will be ready to return.

Bolduc signed a four-year, $16.8 million contract with Montreal on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Bolduc compiled 12 goals, 30 points, 101 shots on net, 43 blocked shots and 170 hits over 78 games for the Canadiens during the 2025-26 regular season. The 23-year-old forward will battle for a bottom-six role at training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Psenicka (undisclosed) left Saturday's prospects game versus the Golden Knights, and there was no update on his status after the contest.

Psenicka was injured early in the contest, but with it being the preseason, there is extra caution taken with every injury. The 19-year-old defenseman is coming off a 30-point effort over 53 regular-season games with WHL Portland last year. He could go back to junior in 2026-27, but he is also eligible to play in the AHL with Tucson this year since he is a European player.

Kreider signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens on Saturday.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Kreider's deal is worth $2.15 million with the potential to add another $3.25 million if bonuses are met. A few days after his previous contract with the Ducks was mutually terminated, Kreider found a new home with an Eastern Conference contender. The 35-year-old winger had a solid season offensively for Anaheim during the 2025-26 campaign, posting 22 goals, 50 points, 139 shots on net and 69 hits across 75 regular-season games. He'll join the Canadiens and will provide much-needed depth on the wing, likely slotting somewhere in the middle six. He'll provide veteran leadership for Montreal's young forward core, making the signing all the more enticing for a team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001 in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Blankenburg signed a professional tryout offer with Toronto on Saturday, per Andre Leal of The Hockey News.

Blankenburg had eight goals and 24 points in 61 regular-season appearances with Nashville and Colorado in 2025-26. The 28-year-old might have a chance to win a third-pairing spot with the Maple Leafs, especially if Chris Tanev (abdomen) ends up needing to miss the start of the campaign.

Stone signed a two-year, $18 million contract extension with Vegas on Saturday.

Before his new extension kicks in, Stone will play the final season of his eight-year, $76 million contract in 2026-27. He generated 28 goals, 73 points and 130 shots on net over 60 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. Stone will likely continue to occupy a top-six role while seeing time on the power play and penalty kill in the upcoming campaign.