NHL Player News

Colton and Isak Posch were traded to Nashville from Colorado in exchange for Magnus Chrona, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.

Colton will suit up for his former Central Division rival in the 2026-27 campaign following his move to the Predators. Earlier in June, Nashville named Chris MacFarland the team's new President of Hockey Operations, who spent four years in Colorado before taking his new gig. Across 73 regular-season games in 2025-26, Colton compiled nine goals, 15 assists, 153 shots on net, 159 hits and 25 blocked shots. He'll likely slot into a middle-six role for the Predators, who were in need of forward depth after another season where they missed the playoffs. Colton's toughness could help fill the hits gap that Michael McCarron left behind after Nashville traded their former alternate captain away at the 2026 trade deadline.

Gauthier signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Gauthier posted a 21-9-5 record with a 2.09 GAA, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 36 regular-season appearances for ECHL Wheeling in 2025-26. He also went 9-8 with a 2.23 GAA and a .922 save percentage during the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The 25-year-old will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Clayton signed a one-year, two-way contract with Vancouver on Tuesday.

Clayton notched two goals and 11 points in 65 AHL regular-season games between Abbotsford and San Jose in 2025-26. The 26-year-old blueliner hasn't seen any NHL action yet. He will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Benoit and Joseph Woll were dealt to the Flyers from the Maple Leafs on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Benoit suited up for 73 games in 2025-26, logging six helpers, 194 hits, 114 blocked shots and a minus-22 rating while averaging 17:18 of ice time. The Flyers' top four appears to be set for at least the 2026-27 campaign, but Benoit should be able to be a fixture on the third pairing with his new team. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is entering the final season of his three-year, $4.05 million deal -- he's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.

Andrae, Samuel Ersson and a 2026 third-round pick were acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Flyers on Tuesday in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

With this move to Toronto, Andrae will have the chance to carve out an everyday role with his new club. The 24-year-old accounted for two goals, 13 points, 68 hits, 58 blocks and a plus-15 rating over 61 regular-season games with the Flyers in 2025-26. Andrae will likely fill a third-pairing role to start with the Maple Leafs, and he could factor into the second power-play unit if he performs well in the early going.

Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia on Tuesday along with Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

In 33 regular-season appearances this year, Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage. While the 26-year-old backstop should still be in the mix for plenty of opportunities with the Leafs, he figures to be the No. 2 option to start the season behind Anthony Stolarz (groin). Still, with Stolarz's extensive injury history (he's only hit the 30-game mark in one of his last five seasons), Ersson could get a chance to play No. 1 minutes if called upon.

Woll and Simon Benoit were traded to Philadelphia from Toronto on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Woll saw action in 39 regular-season games for the Leafs this season, going 15-16-7 with a 3.34 GAA, .898 save percentage and two shutouts. With his new club, the 27-year-old backstop figures to slide into the backup role behind Dan Vladar, though he should still see about 25-35 games as the No. 2 option for the Flyers.

Koblar signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Toronto on Monday.

Koblar had eight goals and 14 points in 47 games with Leksands IF of the SHL in 2025-26. He was impressive at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 10 games to help Norway capture the bronze medal. After signing a one-year deal with Rogle BK in May, he could remain in the SHL for the 2026-27 campaign. However, he could also compete for playing time in North America in the AHL or NHL.

Bear agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on Monday.

Bear has spent the last two seasons playing exclusively in the AHL, having last appeared in an NHL game back in 2023-24 when he was with Washington. With Bridgeport in 2025-26, the 28-year-old blueliner notched four goals and 23 assists in 40 regular-season contests. If he can earn a call-up from the Isles in 2026-27, Bear should be capable of offering decent upside, considering he has 67 points in 275 career regular-season games.

Duehr signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with Winnipeg on Monday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $875,000 in the NHL. Duehr spent most of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Manitoba, picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 62 regular-season games before adding one goal and two assists in seven playoff outings. The 28-year-old also appeared in three NHL contests for Winnipeg in March, but he didn't reach the scoresheet while posting two shots on net, two blocked shots and 10 hits.