NHL Player News

Staal signed a one-year, $4.9 million contract extension with the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Staal's current contract covers 2026-27, but the extension will keep him in Raleigh an additional year. The 38-year-old center can earn up to $5.1 million in performance bonuses in 2027-28. Staal figures to remain a key part of the Hurricanes' defensive structure from the third line heading into the upcoming season as the team looks to defend its Stanley Cup title from June.

Gauthier signed a six-year, $81 million contract with the Ducks on Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Gauthier is under contract just in time for training camp. The 22-year-old winger opted not to sign for maximum term, so he will be eligible for free agency while still in his prime at 28 years old. Gauthier can be safely penciled in as a top-six regular for the Ducks. He scored 41 goals and added 28 assists over 76 regular-season contests last year, and he could still find another level on offense as he continues to develop.

Sourdif signed an eight-year, $50.8 million contract extension with the Capitals on Tuesday.

Sourdif and the Capitals were able to get an extension done prior to Tuesday night's deadline for eight-year deals before the new CBA takes effect. Sourdif had a breakout performance in 2025-26, earning 15 goals and 20 assists over 78 regular-season games. The 24-year-old will be in line for bottom-six minutes, but at a $6.35 million cap hit, he should push for a more prominent role throughout the majority of the contract.

Bastian has signed a professional tryout agreement with the Panthers, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports Tuesday.

Bastian will enter the mix for a fourth-line job with the Panthers during training camp. The 28-year-old was limited to seven points in 36 regular-season appearances with the Stars in 2025-26 before a hand injury cost him 15 straight contests at the end of the campaign. Bastian will likely be auditioning for a two-way contract during his time with Florida in the preseason.

Newhook signed a four-year, $22.2 million contract extension with Montreal on Tuesday.

Before his new deal kicks in, Newhook has one more campaign remaining on his four-year, $11.6 million contract. He generated 13 goals, 25 points, 61 shots on net and 48 hits over 42 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. The 25-year-old forward also led the Canadiens with seven goals in 19 games during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Xhekaj signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Montreal on Tuesday.

Xhekaj chipped in one goal, three assists and 40 shots on net while adding 116 PIM and 178 hits in 65 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. He may not play regularly in the 2026-27 campaign, but he should be a good source of banger-league statistics whenever he is in the lineup.

Tippett (abdomen) has been cleared for the start of Flyers' training camp, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Tippett was held out of all four matchups during the Flyers' second-round playoff series against Carolina due to multiple injuries, including a sports hernia. The 27-year-old winger had a bounce-back regular season in 2025-26, posting 28 goals, 51 points, 220 shots on net, 166 hits and 50 blocked shots across 81 outings. Having been given the all-clear to participate in training camp, he'll likely return to a top-six role on the wing ahead of the 2026-27 season, where he holds solid fantasy value in most standard leagues.

Cates (foot) has been cleared for the start of Flyers' training camp, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Cates sustained his foot injury during Game 2 of Philadelphia's second-round playoff series, but was able to avoid needing surgery for it. The 27-year-old winger shared that his timetable for return would've been around one month, which gave him plenty of time to recover in the offseason. Cates had a career year in 2025-26, compiling 18 goals, 47 points, 132 shots on goal, 102 hits, 51 blocked shots and a plus-26 rating across 82 regular-season games. With his clearance for camp, he'll likely continue to center one of Philadelphia's top three lines for the 2026-27 campaign.

Grebenkin (upper body) aggravated his injury and could miss the start of Flyers' training camp, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Grebenkin appears to have some lingering effects from the upper-body injury that kept him sidelined during the final stretch of Philadelphia's regular season and postseason run. Across 55 regular-season games, the 23-year-old winger contributed in a checking-line role, posting four goals, 14 points, 32 shots on net and 86 hits. If Grebenkin is set to miss the start of Flyers' training camp, he'll likely have to re-earn an everyday role amid the team's forward depth. His main competition for playing time will be Denver Barkey and Alex Bump.

Leonard inked an eight-year, $84 million contract with Washington on Tuesday, Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network reports.

Leonard becomes the latest young player with less than 100 games of NHL experience to sign an eight-year deal, following the likes of Noah Ostlund, Ville Koivunen and Zeev Buium. Despite his limited time in the NHL, the 21-year-old Leonard has proven productive, notching 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 regular-season games last year.