NHL Player News

Chaffee signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Islanders on Wednesday.

Chaffee logged a mere 11 games for the Lightning last season, producing one assist, 29 hits and nine shots while averaging 9:34 of ice time. While the 28-year-old winger should get a look during training camp, he'll face an uphill battle in securing a full-time NHL roster spot with the Islanders and could spend time in the minors.

Paul was acquired by Toronto from Tampa Bay on Wednesday in exchange for Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection.

Paul comes with a $3.15 million cap hit through 2028-29, which is very reasonable given the contracts middle-six forwards are receiving thanks to the rising cap. The 31-year-old is coming off a down campaign in which he had seven goals and 15 points in 51 regular-season outings with the Lightning. However, he surpassed the 40-point milestone in each of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 regular seasons. Toronto will probably use him primarily on the third line, and he might also receive some power-play ice time.

Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick were traded to the Lightning from the Maple Leafs in exchange for Nick Paul on Wednesday.

Hildeby made 20 regular-season appearances for the Maple Leafs last year, going 5-7-4 with a 2.85 GAA and .912 save percentage. He'll likely compete for the No. 2 role behind Andrei Vasilevskiy with the Lightning ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Polin signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres on Wednesday.

Polin had 10 goals and 21 points in 46 regular-season outings with AHL Colorado in 2025-26. He also appeared in four regular-season games with the Avalanche last campaign, recording no points, no shots, 11 hits and three blocks. Polin will compete for an NHL roster spot during training camp, but he's expected to begin 2026-27 in the minors.

Stenlund signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Stenlund has made at least 80 regular-season appearances in three consecutive years. Across 80 regular-season games with Utah last year, he recorded four goals, 14 assists, 61 blocked shots, 43 hits and 24 PIM while averaging 14:29 of ice time. He should have the opportunity to maintain consistent playing time with the Mammoth during the 2026-27 campaign.

Kuntar signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Sabres on Wednesday.

Kuntar made his NHL debut with the Sabres on Dec. 11 against Vancouver in 2025-26. However, he spent most of his time in the minors. He recorded 21 goals, 16 assists and 85 PIM across 70 regular-season outings with AHL Rochester. Kuntar could be in the mix to provide depth for the Sabres in 2026-27, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him make the bulk of his appearances in the minors once again.

Sheary signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Sabres on Wednesday.

Sheary had seven goals and 18 points in 62 outings with the Rangers in 2025-26. Buffalo has a pretty deep forward group, which could limit Sheary to fewer games in the upcoming campaign. It wouldn't be shocking if Sheary began the season as a healthy scratch.

Malott signed a three-year, $5.55 million contract with the Ducks on Wednesday.

Malott made a career-high 58 regular-season NHL appearances with the Kings last year, recording three goals, six assists, 166 hits, 55 PIM and 27 blocked shots while averaging 8:49 of ice time. He'll remain on the West Coast on a multi-year deal and will attempt to carve out a role in Anaheim across the next few seasons.

Van Riemsdyk signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Penguins on Wednesday.

Van Riemsdyk had three goals, 14 points, 18 PIM, 12 hits and 97 blocks in 68 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2025-26. The 34-year-old is likely to open 2026-27 as part of the Penguins' third pairing. Declan Carlile, who also joined the Penguins on Wednesday after inking a two-year, $3 million deal, might end up as the seventh defenseman on the depth chart as a result of van Riemsdyk's signing.

Jenik signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Kings on Wednesday.

Jenik was traded to the Kings from the Senators in March, and he'll remain with Los Angeles for at least one more season. Across 43 regular-season AHL appearances between Belleville and Ontario in 2025-26, he recorded nine goals, eight assists and 29 PIM.