NHL Player News

Reinhart (foot) is expected to be fine for the start of training camp, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports Friday.

Reinhart has already resumed skating and plans to ramp up in August. The 30-year-old had 29 goals and 61 points in 64 appearances with Florida in 2025-26. He missed the Panthers' final 17 games of the season because of the injury.

Ekblad (finger) said Friday that his injury has healed, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Ekblad sustained a broken finger in late March. The 30-year-old looks good to go for the start of 2026-27, where he should take on top-four minutes and power-play time for the Panthers. He had 26 points (four goals, 22 assists), 103 blocked shots, 84 hits and 55 PIM over 72 outings last season.

Dorofeyev was traded to the Rangers from Vegas on Friday in exchange for the No. 26 and No. 92 overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional 2028 first-round pick, per Mollie Walker of the NY Post. Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports Dorofeyev will sign a seven-year, $77 million contract extension with the Rangers.

This seems like a massive win for New York considering Dorofeyev scored 37 goals in the 2025-26 regular season and won't turn 26 years of age until late October. He was a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, which made Dorofeyev too expensive for the Golden Knights to retain. The Russian finished second in the NHL with 20 power-play tallies last season and is primed for a top-line role with his new club. Career-best numbers could easily be forthcoming for Dorofeyev. Rangers general manager Chris Drury was in need of a massive victory, and he found one with this move.

Peterka was traded to Boston from Utah on Friday in exchange for the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a 2028 first-round pick, per Pierre Lebrun of ESPN.

Peterka's lone year in Utah was a disappointment, though he appeared in all 82 regular-season games and potted 25 goals, which made it the third straight year he has reached that threshold. His assist totals were way down from the prior campaign, and he managed just 47 points as a result. Still, this seems like a good buy-low opportunity for the Bruins. Peterka won't be 25 years old until next January and has a history of relatively high-end production. His fantasy value should get a slight boost with the move, as Peterka could see more power-play time with his new team.

Clarke signed a five-year, $37 million contract extension with the Kings on Friday.

Clarke wrapped up his entry-level deal in 2025-26, posting eight goals, 32 assists, 159 shots on net, 185 blocked shots, 63 PIM and a plus-11 rating over 82 regular-season games. His new deal will carry a $7.4 million cap hit. This cements his place in the Kings' future plans and should help the team ease the transition on the blue line as Clarke starts to take over the top role from Drew Doughty. The 23-year-old Clarke should be a popular fantasy pick this year, especially if he retains a spot on the first power-play unit.

Burakovsky was acquired by Ottawa from Chicago on Friday in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Burakovsky has one campaign remaining on his five-year, $27.5 million contract before he's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. The 31-year-old had 11 goals and 33 points in 75 outings with the Blackhawks in 2025-26. It was his fourth straight regular season with under 40 points after setting a career high of 61 in 80 regular-season outings with Colorado in 2021-22. Burakovsky is unlikely to match his previous high, but he still should be a serviceable middle-six forward for the Senators.

Wahlberg was traded to Anaheim from Buffalo on Friday, along with the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, in exchange for Olen Zellweger.

Wahlberg has put up back-to-back campaigns with at least 30 points for AHL Rochester but has yet to make his NHL debut. While the 2023 second-round pick could take that next step this upcoming year with the Ducks, he's still likely to play the bulk of his games in the minors with AHL San Diego. As such, Wahlberg has minimal fantasy value except in deeper dynasty formats.

Zellweger was traded to Buffalo from Anaheim on Friday in exchange for Anton Wahlberg and the No. 45 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Zellweger had seven goals, 22 points, 34 PIM, 37 hits and 85 blocks in 76 regular-season appearances with Anaheim in 2025-26. He's set to become a restricted free agent Wednesday, so the Sabres will need to work out a contract with him. Zellweger will probably start next season as part of the Sabres' third pairing, but the 22-year-old has the potential to develop into a top-four blueliner.

Burns signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with Colorado on Friday.

Burns and Corey Perry are the last two players remaining from the 2003 NHL Draft class, having both been selected in the first round that year. The 41-year-old Burns also leads that group in games played, having logged 1,579 regular-season contests, in which he has produced 273 goals and 672 assists, while also making 148 postseason appearances. Despite the impressive resume, Burns' return for another year is almost certainly linked to trying to win the Stanley Cup, a feat which has thus far eluded him.

Ersson was traded to the Senators from the Maple Leafs on Friday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia in mid-June, and he'll be on the move once again just over a week later. He made 33 regular-season appearances for the Flyers during the 2025-26 campaign, going 14-11-5 with a 3.12 GAA and .870 save percentage. Leevi Merilainen is slated to be a restricted free agent during the offseason, while James Reimer will be an unrestricted free agent, so Ersson could have the opportunity to carve out a backup role behind Linus Ullmark during the 2026-27 season.