NHL News

Patrik Laine • LW • Canadiens

Juraj Slafkovsky Excited To Link Up With Patrik Laine

Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky is very excited about the addition of Patrik Laine, who was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets this week. "I'm excited about the season, especially with the Patrik Laine trade," Slafkovsky said at the NHL European Player Media Tour. "It's funny, during the summer you wonder how things are going to be throughout the year and who you're going to play with and what your role is going to be, and I pretty much can't wait to be there already and play." Like Laine, Slafkovsky has faced some difficult times in the NHL in recent years. However, the two could now benefit from playing together.

Aug 22

Alex Steeves • C • Maple Leafs

Alex Steeves Signs One-Year, Two-Way Contract With Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Steeves has agreed to a new one-year, two-way contract with the team. The deal is worth $775,000 at the NHL level. Steeves has made seven appearances in the big league, notching one point via an assist. However, he has starred in the minors, going for 154 points (69 goals, 85 assists) in 188 career AHL games. Last season, Steeves had a career-best 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games. The 24-year-old will try to battle out an NHL spot in training camp, but he faces some tough competition and will likely start another campaign in the American Hockey League.

Aug 22

Alex Ovechkin • LW • Capitals

Alex Ovechkin Looking To Break Goals Record This Season

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin needs 42 more goals to pass Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time top goal-scorer. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Chris Patrick each believe we could witness history during the upcoming campaign. "Do I think he can score 42 goals this year? Yes, I do," Carbery said Monday. "I absolutely think he's capable of that." Newly-appointed Patrick shares the belief, saying, "'Ovi' has done so many things that people never thought he could do, so I think it's on the table for sure." Ovechkin's scoring rate has dropped in recent seasons, but he still managed a 30-goal year last term despite an awfully slow first half of the campaign, which included a career-worst 14-game goal drought. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic if Ovechkin is slow out of the gate again.

Aug 22

Cole Sillinger • C • Blue Jackets

Cole Sillinger Re-Signs With Blue Jackets For Two Years

Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger has signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal with the team. The 21-year-old finally has his future sorted out after spending most of the summer as a restricted free agent. Despite his young age, Sullinger already has 220 games of NHL experience. He has registered 34 goals and 74 points while averaging close to 1.5 hits per game. Sullinger is projected to start the season on the third line and should be good for 30 points and 100-plus hits again.

Aug 22

Logan Couture • C • Sharks

Logan Couture Working "Extremely Hard" To Get Healthy

San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (groin) is putting in a lot of effort to get healthy for 2024-25 after missing almost the entire season last year. "He's working extremely hard. He's in San Jose. He's been in San Jose. He's training. He's working out. I know he's feeling good, and I know when Logan is feeling good, we will let him play," said Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky in an interview on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio on Tuesday. "We have a really good plan as an organization for Logan to get him back healthy." A groin issue limited the Sharks captain to only six appearances in the last campaign. Couture has averaged 0.75 points per game during a 15-year career and should still be productive when he's ready to play again.

Aug 21

Thatcher Demko • G • Canucks

Thatcher Demko Remains Without Clear Timeline

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (knee) is progressing but remains without a clear timeline when he will return to full health. Demko missed time near the end of the regular season last term and was limited to only one playoff outing due to a knee injury. His unclear status means Vancouver might look for a new goaltender for the start of 2024-25. Speaking during a recent appearance on Halford & Brough, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal noted that he wouldn't be surprised if the Canucks continue to "poke around" the goalie market. Starting the season without Demko would be a big blow for Vancouver. The 28-year-old was named a Vezina Trophy finalist for his performances in 2023-24 when he finished 35-14-2 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.

Aug 21

Ryan Johansen • C

Ryan Johansen Placed On Unconditional Waivers

Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Johansen (undisclosed) has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a "material breach." The Flyers acquired Johansen from the Colorado Avalanche in March, but the veteran forward hasn't actually played for the team. Philadelphia waived him and tried to assign him to the AHL right after bringing him in but was unable to do so because Johansen was injured. Johansen's agent, Kurt Overhardt, has announced that his client has a "severe" hockey injury that requires surgery. Johansen, who had one season remaining on an eight-year, $64 million contract ($8 million average annual value), is expected to file a grievance over the contract termination with the NHL Players' Association.

Aug 21

Matty Beniers • C • Kraken

Matty Beniers Signs Seven-Year Extension With Kraken

Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers has committed his long-term future to the franchise, inking a seven-year extension. The two sides came to an agreement on a deal that's worth close to $50 million, with the average annual value of the contract standing at $7.14 million. Beniers needed a new contract after having completed his entry-level deal. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful start to his NHL career, recording 103 points (42 goals, 61 assists) in 167 games. Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2022-23. However, with the team struggling, Beniers' productivity dipped from 0.71 points per game to 0.48 last term. He will aim to produce a bounce-back year in 2024-25 under new head coach Dan Bylsma.

Aug 21

Dylan Holloway • LW • Blues

Dylan Holloway Joins Blues

The St. Louis Blues have snapped up forward Dylan Holloway after the Edmonton Oilers elected against matching a two-year, $4.58 million offer sheet. Holloway, a former Hobey Baker Award finalist, moves on from Edmonton after making 89 appearances with the team. He skated in 38 games last term, posting six goals and nine points. Holloway added seven further points (five goals, two assists) in 25 playoff contests as the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. The 22-year-old, who was selected 14th in the 2020 draft, didn't play a large role for the team, but he has shown good upside with productive AHL outings. Edmonton received a third-round pick as compensation from the Blues.

Aug 21

Philip Broberg • D • Blues

Blues Officially Sign Philip Broberg

The St. Louis Blues officially signed defenseman Philip Broberg to a two-year contract on Tuesday. The 23-year-old moves to St. Louis after the Edmonton Oilers decided against matching the Blues' offer sheet. Broberg signed up for a total of $9.16 million, with the Oilers receiving a second-round draft pick as compensation. Broberg was a high draft pick back in 2019, going off the board at the eighth spot, but the Swedish blue-liner has struggled to make an impact in the NHL. However, after putting together a strong AHL campaign last term, Broberg showed off very good form during Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Finals. It could signify that he is ready to blossom as a player. Unfortunately, the team that drafted him won't be reaping the benefits.

Aug 21

Jeremy Swayman • G • Bruins

Jeremy Swayman Confident Of Reaching New Deal With Bruins

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman remains without a contract for next season, but he is confident that a new deal will eventually get sorted out. "There's a lot of confidence," Swayman said during a recent appearance on NESN. "I say that because I've treated it like business as usual this year. I've been a warrior, I've been working out with our guys, our staff, our players. And I know that there's something special building in this locker room this year. I can't be more excited about that." Swayman and the Bruins went through an arbitration process a year ago, which saw him handed a one-year, $3.475 million contract. He elected not to do so this summer. With Linus Ullmark departing to Ottawa, Swayman is expected to be Boston's undisputed No. 1 in 2024-25, boosting his fantasy value.

Aug 20

Ty Emberson • D • Oilers

Ty Emberson Joins Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have added defenseman Ty Emberson to their blue line ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The 24-year-old comes in from San Jose in a trade, which saw the Oilers give up veteran defenseman Cody Ceci and a third-round draft selection. Emberson had his rookie campaign last term, suiting up for 30 games with the Sharks. He scored one goal and dished out nine assists. The American rearguard averaged one shot on goal with 1.5 blocks and 3.1 hits. Emberson will be battling for a spot on the third defensive pairing in training camp.

Aug 20

Cody Ceci • D • Sharks

Oilers Send Cody Ceci To San Jose

The San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Cody Ceci from the Edmonton Oilers. The 11-year veteran was traded for fellow defenseman Ty Emberson and a 2025 third-round draft pick. Ceci spent three seasons in Edmonton, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024. He made 79 regular-season appearances last term, posting 25 points (five points, 20 assists) with 106 blocks and 91 hits. The 30-year-old has played an effective game on the Oilers' blue line, but the team decided to part ways with him to save money. Ceci's numbers could take a hit with the move to San Jose, as he's joining a team that's massively struggled in recent years.

Aug 20

Vasily Podkolzin • RW • Oilers

Oilers Add Vasily Podkolzin In Trade With Canucks

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired winger Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick. The Russian forward switched clubs in Canada following 137 appearances with the Canucks. Podkolzin, who was a top-10 pick in 2019, hasn't been very impactful in the NHL, notching 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists). He went goalless in 19 games with two assists last term. The trade allows Podkolzin to reboot his career, but massive improvement will be needed from him for the 23-year-old to become fantasy-relevant.

Aug 20

Jordan Harris • D • Blue Jackets

Jordan Harris Sent To Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets have picked up defenseman Jordan Harris in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens. The 24-year-old blue-liner was sent to Ohio in exchange for Patrik Laine, with the Blue Jackets also receiving a 2026 second-round draft selection. After being named the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman in 2022, Harris made 131 appearances with the Canadiens, posting 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists). Last season, he had three goals and 11 assists in 56 games, adding 86 blocks on the defensive end. Harris averages close to 1.5 blocks per game for his career but is fairly limited offensively, making him a non-factor in fantasy hockey.

Aug 20

Patrik Laine • LW • Canadiens

Patrik Laine Traded To Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Patrik Laine in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. The Blue Jackets received defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round draft pick in the trade. The deal came to fruition shortly after the Blue Jackets' general manager, Don Waddell, announced that Laine didn't want to play for the team anymore. Laine's three-and-a-half-year stay in Columbus was massively disrupted by injuries. He made only 174 appearances as a Blue Jackets, scoring 64 goals and 138 points. Last season, Laine posted nine points (six goals, three assists) in 18 games. However, the 26-year-old was a point-per-game player just a couple of campaigns ago. This could be a good pickup for the Canadiens if Laine regains his top form.

Aug 20

Taylor Hall • LW • Blackhawks

Taylor Hall Aims To Be "Solid Contributor" For Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall (knee) is looking to produce a strong bounce-back year following an injury-hit 2023-24 campaign. "I'm really confident I'll be a solid contributor for the Blackhawks this year," Hall told Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times. "What makes me say that is the hockey I've played and the preparation I've done this summer. ... I know I can be a difference-maker for our team." The former MVP was limited to only 10 appearances in his debut season with the Blackhawks. He suffered a shoulder injury in only the second game of the season and an ACL injury in November, which ended his campaign. Hall's fantasy stock has plummeted in recent years, but he aims to become a 30-goal scorer again and should be motivated by the fact that it's a contract year for him.

Aug 18

Travis Hamonic • D • Senators

Travis Hamonic Fully Recovered From Knee Surgery

Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (knee) is good to go for the start of next season. Steve Warne of The Hockey News has reported that Hamonic is healthy again after recovering from knee surgery. Hamonic underwent a "minor procedure" on his knee after the 2023-24 season ended. Hamonic missed most of the final stretch for the Senators, playing only once since the start of March. He finished the campaign with 48 appearances, notching six points (two goals, four assists). The veteran blue-liner is very limited offensively but has been a consistent source for hits and blocks throughout his career.

Aug 18

Martin Pospisil • C • Flames

Martin Pospisil Set To Return To Action In Olympic Qualifiers

Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil (shoulder) appears to be fully healthy again, with Slovakia naming him on its roster for the upcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games qualifiers. The qualifying tournament will be played Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 in Slovakia. Pospisil hurt his shoulder playing for his country in the 2024 World Championship. The 24-year-old had his rookie campaign in the NHL last season, collecting 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 63 outings. A slight improvement in productivity will be expected from Pospisil in a middle-six role in 2024-25.

Aug 18

Artturi Lehkonen • LW • Avalanche

Artturi Lehkonen "A Question Mark" For Start Of Season

Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) has been labeled "a question mark" for the start of the season by head coach Jared Bednar. It was previously reported that Lehkonen was expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery shortly after the team's 2023-24 season ended in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs versus the Dallas Stars. Lehkonen missed a big chunk of 2023-24 with a neck injury, making 45 regular-season appearances. He was productive when healthy, scoring 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists). Lehkonen's absence leaves a top-six spot open, with Miles Wood potentially having a chance to step up early next season.

Aug 18

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