NHL News

Moritz Seider • D • Red Wings

Moritz Seider Looking to Improve Defensively

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider aims to become a better two-way player. After posting a career-high 60 points in 2025-26, Seider established himself as one of the top offensive defensemen in the league. Now, he wants to become more effective in the defensive zone. "I want to establish myself as a guy that people are not happy to see on the ice," Seider said. "I think that's one of the biggest compliments you could get is that people are not happy to see you -- in a good way. I think that's where I see my challenge is to do everything I can to shut the best forwards down in every single game. And I think if I can approach that, I give our team a good chance to win." At 25, Seider should have room to improve. He is only entering his prime and is likely to be a fantasy stalwart for years to come.

13 hours ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Avalanche "Confident" About Signing Cale Makar to New Deal

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has one season left on his contract, but he's unlikely to start the new season on an expiring deal. "We continue talking," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said over the weekend. "I'm pretty confident that he'll be signed before the season starts." Makar is expected to get a big raise from his current deal, which pays him $9 million annually. Colorado and fantasy managers alike have received plenty of value from Makar during his current contract, as he has led all defensemen in scoring since signing his extension in 2021. During the course of the deal, Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice as the NHL's best defenseman.

13 hours ago

Pierre-Luc Dubois • C • Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois Ready for Training Camp

Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois (hand) is healthy and appears to be at 100 percent ahead of training camp, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Dubois broke his hand late last season. Due to health issues, the 28-year-old's campaign was frustrating all around, as Dubois appeared in only 29 games. He notched five goals and 14 assists. Across the previous two seasons, Dubois hadn't missed a single game, so hopefully the injury troubles are behind him. Only a year removed from a career year, Dubois remains a name for fantasy managers to watch.

13 hours ago

Leon Draisaitl • C • Oilers

Leon Draisaitl Healthy Ahead of New Season

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is healthy and raring to go ahead of the new NHL season, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. The German superstar was banged up during the playoffs and missed a significant chunk of the regular season. Limited to 65 outings, Draisaitl was unable to extend his streak of consecutive 100-point campaigns to five years. He has a chance to start a new run in 2026-27. Since the 2021-22 season, only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have recorded more points than Draisaitl. Although he'll be 31 in October, Draisaitl is still performing at his highest level.

13 hours ago

Elvis Merzlikins • G • Blue Jackets

Elvis Merzlikins Undergoes Surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery last week, general manager Don Waddell announced. "Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts," Waddell said. "Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He'll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we'll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice." Merzlikins faces a race to be healthy in time for the new season. Columbus opens its training camp on Sept. 16. Phoenix Copley appears poised to serve as the team's No. 2 if Merzlikins is unavailable at the start of the campaign.

14 hours ago

Adam Engstrom • D • Canadiens

Canadiens Open to Trading Adam Engstrom

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom could be on his way elsewhere, The Athletic's Arpon Basu reports. "It is no secret Engstrom's name is floating around out there," Basu wrote. "Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to those discussions." Engstrom is a highly rated defensive prospect who appeared in his first 15 NHL games last season. He didn't make a significant impact, but Engstrom also had a very limited role, averaging 13:03 of ice time. The Swedish blue-liner boasts impressive scoring numbers in the minors, with 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 111 appearances. He's a pending restricted free agent, finishing a three-year, $2.69 million deal in 2026-27.

4 days ago

Morgan Rielly • D • Maple Leafs

Morgan Rielly Expects to Start Season in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly expects to stay with the team for the start of the 2026-27 season, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports. Questions have lingered about Rielly's future after Toronto's miserable 2025-26 campaign. Yet he appears set to remain part of the team's core. The 32-year-old has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs. Next season, Rielly will aim for a bounce-back campaign after a mediocre 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 78 games. That was his lowest-scoring year since 2020-21. With Darren Raddysh in town, it may be hard for Rielly to reach his previous offensive levels.

4 days ago

Sidney Crosby • C • Penguins

Sidney Crosby Expected to Discuss New Contract Before End of Offseason

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is currently on track to enter the 2026-27 campaign with an expiring contract. But The Athletic's Josh Yohe reports that Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, has contract talks planned with the team before the offseason ends. "When I recently spoke with Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, he said he hadn't discussed the contract with Crosby yet, indicating he was letting his most famous client enjoy his summer before getting back to business," Yohe wrote. "Brisson said there's an understanding that they'll discuss the contract before summer is over. The Penguins' first preseason game is Sept. 21." Crosby signed his previous extension - a two-year, $17.4 million deal - in September 2024, shortly before training camp opened. The legendary forward is entering his 22nd NHL campaign and said at the end of last season that he wants to keep playing for "as many years as possible."

4 days ago

Drake Batherson • RW • Senators

Drake Batherson Seeking Eight-Year Extension

Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson hopes to sign an eight-year contract extension, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. The Senators have until Sept. 15 to sign Batherson to an eight-year deal. When the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect on Sept. 16, the maximum contract length for players signing with their current teams will drop to seven years. Garrioch reported last month that Batherson and the team aren't close to agreeing on a new deal. Batherson is a pending unrestricted free agent. The upcoming campaign will be the final season of his current six-year deal, worth $4.95 million annually. He is likely seeking a significant raise after becoming a 30-goal scorer and posting a career-high 71 points in 2025-26.

4 days ago

Alexander Romanov • D • Islanders

Alexander Romanov Healthy After Shoulder Surgery

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is healthy for training camp, Jon Lane of NHL.com reports. The Russian rearguard underwent shoulder surgery in November and played in only 15 games last season. But he has recovered in time for the new campaign. Romanov has averaged 1.9 blocks and 2.4 hits in his NHL career. The Islanders' defense will receive a big boost with him healthy. However, Romanov has never posted more than 22 points in a season, meaning he only has limited fantasy value.

4 days ago

Brad Marchand • LW • Panthers

Brad Marchand Could Miss Start of Season

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (lower body) is recovering from offseason surgery and may miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports. According to Richards, Marchand is believed to be dealing with a hip injury and a sports hernia. Health issues limited Marchand to just 52 games last term, and now it appears he could be sidelined at the start of the upcoming season as well. The Panthers will kick off their regular season on Sept. 29, playing on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes.

7 days ago

Jack Roslovic • C • Maple Leafs

Jack Roslovic Excited for New Chapter in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic is looking forward to linking up with his new teammates. "A mixture of everything," Roslovic said about his decision to sign with the team during an appearance on TSN's OverDrive. "They've been a team that you could say didn't have their best year last year. But it's a team that's new, it's young, it's vibrant, it's ready to win. A couple of familiar faces around. A really cool, really good style of hockey that's exciting, and I just wanted to be a part of it." Over the last three seasons, Roslovic has played for four NHL teams. He never seems to stick around for long but has been a solid contributor wherever he's been. If Roslovic stays injury-free, a 40-point campaign looks reachable for him in 2026-27.

Aug 14

Dylan Larkin • C • Red Wings

Dylan Larkin Could Start Season With Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin could remain with the team at the start of the season, Ted Kuflan of The Detroit News reports. Larkin requested a trade at the start of the offseason, but the team hasn't found any suitable deals. A source told Kuflan that the organization expects Larkin to report to training camp if he isn't traded by then. He would reportedly forfeit $8 million in salary if he doesn't appear in camp. From a fantasy perspective, it would likely be better if Larkin moved away from Motown, as unhappiness in Detroit could affect his performance.

Aug 14

Zach Werenski • D • Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski Hints at Long-Term Future With Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has put trade rumors behind him and is ready to commit his long-term future to the team. "I think everyone knows how much I love this city and how much it means to me and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time," Werenski said. Next season, Werenski plans to be "even a better player, better leader, and a better person" for his teammates and the club. On June 30, Werenski vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars. The 2026 Norris Trophy winner has two seasons left on a six-year, $57.5 million contract. His commitment to the Blue Jackets is encouraging news for fantasy managers.

Aug 14

Nikita Grebenkin • RW • Flyers

Flyers Sign Nikita Grebenkin to Two-Year Deal

Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nikita Grebenkin has agreed to a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the team. The 23-year-old Russian forward was a restricted free agent and will retain his restricted free agency status in the 2028 offseason, when his new deal expires. After impressing in training camp, Grebenkin skated in 55 games last season. He recorded 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and 86 hits. Grebenkin's rookie campaign ended early due to an upper-body injury. According to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Grebenkin is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp next month. Grebenkin will be a middle-six option for the Flyers and won't have significant fantasy value.

Aug 7

Matvei Michkov • RW • Flyers

Matvei Michkov Eyes Bounce-Back Season After Intensive Offseason Training

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov is determined to bounce back from a down year and has put in intensive work in the offseason. "There was no vacation at all, because an important season is ahead," Michkov told Daria Tuboltseva of RG. "I need to play well, I want that myself. So I need to keep my body in shape at all times." After a 63-point rookie campaign, Michkov barely cleared 50 points in his second year and ended up as a healthy scratch for a pair of postseason games. But with his talent and something to prove, Michkov could be an intriguing fantasy option next season.

Aug 1

Colin White • D

Devils Sign Colin White to Two-Way Contract

Right wing Colin White has joined the New Jersey Devils organization on a one-year, two-way contract. He will be paid $900,000 in the NHL and $400,000 in the AHL. White has over 300 NHL games under his belt, but he played exclusively in the minors last season. The 29-year-old was one of the standout players in the AHL, recording 21 goals and 48 points in 46 games with the San Jose Barracuda. A first-round pick in 2015, White had some success at the NHL level early in his career as a member of the Ottawa Senators, including a 41-point campaign. However, he hasn't had any points in his last 42 NHL appearances, dating back to the 2022-23 season.

Aug 1

Brett Pesce • D • Devils

Brett Pesce Healthy for New Season

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (knee) is healthy ahead of training camp, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News reports. Pesce suffered a season-ending knee injury in March, spraining his MCL. Earlier in the campaign, he also sustained a finger injury. As a result, Pesce made a career-low 37 appearances. He recorded seven points (one goal, six assists) and 80 blocks. Pesce's presence on the back end is a major asset for the Devils, but his lack of offensive production limits his fantasy value.

Aug 1

Collin Graf • RW • Sharks

Collin Graf Re-Ups With Sharks for Three Years

San Jose Sharks winger Collin Graf has inked a three-year, $12.75 million contract extension. He was a restricted free agent after an impressive 2025-26 campaign. Graf finished last season as San Jose's sixth-highest scorer, posting 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 81 appearances. Only Macklin Celebrini (45) and Will Smith (24) scored more goals. Additionally, Graf played an important role as a penalty killer and contributed with his physical play, recording 88 hits. Graf will be 24 at the start of next season, so he could still have untapped potential.

Aug 1

Tommy Novak • C • Penguins

Tommy Novak Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tommy Novak signed a three-year, $13.95 million contract on Friday. The deal will begin in 2027-28 after Novak completes his current three-year, $10.5 million contract. Novak had his first full season with the Penguins last term, contributing 16 goals and 26 assists in 82 games. It was his third 40-point campaign in four years. Novak has shown great consistency, but at 29, he's probably reached his ceiling and is unlikely to develop further. He will likely spend most of next season in a middle-six role.

Aug 1

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