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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Buffalo Sabres signed 22-year-old forward Noah Ostlund to an eight-year, $52.8 million contract. Coming off a rookie season with 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games plus two playoff points, Ostlund is projected for a top-two role. The 2022 first-round pick joins a young core locked up long-term as Buffalo builds on its recent playoff appearance.
Bill Zonnon skated on the Pittsburgh Penguins' top line alongside Pierce Mbuyi and Tanner Howe during their final prospect tournament game against Dallas. The matchup served as the final evaluation contest for young players before heading back to Pittsburgh for the start of full NHL training camp.
Atley Calvert took the ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final prospect tournament game against the Dallas Stars in Detroit. Calvert slotted in alongside Carter Sanderson and Jordan Charron as the young Penguins wrapped up their tournament action before returning to Pittsburgh for NHL training camp.
Max Graham brought a physical edge to the Pittsburgh Penguins' prospect tournament finale against Dallas, getting into two separate fights during the feisty matchup. Graham skated alongside Brayden Edwards and Travis Hayes as the Penguins concluded their tournament schedule in Detroit ahead of upcoming training camp.
Pierce Mbuyi earned a promotion to the top line for the Pittsburgh Penguins' final prospect tournament game against Dallas in Detroit. Mbuyi skated alongside linemates Bill Zonnon and Tanner Howe as the Penguins concluded their tournament schedule and prepared to return to Pittsburgh for the opening of the team's full NHL training camp.
Brayden Edwards featured in the lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins during their third and final prospect tournament game against the Dallas Stars in Detroit. Edwards skated alongside Max Graham and Travis Hayes as the young Penguins wrapped up tournament action and prepared to travel back to Pittsburgh for the opening of full NHL training camp.
Tanner Howe suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final prospect tournament game against Dallas, skating on the top line alongside Pierce Mbuyi and Bill Zonnon. The matchup marked the conclusion of the Penguins' stint at the tournament in Detroit before heading back to Pittsburgh for the start of full NHL training camp.
Washington Capitals right winger Ryan Leonard signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension on Tuesday, locking in an average annual value of $10.5 million starting in the 2027-28 season. The 21-year-old secures a long-term deal after notching 20 goals and 25 assists across 75 regular-season games. GM Chris Patrick praised Leonard's work ethic and high potential, cementing the young forward as a core piece of Washington's future alongside teammate Alex Tuch.
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain of the franchise at age 21, making him the second-youngest in team history. Bedard recently signed a $75 million, five-year contract after recording 203 points in 215 games. He is currently ramping up rehab from left shoulder surgery after an offseason injury and is expected to miss the start of the season. Patrick Kane has been signed to help fill the leadership and on-ice roles until Bedard's return.
Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff has stepped in as interim general manager just ahead of a pivotal midnight deadline for the NHL's new collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA shrinks maximum contract lengths and restricts salary deferrals and front-loading. With Horcoff taking charge and Edvinsson expressing interest in returning, Detroit faces pressure to finalize an extension before rules change, with young defenseman market rates soaring following recent deals.
Nick Foligno was mentioned following the Chicago Blackhawks naming a new captain, filling a vacancy left since Foligno was traded to the Minnesota Wild in March. His departure cleared the path for leadership transition within the Original Six franchise as they look toward a new era led by their young core.
Jonathan Toews was noted in franchise history when Connor Bedard was named the second-youngest captain for the Chicago Blackhawks at age 21. Toews was notably 20 years old when he received the leadership honor for the storied franchise. The historical comparison highlighted the rare youth and early responsibility bestowed upon the team's leadership role through the years.
Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson agreed to terms on an eight-year, $86 million contract extension on Tuesday, keeping him under contract through the 2034-35 campaign with a $10.75 million cap hit. Batherson secured the deal just before the new CBA took effect, bypassing the seven-year limit. Coming off a 33-goal campaign in 79 games, the 28-year-old winger is positioned to build on that offensive production as a core piece.
The Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced a professional tryout signing for defenseman Nick Blankenburg on Monday. Blankenburg joins the club for training camp and pre-season, though the 5-foot-9 blueliner would require a standard contract and corresponding roster moves to stay, as Toronto currently sits at the 50-contract maximum and is over the salary cap. Blankenburg played 61 games split between Nashville and Colorado last season, recording six goals and 24 points.
Former New York Islanders player and current team executive Matt Martin and his family will host sophomore defenseman Matthew Schaefer for another NHL season. Martin praised the 19-year-old Calder Trophy winner's energy and the special bond he formed with his wife Sydney and daughters Winnie and Alice since joining them last year, welcoming the young star back into their home.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, ranked 28th on the NHL Network Top 50 list as the lone rookie, confirmed he will live with Matt Martin's family again this season. Coming off a Calder Trophy rookie campaign with 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games, the 19-year-old joked they cannot say no. Martin praised Schaefer's strong bond with his children, while Schaefer looks to build on his stellar debut year.
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has appeared in a campaign ad for the pro-Putin United Russia party ahead of the new NHL season. Images published by Vedomosti showed the forward alongside figures like Sergey Lavrov and Margarita Simonyan. A longtime supporter of Vladimir Putin who launched 'Putin Team' in 2017, Ovechkin previously called him 'my president' after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He recently signed a contract extension after breaking the all-time goalscoring record.
New Jersey Devils prospect Shane Lachance described his first professional season as a rollercoaster following his transition from college hockey. Lachance noted that adjusting to the grueling length of the pro schedule was his biggest hurdle after experiencing an early-season slump, a brief one-week NHL call-up, and a subsequent AHL assignment. The forward acknowledged occasional struggles with overthinking his game, emphasizing the importance of staying mentally steady and keeping his focus on playing freely.
The Montreal Canadiens introduced veteran forward Chris Kreider on Monday following his signing of a one-year contract with the club on Saturday. The 35-year-old winger was formally presented ahead of the opening of training camp during a busy day for the franchise, which also included signing head coach Martin St. Louis to a multiyear extension. Kreider brings veteran presence as Montreal prepares for the upcoming season.
Entering his 10th NHL season with the Vancouver Canucks, veteran forward Brock Boeser is embracing a larger leadership role to help guide the team through an organizational rebuild. Boeser is leaning on lessons from former teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, now co-Presidents of Hockey Operations, as well as General Manager Ryan Johnson and Head Coach Manny Malhotra. He stressed the importance of rebuilding the franchise's culture to lead Vancouver's next generation.
