Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.

The 22-year-old forward officially inked a six-year extension with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday morning. The annual average value of the contract, $7.75 million, will turn out to be a great deal for both sides in the long term.

"I love the staff there. I love the players. We get treated phenomenally, and I think it's just a great spot for me," Knies told TSN's James Duthie on Tuesday. "I think we really have a winning culture and I think I really trust (Brad) Treliving and (Craig) Berube and the rest of the staff to create a great team and give us the best chance to win."

Year over year, Knies has grown into the powerhouse of a player that many predicted him to be. He first inserted himself into the conversation in 2023, helping the Maple Leafs get past the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.

Following that year, the forward scored 15 goals and 20 assists in his rookie season. In the playoffs last year, Knies added two goals and one assist in seven games against the Boston Bruins.

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This past season, though, is where Knies took the biggest step. He finished the regular season with a career-high 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games, plus five goals and two assists in 13 playoff games against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.

"I just wanted to be here as long as possible, really," Knies said on Tuesday when asked if he preferred a long or short-term deal.

"I wanted longer term, and I think this deal just kind of fit best for me with my trajectory as a player, I think that this was kind of the sweet spot for both of us. I was just excited to get it done and get it done before free agency, and try to help them out as much as possible.

"I don't think the bridge deal was really in my head. I think I really wanted to go long term, and the six years felt the best."

Report: Maple Leafs Sign Former Canadiens Forward Michael Pezzetta To Two-Year, $1.575 Million ContractThe Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly made their first free-agent signing.

Knies was on his way back from a Morgan Wallen concert in Madison, Wisconsin, when he found out he'd be with the Maple Leafs for six more years.

"I called my parents, and I'm going to see him here shortly. I think that they were really excited," he smiled. All my buddies were excited too, so it was a fun time for sure. I think going into holiday weekend, we can choose to celebrate a little bit more. But yeah, I'm excited that it all got all done and you know that both sides are happy."

Any big purchases after the massive extension?

"Honestly, I haven't thought about it too much. It's only been a few days, but hopefully, I think Morgan Rielly said he'll text me a few ideas and hopefully he'll bounce it back and forth and we'll see," Knies said.

"I think just enjoying my summer, and I think I have one weekend to celebrate it here on the Fourth of July and then it kind of gets back to the summer grind and getting ready for the season."

'Leaving Isn't Easy': Mitch Marner Pens Goodbye Message To Maple Leafs Fans After Joining Golden KnightsMitch Marner has officially departed the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The young forward said he wants to work on all facets of his game, most importantly his skating.

"I think that there's still a lot of room in the skating aspect. I think I can become a much better skater, a faster skater," he added.

"I don't necessarily think I have to get any heavier than I am right now. I think staying where I am and just turning a little bit of that weight more into muscle and becoming quicker and faster on the ice, I think is going to be is going to be huge for me. So I think that's the main focus."

Knies was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, and now he'll be with Toronto for eight more years until 2031.

'I Would Love To Play My Whole Career Here': Inside Steven Lorentz's Three-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz is staying at home.

"I think that everyone's so invested. The whole city's constantly wanting the best for us, wanting us to win," he said about his love for playing in Toronto.

"I think that's what every guy on our team wants to do, is just to deliver that to them. And yeah, it's a special place to play. I don't think anyone feels that it's too much or it's not the right spot. I think everyone loves it and enjoys it. Yeah, so I'm pretty fortunate to be playing for them."

(Top photo of Knies: Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images)

On Tuesday, the New York Islanders announced that they signed winger Johnathan Drouin to a two-year, $4M AAV contract.

Drouin, 30, tallied 11 goals with 26 assists for 37 points in 43 games with the Colorado Avalanche last season.

Drouin dealt with multiple injuries last year, which limited him to half a season. The left winger remade himself into a top-six piece with Colorado over the last two years after inconsistency with the Montreal Canadiens.

Drouin fills a hole within the Islanders’ left wing corps, as the team lacked consistent production from Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov in the middle six. General manager Mathieu Darche targeted the positional need after signing depth options in goaltender David Rittich and defenseman Ethan Bear.

The move leaves the Islanders with around $7M in cap space, which will likely be used to sign restricted free agents Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman, Marc Gatcomb, and Tsyplakov. Barring other moves, the Islanders’ free agency additions look to be done.

PHOTO:  Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Kail Russell contributed to this story. 

The Winnipeg Jets have signed forwards Cole Koepke and Tanner Pearson to one-year, $1-million contracts. 

Koepke spent the 2024-25 season with the Boston Bruins, scoring 10 goals and 17 points in 73 games. The 27-year-old has played just 99 career NHL games but will serve as a safe depth forward for the Jets.

Unlike Koepke, Pearson comes with a bundle of experience. The 32-year-old has played in 722 games, winning a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings. In the 2024-25 season, Pearson scored 12 goals and 27 points in 78 games playing on the Vegas Golden Knights' fourth line.

The signings of Pearson and Koepke are safe moves that will help them combat the loss of Brandon Tanev, Rasmus Kupari and likely Mason Appleton. The low cap hits also benefit the Jets, leaving them ample space to re-sign their restricted free agents and possibly chase unrestricted free agents. 

Cole Koepke, signed 1x$1M by WPG, put up good low-event fourth line results last year. #GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/aN0mFPaiHF

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2025

The Jets now have just over $21-million to fill out their forward group and improve on their record-setting season, which resulted in a second-round loss in the playoffs. 

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Former Jets Tanev, Schmidt and Coghlan Sign Deals on Tuesday Former two-time Winnipeg Jets forward Brandon Tanev has found a new home in Utah.

The Nashville Predators' defense continues to get deeper as they sign Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year, $5.5 million contract. 

This past season, Perbix scored 19 points in 74 games and logged 20 penalty minutes. He has primarily played on the second and third pairings during his three seasons in Tampa. 

Perbix will also join former Lightning teammate Steven Stamkos in Nashville. 

He will likely slide into the same spot in the Predators' lineup, possibly playing with newly acquired defenseman Nicolas Hague. 

Perbix was drafted 169th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Lightning. The past two seasons he played the entirety in Tampa. 

Taking on Perbix, the Predators now have about $9.3 million in the salary cap to work with. 

On Sunday, Nashville traded defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to the Vegas Golden Knights and a conditional third-round pick in the 2027 draft. The Predators also maintain 50% of Sissons' salary. 

Hauge signed a four-year, $22 million contract, with a annual hit of $5.5 million. 

Monday, forward Luke Evangelista was extended a qualifying offer.  

The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly interested in trading for defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Bowen Byram.

Andersson is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and the Calgary Flames are looking to offload him both to open space for younger defenseman like Zayne Parekh, but also to avoid losing Andersson for free in free agency.

The Flames have been engaged in discussions, and despite their efforts, nothing has formulated. Part of the reason is that Andersson has a modified six-team no-trade clause, but also because Andersson has been very picky about which teams he'd be open to signing an extension with. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Golden Knights are one of those teams. 

LeBrun stated that the Golden Knights and the Flames have had numerous discussions over the past week, but the Flames haven't been impressed by the Golden Knights' offers. Unfortunately for the Flames, it sounds like it's just Vegas for him, despite interest from the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Los Angeles Kings.

Byram is in a different situation from the 28-year-old right-handed defenseman. Byram is a restricted free agent at the moment, who is destined to be moved from the Buffalo Sabres either via offer sheet or trade. The Golden Knights likely don't have the assets to make an offer sheet, but can put together a package for the 24-year-old smooth-skating left-handed defenseman. 

Darren Dreger said things are "percolating" around Byram, with the Golden Knights, Kings, Flames and the St. Louis Blues looking to work out a deal. 

Feeling is the sweet spot on this falls at the $7,020,113 mark on the scale. If deal comes in under that, the compensation would be a 1st- and 3rd-rounder. https://t.co/YlPbuRlTLV

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2025

Byram scored seven goals and 38 points in 82 games this season, playing his first complete 82-game season in his career. The former fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft has dealt with several injury issues throughout his young career. 

Byram's fit with the Golden Knights isn't as clear as Andersson's. Andersson would be used as a replacement for Alex Pietrangelo, but Byram is very similar in play style to Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Confirmed: Golden Knights Complete Sign-and-Trade For Mitch MarnerAfter a long saga with several curveballs and rumors, the Vegas Golden Knights have finally got their man, completing a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, which will see Mitch Marner sign with the Golden Knights on an eight-year, $12-million AAV deal, and Nicolas Roy join the Maple Leafs. 

The Florida Panthers have been busy as the new league year began on Tuesday.

With their latest move, Florida has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran defenseman Jeff Petry.

According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, the deal is worth $775,000 and can include some performance bonuses.

#FlaPanthers adding Jeff Petry: 1 year x $775k plus performance bonuses.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2025

Petry has spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, racking up four goals and 28 points in 117 games in Hockeytown.

Throughout his career, Petry has been valuable both on the power play and the penalty kill.

While Florida may call on him to join their PK unit, Petry will probably be far down the depth chart when it comes to the power play, behind the likes of Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones and Gus Forsling.

While the Panthers have been busy signing players to extensions, Petry is the first unrestricted free agent to ink a deal with Florida.

Over the past several days, the Panthers have extended Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Tomas Nosek while signing restricted free agent Daniil Tarasov to a new deal as well.

Florida is now $2.95 million over the salary cap, which they can exceed by 10% ($9.5 million) until Opening Night.

As it stands, they have 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders under contract.

We’ll see what other moves the Cats have up their sleeve as we get deeper into the free agency period.

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Panthers Key Defenseman Hitting Free-Agent Market

After locking up key pending UFAs, Panthers may still have work to do as free agency opens

Photo caption: Nov 18, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry (46) skates with the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. (Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images)

The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Christian Jaros to a one-year, two-way contract today. 

Jaros played the last three seasons in the KHL after playing a season with the New Jersey Devils. 

Jaros has played 94 NHL games has 14 points. In the AHL, he's played 90 games and has 34 points. 

The signing of Jaros is no doubt for depth with the Cleveland Monsters. The Jackets didn't QO a couple defenseman and needed to bring in some guys to fill those gaps. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Jordan Harris Signs With BostonFormer Blue Jackets defenseman Jordan Harris will sign with the Boston Bruins per Elliotte Friedman. BREAKING NEWS: Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Ivan Provorov To A Seven-Year DealThe Columbus Blue Jackets have announced they have signed defensemen Ivan Provorov to a seven-year deal that carries an AAV of $8.5 million per season.

EDMONTON – Silly season is as silly season does.

The Edmonton Oilers are on the heels of a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final in as many years.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

As part of his postseason debrief, Stan Bowman identified two areas of growth: goaltending and forward depth. Part of the forward depth issue, Bowman identified as needing to get “faster and younger.”

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Apparently, getting younger might also extend to goaltending.

It’s no secret that the Oilers' goaltending wasn’t elite in 2024-25. However, reports indicate that the Oilers have mutual interest in Carter Hart.

NHL insider Kevin Weekes, noted for being very connected with goalie news around the league, speculated about the Oilers having interest in Hart. 

Obviously, this all hinges on several details. The first being, Hart would need to be found innocent regarding the 2018 Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial. Additionally, he would need to undergo whatever discipline the league decides to impose on the five players who are defendants in the case.

My Take

Insiders connecting the Oilers to a young, good goaltender like Hart makes sense, at least from an insider’s perspective. He grew up around Edmonton and is friends with Stuart Skinner (another local kid). 

However, it is nothing short of a PR nightmare if the Oilers consider signing him. It’s one thing for the Oilers to hire Bowman, considering the part he played in the Kyle Beach situation with the Chicago Blackhawks; it’s another thing for the team to sign a player who has been accused of a group sexual assault.

Hart last played in the NHL in the 2023-24 season. He started 25 games, producing a record of 12-9-3, with a 2.80 goals against average (GAA), a .906 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout. He has played 227 games in his career, boasting a 2.94 GAA and a .906 SV%. 

Regardless of how he was performing before needing to step away from the NHL, the Oilers would be best served by staying away and pursuing other options.

This is all speculation, so we will need to wait to see how the summer unfolds.

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Nic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The forward is a couple of weeks away from getting married, so it's an exciting time for the newest Leaf, who was part of the trade that saw the end of Mitch Marner's tenure with the blue and white.

"It was a good feeling. Obviously, shocked a little bit at first, but kind of learned about it a couple of days ago. So now I feel really good about it. I've got time to reflect and look at everything and really excited to join the Leafs for sure."

The newest Maple Leafs met the media via Zoom where he discussed the new opportunity to play in Toronto and even revealed that he grew up cheering for the Maple Leafs, despite growing up in Quebec.

Report: Maple Leafs Trade Mitch Marner To Vegas Golden Knights, Agrees To Eight-Year Deal Worth $12 Million AAVMitch Marner is on his way to Las Vegas.

Q: What excites you the most about the Leafs? What stands out about this team?

Roy: I want to be part of a team that's winning and obviously watching just the playoffs last year. I think for the (Florida) Panthers, their biggest challenge was the Leafs. And I think this group is ready to win right now. And that's why I want to be part of a team like that for sure.

Q: You played a pretty pivotal role on a Stanley Cup-winning team in 2023. What was it about that run and that experience that you think you can bring to Toronto?

Roy: I think just the full experience. Every time you win with a team, you know what it takes. There's always going to be ups and downs. Just the pressure of the moment. I think it's really what I enjoy. I really like to play in those big moments. That's what we play for as hockey players. So obviously I'm bringing the Stanley Cup experience that I got with me, but I got a lot of experience in the playoffs as well.

Golden Knights Trade Nic Hague To Predators: What It Means For Maple Leafs And Mitch Marner Trade TalksAs speculation intensifies around a potential trade of Mitch Marner's negotiating rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, one potential trade piece is now off the table. Early Monday morning, multiple reports surfaced that Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague was being dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Colton Sissons. Hague is also expected to sign a four-year extension worth $5.5 million per season.

Q: I'm just wondering about your run to the Stanley Cup. Is there a specific aspect that you can point to that is absolutely crucial for a team to have in order to get to that point?

Roy: I mean, there's a lot of things that come to mind, but I think everybody has to accept their role, whatever it is. I think obviously you've got their skilled players, you've got the guys that are going to play eight to ten minutes and got to be willing to play those physical minutes. So wherever you are in the lineup, or even if you're not in the lineup, you've got to be ready to jump in when you're getting asked. So I think I would say it's probably the biggest thing. Be there for your teammates and be ready to play any roles you're asked to play.

Q: I know it's a more complicated deal than a straight up one for one, but what did you think when you heard you were being traded so that for Mitch Marner, basically? How did you take the trade?

Roy: Well, obviously, knowing what Mitch has been in this league for a long time, what he means to the organization. Like I said, he's been a big part of this group. I played with Mitch on Team Canada when we were younger. He's an awesome player. So obviously brings a little bit of pressure knowing obviously what is meant to the team. But at the same time, there's only one thing I can control, and it's getting ready for a season, getting ready this summer, working out and skating and getting ready for a season. So that's what I'm focusing on right now.

'Leaving Isn't Easy': Mitch Marner Pens Goodbye Message To Maple Leafs Fans After Joining Golden KnightsMitch Marner has officially departed the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Q: What are your impressions of playing with guys like Auston Matthews and William Nylander?

Roy: I mean, two dynamic players. Obviously, really fun to watch both of them. Really excited to see what they do on a daily basis, what their routine is, and learning from them. So, yeah, pretty exciting to see them and work with them.

Q: A bit of a two-parter. First, growing up in Quebec. Who was the team you grew up watching? And secondly, what have the conversations been like for you with management about the role? I know it's a little bit early, but have you had any of those discussions?

Roy Well, first of all, it's kind of funny because growing up, I was actually, until I was maybe 11 or 12, I was actually a Leafs fan because my favorite player growing up was Mats Sundin. So I was cheering for the Leafs until I was 11 or 12 and then he signed with Vancouver. So I kind of switched to Montreal. But I guess we don't have to think about that second part. But as far as the role, I mean, it's been pretty quick, right? I've talked to a coach in GM in discussions, but mostly just welcoming me to the team and really excited to have me. So yes, it's we haven't really talked about a role or anything like that.

(Photo Credit: David Alter/THN)

Report: Maple Leafs Sign Former Canadiens Forward Michael Pezzetta To Two-Year, $1.575 Million ContractThe Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly made their first free-agent signing. Former Maple Leafs Star Mitch Marner To Wear No. 93 With Golden KnightsThe Toronto Maple Leafs made their trade of Mitch Marner official on Tuesday morning. 'I Would Love To Play My Whole Career Here': Inside Steven Lorentz's Three-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz is staying at home.

On Tuesday, the New York Islanders announced that they signed goaltender David Rittich and right-shot defenseman Ethan Bear to one-year deals.

The AAV on Rittich's deal is $1 million annually, per PuckPedia with Bear signing a two-way deal with an NHL AAV of $775,000, with a minor salary of $325,000. 

Rittich, 32, posted a 2.84 GAA and a .887 SV% in 34 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. The Czech goaltender earned a record of 16-14-2 as backup to Darcy Kuemper.

The signing comes in the wake of Semyon Varlamov’s rehab, which has seen no setbacks since undergoing lower-body surgery.

Rittich will likely fight with goalie Marcus Hogberg, who struggled with consistency towards the end of last season. 

Rittich projects as a strong third string or decent backup option, seeing as the goaltender has experience with 230 NHL games over 10 seasons.

In 2024-25, Bear logged 10 goals with 36 assists for 46 points in 62 games with the Hershey Bears of the AHL.

The 28-year-old defenseman most recently played in the NHL with the Washington Capitals, scoring one goal with three assists for four points in 24 games in 2023-24.

Bear suffered a significant shoulder injury in 2023 and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program a year later, cutting his 2023-24 season short. Washington then sent Bear down and did not give the defenseman a qualifying offer.

As a right-shot defenseman, Bear will serve as solid depth for the Islanders after losing Noah Dobson.

PHOTO:  Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Kai Russell contributed to this story. 

The Philadelphia Flyers are on a crusade to start NHL free agency, quickly signing multiple players, including Christian Dvorak, to address some big team needs.

The biggest - literally - and perhaps the most important piece of business from the Flyers Tuesday was signing 6-foot-5 goalie Dan Vladar, who is now the only non-prospect to be contracted beyond the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Vladar, 27, should provide some semblance of stability to a position that has had none for the Flyers in recent years, even if he's not quite good enough to elevate the Flyers as a whole.

On the more surprising side, the Flyers also went out and added versatile forward Christian Dvorak on a one-year deal worth $5.4 million.

This was, for all intents and purposes, and overpayment, even in this free agent market, but this was probably the cost the Flyers needed to pay to pry Dvorak away from Stanley Cup contenders.

The 29-year-old played for new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet during their time together with the Arizona Coyotes and has six 30-point seasons to his name at the NHL level. Oh, and he's won more than 55% of his faceoffs in each of the last two seasons.

The Flyers needed a reliable replacement for the departed Scott Laughton and Ryan Poehling while they wait for Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt to develop, and signing Dvorak buys them another year for that.

Additionally, with the salary retained in the Andrei Kuzmenko trade now off the books, the Flyers have one more salary retention available to use this season.

Ex-Flyers Defenseman Ivan Provorov Signs Absurd Contract Ahead of NHL Free AgencyThe Philadelphia Flyers have won the Ivan Provorov trade in more ways than one.

Assuming Dvorak has a good season in Philadelphia, the Flyers can retain half his salary and move him at the NHL trade deadline. Then, if Luchanko's season ends early, he can then replace Dvorak and join the Flyers at the end of the season.

Two moves that made less sense were the additions of journeymen defensemen Noah Juulsen (RHD) and Dennis Gilbert (LHD).

These players could very well be brought in simply to breed competition for NHL roster spots, but fans won't be happy about the possibility two ineffective veterans with limited skillsets block prospects like Emil Andrae and Helge Grans from playing time.

Including Cam York and excluding Grans, the Flyers now have nine defensemen on their NHL roster, so something is going to have to give a few months from now.

It's worth noting that Juulsen was a favorite of Tocchet's on the Vancouver Canucks and is highly regarded for his shot blocking and penalty kill work, but he also didn't record a point in 35 games last season and is coming off a season-ending injury.

If the Flyers really wanted veterans to push for ice time, why not try Adam Ginning, a 25-year-old prospect on an expiring contract running out of time to crack the NHL? Hunter McDonald, Grans, and Louie Belpedio are there, too.

The Flyers also added a depth forward in Lane Pedersen, who briefly played for Tocchet in the past, as well.

With Tuesday's proceedings seemingly coming to a halt with a decision from Maxim Shabanov looming, the Flyers have $5.49 million in cap space with, hopefully, enough room to re-sign York and add Shabanov.

The Seattle Kraken have signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a four-year, $4.5 million AAV contract. 

The 27-year-old is a defensive defenseman who's played 405 games in the NHL, scoring 14 goals and 188 points with the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche. Lindgren was traded from the Rangers to the Avalanche at the trade deadline as a pending unrestricted free agent.

Prior to the trade to the Avalanche, Lindgren was paired with Adam Fox, providing him stability and allowing him to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL.

“Ryan’s a heart-and-soul player who competes every shift,” said general manager Jason Botterill. “He does whatever it takes to win and has been a key fixture on the penalty kill throughout his career. We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

Lindgren, a left-handed joins a Kraken defence core that consists of Vince Dunn, Ryker Evans, Jamie Oleksiak and Josh Mahura as left-handed defenders. Brandon Montour and Adam Larsson remain the right-handed defensemen. With the addition of Lindgren, the Kraken will likely explore a trade for Oleskiak to free up space on what's becoming a crowded blue line.

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The St. Louis Blues dipped into the center pool on the first day of free agency by inking veteran Nick Bjugstad to a two-year contract for $3.5 million ($1.75 million average annual value).

The 32-year-old played in 66 regular-season games with the Utah Mammoth last season and had 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists).

Bjugstad is a big body (6-foot-5,, 205-pounds) and had 330 points (157 goals, 173 assists) in 760 NHL regular-season games that's including stints with the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and Mammoth.

With Bjugstad's signing, it's a fair assumption that the Blues will not be bringing back Radek Faksa, who became an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.

In addition to signing Bjugstad, the Blues made a very interesting trade in a swap of young players when they traded forward Zack Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Logan Mailloux.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Pittsburgh Penguins are signing defenseman Parker Wotherspoon to a two-year, $2 million contract.

Wotherspoon spent this past season with the Boston Bruins. In 55 games with the Original Six club, the 6-foot-1 blueliner recorded one goal, seven points, 75 hits, and a minus-10 rating. This was after he had eight assists and a plus-6 rating in 41 games with Boston during the 2023-24 season.

2 x $1M https://t.co/bQU4UfwmrY

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2025

With the Penguins needing help on the left side of their blueline, it makes sense that they are taking a shot on Wotherspoon. When looking at their roster, he should compete for a spot on their bottom pairing. He also offers versatility, as he can play the right side if needed, too. 

Penguins Should Take Shot On Recently Bought Out ForwardEarlier this month, the Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Joe Veleno to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Andre Burakovsky. However, Veleno's time with the Kraken quickly came to an end, as he was bought out by Seattle a few days after the trade. With this, he is now an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Photo Credit: © Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers are reportedly working on trading K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

This comes shortly after the Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract. 

The details of the trade have still not been revealed as of right now. 

Miller is a restricted free agent and this potential trade stems from the Rangers being unwilling to give the young defenseman a long-term contract extension. 

According to Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today, there may still be some ironing out to do regarding this deal.

Chris Johnston of TSN reports that the Hurricanes are working on a contract extension with Miller. 

This past season, the 25-year-old recorded seven goals, 20 assists, and 27 points in 74 games while averaging 21:57 minutes per game.