Category: NHL

The Detroit Red Wings will have plenty of interesting questions to sort out with their lineup heading into next season, and one of the more compelling ones centers on hard-checking winger Carter Mazur.

The 24-year-old Jackson, Michigan native has long been vocal about his dream of representing his hometown team, and when Detroit declined to extend him a qualifying offer on June 30th, it briefly looked like that dream might be over. 

However, on July 1st, Detroit brought Mazur back on a two-year, $1.75 million contract carrying an $875,000 average annual value, giving the former Denver Pioneer another shot at cracking the roster of the only team he's ever wanted to play for.

Mazur's production has been trending in the right direction when he's been healthy enough to play. This past season, injuries limited him to 16 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but he made the most of them, posting 11 goals and five assists for 16 points, a point-per-game pace, before adding six points in eight Calder Cup playoff games. 

His strong finish earned him a late-season call-up to Detroit, where he got his first extended look at the NHL level, appearing in eight games. The results were quiet on the scoresheet, with no points and a minus-three rating.

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However, it's worth noting Mazur plays a physical, hard-checking style that tends to matter more on the forecheck than on the stat sheet, and with Detroit looking to add more grit to its bottom six, he could carve out a spot there if he can find a way to start translating his AHL scoring into NHL production. 

His modest $875,000 cap hit makes him a low-risk, cost-effective option for a fourth-line role, one where he could occasionally chip in offensively while providing the physical edge the Red Wings have said they want more of. The biggest question, as it has been for two seasons now, is health. 

Mazur's development has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries, including a dislocated elbow just seconds into his first career NHL shift and a lower-body injury that cost him much of this past season before he returned to post a point-per-game stretch in Grand Rapids. 

If he can stay on the ice and have a productive summer, the former third round pick certainly shouldn't be ruled out of Detroit's plans when training camp and preseason arrive. It will likely come down to whether he can finally stay healthy long enough to show what he's capable of at the NHL level.

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A former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is hanging up the skates, as Jordan Oesterle has retired from professional hockey. O2K Sports Management announced the news. 

Oesterle's retirement comes after he posted 14 goals, 32 assists, and 46 points in 69 AHL games for the Milwaukee Admirals last season. He also played one game for the Nashville Predators in 2025-26. 

Oesterle was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2017-18 season. In 55 games with the Original Six club during that campaign, he recorded five goals, 10 assists, 15 points, 62 hits, and 97 blocks. His time in Chicago ended when he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in a multi-player deal during the 2018 NHL off-season.  

Following his time with the Blackhawks, Oesterle had stints with the Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Predators. In 409 career NHL games over 12 seasons, the 6-foot blueliner recorded 23 goals, 73 assists, and 96 points. 

As Travis Green gets set for his third season as Senators head coach, it's easy to forget he enjoyed a long and successful NHL playing career of his own.

The hockey world was reminded of that on Saturday night when Green was inducted into British Columbia's Hockey Hall of Fame. Green entered the Hall with former NHLers Andrew Ladd, Josh Gorges and Darryl Reaugh (builder category), along with former NHL referee Malcolm Ashford (official) and the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Vernon Vipers of the BCHL (team).

After the inductees were announced, Green was asked about the honour and was briefly at a loss for words.

"Man, I don't even know if it's really sunk in yet," Green told the Donnie and DhaliI podcast in his appearance last month. "I think the first thing that comes to mind is humbling. You know, as a kid growing up in Castlegar, I pretty well only dreamed about playing in the NHL.

"Never once did I dream of being in the Hall of Fame. Even when they called me, it was, it was humbling. It's just a great honour."

As a player, he appeared in 970 NHL games in a career that took him to the New York Islanders, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Anaheim again, and then Toronto again. 

Green finished with 193 goals and 455 points over 14 NHL seasons, and his two years in Toronto placed him right in the line of fire in the Battle of Ontario. Green didn't mind the villain's role, and always let the Senators know he was there.

While Green was honoured on Saturday for his playing career, he's also putting together an impressive NHL coaching resume.

The Senators' season opener this fall will be Green's 500th regular-season game as an NHL head coach. His career record is 230-216-53.

When he was hired in 2024, the Sens hadn't made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017, but Green helped them finally end that drought with postseason appearances in both 2025 and 2026. Those seasons, based on won-loss record, are the best of Green's coaching career so far.

The next step is to see if he can turn the Senators into a legitimate contender.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This story was first published by The Hockey News. For full Senators coverage, check out the links below and become a member at THN.com/Ottawa.

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Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson are not the only two veterans Montreal Canadiens playing in their contract year; Alexandre Carrier and Samuel Montembeault will also be playing for new deals when the puck drops on the season.

If Montembeault felt he put too much pressure on himself last year with the possibility of making Team Canada for the Olympics, one can wonder if playing for a new deal, or better yet, competing to play for a new deal, won’t have the same effect. The netminder is coming off a disastrous season, which saw him go down to the AHL on a conditioning stint, come back up to the NHL only to fail to perform again before being sent to the press gallery for the rest of the season and the playoffs in early March.

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Montembeault finished the season with a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage. His fall from grace opened the door for Jakub Dobes to grab the starting job and for Jacob Fowler to graduate to the NHL.

At the end of the season media availability, Montembeault said he was ready to turn over a new leaf and get a fresh start, which he feels he can do in Montreal. So far, despite plenty of goaltender moves in the NHL, the Becancour native remains a member of the Canadiens.

With one year left at a very reasonable $3.15 million cap hit, one would have thought a team would be willing to take a chance on Montembeault, but there have been no takers so far. While he feels he can start again with the Habs, there is little doubt that Montembeault would be best served by joining a team that hasn’t got as crowded a crease. When training camp starts, he won’t be battling for the number one job but rather to prove to his teammates that last year’s collapse was a one-off and that he’s worthy of their confidence. That won’t be an easy task, with Dobes having signed a new three-year contract and Fowler seen as the goaltender of the future in Montreal.

Perhaps he’ll be traded by the start of training camp, but wherever he is, he will need to prove that the real Montembeault isn’t the one who crashed out of the NHL last season.

Meanwhile, Alex Carrier will also need to have a big year on the blueline. The soon-to-be 30-year-old rearguard was a blessing for the Habs’ defence corps when he was acquired from the Nashville Predators for Justin Barron in the 2024-25 season. In both of his seasons with the Habs, he posted a 0.30 PPG pace, which would project to 25 points over an 82-game season. The difference this past season was how much higher his shooting percentage was. 12.5% of his shots found the back of the net, up from 3.7% the year before.

In an ideal world, Carrier is a bottom-pairing blueliner, but the lack of right-shot defenseman has meant he played in the wrong chair a lot this past year. The veteran is much more efficient when paired up with Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson than when he’s skating alongside Arber Xhekaj.

When training camp opens, expect David Reinbacher to be given every opportunity to make the Canadiens this season. The fact that Hughes has been unable to find a real top-four right-shot defenseman in the free-agent or trade markets makes it all the more important that the Austrian fifth-overall pick in 2023 live up to his potential.

Chances are the Canadiens would ease him into the third pairing, but he would ideally prove he can handle more and pass Carrier on the depth chart. If that is the case, Carrier could still be given an extension, since other right-shot options in the Habs’ system may need more time to develop in the AHL. Bryce Pickford, fresh off a season for the ages in the WHL, had to undergo shoulder surgery, which should delay the start of his pro career with the Laval Rocket, while Bogdan Konyushkov will be playing in Russia this year and will likely need to adapt to the North American style of play.

Adam Engstrom is also knocking on the Canadiens’ door, and while he’s a left-shot blueliner, he has shown that he can play on his off-side as well. Unless the Canadiens use him to fill another need via trade, he may very well push a defenseman out of Montreal. Who could that be? Well, it depends on how Martin St-Louis chooses to deploy him. One thing is certain, however: Carrier will need to have a big year to earn a new contract with the Canadiens given how many youngsters are chomping at the bit to get their shot in the NHL.

My latest article for @TheHockeyNews ask whether there is a market for Samuel Montembeault: https://t.co/YmCjIdXm26#GoHabsGo#CH#Canadiens#Habs#THN

— Karine Hains (@KarineHains) July 3, 2026

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The Calgary Flames are not supposed to be here.

They are supposed to be rebuilding. They are supposed to be collecting draft picks, clearing contracts, and waiting years before they become a serious threat again.

Instead, they have quietly put themselves in one of the most fascinating positions in the NHL.

They have a young foundation beginning to emerge, nearly $15 million in projected cap space, and an astonishing collection of draft capital that currently includes 30 selections through the 2030 NHL Draft.

And that raises an interesting question:

What if the Flames don't want to wait?

What if, instead of slowly building toward contention, Calgary decides to accelerate the process with the kind of move that changes the direction of an entire franchise?

What if Connor McDavid became available?

Yes, that sounds far-fetched.

Maybe even impossible.

But hockey is a sport where the impossible has a funny way of becoming reality.

And if the Edmonton Oilers captain — arguably the most talented player of his generation — ever hit the market, few teams would have the combination of assets, financial flexibility, and motivation that Calgary currently possesses.

The Flames have spent the last several seasons attempting to reshape their organization without completely tearing everything down. They have accumulated young talent, maintained flexibility, and avoided putting themselves into the kind of long-term cap problems that have limited other contenders.

That patience could eventually create an opportunity.

A superstar center is the one missing ingredient every championship contender searches for. Calgary has quality pieces, including a promising defensive group and emerging young talent, but adding an elite No. 1 center would immediately change the ceiling of the franchise.

McDavid would not just make the Flames better.

He would transform them.

Of course, acquiring a player of that magnitude would require an unprecedented package.

A hypothetical offer would likely have to include significant assets, and Calgary has the ammunition to at least enter the conversation.

A package built around defenseman Zach Whitecloud, veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau with salary retention, and a massive collection of draft picks would represent the type of aggressive swing required to acquire a player like McDavid.

Would Edmonton accept something like that?

That is impossible to know.

Would Calgary even consider sacrificing that much of its future?

That is an even bigger question.

But the fact that the conversation can even be entertained says something about where the Flames currently stand.

Whitecloud, in particular, represents the type of valuable trade chip contenders covet. Acquired from Vegas as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade, the right-shot defenseman quickly proved he was more than a temporary cap piece. He has become a reliable top-four option, capable of handling difficult defensive assignments while providing leadership both on and off the ice.

At just $2.75 million annually through the 2027-28 season, Whitecloud is exactly the kind of contract teams around the league would love to add.

Calgary does not have to move him.

That is the important distinction.

The Flames have leverage because they are not desperate. Whitecloud fits their roster, helps stabilize a young defensive group, and provides veteran leadership around developing players.

But if the return is a franchise-altering superstar?

Everything has to be considered.

That is the luxury Calgary has created.

The Flames can listen on players like Whitecloud because they have depth. They can evaluate their future because they have accumulated assets. They can dream bigger because they are not trapped financially.

And that brings the conversation back to McDavid.

A player of his caliber rarely becomes available. Teams would line up. The bidding war would be historic. Every organization with championship aspirations would try to find a way.

Calgary would face obvious challenges. Edmonton trading its captain to a provincial rival would be almost impossible to imagine. The Flames would also have to convince McDavid that Calgary is the right destination for the next chapter of his career.

But hockey is unpredictable.

The idea of Wayne Gretzky leaving Edmonton once seemed impossible. The idea of superstar players changing teams has become increasingly common in today's NHL.

Could the Flames actually land McDavid?

Probably not.

But could Calgary be one of the few teams positioned to at least make the phone call?

Absolutely.

And sometimes, in the NHL, being prepared for the impossible is how franchises end up making history.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres made a series of moves involving its forward corps Monday, signing Peyton Krebs to a four-year, $18 million contract and dealing Tyler Kopff to the Washington Capitals for fellow prospect Zac Funk.

The 25-year-old Krebs, who had been eligible for arbitration, set career highs with 12 goals and 27 assists last season. The former first-round pick by Vegas in the 2019 draft was acquired by Buffalo in the deal that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas. He has 42 goals and 91 assists with Buffalo and Vegas.

The Sabres also announced the hiring of veteran NHL executive John Davidson as senior adviser.

Davidson, 73, spent 18 seasons as president of hockey operations for St. Louis, Columbus and the New York Rangers. He is now reunited with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen, whom he hired as GM in Columbus.

Following an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility, Buffalo clinched a playoff berth last season and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals where the Sabres lost to Montreal in seven games. The drought was among the four North American major sports’ longest active streaks, ranking second behind the NFL’s New York Jets, who last qualified in 2010.

“I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and look forward to the opportunity to help the organization in any way I can,” Davidson said. “The momentum in Buffalo is palpable throughout the entire league and the passion from Sabres fans makes this opportunity all the more exciting.”

Funk, 22, has two goals and four assists in 25 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears and 28 points in 34 career ECHL games with the South Carolina Stingrays. Kopff, 23, split last season in the same two leagues.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

What if the Los Angeles Kings aren't standing still at all?

After an offseason that has left some fans questioning the lack of a blockbuster move, a growing theory suggests general manager Ken Holland may be positioning the franchise for something far bigger than another veteran addition.

The Kings may not be waiting for the next available piece.

They may be waiting for the player who changes everything.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Los Angeles has been intentionally preserving as much financial flexibility as possible, with the belief that the right opportunity could eventually present itself. On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman described the Kings' strategy as maintaining "maximum flexibility" for what he called an "LA-type move."

That phrase immediately sparked speculation across the hockey world.

Because if the Kings are truly keeping their financial options open, there are only a handful of players who would justify such patience.

Connor McDavid.

Auston Matthews.

Two of the most recognizable superstars in the sport. Two players who could instantly change the trajectory of any franchise fortunate enough to acquire them.

Neither player is available today, and there is no guarantee either ever reaches the open market. But if one of hockey's biggest names does become attainable, Los Angeles appears determined not to be eliminated from the conversation because of financial commitments made today.

That possibility changes the way the Kings' offseason should be viewed.

Instead of chasing a series of expensive short-term upgrades, Los Angeles has focused on adding experienced complementary pieces, bringing in players such as Corey Perry, Mats Zuccarello, and Erik Haula. Those moves provide depth, but they are not the type of transactions that define a franchise.

Perhaps that is exactly the point.

Friedman noted the Kings would still like to add a puck-moving defenseman, but any move would likely require money leaving the roster first. Los Angeles is operating in a "dollar in, dollar out" environment, making every decision with an eye toward maintaining future flexibility.

For months, critics have questioned whether the Kings should abandon their current core and begin a full rebuild. But perhaps the organization sees another path.

Maybe Los Angeles doesn't believe it needs to tear everything down.

Maybe it believes one transformational addition could change the entire equation.

And it's important not to underestimate Holland when it comes to making those kinds of moves.

The veteran executive has faced criticism for the Kings' cautious approach this summer, but history shows patience does not mean passivity. During his tenure as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Holland completely reshaped his roster before the 2001-02 season by acquiring future Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Dominik Hasek, and Brett Hull.

That trio helped Detroit capture the Stanley Cup.

The circumstances were different, with no salary cap limiting roster construction at the time. But the larger lesson remains the same: when Holland believes a championship opportunity exists, he has shown he is willing to make aggressive decisions and swing for the biggest prizes available.

That history is worth remembering as Los Angeles continues to keep its options open.

The Kings may not be preparing for a rebuild.

They may be preparing for a blockbuster.

If Auston Matthews were ever to leave Toronto, Los Angeles would immediately become one of the most fascinating destinations to watch.

Matthews' connection to the American Southwest runs deeper than most NHL stars. Born in California, he spent much of his childhood in Arizona, where his family still has strong ties. It was there that he first fell in love with hockey, famously becoming captivated after watching Alexander Ovechkin score a highlight-reel goal during his rookie season in 2006.

The Arizona Coyotes are no longer part of the NHL landscape, creating a unique situation for a player whose early hockey memories were built in the desert.

If Matthews ever decides he wants to return closer to where his hockey journey began, the Utah Mammoth could naturally enter the discussion as the league's newest western destination. Utah has quietly continued building its roster and establishing itself as a legitimate NHL market.

But the Kings offer something different.

They offer a proven playoff foundation, one of the league's biggest markets, and potentially the financial flexibility to make the kind of move that rarely becomes available.

The same applies to McDavid.

Landing the Edmonton Oilers captain would represent one of the largest transactions in modern NHL history. Few organizations could realistically enter that conversation, but Los Angeles has the market, the ambition, and potentially the patience to make itself part of it.

In the meantime, the Kings continue adding pieces that fit a contender's supporting cast.

Haula's arrival is a perfect example. The veteran forward signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million annually and immediately leaned on familiarity when making his decision, reaching out to longtime friend Joel Armia. The two grew up together in Finland and even shared a room during the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving Haula an inside perspective on life in Los Angeles.

Those are the types of moves teams make while waiting for something bigger.

Whether that bigger move ever involves McDavid, Matthews, or another superstar remains impossible to predict. Superstar players rarely become available, and both remain under contract with their current teams.

But if Friedman's theory is correct, the Kings are not simply sitting through a quiet offseason.

They are positioning themselves.

And if the right opportunity arrives, Los Angeles may be ready to make the biggest move in hockey.

The hearing dates are out for NHL salary arbitration cases and two players reached a settlement on Monday, July 13.

That was Buffalo Sabres forward Payton Krebs, who agreed to a four-year, $18 million ($4.5 salary cap hit) deal well before his scheduled Aug. 1 hearing. New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider also settled for one year at $5.5 million, according to multiple reports.

Settling early is typical during the salary arbitration hearing season, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 1 in Toronto. Both sides try to work out deals before the hearings.

This year, 15 restricted free agents filed to have an independent arbitrator determine their next contract. Both sides file salary requests and the arbitrator can award either number but often does something between.

The most interesting case is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, who made $7.75 million in his last deal and is due a big raise after a 96-point season. The record arbitration award was $7.5 million to future Hall of Famer Shea Weber in 2011.

Here are the salary arbitration dates, per puckpedia.com:

Monday, July 20

Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia

Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg

Wednesday, July 22

Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia

Thursday, July 23

Jet Greaves, Columbus

Saturday, July 25

Xavier Bourgault, Ottawa (settled, one year, $850,000)

Jason Robertson, Dallas

Connor McMichael, St. Louis

Monday, July 27

Cole Sillinger, Columbus

Tuesday, July 28

Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh

Wednesday, July 29

Braden Schneider, N.Y. Rangers (settled, one year, $5.5 million)

Ronan Seeley, Carolina

Thursday, July 30

Alex Jefferies, N.Y. Islanders

Kirby Dach, Montreal

Saturday, Aug.. 1

Akira Schmid, Florida

Peyton Krebs, Buffalo (settled, four years x $4.5 million average)

Rangers' Braden Schneider settles before arbitration hearing

The defenseman gets one year at $5.5 million, up from a $2.2 million average in his last two-year contract. Schneider averaged about three more minutes a game last season.

Sabres' Peyton Krebs settles before arbitration hearing

The forward averages $4.5 million in his new contract, a bump from his previous $1.45 million cap hit. Krebs had his first 82-game season and set career bests in goals (12), assists (27) and points (39).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL salary arbitration tracker: Who filed, hearing dates and results

The Colorado Avalanche have officially handed Fabian Lysell the opportunity he was waiting for.

Colorado announced Monday that it has signed the 23-year-old forward to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season, giving the former first-round pick a prove-it deal just weeks after acquiring him from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan. Financial details have yet to been disclosed.

For both sides, the timing makes sense.

The Avalanche add another low-risk, high-upside talent to an organization that has built a reputation for successful reclamation projects, while Lysell gets a fresh start after several seasons spent trying to establish himself in Boston's system.

Colorado has seen this story unfold before.

Andre Burakovsky blossomed into a Stanley Cup champion after arriving from Washington. Valeri Nichushkin resurrected a career many around the league had begun to write off, evolving into one of the Avalanche's most valuable players after his departure from Dallas.

Lysell now arrives in Denver hoping to follow a similar blueprint.

Originally selected 21st overall by the Bruins in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Swedish winger has yet to translate his immense skill into a permanent NHL role. He has appeared in just 12 career NHL games, recording one goal and two assists, while spending the majority of his professional career with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Last season, Lysell registered 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games as Providence captured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for finishing with the American Hockey League's best regular-season record. He ranked sixth on the club in scoring while finishing fifth in both goals and assists before appearing in one Calder Cup Playoff game.

The numbers remain respectable, but they also reflect a prospect whose development plateaued after an encouraging start.

A 50-point campaign in 2023-24 appeared to signal a breakthrough. Instead, it was followed by 34 points in 52 games during the 2024-25 season and 42 points this past year, leaving questions about whether the missing ingredient was consistency, opportunity, or simply the right environment.

Even Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the relationship fell short of expectations.

"He hasn't fully grasped at the NHL level what it probably requires to play each and every night. He took ownership of that today," Sweeney said after the trade. "We took ownership that, could we have done more and better in supporting him? Probably."

That mutual accountability ultimately led both sides toward a fresh start.

Lysell's talent has never been difficult to identify. His skating, creativity with the puck, and offensive instincts made him one of the premier prospects in his draft class. The challenge has been converting those flashes into the kind of dependable, two-way game necessary to earn an everyday NHL role.

The Avalanche are betting they can help bridge that gap.

Before turning professional in North America, Lysell developed in Sweden with Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League while starring in Frölunda's junior program. He crossed the Atlantic following his draft year and immediately showcased his offensive ceiling with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, collecting 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 regular-season games before erupting for 21 points in 12 playoff contests. His 17 postseason assists led the entire WHL that spring.

Internationally, Lysell has represented Sweden at two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, earning bronze medals at both the 2022 World Juniors and the 2021 U18 tournament.

Now, the next chapter begins in Colorado.

The one-year contract gives Lysell an opportunity to reset his career while providing the Avalanche with another intriguing reclamation project at minimal risk. If the change of scenery unlocks the offensive potential that made him a first-round selection, Colorado could once again find itself turning another overlooked talent into a meaningful contributor.

For Lysell, that's exactly what this prove-it season is designed to determine.

With just one player heading to arbitration, the Florida Panthers could be looking to strike a deal with Akira Schmid before their new deadline. 

Typically, NHL teams and players can avoid meeting with an arbitrator by signing an extension before the deadline. Players file for arbitration to speed up the process of negotiating an extension.

But in some cases, if a deal cannot be reached, going to arbitration can yield a balanced outcome. 

If the Panthers do not come to terms with Schmid within the next few weeks, they’ll be set for their arbitration date on August 1, according to puckpedia.com.

By filing for arbitration, players become eligible for a maximum of a two-year contract, but those one year away from becoming unrestricted free agents can only be awarded a one-year contract. 

The arbitration process is completed by the team and the player, who present their case for the contract’s price tag. More often than not, the team low-balls, while the player puts an unrealistic price. An arbitrator is used to help find the middle ground based on production, age and the term, whether it’s one year or two. 

The situation with the Panthers and Schmid is quite different than other arbitration cases. Whether the Panthers deal with an arbitrator or not, they will likely be signing Schmid to a short-term contract. 

Florida Panthers' Akira Schmid Files For ArbitrationThe Florida Panthers could have one arbitration case this off-season, as recently acquired goaltender Akira Schmid has filed for arbitration.

Backup netminders are rarely offered multi-year contracts, and one as unproven as Schmid almost never sees a contract exceed two seasons. 

In his NHL career, the 26-year-old has played just 82 games, recording a .898 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average.

In the 2025-26 season, Schmid played a career-high 34 games with the Vegas Golden Knights, posting an .893 SP and a 2.59 GAA. 

In all likelihood, Schmid’s next contract will be a one- or two-year deal, with an AVV under $2 million. 

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a few changes to their defense ever since John Chayka became the GM of the club in early May.

It's an area of the team that was particularly disappointing this past season. The Maple Leafs were the second-worst team in the NHL when it came to keeping the puck out of their net, averaging 3.60 goals against. That's the highest goals-against average the franchise has ever posted since registering a 3.68 in 1991-92.

Therefore, some alterations on the back end were required going into next season. 

With those modifications, where do the Maple Leafs stand among their Atlantic Division rivals in terms of their defensive depth and how the blueline looks on paper compared to others?

Off-Season Subtractions And Additions

Chayka shipped out Simon Benoit and Brandon Carlo in separate trades with the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, respectively.

Coming in, Chayka's first trade of his Maple Leafs tenure saw 24-year-old defenseman Emil Andrae get introduced to the team. Andrae was later signed to a two-year contract extension at $1.55 million per season, as he was a pending RFA at the time of the trade.

Chayka's next move as Toronto's GM was to address the team's D-corps once again. This time, he made a big splash for Darren Raddysh, acquiring the 30-year-old blueliner from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade.

He was inked to an eight-year deal that pays him $8.5 million per year against the salary cap. Raddysh will immediately fit in on the Leafs' top four on the back end, probably even as a top-pair defenseman and a spot on the first power-play unit.

Among those that remain from last season are Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev and Troy Stecher.

Rielly is an interesting case because he's been attached to trade rumors for a large chunk of the off-season, with reports that he has provided a short list of teams to the Maple Leafs about destinations he'd waive his no-move clause for.

Report: Maple Leafs Not Interested In Paying Big Sweetener To Trade Morgan RiellyThe Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly uninterested in paying a big sweetener to move off defenseman Morgan Rielly in a trade.

Tanev missed a large portion of last season, only being able to play in 11 games. He dealt with multiple injuries and setbacks, including a groin injury, an upper-body injury that he suffered against the Flyers on Nov. 1, and core muscle surgery.  But he's expected to be ready for training camp, and his return for next season will almost be an addition in itself.

After the Maple Leafs claimed Stecher off waivers on Nov. 15, he enforced his will to become a regular player on the roster and impressed with his work ethic and his desperation to stay in the NHL. As a result, he earned himself a two-year contract extension with Toronto at $1.35 million per season.

Maple Leafs GM John Chayka Believes Defense Is 'In A Good Place' Following 2026 Free Agency HaulThe Toronto Maple Leafs added Sergei Bobrovsky and several forwards on Wednesday, but what about the back end? Here's why GM John Chayka believes his blueline is "in a good place."

Where Do The Leafs Rank In Division?

It's shaping up to be another bloodbath in the Atlantic Division next season, with each team looking to make the playoffs and no one interested in looking ahead to the future or rebuilding. Therefore, the Leafs are up against some impressive D-corps in the Atlantic.

One defense group that the Leafs comfortably have the edge over in their division are the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have an excellent, young top pair with Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider, but their supporting cast is nothing to write home about, with Justin Faulk, Ben Chiarot, Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker. However, 21-year-old Axel Sandin-Pellikka could earn an NHL role, and while he's still young, he's capable of surprises.

Marlies' Calder Cup Defenseman Ben Danford Reveals Mark Giordano Advice And His Bold Goal For Maple Leafs Training CampAfter hoisting the Calder Cup with the Marlies, top defensive prospect Ben Danford shares the crucial advice he received from Mark Giordano and why he’s targeting a spot on the Maple Leafs' opening night roster.

Outside of Detroit, the rest of the order really depends on how individuals perform next season. 

For example, if Rielly can find his stride again and play as he did before the arrival of Craig Berube, if Ekman-Larsson can repeat his impressive campaign from this past year, if Tanev can continue to be the player he always has been after missing all of 2025-26, essentially. It's even fair to question if Raddysh can pull off what he did this past year again, considering his 70-point campaign was the first time he scored more than 40 points.

There's certainly a world in which the Leafs' defense performs at a higher standard than the Lightning next year, taking their top scorer from that position in the past season. In response, Tampa Bay did acquire John Carlson, who is 36 years old, for what it's worth. Though he is still a talented blueliner who can score in bunches from the back end.

Along with Carlson, the other notables on Tampa's defense are captain Victor Hedman and J.J. Moser. 

Hedman is 35 years old, turning 36 in December, and missed so much of 2025-26, with an injury-riddled campaign, as well as a temporary leave of absence.

Moser is an excellent two-way D-man who will probably have the biggest role on the team's blueline. He averaged the most ice time on the team this past year outside of Raddysh and was second in plus-minus with a plus-41.

To round out the Bolts' defence are 37-year-old McDonagh, as well as Erik Cernak and Charle-Edouard D'Astous and Emil Lilleberg.

On paper, the Maple Leafs should have the edge on the Lightning.

Another team the Leafs could be neck-and-neck with in terms of the makeup of their bluelines is the Boston Bruins.

Leading that group is Charlie McAvoy, a defenseman who probably looks down at the entire Maple Leafs D-corps. With him are Mason Lohrei, Hampus Lindholm, newly acquired Will Borgen, Henri Jokiharju, Nikita Zadorov and Connor Clifton. That's a solid blueline with all NHL regulars at ages between 25 and 32.

With Boston's defense up against Toronto's on paper, it's close. That decision could go either way, but if the Leafs' defensemen perform to their expectations, they have more difference-makers on paper.

Report: Maple Leafs 'Hopeful' To Add Difference-Maker To NHL RosterThe Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly "hopeful" to add a difference-maker to their roster after an already busy start to July.

Regarding the rest of the division, it's tough to make a case for the Maple Leafs having a flat-out better D-corps. 

However, the team that the Leafs come closest to of the rest is the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa has one of the best defensemen in the NHL in Jake Sanderson, who is still just 24 years old. 

Artem Zub and Thomas Chabot are solid top-four defensemen, and Jordan Spence can be a game-changer from the blueline with his offensive talent. Even Carter Yakemchuk can surprise the league the same way Detroit's Sandin-Pellikka can.

Ultimately, the Senators have better defensemen at prime ages, but the Leafs aren't far off if they can improve from this past year.

Even a team like the Buffalo Sabres, which moved on from Bowen Byram, still has the edge over Toronto, thanks to Norris Trophy finalist Rasmus Dahlin, as well as Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, who had great seasons in 2025-26. Now, add Olen Zellweger to the mix, and that blueline is looking fast and skilled.

Of the remaining teams, the Montreal Canadiens show no signs of slowing down, and the Florida Panthers look ready to challenge for another Stanley Cup this coming year.

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After concerns about the way his sophomore season in the NHL went, Philadelphia Flyers starlet Matvei Michkov is already doing what he can to begin erasing those doubts.

To the dismay of a small faction of Flyers fans, Michkov, 21, has spent much of his offseason back home in Russia, and he'll soon participate in the Match of the Year before returning to North America.

In the meantime, though, the young Flyers star has spent some time recently training with a star-studded group of NHLers in preparation for the new season.

On Sunday, Michkov was spotted working out with fellow Russian star Artemi Panarin and standout defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, as well as former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko, Vasili Podkolzin, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Marat Khusnutdinov under the tutelage of established trainer Dmitry Yashankin.

Panarin, Sergachev, Michkov, Lyubushkin, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, Khusnutdinov. NHL players are training together under the guidance of Dmitry Yashankin pic.twitter.com/BctASqMF2L

— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) July 12, 2026

The Match of the Year will take place in St. Petersburg on Saturday, July 25, and shortyl thereafter, Michkov is expected to return to Voorhees, N.J. to begin training and associating with his Flyers teammates ahead of the start of training camp.

Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported Monday that the Flyers expect their young star back sometime in early August, which would give Michkov at least a week to prepare for the long and complicated flight from Russia back to the United States.

The 2026-27 season will be a crucial one for Michkov, as he is heading into the last year of his entry-level contract with an up-and-down start to his NHL career.

After scoring 26 goals and 63 points in his first year with the Flyers under John Tortorella and Brad Shaw, Michkov regressed to 20 goals and only 51 points under first-year head coach Rick Tocchet last season amid concerns about his fitness level and preparation coming into the year.

All Roads in Flyers' Bid for No. 1 Center Point Back to Elias PetterssonAt some point, the Philadelphia Flyers may have to make an uncomfortable trade for dimming Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson.

The 5-foot-10 winger was eligible to sign an extension with the Flyers as of July 1, but all signs indicate we will have to wait to see any movement there.

Until then, we have video proof that Michkov is working diligently to erase any doubts about his attention to detail and physical condition.

The only outstanding business remaining this summer with the Buffalo Sabres roster was the status of forward Peyton Krebs, who filed for salary arbitration earlier this month. The 25-year-old forward was someone who head coach Lindy Ruff relied on frequently last season because of his versatility. On Monday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the two sides avoided arbitration and agreed to a four-year, $18 million contract extension ($4.5 million AAV).

Krebs scored a career-high 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) last season and showed his value in an increased role during his fifth season with the Sabres. The former Vegas Golden Knights first rounder was part of the Jack Eichel trade in November 2021 (along with former Sabre Alex Tuch and a 2022 first rounder - Noah Ostlund) and has adapted from being a high scoring forward in juniors to a feisty aggravator.

Ruff utilized Krebs in different situations last season, playing an energy role at center or wing on the fourth line, and being elevated higher in the lineup late in games, and referred to him as his Swiss Army knife.

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“My daughter was born here; I got engaged here. This is definitely a home for my family and I, and I’d love to be a part of this team as long as I can,” Krebs said as part of the Sabres press release. “Obviously, the group of guys here are unbelievable and a lot of fun to be around. I think that’s the biggest thing: Is it a fun environment to come to the rink? And that it is, for sure. I got to know my neighbors really well, and all the people out in Clarence where I live. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to, and I want to bring a Stanley Cup here.”

KREBSY’S BACK 😤

We have signed forward Peyton Krebs to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.

Details → https://t.co/Gtk0Fa2HP7pic.twitter.com/0C5JxLclfH

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 13, 2026

Filing for arbitration prevented Krebs from receiving an offer sheet, and with the deal, the Sabres lock him up for the bulk of his prime years. The AAV is consistent with a number of free agent contracts that depth forwards signed on July 1.  For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Colton Sissons to a two-year deal for $4.25 million and Jack Roslovic for two years at $4 million, both who can play multiple positions. 

On the trade and free agent front, there continues to be speculation regarding three-time Cup winner Patrick Kane and Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck coming to Buffalo. With the signing of Krebs, the Sabres have just over $4 million in available cap space. A trade for Hellebuyck would likely involve players off the Sabres roster and would open cap space to fit his $8.5 million salary.  The contract for the 37-year-old future Hall-of-Famer would likely be an incentive based deal as his deal with Detroit was last season. 

Kane had $4 million in incentive bonuses, and if the Sabres structured a deal like that, the cap hit on the incentive would be transferred to next year’s cap if Buffalo is close to the cap limit. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo