Category: NHL

Nick Jensen's two-year run with the Ottawa Senators officially came to an end on the opening day of free agency Wednesday, as the veteran defenceman signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth an average annual value of $2.2 million.

That news was first reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Jensen arrived in Ottawa in the summer of 2024 after then-new general manager Steve Staios acquired him from the Washington Capitals in an effort to rebalance the Senators' blue line. Ottawa also received a third-round draft pick in the deal, but the price tag for the two assets was significant.

The Capitals landed Jakob Chychrun, who followed up the trade with back-to-back 20-goal seasons, including a 26-goal, 60-point campaign this year.

At the time, however, the 2024 trade made sense from Ottawa's perspective.

Chychrun was just one year away from unrestricted free agency, and with Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson already occupying the left side while carrying cap hits north of $8 million, it was difficult to justify keeping a third expensive left-shot defenceman.

But that didn't stop a lot of Senators fans from feeling like Ottawa had sold low. Even acknowledging that Jensen was a better roster fit, many believed Staios could have extracted more than Jensen and a third-round pick in return.

Early on, Jensen looked like exactly the type of steady, veteran presence the Senators had hoped for. The veteran brought a calming influence to Ottawa's top four and was a perfect fit alongside Chabot.

But injuries soon became a problem.

Jensen broke down near the end of his first season and underwent hip surgery in May of last year. Although he recovered in time for opening night this season, he never quite looked like the same player afterward. He managed just 61 games this past season, recording four goals and 13 assists before his year ended on injured reserve.

Both Jensen and the Ducks will be hoping a healthy offseason leads to a significant bounce-back campaign in Anaheim.

As for the Senators, Jensen and the third-rounder are both gone. But on its way out, that pick did help Ottawa land another asset back in March.

That selection was packaged with a second-round pick at this year's trade deadline to acquire forward Warren Foegele. That means the Senators aren't left completely empty-handed after moving Chychrun, even if the overall return remains one that many fans will continue to debate.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:

Free Agency: Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
The Senators May Have Just Chosen Burakovsky Over Giroux
Senators Walk Away From AHL's Top Goal Scorer
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dillon Dube signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, making him the second of five players acquitted in the Canada 2018 world junior sexual assault case to get an NHL deal since the trial ended just under a year ago.

Dube was signed for $850,000 for next season on a one-way contract, which means he gets paid that salary whether he's in the NHL or the American Hockey League. He played 58 games this past year for the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds after agreeing to a professional tryout in December with St. Louis' top minor league affiliate.

"We’ve gotten to know him a lot better through that time frame," said general manager Alexander Steen, who added the organization was well aware of the situation and spoke to coaches and teammates about how Dube was in Springfield.

“He wants to be a positive influence. He’s had a positive influence on (that team) or a positive impact,” he added. "He approaches it with a sincerity and humility. Since I got here in St. Louis, the organization has always been a second-chance organization and this is Dillon’s opportunity and we feel confident in giving it to him — to fight for a spot on our team next year.”

The 5-foot-11 winger who turns 28 on July 20 follows goaltender Carter Hart back into the league. Hart signed with Vegas in October and backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Carolina in six games.

The NHL in September reinstated Hart, Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton, allowing them to play beginning Dec. 1. That came after a judge in London, Ontario, found them not guilty of sexual assault and McLeod additionally of a separate count of being a party to the offense.

McLeod in October signed a three-year contract to remain in the Russia-based KHL. Foote signed an AHL deal with the Chicago Wolves and played for them this past season. Formenton played in Switzerland.

___

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

The Rangers bolstered their middle-six forward group.

Oliver Bjorkstrand signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million with the Rangers on Wednesday, The Post has learned. As a result, the Blueshirts added a right wing who has surpassed 30 points in each of his last nine seasons to a forward pool in need of more consistent producers.

In a reduced role in Tampa Bay last season, Bjorkstrand posted 12 goals and 20 assists in 80 games. His 32 points were his lowest since the 2016-17 campaign, when he spent a majority of the season in the AHL.

The Rangers will be the fourth team Bjorkstrand has played for in his 11-year NHL career.

Over 704 games with the Blue Jackets, the Kraken and the Lightning, the 31-year-old has collected 184 goals and 232 assists while averaging 15:26 of ice time.

The Colorado Avalanche continued strengthening their organizational depth Wednesday, signing forward Adam Beckman to a two-year, two-way contract after one of the most productive offensive seasons of his professional career.

According to reports from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and AHL insider Tony Androckitis, Beckman's new deal carries an NHL salary of $850,000 in the first year and $900,000 in the second. The contract includes an AHL salary of $475,000 in both seasons with a $500,000 guaranteed salary each year.

Beckman arrives after spending the 2025-26 season in the New York Islanders organization, where he established himself as one of the American Hockey League's top goal scorers. Skating for the Bridgeport Islanders, the 24-year-old recorded 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points in 68 games, leading the club in goals and showcasing the finishing ability that made him a highly regarded prospect earlier in his career.

While the bulk of his production came in the AHL, Beckman also appeared in 23 NHL games with the Islanders, adding to the 36 career NHL games he has played between New York and the Minnesota Wild.

Earlier in his professional career, Beckman also drew national attention after receiving a 10-game suspension from the American Hockey League during the 2024-25 season for making physical contact with an official in a game against the Charlotte Checkers. The league ruled the collision fell under physical abuse of an official without intent to injure.

Adam Beckman ➡️ Referee • #HFHits • Adam Beckman of the Bridgeport Islanders was suspended 10 games for abusing an official • 2025 APR 9 • Vid via: @FloHockeypic.twitter.com/gJEpQyAFWl

— HockeyFights.com (@hockeyfights) April 10, 2025

Originally selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (75th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Beckman has consistently produced offensively in the AHL throughout his professional career. His combination of scoring touch and NHL experience gives Colorado another intriguing option as the organization looks to strengthen its forward depth entering the 2026-27 season.

The signing could prove especially beneficial for the Colorado Eagles, where Beckman is expected to play a significant role if he doesn't crack the Avalanche's opening-night roster. After scoring 30 goals a season ago, he'll arrive as one of the Eagles' most accomplished offensive additions in recent years while also providing the Avalanche with another call-up option should injuries arise during the season.

For a Colorado organization that values internal competition and organizational depth, Beckman represents a low-risk addition with legitimate offensive upside. Now, he'll look to build on last season's breakout performance and turn it into sustained success.

On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils continued the first day of the Free Agent Frenzy with a contract extension for goaltender Nico Daws. 

Daws earned himself a two-year deal with an average annual value of $1.1 million. He will make $925 thousand in 2026-27 and $1.225 million in 2027-28. 

This deal comes after the Devils traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. This opens the door for Daws to get some playing time with Jake Allen, but there is still the potential for a big move in net. 

Daws is 25 years old, and he has been developing in the Devils system for the last five years. Going back and forth between the NHL and AHL has been his assignment to begin his career. 

In 82 NHL games played (75 of them starts), Daws is 24-24-1 with a 2.96 goals against average, a .898 save percentage, and a shutout. Only 3 of those games, all of them started, came in 2025-26. He went 2-1-0 in those games with a 2.62 goals against and a .908 save percentage. 

The career moment for Daws to date is the 6-3 win he had as the starter in the 2024 NHL Stadium Series. This is also the first and only outdoor win in the history of the New Jersey Devils. He faced 48 shots in the win, which is the most a goalie has ever faced in an outdoor game. 

There are rumors surrounding Winnipeg Jets superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and there are other goalies out there that New Jersey could consider. However, having Daws locked in is important for them as an option for themselves and the Utica Comets. 

The future of the crease in New Jersey is cloudy, with a lot of parts that may still be moving, but Daws will remain someone who is an option for them at this time.

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Even if the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't about to hand out any overpays in NHL free agency, that never meant they would avoid signings that could help the team in the short-term and in the long-term.

And they made another move on Day One of free agency that definitely addresses the short-term.

On Wednesday, the Penguins inked winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal. Kuzmenko, 30, was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline in 2025 and stayed there through the end of the 2025-26 season, recording 18 goals and 42 points in 74 games during that time. 

Report: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals DefensemanPer NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Penguins are bringing in ex-Capitals veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.

The undrafted Russian forward has yet to repeat his standout rookie campaign with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022-23, when he put up an impressive 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games. Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of placement have inhibited him from reaching higher potential, and the latest in the injury saga came last season when he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. 

Still, even at 30, there is some upside potential to Kuzmenko if he can remain healthy. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward is a threat to score goals and is a nice power play piece, giving the Penguins options in their middle-six. He is also capable of playing both wings, but the left-shot has preferred the right wing throughout his career. 

3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free AgencyThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas figure to be one of the more interesting teams heading into free agency on Jul. 1.

The situation isn't too much different from winger Anthony Mantha, who had season-ending ACL surgery in 2024-25 with the Calgary Flames and enjoyed a career year in Pittsburgh last season with 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games. 

The addition of Kuzmenko adds to an already-crowded crop of forwards, as the Penguins also added restricted free agents Hendrix Lapierre and Nicholas Robertson. According to Puckpedia, without the three RFAs in Lapierre, Robertson, and Chinakhov, the Penguins already have 13 forward listed on their NHL roster, which includes Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty.

With young forwards like Hayes and McGroarty pushing for roster spots from the AHL, it will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh decides to move on from one or more veterans on their NHL roster.

Penguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple LeafsThe Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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The Florida Panthers signed a pair of familiar players to a new contracts on Wednesday.

Despite not qualifying him as a restricted free agent, the Panthers announced they have signed forward Cole Schwindt to a new two-year deal.

Florida originally drafted Schwindt in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

He was included in the summer 2022 trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers. Florida than claimed him off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights in October of last year.

Schwindt played 29 games with the Panthers last season, logging five goals and seven points.

He’ll likely be viewed as a candidate to center Florida’s fourth line next season after taking a career high 115 draws last year, winning 44.2% of them.

“Cole has developed into a well-rounded two-way forward who fits seamlessly with our team,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He competes hard every night and we are pleased to have him back as a part of our strong forward group for the next two seasons.”

Florida also announced a new, two-year deal with former Cats defenseman Alexander Petrovic.

The veteran blueliner has played 10 seasons in the NHL after being selected by Florida in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

He played parts of seven seasons with the Panthers before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December of 2018 in exchange for Chris Weidman and a third-round pick.

In the eight years since the trade, Petrovic has played 60 games in the NHL and another 341 in the AHL.

Of those 60 NHL games, 54 came last season with the Dallas Stars.

“Alex is a stalwart shutdown defenseman who brings size and depth to our blueline,” Zito said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him back to our organization.”

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Panthers Acquiring Goaltender Jacob Markstrom From The Devils

Photo caption: Nov 13, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Cole Schwindt (79) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

On Wednesday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils re-signed goaltender Nico Daws to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,100,000. The contract details are as follows: 2026-27: $975,000 and 2027-28: $1,225,000.

Daws was a restricted free agent who received a qualifying offer from the team on June 29. 

You’re gonna need a bigger net. Nico Daws is back for two more years.

📰: https://t.co/7huLrhKpSepic.twitter.com/zPaZdejUh1

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) July 1, 2026

The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the Devils organization, appearing in 55 games in the NHL and 142 in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. Last season, he played three games for New Jersey, posting a 2-1-0 record and a 2.62 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

Daws made his NHL debut on Oct. 23, 2021, a 2-1 win against the Buffalo Sabers, where he made 24 saves. Per Devils PR, he became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win their NHL debut. New Jersey selected the 6’4”, 205lbs. goaltender in the third round (84th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The Devils traded veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday along with forward Angus Crookshank for  Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Not long after the Detroit Red Wings signed veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract, they addressed their goaltending depth. 

GM Steve Yzerman has signed goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who played last season with the Florida Panthers, to a one-year contract. He'll carry a salary cap hit of $2 million.

DANIIL THE THRILL!

The #RedWings have signed Daniil Tarasov to a one-year contract with an AAV of $2,000,000. pic.twitter.com/OYRYfNrC2q

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2026

Not only does this mean that veteran Cam Talbot will not be back with the club next season, but that the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins will feature competition between Michal Postava and 2023 second-round pick Trey Augustine for the starting position. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Tarasov, who split time in his native Russia between the KHL and VHL, was selected with the 86th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

He would make his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets during the 2021-22 season, and would split his time between Columbus and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson On the opening day of the NHL free-agency period, the Detroit Red Wings are adding some veteran talent up front with the signing of Viktor Arvidsson.

In late June of last year, he was traded to the Panthers, with whom he'd sign a one-year contract to back up Sergei Bobrovsky. In his first and only year in Florida, Tarasov amassed a record of 13-15-3 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. 

Overall, he's 32-49-9 with a 3.30 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage, and one shutout in 98 career NHL games between the Blue Jackets and Panthers. 

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues liked enough of what they saw with Dillon Dube with Springfield of the American Hockey League last season, they decided to bring him back.

The team announced on Wednesday they signed the 27-year-old to a one-year, one-way contract for $850,000.

Dube originally joined the organization on an AHL professional tryout with the Thunderbirds on Dec. 10, 2025 and played in 46 regular-season games last season, sharing second on the team with 20 goals and ranking fourth with 37 points.

"We've gotten to know him a lot better throughout that time frame," Blues general manager Alex Steen said. "He and his teammates built a foundation and a compete level that kept pushing each other and pushing forward, and at the end of the year, it built up a strong foundation to really push some big teams out of the playoffs. Those guys are himself, (Zach) Dean, (Aleksanteri) Kaskimaki, (Dylan) Peterson, they're showing that that gap is starting to close more and more. 

"What we're trying to accomplish that I mentioned to a few of you yesterday is we're big, big believers in that internal competition and I think we're raising the bar on that and I think we're creating a lot more of that with these moves today and we're happy where the team is positioned and excited to move forward."

Dude also had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 12 Calder Cup playoff games for Springfield, helping lead the team to the Atlantic Division Final. 

Dube (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) has played in 325 career NHL regular-season games with the Calgary Flames and had 127 points (57 goals, 70 assists).

The second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft is trying to earn his way back into the NHL after he and four other former Canadian World Junior hockey players were acquitted of sexual assault charges by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia on July 24, 2025.

The Blues are not overlooking what happened with Dube in the past and have done their due diligence on the situation and feel the player made a positive impact in Springfield in his time there.

"We're well aware of that," Steen said. "The thing that's impressed us with Dillon is his openness towards it. We brought him in December, so we've had opportunity to get to know him. Obviously the coaching staff and his teammates have shared what their experiences with him are. He wants to be a positive influence, he's had a positive influence on that team or a positive impact. He approaches it with sincerity and humility.

"Since I got here in St. Louis, the organization's always been a second-chance organization and it's an opportunity and we feel confident giving it to him to fight for a spot on our team next year.

"He's open about things that he's gone through. His attitude, his humility towards it. When you get to know him more and more, his interactions with his teammates and his players, he wants to bring out the best version of himself on a daily basis and he actively tries to bring out the best version of his teammates as well."

There has already been opinions wavering on both sides on the matter, including those that don't approve considering the past allegations.

"I appreciate everyone's perspective on the decision," Steen said. "I obviously respect that not everybody's going to agree with it, but we've gotten to know Dillon over the course of the last nine months. He's been a part of the organization down in Springfield since December. Since I've been here, the organization has been a second-chance organization and in our opinion, we're confident in giving him this opportunity."

Blues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million ContractForward brings grit, toughness to bottom lineup of forwards Berggren Re-Signs With BluesForward, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings last season, gets a one-year, $2 million contractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractForward had one year remaining on a two-year, $8 million contract signed with Islanders; was acquired on March 6 in Brayden Schenn trade; Blues owe $1.33 million against cap in each of next two seasonsBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesTkachuk, recently named to Hockey Hall of Fame, was previously director of recruitment; Thorburn was development coach; Bortuzzo hired to be pro scoutSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningFormer NHLer of 15 years, including last 12 seasons in St. Louis, takes over for Doug Armstrong, who keeps role as president of hockey operations after taking over as GM in 2010Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Blues top line center excited by recent acquisitions, affirms his commitment to St. Louis with no desire to be moved

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It's never a badge of honour when an NHL team has to pay a man to play for the enemy.

That's how it's been for the Senators, who've been paying Joonas Korpisalo $1 million a year to play for the Boston Bruins the past two seasons. But after his trade to the New York Rangers on Wednesday, at least he's out of the Atlantic Division now.

Boston dealt the veteran goalie to the Blueshirts for their 2028 fourth-round draft pick and forward Kalle Vaisanen. Korpisalo still has two years and $8 million left on his deal, #2 million of which will be paid by the Senators.

How did this retained salary come to be for the Sens?

In 2023, GM Pierre Dorion signed Korpisalo to a five-year contract worth $20 million. Korpisalo lasted just one season, and new GM Steve Staios shipped him to Boston in the Linus Ullmark trade. As part of the deal, the Senators would retain 25 percent of Korpisalo's salary.

He appeared in 31 games for the Bruins this season, posting a 14-9-6 record, a 3.15 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. His seasonal highlight came in Milan, representing Team Finland and earning a bronze medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Korpisalo has played in 334 career NHL games for the Bruins, Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets. In his one season with the Sens, he did something Linus Ullmark has never done and that's play in more than 50 games (55).

He's also the holder of the NHL record for most saves (85) in a single playoff game. That performance came during a 3-2, five-overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020.

Korpisalo was originally selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 62nd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

He's not the only player still earning money to not play for the Senators. Former first-rounder Colin White also has two years to go at $875,000 as part of his buyout. He played full-time for San Jose's farm club, where he was teammates with Sens newcomer Kasper Halttunen.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators check out one of the latest headlines below:

Free Agency: Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
The Senators May Have Just Chosen Burakovsky Over Giroux
Senators Walk Away From AHL's Top Goal Scorer
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

The Islanders have their goaltending plan set — just in case Semyon Varlamov isn’t ready to return.

While general manager Mathieu Darche said Saturday they plan on having Varlamov back up Ilya Sorokin if healthy, the Islanders still signed Vitek Vanecek to a one-year deal worth $1 million, according to TSN.

Vanecek, who won 33 games with the Devils in 2022-23 and then won a ring with the Panthers in 2025 as a backup, spent last year with the Mammoth — where he finished with a 5-13-3 record, a .883 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average.

Vanecek will essentially fill the role of David Rittich, who the Islanders relied on for 28 starts last year with Varlamov out.

Varlamov has undergone two knee replacement surgeries and last appeared in an NHL game in November 2024, though he appeared in two games with AHL Bridgeport on a conditioning loan late last season.

“We’re obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves,” Darche said of Varlamov on Saturday. “Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He’s under contract, he feels great. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be our backup next year.

“He’s been training, no medication, no anything. He’s been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It’s very encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have found their backup goaltender, signing veteran netminder Calvin Pickard in free agency.

With Filip Gustavsson expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season, Pickard gives Minnesota an experienced option to share the crease with Jesper Wallstedt early in the year.

The 34-year-old is coming off three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, where he emerged as a dependable backup and made key playoff appearances during the club's consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

Pickard appeared in 36 regular-season games in 2024-25, posting a 22-10-1 record while providing steady play behind Edmonton's starter. 

Last season, he started 13 games and went 5-6-2 with a 3.68 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage. He is 74-77-14 in his NHL career with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage with five shutouts.

He has played in 191 career games across 11 seasons with six different teams. The Wild will be his seventh team in his 12th season.

A veteran of more than a decade in professional hockey, Pickard brings valuable NHL experience to a Wild team that needed a reliable backup while Gustavsson recovers.

His addition also allows Minnesota to avoid rushing Wallstedt into a heavier workload than planned to begin the season.

The signing addresses one of the Wild's biggest needs on the opening day of free agency and gives the club stability in net heading into training camp.

Pickard's deal is a one-year, $1 million.

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