Report: Senators Cut Ties With Belleville Sniper Who Scored 40 Goals This Season

The Ottawa Senators have decided not to issue a qualifying offer to RFA winger Arthur Kaliyev, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The move was first reported by Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, and Kaliyev no longer appears on the club's Puckpedia page.

Kaliyev arrived in Ottawa last summer hoping it would provide the fresh start he needed to revive his NHL career.

The former second-round pick had shown flashes of being a productive scorer with the Los Angeles Kings, recording 71 points in 202 NHL games over parts of four seasons. But a series of injuries derailed his progress.

During the 2023-24 season, Kaliyev suffered an upper-body injury in training camp that kept him sidelined until December. Once healthy, the Kings attempted to assign him to the American Hockey League, but he was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers in January.

His stint in New York was brief. Kaliyev dressed for just 14 games before another upper-body injury ended his season.

The Rangers elected not to qualify him last summer, allowing the 24-year-old to hit the open market. Ottawa quickly signed him to a one-year, two-way contract, a move that seemed logical given his previous relationship with Senators owner Michael Andlauer and general manager Steve Staios.

Kaliyev played for the Hamilton Bulldogs when Andlauer owned the club and Staios served as general manager, helping the franchise capture the 2022 OHL championship.

Despite remaining healthy throughout the season, Kaliyev never earned an extended look with Ottawa, appearing in only two NHL games.

Instead, he spent the bulk of the year with the Belleville Senators, where he reminded everyone of his offensive ability. Kaliyev scored 40 goals in 70 AHL games and was named to the league's All-Star Team, finishing as the American Hockey League's top goal scorer.

Even with that production, it wasn't enough to convince Ottawa to keep him around.

Kaliyev's season also included an off-ice distraction after allegations involving money and gambling were made by a former girlfriend. The NHL investigated the matter and cleared him of any wrongdoing in February.

There's little question Kaliyev has excellent offensive instincts, particularly on the power play, where his heavy shot remains elite, even by NHL standards. The bigger concern continues to be his five-on-five game, including his skating and defensive play.

With the Senators choosing not to qualify him, Kaliyev now returns to the open market looking for another opportunity to turn his offensive talent into a permanent NHL role.

Garrioch also says that RFA Leevi Merliainen has been qualified, but Riley Kidney was not. Other restricted free agents in Belleville include Tyler Boucher and Xavier Bourgault.

**This story will be updated as additional qualifying-offer decisions become official ahead of and after Monday's 5:00 p.m. deadline.**

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This story was first published in The Hockey News Ottawa. Read more articles at the headlines below.

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Mammoth Trade Maksymilian Szuber to Canadiens for Former Top Prospect Joshua Roy

Utah continues to reshape its organizational depth, and this time it has added a former high-end junior scorer with something left to prove.

The Mammoth announced Monday that they have acquired forward Joshua Roy from the Montréal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Maksymilian Szuber, swapping one promising young prospect for another as both organizations look to address different needs.

At 22 years old, Roy arrives in Utah carrying the pedigree of one of the most productive players to come through the QMJHL in recent years. While he has yet to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, the skilled winger has consistently produced at the American Hockey League level and now gets a fresh opportunity in a new organization.

Roy spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Laval Rocket, where he finished fourth on the team in scoring after recording 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in 57 games. He also made three NHL appearances with the Canadiens during the season.

Across three NHL seasons, Roy appeared in 38 games for Montréal, totaling six goals and five assists for 11 points.

His body of work in the AHL has been equally impressive. In 145 career regular-season games, Roy has accumulated 56 goals and 56 assists for 112 points while adding another 12 points in 19 Calder Cup Playoff contests. His strong play also earned him a selection to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, where he represented the North Division.

Long before reaching the professional ranks, Roy built a reputation as one of junior hockey’s elite offensive talents. Between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Sherbrooke Phoenix, he piled up 297 points in just 216 QMJHL games while posting a remarkable plus-93 rating. He added another 51 points in 28 playoff games and was twice named to the league’s First All-Star Team.

Roy also earned consecutive QMJHL Personality of the Year honors in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Internationally, Roy helped Team Canada capture back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2022 and 2023. During the 2023 tournament, he recorded 11 points in seven games, tying for second on the team in scoring. He also shared those championship teams with current Mammoth goaltender Sebastian Cossa and forward Dylan Guenther.

The Canadiens originally selected Roy in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Heading to Montréal is 23-year-old defenseman Maksymilian Szuber, who spent last season with the Tucson Roadrunners. The right-shot blueliner recorded 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 65 AHL games while adding 67 penalty minutes.

Szuber has appeared in 200 career AHL games, producing 25 goals and 62 assists for 87 points since being selected by the then-Arizona Coyotes in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He also made his NHL debut during the 2023-24 season, appearing in one game with Arizona.

For Utah, the deal represents a calculated bet on a young forward whose offensive ceiling has been evident at every level outside the NHL. Now, Roy will get the chance to compete for a bigger role with a new organization looking to add another skilled piece to its long-term core.

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Report: Penguins Had 'Some Momentum' In Robertson Talks

After Pittsburgh Penguins' president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas spoke with the media on Friday after round one of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, it became apparent that he and his front office have been poking around at some bigger names in the trade market.

And it appears they have engaged with one of the market's biggest names. 

On his 32 Thoughts podcast Monday, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed that he heard there were talks between Pittsburgh and the Dallas Stars regarding a potential trade to bring superstar winger Jason Robertson to Pittsburgh. Robertson, a pending-restricted free agent, is reportedly seeking a long-term deal with an average annual value of $14 million or higher, a price that Dallas can't pay without shedding some cap elsewhere.

32 Thoughts: The Podcast32 Thoughts: The PodcastHockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman & Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.

"I heard that there were talks with Pittsburgh on Friday or Saturday," Friedman said on 32 Thoughts. "And there were a couple of teams who thought that there was some momentum there, but obviously, it didn't happen.

"Pittsburgh, by the way, is another team that people are saying is trying to do something with some heft to it. So, I wasn't so surprised to hear that. But, I think teams are trying to figure out, 'Ok what's he looking for, and would he be interested in coming to us?'."

Robertson, 26, is coming off a 45-goal, 96-point campaign, and he is one of the league's very best wingers. He already turned down an eight-year, $96 million deal from the Stars, and he reportedly rejected extension offers from the Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues.

Jason Robertson And The Pittsburgh Penguins Might Make More Sense Than You ThinkJason Robertson And The Pittsburgh Penguins Might Make More Sense Than You ThinkThe Dallas Stars and Jason Robertson appear to be on the verge of a potential breakup - and the Pittsburgh Penguins may actually make a great deal of sense as trade partners.

It has not been reported that Robertson or his camp would turn down an offer from the Penguins, should a deal be in the works or should an offer sheet happen.

On Friday, Dubas expressed that he'd still like to land a difference-maker in their 20s and that some of the players already traded have fit that mold. Robertson figures to fit that mold as well, but the asking prices prior to the draft were something that Dubas couldn't meet, which may be why the alleged talks between Pittsburgh and Dallas stalled during the draft.

"I think we continue to work away at it," Dubas said. "As it's happened, you go in, and what I wanted to have was - maybe not so much late-20s - but in the range of some of the guys that have been moved. And, in past years, they haven't gone for that level of asset. There was multiple top-10 picks moved, which isn't overly common."

But acquiring a bigger-name player - perhaps, such as Robertson - is still something Dubas and the Penguins will continue to work through. 

"I don't know that we'll pivot," Dubas said. "We'll continue to stay involved in all those discussions and see where it lands."

'We'll Continue To Stay Involved': Dubas Prepared To Adjust Accordingly To Changing Market'We'll Continue To Stay Involved': Dubas Prepared To Adjust Accordingly To Changing MarketPittsburgh Penguins' president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas is still trying to land a difference-maker in the trade market, but he may have to adjust to a changing landscape with the rising salary cap.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

Ducks Acquire A.J. Greer from Panthers

The Ducks have erased another pending UFA off of their list. On Monday, they traded defenseman Radko Gudas’ signing rights to the Florida Panthers in exchange for A.J. Greer’s signing rights.

Greer, 29, spent the last two seasons playing for the Panthers, putting up 49 points in 159 games. He is a big, bruising winger who will add plenty of toughness to the Ducks’ bottom-6.

A second-round pick in 2015, Greer began his pro career with the Colorado Avalanche before stops in New Jersey, Boston, Calgary and Florida.

Gudas was the Ducks’ captain for the past two seasons. He joined the organization in the summer of 2023, signing a three-year deal on the same day as longtime teammate Alex Killorn. Gudas’ first season with the Ducks helped Jackson LaCombe settle into the NHL as a rookie, as the former used his physicality and defensive mentality to complement the young defenseman.

Jan 25, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

However, after being named captain 2024, Gudas was unable to replicate his stellar performance from the season prior. Whether it was due to age or lingering injuries, he frequently found himself out of position, needing to take a penalty to prevent an opposing scoring opportunity.

Gudas’ Ducks tenure ended unceremoniously due to a sprained ankle that he suffered during the regular season. He returned for Game 1 of their Round 1 series against the Edmonton Oilers, but did not play for the rest of the playoffs after re-aggravating the injury.

With this trade, it’s a return to familiarity for Gudas, who played for the Panthers for three seasons—and helped them get to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 prior to signing with the Ducks. He’ll likely be on their bottom pair alongside Dmitry Kulikov.

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, both Greer and Gudas are likely to sign with their new teams.

Former Flyers Prospect Qualified by Maple Leafs

After the surprise Joseph Woll trade earlier this month, at least one former Philadelphia Flyers is going to be kept by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On Monday, with the dawn of free agency fast approaching, the Maple Leafs began extending pending free agents, and issuing qualifying offers to restricted free agents.

The Maple Leafs have already begun doing extensive work to reshape their defense, signing Darren Raddysh, trading Brandon Carlo, and extending Troy Stecher.

Their next step, for all intents and purposes, is going to be signing former Flyers prospect Emil Andrae, who was acquired in that Woll trade package.

Andrae, 24, is a restricted free agent whose qualifying offer is an extremely modest $874k; if and when he signs a new contract, it is highly likely his cap hit will far exceed that number.

NHL Insider Reveals Flyers Big Dan Vladar Contract ExtensionNHL Insider Reveals Flyers Big Dan Vladar Contract ExtensionDan Vladar is about to sign a five-year extension with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Andrae scored two goals, 11 assists, and 13 points in 61 games with the Flyers at the NHL level this season, playing limited minutes despite being arguably the Flyers' best defenseman at breaking pucks out and starting plays with his passing.

As for former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson, who was traded alongside Andrae and a third-round pick for Woll, the Maple Leafs already traded him away to the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators for a fifth-round pick.

While the deadline for qualifying offers is 5 p.m. on Monday, the Senators are expected to sign Ersson is all things go well.

The Flyers have not yet released their list of qualified free agents at the time of this writing.

Reports: Maple Leafs And Troy Stecher Agree To Two-Year Deal Worth $2.7 Million

The Toronto Maple Leafs' most valuable waiver pickup in recent memory is sticking around.

According to CHEK's Rick Dhaliwal, the Maple Leafs and Stetcher have agreed on a two-year extension.

According to PuckPedia.com, the deal is worth $1.35 million per season.

The Leafs plucked Stecher off the waiver wire from the Edmonton Oilers on November 15, as they looked for a right-shot defenseman in the wake of some injuries. One of those was injuries was to Brandon Carlo.

Stecher logged 16:44 of 5-on-5 ice time in 58 games with the Leafs, where he scored three goals and added 11 assists. Despite the Leafs missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the veteran defenseman enjoyed his time in Toronto and was not shy about expressing his desire to stay beyond the season.

Ironically enough, it was the departure of Carlo's services that opened the door for Stecher again. The Leafs moved Carlo to the St. Louis Blues over the weekend for a pair of third-round picks at the 2026 NHL Draft.

Stecther's deal is one-way, but is just $125,000 above the NHL's burial amount from a salary-cap calculation perspective. Meaning, if he doesn't start on the main roster, the cap charge is negligible.


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Report: Maple Leafs Decline To Offer Matias Maccelli Qualifying Offer, Making Him A UFA

After making qualifying offers to RFAs Nick Robertson, Jacob Quillan and Emil Andrae, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not give one to left winger Matias Maccelli, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. That means his time in Toronto is up, and he'll be a UFA as of July 1.

Maccelli is coming off a three-year contract that was signed in July 2023 with the Arizona Coyotes. He earned $3.425 million against the salary cap on that deal, and if the Maple Leafs wanted to qualify him, it would cost $4.11 million.

This past season was Maccelli's first in Toronto. He was acquired from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick. He scored 14 goals and 39 points for the Leafs with 14:34 of average ice time. He recorded 10 goals and 30 points in the final 50 games of the campaign.

Maccelli's best season in the NHL came in 2023-24 in the Coyotes' final year of existence. Featuring in all 82 games, Maccelli scored 17 goals and 57 points for Arizona, while averaging 16:14 of ice time. He hasn't come close to those numbers since.

Report: Nick Robertson, Emil Andrae Among Maple Leafs Receiving Qualifying OffersReport: Nick Robertson, Emil Andrae Among Maple Leafs Receiving Qualifying OffersThe NHL has a deadline of 5 p.m. ET to extend qualifying offers to impending free agents.

Plenty of other RFAs around the NHL could also not be given a qualifying offer ahead of Monday's 5 p.m. ET deadline. But at the time of the report that Maccelli won't be receiving a qualifying offer, he becomes the youngest free agent available on the market at 25 years old.

For the Maple Leafs' roster, this clears up some more room in terms of the team's depth on the wing. With Robertson coming back, as well as youngsters Easton Cowan and Gavin McKenna expected to have roles in the NHL next year, on top of Matthew Knies, William Nylander and others, there wasn't much room.

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Rebuilding Canucks acquire veteran forward Brendan Gallagher in trade with Canadiens

NHL: New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens

Mar 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) waits for a face-off against the New York Islanders during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks added veteran depth by acquiring Brendan Gallagher in a trade with Montreal on Monday, with NHL teams busy revamping their rosters two days before the free-agency period opens.

As part of the deal, Montreal acquired future considerations and agreed to retain 50% of the $6.5 million the 34-year-old is scheduled to make in the final season of his contract.

Gallagher is a respected leader and valuable role player in spending 14 seasons in Montreal. He topped 20 goals five times, including a career-best 33 in 2018-19.

His playing time, however, began diminishing, with Gallagher appearing in just three playoff games in Montreal’s run to the Eastern Conference final before losing to eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina.

“We love the way he completes and leads by example,” Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson said of Gallagher, who is from Edmonton and played junior hockey in Vancouver. “Bringing in veterans like Brendan will help us set the standard for our younger guys to follow.”

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, meantime, thanked Gallagher for his contributions in Montreal.

“Brendan will always hold a special place in the hearts of Canadiens fans. He represented the team with such tremendous determination, passion and inspiring courage,” Hughes said. “He is the very definition of a warrior, always putting the team’s success ahead of his own individual accolades.”

Canucks deal Hoglander to Nashville

It was the second trade of the day for the rebuilding Canucks after finishing last in the standings. Vancouver acquired a 2029 third-round pick in a deal that sent winger Nils Hoglander to Nashville.

The Predators continued revamping under new general manager Chris MacFarland. Hoglander has six years of NHL experience and missed a majority of last season after having ankle surgery, and finished with two goals and three assists in 38 games.

“He is a 25-year-old experienced winger who is known for his relentless, high-energy style of play, bringing a consistent motor to the lineup night after night,” MacFarland said. “We believe the player can come in and have a key role.”

Sabres re-sign Malenstyn to 6-year deal

The Buffalo Sabres re-signed checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million contract, retaining the player two days before he was eligible to hit the free agent market.

The average salary of $2.9 million more than doubles the $1.35 million Malenstyn made in each of his first two seasons in Buffalo. And it represents the value the 28-year-old brought to the team in a secondary role.

Last season, Malenstyn set a Sabres’ single-season record with 282 hits and finished second on the team with 75 blocked shots. He scored a career-high seven goals as part of a 14-point season.

The sixth-year NHL player spent his first four seasons in Washington and was acquired by Buffalo in a trade that sent a second-round pick to the Capitals at the 2024 draft.

Sharks re-sign Kesselring to 3-year deal

The San Jose Sharks signed newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract.

The 26-year-old was a pending restricted free agent, and was acquired by San Jose in a trade with Buffalo two weeks ago.

As part of the deal, the teams swapped first-round draft picks with the Sabres moving up seven spots in the order to No. 20 on Friday night.

The 6-foot-5 defenseman completed his fourth NHL season, and first in Buffalo. After topping 20 points with Arizona and Utah in each of his previous two seasons, Kesselring was limited by a nagging lower body injury and finished with two assists in 34 games last season.

In other moves

— Utah acquired forward Joshua Roy in a trade that sent defenseman Maksymilian Szuber to Montreal, in an exchange of minor leaguers.

— Colorado re-signed forward Taylor Makar to a two-year deal. He made his NHL debut by appearing in 12 games last season, and the 25-year-old is the younger brother of Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar.

Florida Panthers Acquire Rights To Radko Gudas From Anaheim Ducks In Exchange For Rights To AJ Greer

The Florida Panthers are bringing a familiar, beard-covered face back to the franchise.

On Monday, the Panthers acquired the rights to unrestricted free agent Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the rights to A.J. Greer, also a UFA.

Both players will become free agents on July 1, but the trade allows the Panthers and Ducks to negotiate extensions with their new players for the next two days.

THN Florida reported on the Panthers' interest in a Gudas reunion last week. 

Gudas, 36, previously played for the Panthers from 2020-2023 before signing a three-year deal with the Ducks, who also named the veteran blueliner their captain.

Now he and his family will return to South Florida, a place they were very happy during his time with the Panthers.

It’s believed that Gudas and Florida will come to an agreement on a deal that is lower than the $4 million average annual value he earned while in Anaheim.

We’ll see how things play out between now and Wednesday.

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Photo caption: Jun 2, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas (7) takes questions during media day in advance of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Alberts Šmits Noncommittal About Whether Or Not He'll Attend Rangers' Training Camp

Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

On Monday, Alberts Šmits took the ice for the first time at the New York Rangers’ practice facility for Development Camp.

Šmits, who was selected by the Rangers with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, expressed his relief to be done with the draft process and is now ready to shift his focus to the development camp. 

“It's a big relief that you end up in such a good organization, and now just you have the time and good place to work on your little things that you have to improve to take the next step,” Šmits said. 

The big question surrounding Šmits is whether or not he’ll be attending training camp starting in September to compete for an opening-night roster spot. 

Šmits is considered to be one of the more NHL-ready defensemen in the 2026 draft class, but he neglected to specify whether he would be at training camp in a couple of months. 

“We'll see how it goes,” Šmits said, trying not to reveal his plans for this upcoming season. 

The 19-year-old’s draft stock rose after he was able to hold his own playing for Team Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics against some of the best players the NHL has to offer. 

In addition to his time at both the Olympics and the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship, Šmits has experience competing against pro-level talent, playing for Mikkelin Jukurit of Liiga, the top-tier Finnish ice hockey league.

“A lot of experience how to handle situations when you go against much bigger and stronger guys,” Šmits said of his time in Liiga. “I think they are more improved than playing against the junior guys, so it gave me a lot of experience (how to) handle different situations.”

As for Šmits’ summer plan in terms of his training, he chose not to reveal it to the media, keeping it between himself and the organization.

REPORT: Kings Believed To Have Interest In Hurricanes Dynamic Defenseman

Teams around the National Hockey League have wasted no time trying to improve their roster as there have already been a plethora of notable trades.

However, the Los Angeles Kings have been one of the few teams that haven't done anything in the trade department. They did sign Brandt Clarke to a new five-year deal, but aside from that, they have remained rather quiet.

But, that could change according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman who said on the latest episode of '32 Thoughts' that the Kings are among teams with serious interest in acquiring Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

After just one season in Carolina, Alexander Nikishin has already found himself in trade talks. The Stanley Cup Champion Hurricanes have yet to make any progress when it comes to signing the pending RFA. The Canes aren't trying to give the 24-year-old away, but they are rumoured to be taking calls.

It appears that one of those teams potentially calling Eric Tulsky and company is the Los Angeles Kings.  After signing Clarke to a long-term extension, the Kings may be searching for his long-term partner.

Nikishin, 24, and Clarke, 23 would immediately become one of the NHL's best and most promising young defensive pairings. 

Breaking News: Kings Lock Up Brandt Clarke With Five-Year, $7.4 Million ExtensionBreaking News: Kings Lock Up Brandt Clarke With Five-Year, $7.4 Million ExtensionThe future of the Kings' blue line is officially secured. Los Angeles signed rising star Brandt Clarke to a five-year, $7.4 million contract extension, keeping the young defenseman in Hollywood through the 2030-31 season.

In his rookie season in 2025-26, Nikishin put together a very strong campaign. In 81 games, he scored 11 goals along with 22 assists for 33 points. He was solid defensively as well, accumulating a +18 rating.

If not for this year's incredibly strong rookie class, Nikishin likely would have gotten more votes for the Calder Trophy which is award to the Rookie of the Year in the NHL. Regardless, he finished 7th in Calder voting and found himself on the NHL's All Rookie Team.

It has been rumoured that Nikishin grew frustrated with his role as he played majority of the Playoffs on the Canes third pair while they made their Stanley Cup run. This could be an avenue for Carolina to explore options as they would likely acquire a sizeable return in exchange for Nikishin.

It may take a lot, and the Kings front office would have to negotiate a new contract with the Russian defender, but it could be worth a shot to cement a dynamic top pairing for years to come.

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Canucks Acquire Brendan Gallagher From The Montréal Canadiens

The Vancouver Canucks are bringing Brendan Gallagher home. On Monday, the Canucks acquired the former Vancouver Giants forward from the Montréal Canadiens for future considerations. As part of the deal, Montréal will also be retaining 50% of Gallagher's $6.5 million cap hit. 

In the press release, Ryan Johnson wrote, "Brendan is a quality individual and a very good hockey player. We love the way he competes and leads by example. Bringing in veterans like Brendan will help us set the standard for our younger guys to follow. We are excited to add someone who has ties to the Lower Mainland, wants to be here with the Canucks, and knows firsthand how passionate and knowledgeable our hockey market is in Vancouver. This is an important acquisition for our hockey club."

Gallagher has spent his entire 14-year career with the Canadiens. The 34-year-old played 911 regular-season games, where he scored 246 goals and recorded 487 points. As for the playoffs, Gallagher recorded 34 points in 79 games and was part of Montréal's run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021

Before making the NHL, Gallagher was a star in the WHL with the Giants. He is still the franchise leader in both goals (136) and points (280). Gallagher was drafted 147th by Montréal in the 2010 draft and made his NHL debut on January 22, 2013. 

Gallagher brings grit and leadership to Vancouver's lineup. He has worn an "A" for the Canadiens since 2015 and is known as one of the hardest working players on the ice. Gallagher has one more year left on his current deal and will be a free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season. 

Jan 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) waits for a face-off against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) waits for a face-off against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Winnipeg Makes History in Seventh Round, Selecting First Ever NHL Draftee of Samoan Descent

This past weekend, the Winnipeg Jets closed out their 2026 NHL Draft with a pick that transcended hockey, selecting Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Noa Ta'amu in the seventh round in what became one of the most historic moments of the entire weekend. 

Ta'amu made history as the first player of Samoan descent ever drafted into the NHL, a milestone that speaks to the growing diversity and reach of the sport on a global level.

The pick adds another meaningful chapter to a draft weekend that saw hockey continue to broaden its cultural footprint. Earlier in the draft, Jaxon Cover became one of the sport's most compelling stories when the Cayman Islands native was selected 32nd overall by the Ottawa Senators to close out the first round, having taken up ice hockey after years as an inline skater and emerging as a naturally gifted player. 

Ta'amu's selection carries a similar significance, representing a community that has not previously seen one of its own drafted into the NHL. The son of former NFL player Ed Ta'amu, Noa brings an imposing physical profile to the Jets organization.

The six-foot-two, 227-pound defenseman is built like a prototypical defensive blueliner, using his size and strength to disrupt plays, separate pucks from opponents and make life difficult for forwards in his own zone. While his offensive production of 18 points in 105 games over the last two seasons is modest, the underlying numbers tell a more compelling story. 

Ta'amu posted a plus-33 rating during that span, a strong indicator of his impact on the defensive side of the puck even at this early stage of his development. Some scouting outlets have also noted that Ta'amu is surprisingly quick for a player his size, adding another dimension to an already intriguing defensive profile.

At just 18 years old, Ta'amu has plenty of runway ahead of him before the Jets will look to bring him into the fold at the professional level. The path forward will be about continuing to develop his game in the WHL, adding offensive instincts to complement the defensive foundation he has already built and growing into the kind of player that can some day make a case for a roster spot in Winnipeg.

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Canucks Trade Forward Nils Höglander To The Nashville Predators For A Third-Round Draft Pick

The Vancouver Canucks are moving on from Nils Höglander. 

The forward has been dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Entry Draft. 

“We would like to thank Nils for his time in Vancouver, and we wish him the best with his new team Nashville,” Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson said in a press release. “Picking up another draft pick is important for us as we continue to try and accumulate assets for our rebuild.”

Höglander was selected 40th-overall by Vancouver in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was the final player remaining in the organization from that draft class. He made his NHL debut on January 13, 2021 against the Edmonton Oilers, scoring his first-career goal in that game. The winger finished his rookie NHL season with 13 goals and 14 assists 56 games played. 

After a couple of down seasons that saw him spend time with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, Höglander returned to Vancouver for the 2023-24 season, during which he scored a career-high of 24 goals and 12 assists in 80 games. All 24 of these goals were scored at even-strength. 

With Höglander traded, the Canucks now have only five players currently under contract who took part in the team's playoff run during the 2023-24 season. 

Mar 9, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander (21) handles the puck against the Ottawa Senators in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Mar 9, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander (21) handles the puck against the Ottawa Senators in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Colorado Avalanche Re-Sign Taylor Makar To Two-Year Extension

The Colorado Avalanche have announced they have re-signed Taylor Makar to a two-year extension worth $1.75 million. The first year of the contract is two-way, making him waiver-exempt. 

Makar played his first full professional season last year, splitting time between the AHL Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Avalanche as a call-up. In 56 games with the Eagles, he finished with 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points, while with the Avalanche, he scored 12 goals but didn’t record a point.

With the Eagles, he finished sixth on the team in goals and was tied for 10th in scoring. In the Calder Cup playoffs, he had two goals and four assists for six points in 17 games.

A younger brother of Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Taylor played all 12 games with the Avalanche alongside his brother and became the first siblings in Avalanche history to both appear in the same game since Colorado relocated from Quebec. Joining Anton, Peter, and Marian Stastny as the only brothers in franchise history to do so.

The 6-foot-4, 109-pound winger turns 26 this upcoming season on March 13 and will look to be another top candidate for the Avalanche as a call-up if any injury occurs.

Avalanche Unveil 2026 Development Camp Roster Featuring 26 PlayersAvalanche Unveil 2026 Development Camp Roster Featuring 26 PlayersThe Colorado Avalanche have announced a 26-player roster for their 2026 development camp in Centennial, featuring 15 draft picks, on-ice sessions from June 30 to July 2 at Family Sports Center, and a community visit to the Avs Clubhouse at the William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club.