Florida Panthers forward and NHL journeyman Zac Dalpe has retired from professional hockey at the age of 35. 

A second-round pick (45th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft went on to play 168 career NHL games, scoring 16 goals and 32 points. Throughout his career, Dalpe recorded games with the Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets and most recently, the Panthers. 

Dalpe spent the past four seasons with the Panthers organization, playing in 15 games with the Panthers and 191 games with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. 

The Paris, ON native was a classic case of a skilled AHL player who struggled to carve out a role in the NHL. His production was never replicated in the NHL, and he wasn't able to cement himself as a bottom-six player, but he never stopped working hard and was a great teammate throughout his career.

The Checkers' captain confirmed his retirement in an open letter posted on the Checkers' website. In the letter, Dalpe wrote about his journey to the NHL, beginning as a young boy playing hockey in his basement with his brother, to grinding every day to make his dreams come true.

"I Got To Go, It's Been A Pleasure Doing Business With You"

An open letter from @ZacDalpe22: https://t.co/31ydKzvvqfpic.twitter.com/nfNuETc3YV

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) July 7, 2025

"When I look back and sort of do a synopsis of my career, I honestly don’t know where to start," Dalpe wrote. "From getting drafted in 2008 to present day in 2025, so much has happened to me.

"One word that comes to mind is 'grind'. Getting called up to the best league in the world is easy to let pass by. The NHL- The Never Hungry League. You’re right there but you’re not quite there. It’s a beautiful thing for me. Nothing ever comes easy so why would this? It’s just a constant battle of hard work and setbacks. Why have it any other way? No f****** thanks, man.

"I do know a couple things though. One thing is for certain is that I never took a day off. I am by no means trying to sound like a 'hero' by saying that. But every single day I tried to become a better hockey player. Every movement or decision I made, I tried to look at it through the eyes of a hockey player. I worked as hard as I possibly could. I owe so much to the game and everything that comes with it. Another thing I know for certain is that I tried to be the best teammate I could and I also never took a day off from that. When my name gets brought up in the future I just hope that those two things are attached to it.

"Nothing ever came natural to me. It was all hard work."

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Former Panthers Forward Signs Contract With Swiss TeamFormer Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujärvi has signed a two-year contract with Genève-Servette, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

The NHL and NHLPA announced they ratified a four-year collective bargaining agreement that kicks in after next season.

The new agreement, which runs through the 2029-30 season, comes more than a year ahead of the current CBA's expiration. That means there will be no threat of a lockout after past labor disputes caused a cancelled season in 2004-05 and shortened campaigns in 1994-95 and 2012-13.

“The partnership between the Players’ Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been, and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a joint news release. “We are grateful to the Board of Governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come.”

Added NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh: “This CBA shows what can be accomplished when the NHL and the Union work together – an agreement that will allow for the continued worldwide growth of the game. That is a win for everyone.”

Despite the ratification, the memorandum of understanding is not yet available on the NHL and NHLPA's websites. It will be made available on those sites at a later date, the announcement said.

Bettman and Walsh declined to discuss details of the new CBA at a pre-draft press conference, but they did say it would last four years and begin after the 2025-26 season.

Walsh said the reason for a four-year deal instead of a longer term is that it gives a better opportunity for players to help shape future agreements instead of potentially playing their whole careers under one CBA.

Some details of the CBA surfaced in reports in The Athletic and Daily Faceoff, including an 84-game regular season, shortened pre-season, a playoff salary cap mechanism in the playoffs, no mandatory dress code for players arriving and leaving games and no deferred salary contracts.

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Former Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujärvi has signed a two-year contract with Genève-Servette, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old winger wasn't a Panther for a long time, but he made a lasting impact on their AHL team, the Charlotte Checkers. He played just five games with the Panthers after he signed a two-way contract following a successful professional tryout with the Checkers. In the NHL, Puljujärvi recorded just one goal, but in the AHL, he scored five goals and 13 points in 22 games. 

Puljujärvi's lasting impact came during the Checkers' playoff run, registering three goals and 11 points in 18 games, scoring a Game 5 double overtime winner in the Calder Cup Finals. 

Once the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the skilled Finnish winger was never able to put it all together at the NHL level. Although he can still return to the NHL following the conclusion of his contract, Puljujärvi exits the NHL now with a career-high of 15 goals and 36 points. 

Prior to the start of his NHL career, Puljujärvi lit the junior international tournaments on fire. At the U-18s, Puljujärvi recorded five goals and seven points in four games, but before that tournament, he scored five goals and 17 points in seven games at the World Juniors as an underager, recording the most points, named the best forward, tournament MVP and winning gold.  

Puljujärvi's European hockey career was spent previously in Finland with Kärpät, but now, the 6-foot-4 right winger embarks on a new journey in Switzerland.

“I’m really excited to be joining Genève-Servette!” Puljujärvi is quoted in the club’s press release. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization and the league, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it all. We have a great group of players, and I’m going to give my all to help the team succeed. I’m also looking forward to visiting the city, which looks amazing, and meeting the fans.”

CONFIRMED: Jesse Puljujärvi Signs Multi-Year Contract in Switzerland Finnish winger Jesse Puljujärvi, 27, has signed a two-year contract with Genève-Servette, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

He joins a Genève-Servette team that won its first-ever national championship in Switzerland in 2023-24 and won the Champions Hockey League in 2024-25. He's also joining a team that rosters several former NHL players, those being Markus Granlund, Josh Jooris, Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Taylor Beck and Tim Berni, whose NHL rights are still retained by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

After shortcomings with the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Panthers, Puljujärvi will look to rejuvenate his career back in Europe. 

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Over the last week or so, there have been numerous reports that the Montreal Canadiens had made an offer to free agent Jo Veleno. On The Sick Podcast on Monday night, host Tony Marinaro revealed that his sources denied the claim.

According to Marinaro, the Canadiens explored the possibility, examined the player’s game, and assessed what he had accomplished so far, but ultimately, they elected to pass on the homegrown talent.

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The 25-year-old Montreal native was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2018 draft and has been the property of three teams since then. In his draft year in the QMJHL, he played with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, accumulating 48 points in just 33 games. In his final year, he exploded for 104 points in 59 games before turning pro.

He struggled to find his footing in Detroit and could never do better than 28 points in 80 games in 2023-24. Eventually, Steve Yzerman lost faith in the last first-round pick of the Ken Holland era and traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks at the previous trade deadline in return for Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith.

The madhouse on Madison couldn’t electrify the left-shot center, though, and with seven points in 18 games, he was traded to the Seattle Kraken for Andre Burakovsky on June 21. He’ll never get a chance to prove his worth to the Kraken, though, as he was put on unconditional waivers to be bought out on June 29.

He had one year left on a two-season deal, which had a $2,275,000 cap hit. Last season, he had 17 points in 74 games, and the Kraken’s decision is understandable. This doesn’t leave the pivot in a perfect place, and you’d have to think he‘ll likely have to take a league-minimum deal to get back in the NHL.

While fans are often keen for the Canadiens to sign local talent, Veleno is not what Montreal is after this off-season. The first order of business for the Habs is to find some top-six help, be it on the wing or down the middle. That’s not the kind of role the centerman could fill, even though the Tricolore could use a left-shot center for draws. That is not enough to prompt the Canadiens to make an offer to Veleno.

Photo credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

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The NHL’s 2025 free-agent frenzy is winding down, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t intriguing scenarios still playing out. 

That includes RFAs who haven’t agreed to a new deal with their current teams and could be headed to salary arbitration, where an arbitrator will decide on a one- or two-year contract and the average annual value.

Let’s break down three RFAs who, either by arbitration or by the next contract they sign, could be getting the biggest cap hits of any RFA on their next deal.

Bowen Byram, D, Buffalo Sabres

Far and away the most talked-about RFA, Byram can no longer sign an offer sheet after the Sabres elected for arbitration over the weekend.

Byram’s qualifying offer is $4.62 million for one season, but the offer expires by July 15.

That said, Byram will almost certainly earn more than that after averaging 22:42 of ice time and recording 38 points this past season.

Byram could choose to sign a two-year contract extension that would lead him to become a UFA afterward. But he could also sign a long-term contract extension with Buffalo or, more likely, with a new team for far more than he made this past season. 

That’s the expectation we have for Byram – a trade away from the Sabres, and a five- to seven-year contract extension with a new team at between $7 million to $8 million per year.

Lukas Dostal, G, Anaheim Ducks

For a while now, Dostal has been considered the goalie of the future in Anaheim. After Ducks GM Pat Verbeek traded veteran John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings on June 28, Dostal is the goalie of the present. He now has all the negotiating leverage he could ask for.

The 25-year-old improved his numbers to a 3.10 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 54 appearances this past season. Those aren’t Vezina Trophy-worthy but could improve as the Ducks improve around him. But there’s no question that Dostal’s salary of $812,500 this past season will be dwarfed by his next deal.  

Dostal filed for arbitration, which could take place between July 20 and Aug. 4, according to NHLPA.com. RFAs can sign at any time between now and their arbitration date, and we anticipate Dostal will sign well in advance of his hearing. The Ducks don’t have the leverage here, and a new deal that pleases Dostal for the next few years should happen fairly quickly.

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Gabriel Vilardi, RW/C, Winnipeg Jets

After earning about $3.43 million this past season, Vilardi filed for arbitration, putting him on course to get a handsome raise. The 25-year-old posted career highs in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) in 71 games this past season, and he’s a vital part of the Jets’ offensive attack.

Vilardi currently slots in as Winnipeg’s first-line right winger, and he led Jets forwards in power-play ice time per game. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff also has a proven track record of securing his players on long-term contracts that look like bargains from the get-go. Winnipeg has more than enough salary cap space to accommodate Vilardi’s next payday, and the only question here is what kind of term Vilardi signs for.

If Cheveldayoff wants to re-sign Vilardi on a short-term contract, the annual average salary Vilardi gets will be significantly higher than it would be on a long-term pact. But in either case, Vilardi will get at least $6 million per season, and likely more than $7 million. 

His history of injuries may be a factor, as Vilardi has yet to play more than 71 games in any of his six NHL seasons. But keeping Vilardi happy is part of Cheveldayoff’s challenge, and we don’t see him poisoning the waters with a key component of Winnipeg’s competitive puzzle.

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One week has now passed since the start of NHL free agency. Because of this, the majority of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who hit the market have signed their new contracts. 

Yet, there are still some players who remain unsigned at this point in the summer. Four of them just so happen to be former Chicago Blackhawks players, so let's take a look at each of them now. 

Joe Veleno 

The Blackhawks traded Joe Veleno to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Andrei Burakovsky late last month. Shortly after, the Kraken bought out Veleno, and no team has signed him since he hit the free-agent market. Yet, when noting that he is a former first-round pick and still only 25 years old, this certainly has the chance to change. 

Teams looking for help down the middle in their bottom six could consider signing Veleno. In 74 games this past season split between the Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks, he had eight goals, nine assists, and 139 hits. During his 18-game stint with Chicago, he had three goals and seven points. 

Craig Smith

Craig Smith was traded by the Blackhawks to the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline in the move that brought Veleno to Chicago. Now, just like Veleno, he remains without a contract at this point of the off-season. 

Teams looking for more experience and overall forward depth could consider signing Smith to a short-term deal. While his offensive numbers have dropped in recent years, he still could be a decent depth player to have around. In 59 games last season split between Chicago and Detroit, he recorded nine goals and 18 points. 

Jan Rutta 

Former Blackhawks defenseman Jan Rutta is still available for the taking. The 6-foot-3 blueliner spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks, where he posted three goals, nine points, 81 blocks, and a minus-3 rating in 53 games. 

Teams looking for a bottom-pairing, right-shot defenseman could consider signing Rutta to a short-term contract. The veteran blueliner is still a serviceable stay-at-home defenseman, and it doesn't hurt that he has two Stanley Cup championships on his resume.

In 80 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks from 2017-18 to 2018-19, Rutta had eight goals, 26 points, and a minus-1 rating. 

Jack Johnson 

Jack Johnson is another former Blackhawks blueliner who is currently a UFA. The 38-year-old defenseman just completed his 19th NHL season, where he posted six assists and a minus-13 rating in 41 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

If Johnson elects to continue his NHL career, a team out there could consider bringing him in as an extra defenseman on a one-year deal. However, if he ends up hanging up the skates, the 2005 third-overall pick has had himself a nice career. 

In 58 games with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season, Johnson posted four assists, 75 hits, and a minus-25 rating. 

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings have made some additions to their blue line after losing Vladislav Gavrikov this summer, but they have been linked to another defender as the offseason continues.

In a recent article from The Fourth Period, the Kings were connected to Calgary Flames' defender Rasmus Andersson.

Andersson, who is 28 years old, scored 11 goals and added 20 assists for 31 points through 81 games last season. Through 536 career games, he has scored 47 goals and added 184 assists for 231 points.

He is considered one of the strongest all-around defensemen in the NHL, and while there were rumblings the Kings had a strong trade on the table for Andersson, it doesn't sound like there is mutual interest from Andersson in playing for the Kings.

Time will tell if the Flames choose to trade Andersson, but until they do, the Kings seem likely to remain involved as a team with interest this offseason. 

Entering the off-season, the New Jersey Devils were expected to pursue additional scoring punch after their offense declined last season.

It was among the reasons why the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated them from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games. 

It was assumed the Devils might draw from their defense corps for trade bait to land a scoring forward. In March, there was conjecture suggesting a promising blueliner, such as Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey, might be available after Johnathan Kovacevic signed a five-year contract extension. 

However, a more notable Devils defenseman could be available. During his season-ending episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman wondered about Dougie Hamilton's future in New Jersey. 

Friedman said he'd heard that Hamilton's name was “out there” in the trade market, adding the Devils had spoken to a couple of teams about the 32-year-old puck-moving blueliner. He thinks there's a low percentage chance that Hamilton gets moved but pointed out his no-movement clause reverted to a 10-team trade list on July 1. The Devils also paid him his signing bonus on July 1. 

Hamilton carries an average annual value of $9 million through 2027-28. A skillful, mobile rearguard, he has reached or exceeded 40 points in eight of his 13 NHL seasons, but injuries have also plagued him in recent years.

The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa said trading Hamilton would leave a hole in the team’s top four, and they don’t need to rush any potential move. That said, if Nemec and Casey are ready to take over on the right side, then DeRosa said Hamilton could be moved for the right offer.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, trade speculation continues to swirl around the rebuilding Penguins, especially after they shipped goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks on July 1. 

Most of the conjecture concerns veteran forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Both are signed through 2027-28 with Rust carrying a $5.125 million average annual value and Rakell $5 million. 

Rust frequently surfaced in the rumor mill after his no-movement clause expired on July 1. Meanwhile, Rakell carries an eight-team no-trade list for the remainder of his contract. 

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Rust is drawing plenty of interest, but he remains loyal to the Penguins. He also indicated that Rakell wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic thinks both players will still be in the Penguins' lineup when the regular season begins in October. However, he wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them was gone by next year's trade deadline.

DeRosa wrote that with Rakell putting up a career-high 35 goals and 70 points this past season, his trade value is higher now.

Yohe considers Rust and Rakell as “valuable commodities who are in their 30s.” He expects they could each fetch a first-round pick.

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Yet another former Carolina Hurricanes netminder has found themselves with an NHL coaching gig.

Michael Leighton, who played for the Canes organization from 2007-2010, is joining the Detroit Red Wings as their new goaltending coach.

The journeyman netminder played 110 NHL games with four NHL franchises and 507 AHL games with 12 different teams. 

Leighton, who was also recently named an AHL Hall-of-Famer, holds the record for AHL shutouts with 50 and also for the most saves in a single game, stopping 98 in a five-overtime game in 2008.

Not only that, but the 44 year old tied the NHL record for shutouts in a single playoff series, with three in five games against the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. That same postseason, Leighton helped bring the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final.

The former goalie joins the likes of Justin Peters (Ottawa) and Sean Burke (Vegas) as former Hurricanes netminders with NHL coaching gigs. There is also Mike Bales (Buffalo) served as Hurricanes goaltending coach from 2017-2019.

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Finnish winger Jesse Puljujärvi, 27, has signed a two-year contract with Genève-Servette, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

“I’m really excited to be joining Genève-Servette!” Jesse Puljujärvi is quoted in the club’s press release. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization and the league, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it all. We have a great group of players, and I’m going to give my all to help the team succeed. I’m also looking forward to visiting the city, which looks amazing, and meeting the fans.”

“We are very pleased with the arrival of Jesse, a player we have been following for some time now,” said club sports manager Marc Gautschi. “Thanks to his physique and speed, he can be absolutely dominant on the big Swiss ice rinks. We are convinced that with the help of our coaching staff, he will further develop his scoring skills and become an essential offensive leader for our team.”

News of Puljujärvi heading to Switzerland began two weeks ago while he was still playing in the Calder Cup finals for the Charlotte Checkers.

He joins a Genève-Servette team that won its first-ever national championship in Switzerland in 2023-24 and won the Champions Hockey League in 2024-25, but has missed the playoffs the last two National League seasons. 

In addition to Puljujärvi, Genève-Servette has under contract for 2025-26 former NHLers Markus Granlund, Josh Jooris, Marc-Antoine Pouliot, Taylor Beck and Tim Berni, whose NHL rights are still retained by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

French Former Habs Prospect Swaps Bitter Rival Teams In Switzerland American-born French left winger Tim Bozon was rumored as far back as November to have already signed a four-year contract with Swiss National League club Genève-Servette. The problem was, the 30-year-old former Montreal Canadiens prospect currently plays for Lausanne HC – Geneva’s fiercest rival.

Born in Älvkarleby, Sweden, Puljujärvi grew up in Finland and is a product of the Kärpät club in northern Finland. It is with that Oulu-based club that he first turned pro at age 16 in 2014-15.

Puljujärvi was chosen fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has 128 points in 387 career NHL regular-season games with the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers. He also has six points in 27 playoff games with Edmonton and Carolina.

During his career, Puljujärvi returned to play for Kärpät in 2019-20 and part of 2020-21, as pandemic-related restrictions delayed the NHL’s start to that season.

In June 2023, he underwent double hip surgery and missed half of the following season.

Jesse Puljujärvi: “It’s been a long process, I’m really happy to be here”The last couple of seasons have been an ordeal for Jesse Puljujärvi. He split a rather unproductive 2022-23 campaign between the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes, during which he played in constant pain. Then in June 2023, he underwent double hip surgery. He didn’t return to the ice until January and, after a half-season split between the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the NHL, he’s now playing in his second IIHF World Championship for Finland, and first since 2017.

When Puljujärvi was waived by Pittsburgh in February of this year to terminate his contract “by mutual agreement” ahead of the international transfer deadline, it was widely expected that he’d end up in Europe. Switzerland was one of his rumored destinations at that time, as was Kärpät. However, he surprisingly signed with Florida instead.

This past season, Puljujärvi had 10 pointss in 31 NHL games, split between Pittsburgh and Florida, and 16 points in 26 AHL games, split between Wilkes/Barre-Scranton and Charlotte. He also had 11 points in 18 playoff games for Charlotte, which included an overtime goal in Game 5 of the finals against the Abbotsford Canucks, which kept the Checkers alive for one more game.

Photo © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

More on Jesse Puljujärvi:

Puljujärvi goes from double hip surgery to Finland's World Championship roster

Jesse Puljujärvi: “It’s been a long process, I’m really happy to be here”

Jesse Puljujarvi Waived By Penguins – Headed Back To Finland?

RUMOR: Jesse Puljujärvi Headed To Switzerland After AHL Finals

Earlier this week, Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rocket player Joshua Roy was attending Jonathan Huberdeau’s golf tournament and spoke to RDS’ Eric Leblanc. The 21-year-old has wised up since last season, and he’s aware of how crucial the upcoming camp and season will be.

He had an underwhelming camp in 2024 and looked surprised to be sent down to the AHL, but things will be even more complicated this season. The Canadiens now have Ivan Demidov; they acquired Zack Bolduc in a trade and signed Samuel Blais. Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Lucas Condotta, and Jared Davidson will also be hoping to graduate with the Habs.

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Roy was never going to challenge Demidov for the second-line role, especially considering he didn’t produce much in the 12 games he played in Montreal last season. This Summer, he intends to work on his physical form, which is sometimes lacking and prevents him from providing the same level of effort in each game, which is not something coaches like.

Roy explains that he didn’t need to be told what was wrong with his game; he says he’s smart enough to figure out the issues. Roy can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk? That remains to be seen.

The Rocket forward also commented on the Logan Mailloux vs. Bolduc trade, explaining that the defenseman was one of his good friends, a good person, and an outstanding player. He added that with Noah Dobson’s arrival and all the good defensemen in the organization, a defenseman was bound to be leaving soon. He’ll get a new start in St. Louis.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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The Los Angeles Kings lost one of their key players to the open market this offseason. Despite their efforts to try and bring him back, Vladislav Gavrikov decided to sign a long-term deal with the New York Rangers. 

In a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman revealed the Kings and Rangers almost pulled off a sign-and-trade that fell apart before free agency opened, and instead of the Kings getting something back, they lost Gavrikov for nothing.

#NYR have agreed to terms with defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year contract.

Welcome to New York, Vladislav! pic.twitter.com/kaawGy4Xnb

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 1, 2025

Friedman didn't seem to reveal what that sign-and-trade would've looked like, but comparing it to what happened with Mitchell Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs, as he was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy, the Kings likely would've only received a depth player or a draft pick from the Rangers.

Either way, the Kings lost Gavrikov and will have to move forward into next season. They tried to fill out their defensive depth with the money they had this summer, and time will tell if it pays off.

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The Toronto Marlies are beginning the process of filling out their roster beyond players signed to NHL contracts, and they have signed three players, including a familiar face up front.

The Marlies signed forward Marc Johnstone to a two-year Marlies contract, marking his return to the organization after spending the last two seasons within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Johnstone signed his first NHL entry-level contract shortly after Kyle Dubas departed the Leafs organization and became President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023.

Johnstone played one NHL game, making his debut in the show on Dec. 8, 2023, against the Florida Panthers. With Toronto, Johnstone is reunited with Marlies GM Ryan Hardy, who helped nurture the player’s talent. The 29-year-old will be counted on to provide leadership in a room that will be chock-full of younger talent.

How Former Marlies Forward Marc Johnstone Overcame Getting Cut in The ECHL to Earning an NHL ContractThe 27-year-old signed his first-ever NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month.

The Marlies also signed veteran goaltender Ken Appleby to a one-year deal. Like Johnstone, the last time Appleby played in the NHL was during the 2023-24 season, when he was with the New York Islanders. The 6-foot-4 goaltender spent last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where he posted a .910 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average in 24 games. His six shutouts were second in the AHL last season, which is impressive given how few starts he made. With goaltender Matt Murray departing the Leafs and signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Kraken, Appleby could be another netminding presence and provide support for prospect goaltenders Dennis Hildeby, Artur Akhtymov, and Vyacheslav Peksa.

The Marlies also signed Reese Johnson to a one-year deal. The Maple Leafs acquired the forward from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline last season in exchange for future considerations. Johnson played in six games with the Marlies following the trade, putting up one assist. The physical forward played in two playoff games with Toronto and accumulated four penalty minutes.

After seven seasons, Philadelphia Flyers playoff hero Michael Leighton is back in the NHL... just not as a player.

On Monday, it was announced that Leighton, 44, was hired to become the Red Wings' new goalie coach, marking his first foray into coaching senior level hockey.

Leighton previously served as the goalie coach of the OHL Windsor Spitfires from the 2021-22 season to 2023-24.

Flyers fans will best remember the 44-year-old journeyman as the surprise goalie who helped drag the Orange and Black to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, posting a 16-5-2 regular season record, a shutout, a 2.48 GAA, and a marvelous .920 save percentage.

In the postseason, Leighton was just as good, going 8-3 with three shutouts, a 2.46 GAA, and a .916 save percentage.

But, after the Finals loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Leighton struggled to regain his form, losing his place to Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky while coming back from back surgery.

Sergei Bobrovsky Affirms Worst Philadelphia Flyers Trade EverThe worst Philadelphia Flyers trade of all time hits a little closer to home after the Florida Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup Tuesday night.

Ultimately, after that playoff run, Leighton played just two more games for the Flyers, and seven NHL games total when including brief stints with the Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes.

Leighton retired at the end of the 2018-19 season and finished his NHL career with a 37-43-14 record, four shutouts, a 2.98 GAA, and .900 save percentage.

A recently inducted AHL Hall of Famer, Leighton holds the minor league's records for most career shutouts (50) and most saves in a game (98).

Indeed, the former Flyer couldn't keep it together at the NHL level, but he's seen and experienced many different things in hockey in two of the toughest leagues in the world.

Now, Leighton will be passing on his knowledge to Red Wings goalies Cam Talbot (also a former Flyers goalie) and the recently acquired John Gibson.

And in time, they'll pass the baton to top goalie prospects Trey Augustine and Sebastian Cossa.

Over the past couple of weeks, it was reported by Josh Yohe of The Athletic that the Pittsburgh Penguins had interest in one of the Utah Mammoth's young RFA forwards.

And it appears he is now off the board.

On Monday, the Mammoth signed big forward Jack McBain to a five-year, $21.25 million contract extension to avoid arbitration. The contract's average annual value sits at $4.25 million and will run through the end of the 2029-30 season. 

Bainer is here to stay!

We have signed Jack McBain to a five-year contract. pic.twitter.com/Yyebo3QVaH

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) July 8, 2025

McBain, 25, registered 13 goals and 27 points for Utah last season. The 6-foot-4, 219-pound center also registered 78 penalty minutes and is known for his hard-hitting style and tendency to drop the gloves.

Yohe reported that the Penguins were interested in McBain last week, and this tracks with GM and POHO Kyle Dubas's stated desire to potentially target young RFA forwards. With McBain out of the picture, the Penguins may very well look to other pending-RFAs on cap-strapped teams to consider trading for rights, as Dubas said they are unlikely to engage in offer sheets. 

"I think the areas that you probably would see us spend more would be acquisition by trade, and then signing players that other teams might not be able to fit," Dubas said in his post-season presser. "I think the effect in free agency is probably going to be somewhat of a spike in salary, and so it’ll dry up the cap space rather quickly for us, and those players are mostly into that late 20-early 30 category.

"It could do two things. Number one, I think it's going to allow us to maybe trade for players that other teams can't afford that are restricted free agents, and then sign them longer range ourselves, using that cap space that way."

Some other notable RFAs are Gabriel Vilardi (Winnipeg Jets), Marco Rossi (Minnesota Wild), Mason McTavish (Anaheim Ducks), Bowen Byram (Buffalo Sabres), and Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers).

NHL Rumors: Penguins Top Trade Candidate Wants To Stay PutRickard Rakell is one of multiple Pittsburgh Penguins players who have been in the rumor mill this off-season. With the Penguins retooling their roster and Rakell coming off a career season, all eyes have been on the 32-year-old winger. 

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