2 weeks agoThe San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in a trade with the Nashville Predators. The Sharks received Askarov, forward Nolan Burke, and a 2025 third-round draft pick in the deal for forward David Edstrom, a 2025 conditional first-round pick, and goaltender Magnus Chrona. Askarov, who is rated as one of the top goalie prospects in hockey, landed in San Jose after requesting a trade. San Jose quickly signed him to a two-year, $4 million contract, which will kick in from the 2025-26 campaign. The 22-year-old will enter the final season of a three-year, entry-level deal worth $2.78 million and is set to battle with Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek for a starting role in 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoMontreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky is very excited about the addition of Patrik Laine, who was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets this week. "I'm excited about the season, especially with the Patrik Laine trade," Slafkovsky said at the NHL European Player Media Tour. "It's funny, during the summer you wonder how things are going to be throughout the year and who you're going to play with and what your role is going to be, and I pretty much can't wait to be there already and play." Like Laine, Slafkovsky has faced some difficult times in the NHL in recent years. However, the two could now benefit from playing together.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 weeks agoToronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Steeves has agreed to a new one-year, two-way contract with the team. The deal is worth $775,000 at the NHL level. Steeves has made seven appearances in the big league, notching one point via an assist. However, he has starred in the minors, going for 154 points (69 goals, 85 assists) in 188 career AHL games. Last season, Steeves had a career-best 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games. The 24-year-old will try to battle out an NHL spot in training camp, but he faces some tough competition and will likely start another campaign in the American Hockey League.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet
2 weeks agoWashington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin needs 42 more goals to pass Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time top goal-scorer. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Chris Patrick each believe we could witness history during the upcoming campaign. "Do I think he can score 42 goals this year? Yes, I do," Carbery said Monday. "I absolutely think he's capable of that." Newly-appointed Patrick shares the belief, saying, "'Ovi' has done so many things that people never thought he could do, so I think it's on the table for sure." Ovechkin's scoring rate has dropped in recent seasons, but he still managed a 30-goal year last term despite an awfully slow first half of the campaign, which included a career-worst 14-game goal drought. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic if Ovechkin is slow out of the gate again.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 weeks agoThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed winger Tanner Pearson to a professional tryout ahead of training camp. The veteran forward will be looking to earn himself a new NHL deal after going through a pair of rough campaigns. Pearson made only 14 appearances with the Vancouver Cancuks in 2022-23 after undergoing three separate surgeries for a hand injury. Last season, he skated in 54 games with the Montreal Canadiens, recording five goals and 13 points. Pearson's stock appears to be at an all-time low, but he was averaging over 0.6 points per game not long ago and could be a sneaky pick-up for the Golden Knights. The 32-year-old has posted 285 points (138 goals, 147 assists) in 644 career games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet
2 weeks agoColumbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger has signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal with the team. The 21-year-old finally has his future sorted out after spending most of the summer as a restricted free agent. Despite his young age, Sullinger already has 220 games of NHL experience. He has registered 34 goals and 74 points while averaging close to 1.5 hits per game. Sullinger is projected to start the season on the third line and should be good for 30 points and 100-plus hits again.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoSan Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (groin) is putting in a lot of effort to get healthy for 2024-25 after missing almost the entire season last year. "He's working extremely hard. He's in San Jose. He's been in San Jose. He's training. He's working out. I know he's feeling good, and I know when Logan is feeling good, we will let him play," said Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky in an interview on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio on Tuesday. "We have a really good plan as an organization for Logan to get him back healthy." A groin issue limited the Sharks captain to only six appearances in the last campaign. Couture has averaged 0.75 points per game during a 15-year career and should still be productive when he's ready to play again.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Max Miller
2 weeks agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (knee) is progressing but remains without a clear timeline when he will return to full health. Demko missed time near the end of the regular season last term and was limited to only one playoff outing due to a knee injury. His unclear status means Vancouver might look for a new goaltender for the start of 2024-25. Speaking during a recent appearance on Halford & Brough, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal noted that he wouldn't be surprised if the Canucks continue to "poke around" the goalie market. Starting the season without Demko would be a big blow for Vancouver. The 28-year-old was named a Vezina Trophy finalist for his performances in 2023-24 when he finished 35-14-2 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet 650
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia Flyers center Ryan Johansen (undisclosed) has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a "material breach." The Flyers acquired Johansen from the Colorado Avalanche in March, but the veteran forward hasn't actually played for the team. Philadelphia waived him and tried to assign him to the AHL right after bringing him in but was unable to do so because Johansen was injured. Johansen's agent, Kurt Overhardt, has announced that his client has a "severe" hockey injury that requires surgery. Johansen, who had one season remaining on an eight-year, $64 million contract ($8 million average annual value), is expected to file a grievance over the contract termination with the NHL Players' Association.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoSeattle Kraken center Matty Beniers has committed his long-term future to the franchise, inking a seven-year extension. The two sides came to an agreement on a deal that's worth close to $50 million, with the average annual value of the contract standing at $7.14 million. Beniers needed a new contract after having completed his entry-level deal. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful start to his NHL career, recording 103 points (42 goals, 61 assists) in 167 games. Beniers won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2022-23. However, with the team struggling, Beniers' productivity dipped from 0.71 points per game to 0.48 last term. He will aim to produce a bounce-back year in 2024-25 under new head coach Dan Bylsma.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoThe St. Louis Blues have snapped up forward Dylan Holloway after the Edmonton Oilers elected against matching a two-year, $4.58 million offer sheet. Holloway, a former Hobey Baker Award finalist, moves on from Edmonton after making 89 appearances with the team. He skated in 38 games last term, posting six goals and nine points. Holloway added seven further points (five goals, two assists) in 25 playoff contests as the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. The 22-year-old, who was selected 14th in the 2020 draft, didn't play a large role for the team, but he has shown good upside with productive AHL outings. Edmonton received a third-round pick as compensation from the Blues.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoThe St. Louis Blues officially signed defenseman Philip Broberg to a two-year contract on Tuesday. The 23-year-old moves to St. Louis after the Edmonton Oilers decided against matching the Blues' offer sheet. Broberg signed up for a total of $9.16 million, with the Oilers receiving a second-round draft pick as compensation. Broberg was a high draft pick back in 2019, going off the board at the eighth spot, but the Swedish blue-liner has struggled to make an impact in the NHL. However, after putting together a strong AHL campaign last term, Broberg showed off very good form during Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Finals. It could signify that he is ready to blossom as a player. Unfortunately, the team that drafted him won't be reaping the benefits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoBoston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman remains without a contract for next season, but he is confident that a new deal will eventually get sorted out. "There's a lot of confidence," Swayman said during a recent appearance on NESN. "I say that because I've treated it like business as usual this year. I've been a warrior, I've been working out with our guys, our staff, our players. And I know that there's something special building in this locker room this year. I can't be more excited about that." Swayman and the Bruins went through an arbitration process a year ago, which saw him handed a one-year, $3.475 million contract. He elected not to do so this summer. With Linus Ullmark departing to Ottawa, Swayman is expected to be Boston's undisputed No. 1 in 2024-25, boosting his fantasy value.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet
3 weeks agoThe Edmonton Oilers have added defenseman Ty Emberson to their blue line ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The 24-year-old comes in from San Jose in a trade, which saw the Oilers give up veteran defenseman Cody Ceci and a third-round draft selection. Emberson had his rookie campaign last term, suiting up for 30 games with the Sharks. He scored one goal and dished out nine assists. The American rearguard averaged one shot on goal with 1.5 blocks and 3.1 hits. Emberson will be battling for a spot on the third defensive pairing in training camp.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 weeks agoThe San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Cody Ceci from the Edmonton Oilers. The 11-year veteran was traded for fellow defenseman Ty Emberson and a 2025 third-round draft pick. Ceci spent three seasons in Edmonton, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024. He made 79 regular-season appearances last term, posting 25 points (five points, 20 assists) with 106 blocks and 91 hits. The 30-year-old has played an effective game on the Oilers' blue line, but the team decided to part ways with him to save money. Ceci's numbers could take a hit with the move to San Jose, as he's joining a team that's massively struggled in recent years.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
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