NHL News

The Oilers announced the trade late Tuesday after signing the forward to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Lightning drafted Howard with the No. 31 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, before he played as a freshman at Minnesota-Duluth. The Wisconsin native spent the next two seasons at Michigan State, where he won the top award in college hockey after scoring 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games.

Had the trade not occurred, Howard intended to return to college for his senior season and become an unrestricted free agent.

Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois said in May that signing the 21-year-old likely wasn't in the offing for the Lightning.

"When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty, and I thank him for his honesty," BriseBois said. "He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him. And I won't speak for him, but he values that. Right now, I would say it's unlikely that we will sign him."

O'Reilly, 19, was taken by Edmonton with the No. 32 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He played for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season, tallying 98 points in 84 regular season, playoff and Memorial Cup games.

The two sides reached an agreement in principle on June 27 but votes of the full membership of the NHLPA and the league's Board of Governors were required for ratification.

"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 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."

The previous CBA still had more than a year left until expiration.

The particulars of the CBA have not been released, but ESPN reported that under the new CBA, the season will be expanded from 82 to 84 games, with the elimination of two preseason games. That is expected to take effect with the 2026-27 season.

ESPN also reported the new CBA includes language that addresses topics such as shorter maximum contract lengths and eliminating a player dress code on game days.

"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," said Marty Walsh, NHLPA executive director. "We could not have achieved this outcome without the involvement and support of our players."

McBain, 25, set career highs in goals (13) and points (27) while playing all 82 games last season, his fourth with the franchise.

"Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future," Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said.

The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder has tallied 82 points in 241 regular-season games with Utah and the Arizona Coyotes since being selected in the third round of the 2018 draft by the Minnesota Wild.

Johnson most recently suited up for the Boston Bruins, but the forward played only nine games in his lone season with them and contributed two assists.

In 747 games with the Lightning (2012-21), Chicago Blackhawks (2021-24) and Bruins, Johnson racked up 433 points, tallying 193 goals and 240 assists.

He burst onto the scene in 2013-14, his first full year in the league, when he totaled 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) and was named to the NHL All-Rookie team.

When the Lightning made a deep playoff run in 2014-15, Johnson led all NHL players with 13 goals and 23 points that postseason. He suffered a broken wrist during the Stanley Cup Final, which Tampa Bay lost to Chicago.

Johnson provided some key scoring depth for the Lightning in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs. He had a two-goal game against the Montreal Canadiens when the Lightning won their second straight Stanley Cup in July 2021.

Dobes, 24, appeared in 16 games in 2024-25 and finished 7-4-3 with one shutout, a 2.74 goal-against average and a .909 save percentage.

He placed fourth among rookie netminders in wins and was one of five first-year goaltenders to post a shutout.

The Canadiens selected the 6-foot-4 Czech Republic native in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

York, 24, contributed 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and an average ice time of 20:47 in 66 games in 2024-25. He was third on the team with 126 blocks and added 60 hits.

The California native has recorded 77 points (19 goals, 58 assists) in 235 career games since the Flyers drafted him in the first round (14th overall) in 2019.

York was a restricted free agent and received a qualifying offer from the Flyers on June 30.

The Capitals acquired Beauvillier from the rival Pittsburgh Penguins for a second-round draft pick back on March 7. The Capitals were Beauvillier's sixth NHL team in three seasons; after spending the bulk of his career with the New York Islanders, he had short stints with the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and Penguins.

Beauvillier played in 18 games for Washington and tallied two goals and three assists. He kept it going in the playoffs, recording two goals and four assists in 10 postseason games.

Beauvillier, 28, has amassed 271 points (131 goals, 140 assists) and 682 hits across 631 career games. He spent more than six seasons with the Islanders, who picked him in the first round (28th overall) of the 2015 draft.

"Nikolaj was the top free agent available on July 1, and we are proud that he's chosen to make Carolina his home," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said, referencing the opening of the league year on Tuesday. "He's a highly-skilled winger who can really skate and will fit very well with our forward group."

Ehlers, 29, has spent his entire NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets and has scored at least 21 goals in eight of his 10 seasons. He collected 63 points (24 goals, career best-tying 39 assists), a plus-14 rating, 33 blocks and 38 hits while averaging 15:48 of ice time in 69 regular-season games last season as the Jets finished with a league-high 116 points and 56 wins.

He also recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in eight postseason games.

Winnipeg selected the native of Denmark with the ninth overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft. He has 225 career goals, 295 assists, a plus-106 rating, 245 blocks and 336 hits in 674 regular-season games for the Jets since the 2015-16 campaign.

Ehlers has an additional nine goals, 12 assists, a minus-8 rating, 22 blocks and 52 hits in 45 career playoff games.

Orlov, who turns 34 on July 23, recorded 28 points (six goals, 22 assists), a plus-16 rating and averaged exactly 20 minutes of ice time in 76 games with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024-25 season. He was playing on the final season of a two-year, $15.5 million contract.

"Dmitry is a strong, two-way defenseman who brings physicality and versatility on the ice," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. "He has a wealth of NHL experience, both in the regular season and playoffs, and his Stanley Cup championship pedigree is a valuable addition to our team. We are happy to have him."

A Stanley Cup champion with Washington, Orlov has totaled 327 points (76 goals, 251 assists) in 867 career games with the Capitals, Boston Bruins and Hurricanes. He was selected by Washington in the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft.

He had 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 79 games with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild in 2024-25.

Nyquist, 35, has 531 points (209 goals, 322 assists) in 863 career games with five teams since his 2011 NHL debut.

The Detroit Red Wings drafted the Sweden native in the fourth round in 2008.

Burns, 40, played in 246 regular-season contests and 41 playoff games over the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. This past season, he produced six goals and 23 assists for Carolina -- his lowest totals since the shortened 2020-21 season -- but still averaged a lofty 20:57 of ice time per game. He added five points (one goal, four assists) over 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

An ironman, Burns held the longest streak of consecutive games among active players, skating in 925 consecutive games before missing a game vs. the Senators on April 17.

Known for his size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and tenacity, the right-shot blue-liner has 261 goals and 649 assists (910 points) over 1,497 games -- the eighth-most all-time by a defenseman -- with 24 goals and 56 assists in 135 playoff games while playing for the Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild from 2003-25.

Burns took home the 2016-17 Norris Trophy (awarded to the top defenseman) after collecting 76 points and averaging 24:52 of ice time per game. He paced all defensemen in goals and points while leading all skaters with 320 shots on goal. The defenseman also finished fourth in the Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP) voting and was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted on by the NHLPA) that season.

Burns was also a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2015-16 and 2018-19. Additional accolades include twice being named to the NHL Postseason First All-Star Team (2016-17 and 2018-19), Second All-Star Team nods in 2015-16, six All-Star Games and the 2014-15 NHL Foundation Player Award winner for outstanding charitable work in the community.

St. Louis will be Suter's fourth stop in six seasons in the NHL.

The Zurich, Switzerland, native has produced double-digit goal totals in each of his five seasons, but enjoyed a breakout season in Vancouver in 2024-25. He tallied career highs in goals (25) and points (46) and tied his career best with 21 assists.

Suter also averaged 17:20 of ice time per game, a career best.

He began his career with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020-21, scoring 14 goals in 55 games. He played with the Detroit Red Wings from 2021-23, then competed for the Canucks the last two seasons.

The addition of Suter gives St. Louis four solid centers, led by Robert Thomas and captain Brayden Schenn. Veteran Nick Bjugstad, who played for Utah in 2024-25, was just signed and could occupy a fourth-line role, with Suter slotting in on the third line.

Byram, 24, is a restricted free agent. Adams told reporters he isn't interested in letting Byram walk away with an offer sheet from another team, a move that would net draft picks for the Sabres.

"We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player who can help our team win," Adams said.

"But ... if there is a deal out there that makes sense for us, that is going to improve our roster, we're open to it. But we're not in a situation where we're looking to move him out or move him for futures."

Adams said the team is prepared to match an offer sheet.

"That's why the moves we've made and the position that we've put ourselves in from a cap perspective have been strategic," he said. "If you leave just enough room in your cap where you maybe see a projection on a one-year deal and then someone comes over the top, you're potentially putting your organization in a really tough spot.

"The moves we've made and decisions we've made for weeks now are with that in mind. We'll be matching and have the opportunity to have a player under contract who we think helps our team win."

The Sabres acquired Byram -- the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Avalanche -- in a deal with Colorado at the 2024 trade deadline.

In the 2024-25 season, he played all 82 games and scored a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists).

In 246 career games with the Avalanche and Sabres, Byram has 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists) with 313 blocks and 337 hits.

Mantha's deal is for the 2025-26 season at $2.5 million. Harvey-Pinard also signed a one-year deal for $775,000, while Kemp's is a two-year contract for a total of $1.55 million.

Mantha, 30, had four goals and three assists in 13 games with the Calgary Flames in 2024-25. He has 303 points (146 goals, 157 assists) in 507 games over 10 seasons with four teams.

Harvey-Pinard, 26, appeared in one game with Montreal last season. In 82 career games over parts of the past four seasons with the Canadiens, he has 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists).

Kemp, 26, played in only one game for Edmonton (Jan. 13, 2024) since being drafted in the seventh round by the Oilers in 2017.

In a meeting Wednesday at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Switzerland, representatives from the NHL, the players association and the International Ice Hockey Federation executed an agreement confirming the players' participation next winter in Italy.

The agreement also covers NHL players taking part in the 2030 Winter Games in France.

"This is a tremendous day for international ice hockey and for fans across the globe," IIHF president Luc Tardif said. "At the initiative of the IIHF, we have worked collaboratively with NHL and NHLPA in close collaboration with the IOC and Milano Cortina Organizing Committee to make this a reality. Bringing the best players in the world back to the Olympic Games in 2026 is a major step forward for our sport."

NHL players last took part in the Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. Four years later, the NHL and IOC couldn't agree on who would pay for travel and other agreements for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.

Issues relating to the pandemic kept NHL players out of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

It has been presumed NHL players would participate in the 2026 Games. On June 16, the 12 countries participating in men's hockey in Milano Cortina 2026 named the first six preliminary players to their national rosters. Most of them are NHL players.

The United States' preliminary contingent consists of Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) and Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers).

"Best-on-best international tournaments like the Olympics provide the opportunity to create extraordinary moments for our players and fans alike," said Marty Walsh, executive director of the NHL Players' Association. "The return to the Olympics marks a monumental moment for hockey and we thank our partners the NHL, IOC and IIHF for this collaborative process. The skill and passion on display in Milano-Cortina will build off the excitement of the 4 Nations Face-Off and continue our game's global growth."

Men's hockey competition in the 2026 Olympics runs from Feb. 11-22.

The Kings also announced agreements with former Canadiens right winger Joel Armia, former Devils defenseman Brian Dumoulin, former Stars defenseman Cody Ceci and former Senators goalkeeper Anton Forsberg.

Armia signed for two years, $5 million. Dumoulin inked a three-year, $12 million deal. Ceci agreed to 4 years at a $4.5 million average ($18 million) while Forsberg signed for two years, $4.5 million.

A 20-year NHL veteran, Perry spent most of the past two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, including last year, in which he appeared in an impressive 81 games (19 starts), scoring 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists).

Perry, a right winger, was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, whom he competed for over 14 seasons, earning four All-Star nods (2008, 2011, 2012 and 2016) and hoisting a Stanley Cup with the 2007-08 Ducks.

Since then, he has skated for the Stars (2019-20), Canadiens (2020-21), Tampa Bay Lightning (2021-23), Chicago Blackhawks (2023) and Oilers.

For his career, Perry has scored 935 points (487 assists) over 1,392 games, good for 15th among all active players. His 448 goals are the seventh-most among active players.

Armia, 32, a first-round pick of Buffalo in 2011, has 207 points (103 goals, 104 assists) in 586 games over 11 years with the Sabres (2014-15), Winnipeg Jets (2015-18) and Canadiens (2018-25).

Dumoulin is a two-time Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. The 33-year-old was traded by the Anaheim Ducks to the New Jersey Devils on March 6, but did not score in five playoff appearances with the Devils. For his career, Dumoulin has 177 points (28 goals, 149 assists) in 706 games with the Penguins (2013-23), Seattle Kraken (2023-24), Ducks and Devils.

Ceci, 31, joined the Stars for their 2025 playoff run and tallied three assists over 18 playoff games. He has 235 points (52 goals, 183 assists) over 871 career games during 12 NHL seasons with the Senators (2013-19), Toronto Maple Leafs (2019-20) Penguins (2020-21), Oilers (2021-24), San Jose Sharks (2024-25) and Stars.

The 32-year-old Forsberg has a career goals-against-average of 3.04 and a save percentage of .904. He appeared in 30 games for the Senators last season, going 11-12 with a 2.71 GAA. He previously tended goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets (2014-17), Blackhawks (2017-18) and Carolina Hurricanes (2019-20) before joining the Senators in 2020.

"He's what I consider a hard worker," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "He goes to the hard areas, something that we needed more of. Not afraid to be a net-front presence guy. He's a guy that hangs onto pucks in the corners for more puck possessions, so he's a very smart hockey player."

Granlund, 33, started 2024-25 with the San Jose Sharks, racking up 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) over 52 games before he was traded to the playoff-bound Dallas Stars on Feb. 1.

With Dallas, he scored 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) over 31 games in the regular season, adding five goals and five assists over 18 playoff games.

Granlund has been productive since being selected ninth overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft. Over 13 seasons with the Wild (2012-19), Nashville Predators (2019-23), Pittsburgh Penguins (2023), Sharks (2023-25) and Stars, he has scored 610 points (179 goals, 431 assists).

A Red Wings spokesperson and a statement from the family said Delvecchio died peacefully at his home in Rochester, Mich. A cause of death was not reported.

Delvecchio played his entire 1,550-game NHL career with Detroit, spanning 24 seasons from 1951-73. When he retired, he held the NHL record for the longest career spent with a single franchise.

In that time, during which Delvecchio played alongside NHL icon Gordie Howe, the Red Wings won three of their 11 Stanley Cups (1952, 1954, 1955).

Delvecchio totaled 1,281 points (456 goals, 825 assists) and was selected to the All-Star Game 13 times. He was captain of the Red Wings for 12 seasons, and he was a three-time recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

Delvecchio became the Red Wings' coach upon retiring from his playing career in 1973-74. In parts of four seasons, he amassed an 82-131-32 record before resigning during the 1976-77 campaign.

"Alex was more than a hockey icon. He was a devoted husband, loving father, great grandfather, cherished friend and respected teammate to so many," the statement from his family said. "While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness and heart were even greater than his knew achievements."

The Rangers will receive defenseman Scott Morrow and conditional first- and second-round draft picks from Carolina in the deal, the New York Post reported.

Miller, 25, has played five seasons for the Rangers since being selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. An All-Rookie Team selection in 2020-21, Miller has amassed 132 points (36 goals, 96 assists) and a cumulative plus-49 rating in 368 career games.

He tallied seven goals and 20 assists for New York in 74 games last season, which ended with disappointment as the Rangers missed the playoffs and fired Peter Laviolette.

Morrow, 22, has played in 16 games for the Hurricanes (including four last season) and has totaled one goal and five assists.

The extension begins with the 2026-27 season for Fehervary, who will make $2.675 million in the upcoming campaign to complete his existing three-year deal.

"Martin possesses all the core qualities of a Washington Capital," team general manager Chris Patrick said. "His skating ability, conditioning and tireless competitiveness, combined with a team first attitude and relentless drive to excel, make him a vital part of our blue line. Signing him to a long-term contract at just 25 years old is an exciting step for the future of our organization."

Fehervary recorded career-high totals in assists (20), points (25) and games (81) this past season.

He has 75 points (22 goals, 53 assists) in 299 career games since being selected by Washington in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

The team also re-signed forward Colin White to a one-year, two-way deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal with Eklund, 22, carries an average annual value of $5.6 million and starts with the 2026-27 season.

Eklund set career highs in goals (17), assists (41) and points (58) and played 77 games in 2024-25. He led the team in assists and was second in points.

Eklund has 110 points (35 goals, 75 assists) in 174 games since the Sharks drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2021.

White, 28, appeared in three games with San Jose in 2024-25, spending the bulk of the season with the San Jose Barracuda in the American Hockey League. He has 113 points (44 goals, 69 assists) in 323 games with five teams since the Ottawa Senators drafted him with the 21st overall pick in 2015.

The reported acquisition of Gavrikov comes with the Rangers also in talks about trading fellow defenseman K'Andre Miller.

Gavrikov, 29, recorded 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) and averaged a career-high 23:05 of ice time while playing in all 82 regular-season games this past season with the Los Angeles Kings. The 6-foot-3 stay-at-home defenseman was playing on a two-year contract worth $11.75 million.

Gavrikov totaled 135 points (29 goals, 106 assists) in 435 career games with Columbus Blue Jackets and Kings. He was selected by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Kelly's deal is worth a reported $1.7 million per season and runs through 2029-30. Financial terms for the other transactions were not immediately available.

Kelly, 26, contributed 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in his first season with the Avalanche in 2024-25. He has 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 257 games with the Ottawa Senators and Avs.

Tynan, 33, appeared in nine games for Colorado in 2024-25 and tallied one assist. He has two assists in 30 career games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings and Avalanche.

Ahcan, 28, made two appearances with the Avs in 2024-25 and accrued two penalty minutes. He has one goal in 11 career games with the Boston Bruins and Colorado.

The Stars on Tuesday hired Gulutzan as the team's head coach.

Gulutzan, 53, replaces Pete DeBoer, who was fired by the team on June 6 shortly after Dallas lost in the Western Conference finals for the third straight season.

The Stars previously handed Gulutzan his first NHL head coaching opportunity. He went 64-57-9 in two seasons in Dallas before he was fired on May 14, 2013.

"We are thrilled to name Glen as the head coach of the Dallas Stars," team general manager Jim Nill said. "Since his previous time in Dallas, Glen has worked tirelessly to establish himself as one of the most respected coaches in the NHL. His extensive NHL experience, both as a head coach and assistant coach, speaks to his ability to innovate and adapt to the modern game, as well as build relationships with his players.

"Glen has worked with some of the best players in the world and continually found ways to maximize their skill sets to contribute to team success. We have full confidence that he is the right person to elevate our team to the next level."

Gulutzan spent two seasons as the head coach of the Calgary Flames from 2016-18 and posted an 82-68-14 mark. After being dismissed following his second season, he shuffled over to the other Alberta team, the Edmonton Oilers, where he has worked as an assistant coach since, helping the club to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances over the past two seasons.

"My family and I are excited to come back to Texas where I started my NHL coaching journey more than a decade ago," Gulutzan said. "Jim and his staff have built a roster that is one of the most talented and deepest in the entire league.

"The right pieces are in place to compete for the Stanley Cup on a yearly basis. I'm ready to get to Dallas and start the preparation for next season."

Per the Stars, Alain Nasreddine (assistant coach), Jeff Reese (goaltending coach), Patrick Dolan (head video coach) and Chris Demczuk (assistant video coach) will return to the team.

Under DeBoer, 57, the Stars fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in Western Conference finals in 2023 and the Oilers in six and five games in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Stankoven, 22, recorded 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) and five game-winning goals in 78 games last season, including nine points (five goals, four assists) in 19 games with the Hurricanes.

Carolina acquired Stankoven and first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 and third-round selections in 2026 and 2027 from Dallas on March 7 in the deal that sent forward Mikko Rantanen to the Stars.

"From the moment he arrived in Raleigh, it was clear to us that Logan was a Hurricane," Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky said. "We're thrilled that he agrees and is committed to being a big part of this organization long term."

Stankoven has recorded 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in 102 career games with the Stars and Hurricanes. He was selected by Dallas in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft.