The NHL offseason has been packed with moves, particularly among the Florida Panthers’ Atlantic Division rivals, as well as notable league-wide signings. Here’s a comprehensive look at the week’s most significant transactions, updates, and signings.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Key Additions
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a strategic move by acquiring forward Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. Joshua, 29, had a difficult start to last season, missing games while recovering from surgery for testicular cancer. Nevertheless, he returned to finish with seven goals and 14 points in 57 games.
In addition, Toronto locked up young talent Miroslav Holinka, a fifth-round selection from the 2024 draft, by signing him to a three-year entry-level contract. Holinka tallied 19 goals and 45 points in 47 games with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings.
Buffalo Sabres: Building for the Future
The Buffalo Sabres added defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, to their roster on a three-year, entry-level contract. Mrtka previously played with Seattle in the WHL and recorded three goals, 35 points, and a +10 rating in 43 games after transitioning from the Czech league.
Buffalo also signed Jake Leschyshyn, a forward who scored 13 goals and 11 assists last season with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. The 26-year-old inked a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000.
Montreal Canadiens: Free Agent Signing
Joe Veleno, a free agent forward, joined the Montreal Canadiens on a one-year, $900,000 deal. The 24-year-old split his time last season between the Red Wings and Blackhawks, contributing eight goals and nine assists in 74 combined games.
Detroit Red Wings: Securing Young Talent
Detroit signed forward Carter Bear, the 13th overall selection in the 2025 Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. Despite a partial Achilles tendon tear late in the season, Bear led the Everett Silvertips with 82 points, showcasing elite scoring ability.
Ottawa Senators: One-Year Re-Up
The Senators re-signed forward Xavier Bourgault to a one-year, two-way contract. The former first-round pick, now with AHL Belleville, had 12 goals and 14 assists in 61 games.
Boston Bruins: Rewarding Consistency
Forward John Farinacci signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775K with the Bruins. Last season, he tallied 10 goals and 38 points for AHL Providence and notched his first NHL goal in his debut game.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Blue Line Addition
Defenseman Dysin Mayo, formerly with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, joined Columbus on a one-year, two-way contract. He totaled eight goals and 11 assists in 58 games.
Anaheim Ducks: Major Signings
The Ducks made waves by avoiding arbitration with goalie Lukáš Dostál, signing him to a five-year, $32.5 million deal. He appeared in 54 games last season with a .903 save percentage and 3.10 GAA.
Anaheim also re-signed defenseman Drew Helleson to a two-year, $2.2 million contract. Helleson contributed four goals and 13 points in 56 games.
Additionally, they re-signed Jan Mysak (18G, 24A in 68 AHL games) and goalie Calle Clang (11–13–4, 3.13 GAA), both on one-year, two-way contracts worth $775K.
Winnipeg Jets: Locking Up Key Players
The Jets made a major commitment to forward Gabriel Vilardi, re-signing him to a six-year, $45 million contract. The 25-year-old had a breakout season with 27 goals and 34 assists in 71 games.
Winnipeg also signed Parker Ford to a two-year, two-way deal after he debuted in the NHL and tallied 14 goals and 21 points in the AHL. Defenseman Tyrel Bauer re-signed as well for one year after a season that featured 59 AHL games and seven fights.
Chicago Blackhawks: Building from the Draft
The Blackhawks signed Anton Frondell, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, to a three-year entry-level deal. Frondell had 11 goals and 14 assists for Djurgarden in Sweden, helping the team earn promotion to the SHL.
To bolster goaltending depth, Chicago added Stanislav Berezhnoy, an undrafted 22-year-old Russian goalie, on a two-year deal with a $975,000 annual cap hit.
Defenseman Louis Crevier also re-signed for two years at $1.8 million. He had three goals in 32 NHL games and four points in 15 AHL games.
Utah Mammoth: Returning Faces
Michael Carcone, who scored seven goals and 19 points last season for the Mammoth, signed a one-year, $775,000 contract to return to Utah.
The team also re-signed veteran Cameron Hebig to a two-year, two-way deal. Hebig, still seeking his NHL debut, notched 26 goals and 21 assists in 67 AHL games with the Tucson Roadrunners.
Carolina Hurricanes: Re-Signing Young Talent
Defenseman Domenick Fensore agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina. He saw brief NHL action last season and recorded nine goals and 23 points in 67 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves.
Calgary Flames: Wranglers Core Remains Intact
The Flames locked in three of their promising prospects:
- Rory Kerins signed a one-year, one-way deal after leading AHL Calgary with 61 points, including 33 goals.
- Yan Kuznetsov agreed to a two-year, two-way contract that becomes one-way in the second year. He posted six goals, 15 assists, and a +21 rating last season.
- Jeremie Poirier re-signed for one year. He racked up five goals and 37 assists in 71 games.
Final Thoughts:
This week has been a showcase of how NHL teams are aggressively preparing for the 2025–26 season. Whether it’s through locking down franchise cornerstones like Vilardi and Dostál or investing in draft picks such as Frondell and Bear, the league is bustling with strategic signings. The Florida Panthers may not have made headlines this week, but the moves made by their division rivals—and other league contenders—set the stage for a competitive and talent-rich season ahead.
