Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Dallas Stars Sign Emil Hemming To Entry-Level Contract

at CDT | by 2 Comments

The Dallas Stars have inked their first-round selection of the 2024 NHL Draft as the team announced they have signed winger Emil Hemming to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract is scheduled to start during the 2024-25 NHL season but the Stars organization has not indicated where Hemming will suit up next season.

Hemming is coming off his first professional season with TPS of the Finnish Liiga where he suited up in 40 games and scored seven goals and 11 points. The young forward also spent 13 games with TPS U20 in the U20 SM-sarja where he scored 11 goals and 18 points. Including all the offensive prospects available in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hemming arguably featured the best possible shot from the forward group.

The Vaasa, Finland native was electric on the international stage for Team Finland last year as he scored seven goals and 11 points in nine total contests for Team Finland’s U18 club and posted two goals and eight points in eight games for Team Finland’s U20 roster. Hemming should return to TPS for the 2024-25 season but may feature with the organization’s AHL club in Texas towards the end of next season.

The Stars still have a deep forward group up front for the next couple of years but it is aging. Forwards Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene, and Evgenii Dadonov are well into their 30s and Dallas may have decent timing with Hemming’s eventual debut.

New Jersey Devils Sign Adam Beckman

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The New Jersey Devils have agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with forward Adam Beckman. Beckman will earn the league minimum of $775K in the NHL with a salary of $125K in the AHL ($150K guaranteed).

Beckman was recently acquired from the Minnesota Wild organization in exchange for Graeme Clarke. Beckman spent three professional seasons for the Wild after finishing his major junior career with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. He quickly became one of the better point producers with the team’s AHL affiliate in Iowa as he scored 57 goals and 108 points in 181 games.

There is some criticism of Beckman’s play on the defensive side of the puck during his time with the AHL Wild as he finished with a -29 rating in total. Iowa finished top-15 in goals against during the first two years of Beckman’s tenure with the team but finished tied for 29th this past season with the San Diego Gulls.

Beckman did suit up in 23 games for Minnesota over the last three years as an injury replacement but didn’t factor too much as he averaged 10:02 of ice time per game. He still has yet to register his first goal at the NHL level but has collected three assists up to this point.

It’s unlikely that Beckman will start the season in New Jersey as he’s most likely destined for the AHL with the Utica Comets. The Devils improved their forward depth this offseason by bringing in Tomas Tatar, Stefan Noesen, and Paul Cotter which should eliminate space for Beckman to crack the roster. Beckman should likely serve as an injury replacement in New Jersey while adding solid scoring depth to the Comets.

Colorado Avalanche Acquire Kevin Mandolese

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche got together on a minor trade today as the Senators announced the team had sent the signing rights to goaltender Kevin Mandolese and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Avalanche in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026. Colorado has also confirmed the trade.

Mandolese will join the second organization of his career after spending his entire professional life with the Senators organization after being selected by the team with the 157th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft. He’s mostly spent time as the backup for the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, as he’s earned a 28-28-5 record in the last four years in 66 games while posting a .896 save percentage and 3.30 goals against average.

He has fared slightly better in the ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators and Allen Americans in limited action by posting a 6-7-1 record over the last three years in 15 contests while recording a .921 SV% and 2.77 GAA. Mandolese will likely end up with Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, and could even spend time with the Utah Grizzlies, the organization’s ECHL affiliate.

The native of Montreal, Quebec suited up in three games for the Senators during the 2022-23 NHL season and stopped 109 of 119 shots. Mandolese recorded two quality starts in his only NHL appearances and earned the only NHL win of his career after stopping 46 shots against the New York Islanders.

Winnipeg Jets Re-Sign Ville Heinola

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Winnipeg Jets will keep around a depth defenseman for the next two years as the organization announced a two-year, $1.6MM contract for defenseman Ville Heinola. The contract will keep Heinola around for his fifth and sixth seasons with the club while becoming arbitration-eligible at the end of the deal.

The future was bright for Heinola after being selected by the Jets with the 20th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft but the organization’s habit of slow-playing prospects to the NHL level has prohibited Heinola from showing the best of his abilities up to this point in his career. Heinola has factored into a handful of games for Winnipeg over the last five years but has failed to play more than 12 games in a season up to this point.

Because of his usage as one of the team’s depth defensemen, Heinola has played 35 games for the Jets since the start of the 2019-20 season and has registered one goal and 11 points. The Finnish blue-liner has averaged 15:15 of ice time in his games at the NHL level but recently recorded the lowest average of his career in 2022-23 with 13:16.

Heinola spent the entire 2023-24 season with the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose where he recorded 10 goals and 27 points in 41 games. He demonstrated more of an ability to score goals after posing three goals and 37 points in 48 games the year prior.

Winnipeg’s defensive core has been thinned out this offseason which may lead to a regular role for Heinola this upcoming season. However, with defensemen Dylan Samberg and Logan Stanley also looking for a regular spot in the lineup, Heinola may have his work cut out for him during training camp in September.

Ducks Re-Sign Jackson LaCombe, Nikita Nesterenko

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Anaheim Ducks are getting some work done today on a few restricted free agents as the team announced a two-year contract for defenseman Jackson LaCombe and a one-year, two-way contract for forward Nikita Nesterenko. PuckPedia reports that LaCombe will earn $925K each year of his contract while Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports Nesterenko will earn $874K at the NHL level and $70K in the AHL.

LaCombe’s agreement is identical to the one he signed with the Ducks organization in 2023 after finishing his senior season with the University of Minnesota. LaCombe was originally selected with the 39th overall pick by Anaheim in the 2019 NHL Draft after an impressive season with Shattuck St. Mary. During his time with the Gophers, LaCombe demonstrated his ability to be an effective puck-mover from the blue line as 80 of his 99 points in the NCAA came from assists.

The young defenseman struggled in his rookie campaign with the Ducks where he registered two goals and 17 points in 71 games while posting a -24 rating. LaCombe’s possession and defensive metrics do not paint a positive picture either as Anaheim played him for an average of 19:23 per game. He did get some mild usage on the team’s powerplay and penalty kill for the 2023-24 season but the Ducks may be better served by taking away some responsibility from LaCombe to keep his confidence up.

In a similar fashion to LaCombe; Nesterenko spent three years with Boston College of the NCAA after being selected with the 172nd overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Draft. Anaheim acquired Nesterenko’s signing rights as a part of the return for defenseman John Klingberg during the 2022-23 trade deadline and Nesterenko signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks only a few days later.

The native of Brooklyn, NY has collected 12 games at the NHL level up to this point but spent most of his rookie campaign with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. Nesterenko suited up in 70 games for the Gulls last season and scored 16 goals and 37 points. With the ability to play well on the defensive side of the puck, Nesterenko may have a spot in the middle-six of Anaheim’s forward core in the future.

Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Agent Refutes Contract Termination Reports

at CDT | by 8 Comments

Earlier this morning a report out of Russia indicated that forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was expected to terminate the last year of his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes to sign a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. However, Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev reported that although there has been some interest from several KHL teams this summer, it is “too early to talk about the hockey player’s return to Russia” (X Link).

Babaev didn’t entirely rule out a return to Russia by Kuznetsov but it doesn’t look like it will come this summer. In a follow-up statement, Babaev said, “Evgeny still has a year left on his contract with Carolina. SKA and other KHL teams have approached him. After Kuznetsov’s contract with Carolina, they are ready to discuss the possibility of Evgeny’s appearance“(X Link). It appears that both Kuznetsov and his representation are willing to play out the final year of his contract before entertaining the idea of returning to his home country.

It would not be surprising to see Kuznetsov return to Russia to continue his professional career as he has not been the player he was from 2015-2022. In his age-23 to age-29 season, Kuznetsov was one of the premier centers in the game as he scored 139 goals and 450 points in 502 games while leading the playoffs in scoring with 32 points in 24 games in 2018 to help the Washington Capitals win their first Stanley Cup championship in team history.

Issues off the ice have plagued Kuznetsov since that run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2018 as he was suspended by the NHL only a few months after the playoffs as a video of him using cocaine surfaced across the internet. Kuznetsov still put together some productive seasons for the Capitals but never appeared comfortable on the ice in Washington. This culminated in Kuznetsov entering the NHLPA Player Assistance Program on February 5, 2024, and the organization placing him through waivers upon his clearance on March 2nd.

The Capitals finally parted ways with Kuznetsov at last year’s trade deadline by shipping him to the Hurricanes for a third-round selection in 2025 while Washington retained 50% of his salary. Kuznetsov picked up two goals and seven points in 20 games for Carolina down the stretch with an additional four goals and six points in 10 postseason contests. Outside of his modest production on the ice, Kuznetsov appeared more jovial than he had in years past.

To add a bit more context to the potential mutual termination of Kuznetsov’s contract, PuckPedia reported that there is no precedent for a player having his contract mutually terminated after having his salary retained. Realistically, Kuznetsov’s $3.9MM salary in Carolina and the $3.9MM retained by Washington would be removed from both team’s salary cap structure and they would no longer be required to pay him.

With only one year remaining on his eight-year, $62.4MM contract, Kuznetsov could play anywhere as soon as next summer. If he has a decent year with the Hurricanes, he may look toward the NHL for interest to start before he commits to returning to Russia.

Sharks Re-Sign Brandon Coe To Two-Way Deal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Sharks have re-signed right winger Brandon Coe to a one-year, two-way deal, according to a team release. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Coe, 22, was a fourth-round pick of San Jose in 2020 and was an RFA after completing his entry-level contract. He’s yet to make his NHL debut.

The 6’4″ winger had a quite unusual development path. Selected out of the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, he didn’t have a place to play in his post-draft season after the league paused operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That led to Coe making his professional debut ahead of schedule, recording five points in 17 games for AHL San Jose on a tryout as a teenager in the 2020-21 campaign.

Coe returned to North Bay for his final season of junior hockey the following year, exploding for 101 points in 62 games and earning a spot on the OHL’s First All-Star Team. He’s since served in a depth role for AHL San Jose since returning to the professional ranks in 2022, now totaling 18 goals and 38 points in 130 career games for the Baby Sharks. He set career highs with 12 goals and 17 points in 57 contests last season.

He isn’t close to seeing NHL ice, but he has shown slow yet steady development. It’s worth noting Coe hasn’t had a ton of help – San Jose’s farm team has finished at or below .500 in all three seasons he’s been there. He’ll look to take a step forward next year and ideally put himself in contention for a late-season call-up before becoming an RFA again next summer.

Brett Sutter Announces Retirement

at CDT | by 2 Comments

After playing in parts of seven NHL seasons, Brett Sutter has officially retired. The forward made the announcement via a statement from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, whom he’d captained since 2022-23. He said he’d be staying with the Flames’ affiliate as an assistant coach.

“Following 17 seasons as a player, I’m very proud and excited to leave the game and have the opportunity to step directly into this role with the Flames organization,” Sutter said. “Saying goodbye to playing isn’t easy, the game has treated my family and I so well for so long but the opportunity to stay within the organization that my family loves, makes this transition easier. I’m grateful to the Flames for the opportunity.”

Calgary selected Sutter in the sixth round of the 2005 draft, during which his father, Darryl Sutter, was both the Flames’ general manager and head coach. He made his NHL debut in the 2008-09 campaign and played 18 games in a Flames uniform before being traded to the Hurricanes in November 2010. That kicked off a run of three and half seasons in Carolina that saw the minor-league fixture see the most NHL time of his career, scoring once and adding four assists in 36 games before reaching free agency in 2014. He landed with the Wild, and his six games in Minnesota during the following campaign ended up being the last of his career.

But Sutter was still in the early stages of one of the lengthier careers the AHL has ever seen. After being traded to the Kings in 2015-16, Sutter signed a series of minor-league contracts to stay on with their affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He stayed for parts of seven seasons before landing back where his professional career began in Calgary in 2022. He was the Reign’s captain from 2017-18 until his departure.

Sutter retires with 1,090 AHL games played under his belt in parts of 17 seasons, fourth-most in league history. He was never a truly premier offensive talent at that level, as his 463 career points don’t even rank in the top 100 among AHLers. But his run of captaining three different clubs, including serving as one for seven straight to end his career despite last being under NHL contract eight years ago, is telling of his impact. He was awarded the Fred T. Hunt Award for the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey” while with Ontario in 2018-19.

Now nearly 20 years after he was drafted, Sutter will again attempt to work his way up the ladder to NHL ice, this time as a coach. He’ll look to follow in the footsteps of his father, who spent parts of six seasons behind the Calgary bench as a head coach across two separate stints, leading them to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Darryl spent another five years with the Flames solely in a GM capacity from 2006 to 2011. All of us at Pro Hockey Rumors congratulate Sutter all the best as he embarks on his coaching career.

2024 NHL Draft Signing Tracker

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Just a few weeks out from the 2024 NHL Draft, plenty of picks have already signed their entry-level contracts, paving the way for them to make their North American professional debuts at some point over the next few seasons. Below, you can find which prospects have inked their rookie deals, with our full write-ups linked with the date they signed. For those who haven’t signed, we’ve listed the date on which their exclusive signing rights will expire if not inked to an ELC.

This post can be found anytime under the Flame menu on our mobile site and the “Pro Hockey Rumors Features” sidebar on desktop.

Last updated 8/6/24, 1:19 p.m.

Anaheim Ducks

1-3: RW Beckett Sennecke / Oshawa Generals (OHL) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
1-23: D Stian Solberg / Vålerenga (Norway) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
2-35: C Lucas Pettersson / MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-66: RW Maxim Massé / Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-68: C Ethan Procyszyn / North Bay Battalion (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-79: D Tarin Smith / Everett Silvertips (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-100: C Alexandre Blais / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-182: RW Austin Burnevik / Madison Capitols (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-214: D Darels Uļjanskis / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Boston Bruins

1-25: C Dean Letourneau / St. Andrew’s College (U18 AAA) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
4-110: D Elliott Groenewold / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
5-154: C Jonathan Morello / St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
6-186: D Loke Johansson / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Buffalo Sabres

1-14: C Konsta Helenius / Jukurit (Liiga) – SIGNED (July 8, 2024)
2-42: D Adam Kleber / Lincoln Stars (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
3-71: RW Brodie Ziemer / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
4-108: D Luke Osburn / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2030
4-123: D Simon-Pier Brunet / Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-172: D Patrick Geary / Michigan State (NCAA) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2027
7-204: RW Vasily Zelenov / RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
7-219: G Ryerson Leenders / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Calgary Flames

1-9: D Zayne Parekh / Saginaw Spirit (OHL) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
1-28: RW Matvei Gridin / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
2-41: LW Andrew Basha / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
2-62: RW Jacob Battaglia / Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-74: D Henry Mews / Ottawa 67’s (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-84: G Kirill Zarubin / AKM Tula (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
4-106: RW Trevor Hoskin / Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
5-150: C Luke Misa / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-170: C Hunter Laing / Prince George Cougars (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-177: D Eric Jamieson / Everett Silvertips (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Carolina Hurricanes

2-34: D Dominik Badinka / Malmö Redhawks (SHL) – SIGNED (July 14, 2024)
2-50: LW Nikita Artamonov / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
3-69: D Noel Fransén / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
4-124: D Alexander Siryatsky / Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
5-133: LW Oskar Vuollet / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-156: RW Justin Poirier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-168: D Timur Kol / Omskie Krylia (VHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
6-184: D Roman Shokhrin / Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
6-188: LW Fyodor Avramov / Kapitan Stupino (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
7-220: LW Andrei Krutov / Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely

Chicago Blackhawks

1-2: D Artyom Levshunov / Michigan State (NCAA) – SIGNED (July 6, 2024)
1-18: C Sacha Boisvert / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
1-27: LW Marek Vanacker / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) – SIGNED (Aug. 5, 2024)
3-67: C John Mustard / Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
3-72: RW AJ Spellacy / Windsor Spitfires (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-92: RW Jack Pridham / West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
5-138: C Joel Svensson / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-163: D Ty Henry / Erie Otters (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Colorado Avalanche

2-38: G Ilya Nabokov / Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
3-76: LW William Zellers / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
4-121: C Jake Fisher / Fargo Force (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
5-132: G Louka Cloutier / Chicago Steel (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
5-137: G Ivan Yunin / Yastreby Omsk U18 (Russia U18) – signing rights held indefinitely
5-161: C Maxmilian Curran / Tri-City Americans (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-185: D Tory Pitner / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-215: C Christian Humphreys / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
7-217: C Nikita Prishchepov / Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Columbus Blue Jackets

1-4: C Cayden Lindstrom / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
2-36: D Charlie Elick / Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
2-60: G Evan Gardner / Saskatoon Blades (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-86: D Luca Marrelli / Oshawa Generals (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-101: D Tanner Henricks / Lincoln Stars (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
6-165: D Luke Ashton / Langley Rivermen (BCHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028

Dallas Stars

1-29: RW Emil Hemming / TPS (Liiga) – SIGNED (July 15, 2024)
5-158: D Niilopekka Muhonen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
7-222: C William Samuelsson / Södertälje SK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Detroit Red Wings

1-15: RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygård / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan) – SIGNED (July 11, 2024)
2-47: LW Max Plante / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
3-80: C Ondřej Becher / Prince George Cougars (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-126: G Landon Miller / Soo Greyhounds (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-144: D John Whipple / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
6-176: LW Charlie Forslund / Falu IF J18 (J18 Region) – must sign by June 1, 2028
7-203: LW Austin Baker / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-208: D Fisher Scott / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028

Edmonton Oilers

1-32: RW Sam O’Reilly / London Knights (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
2-64: G Eemil Vinni / JoKP (Mestis) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-160: LW Connor Clattenburg / Flint Firebirds (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-183: D Albin Sundin / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-192: C Dalyn Wakely / North Bay Battalion (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-196: C William Nicholl / London Knights (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-218: D Bauer Berry / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029

Florida Panthers 

2-58: C Linus Eriksson / Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-97: D Matvei Shuravin / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
4-129: C Simon Zether / Rögle BK (SHL) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-169: C Stepan Gorbunov / Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
6-193: LW Hunter St. Martin / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-201: G Denis Gabdrakhmanov / Tyumenski Legion (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely

Los Angeles Kings

1-26: RW Liam Greentree / Windsor Spitfires (OHL) – SIGNED (July 20, 2024)
2-57: G Carter George / Owen Sound Attack (OHL) – SIGNED (July 25, 2024)
6-164: D Jared Woolley / London Knights (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-198: RW James Reeder / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029

Minnesota Wild

1-12: D Zeev Buium / University of Denver (NCAA) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2027
2-45: RW Ryder Ritchie / Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-122: D Aron Kiviharju / HIFK (Liiga) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-140: D Sebastian Soini / KOOVEE (Mestis) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-142: G Chase Wutzke / Red Deer Rebels (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-174: D Stevie Leskovar / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Montreal Canadiens

1-5: RW Ivan Demidov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
1-21: C Michael Hage / Chicago Steel (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
3-70: C Aatos Koivu / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-78: C Logan Sawyer / Brooks Bandits (BCHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
4-102: D Owen Protz / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-130: RW Tyler Thorpe / Vancouver Giants (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-134: G Mikus Vecvanags / Tukums (Latvia2) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-166: C Ben Merrill / St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
7-210: RW Makar Khanin / Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
7-224: D Rasmus Bergqvist / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Nashville Predators

1-22: C Yegor Surin / Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
2-55: C Teddy Stiga / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
3-77: D Viggo Gustafsson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-87: RW Miguel Marques / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-94: RW Hiroki Gojsic / Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-99: G Jakub Milota / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-127: LW Viktor Nörringer / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
7-213: C Erik Påhlsson / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028

New Jersey Devils

1-10: D Anton Silayev / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
2-49: G Mikhail Yegorov / Omaha Lancers (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
3-85: RW Kasper Pikkarainen / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-91: RW Herman Träff / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-139: C Max Graham / Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-146: G Veeti Louhivaara / JYP U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-171: C Matyáš Melovský / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

New York Islanders

1-20: LW Cole Eiserman / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
2-54: D Jesse Pulkkinen / JYP (Liiga) – SIGNED (July 15, 2024)
2-61: C Kamil Bednarik / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
4-115: G Dmitry Gamzin / Zvezda Moskva (VHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
5-147: G Marcus Gidlöf / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-179: D Xavier Veilleux / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028

New York Rangers

1-30: D EJ Emery / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
4-119: C Raoul Boilard / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-159: LW Nathan Aspinall / Flint Firebirds (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-191: LW Rico Gredig / HC Davos (NL) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Ottawa Senators

1-7: D Carter Yakemchuk / Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – SIGNED (Aug. 6, 2024)
2-39: D Gabriel Eliasson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
4-104: LW Lucas Ellinas / Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-112: LW Javon Moore / Minnetonka High (USHS-MN) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
4-117: LW Blake Montgomery / Lincoln Stars (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
5-136: D Eerik Wallenius / HPK U18 (U18 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Philadelphia Flyers

1-13: C Jett Luchanko / Guelph Storm (OHL) – SIGNED (July 8, 2024)
2-51: C Jack Berglund / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
2-59: D Spencer Gill / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-107: C Heikki Ruohonen / Kiekko-Espoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-148: RW Noah Powell / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
6-173: RW Ilya Pautov / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
7-205: D Austin Moline / Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep (USHS-Prep) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029

Pittsburgh Penguins

2-44: D Harrison Brunicke / Kamloops Blazers (WHL) – SIGNED (July 18, 2024)
2-46: LW Tanner Howe / Regina Pats (WHL) – SIGNED (July 10, 2024)
4-111: D Chase Pietila / Michigan Tech (NCAA) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2027
6-175: D Joona Väisänen / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-207: C Mac Swanson / Fargo Force (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-223: D Finn Harding / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

San Jose Sharks

1-1: C Macklin Celebrini / Boston University (NCAA) – SIGNED (July 6, 2024)
1-11: D Sam Dickinson / London Knights (OHL) – SIGNED (July 10, 2024)
2-33: LW Igor Chernyshov / Dynamo Moskva (KHL) – SIGNED (Aug. 1, 2024)
2-53: D Leo Sahlin Wallenius / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-82: RW Carson Wetsch / Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-116: G Christian Kirsch / Zug U20 (U20-Elit) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-131: D Colton Roberts / Vancouver Giants (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-143: D Nate Misskey / Victoria Royals (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-194: G Yaroslav Korostelyov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely

Seattle Kraken

1-8: C Berkly Catton / Spokane Chiefs (WHL) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
2-40: C Julius Miettinen / Everett Silvertips (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
2-63: C Nathan Villeneuve / Sudbury Wolves (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-73: D Alexis Bernier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-88: G Kim Saarinen / HPK U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – SIGNED (July 14, 2024)
4-105: C Ollie Josephson / Red Deer Rebels (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-141: LW Clarke Caswell / Swift Current Broncos (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-202: D Jakub Fibigr / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

St. Louis Blues

1-16: D Adam Jiříček / HC Plzeň (Czechia) – SIGNED (July 2, 2024)
2-48: D Colin Ralph / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
2-56: D Lukas Fischer / Sarnia Sting (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-81: LW Ondrej Kos / KOOVEE (Mestis) – must sign by June 1, 2028
3-95: C Adam Jecho / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-113: C Tomas Mrsic / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-145: D William McIsaac / Spokane Chiefs (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-209: C Antoine Dorion / Québec Remparts (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-211: C Matvei Korotky / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely

Tampa Bay Lightning

4-118: D Jan Goličič / Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-128: RW Hagen Burrows / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
5-149: C Joona Saarelainen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-181: C Kaden Pitre / Flint Firebirds (OHL) –  must sign by June 1, 2026
7-195: LW Joe Connor / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-199: LW Noah Steen / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan) – must sign by June 1, 2028
7-206: G Harrison Meneghin / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Toronto Maple Leafs

1-31: D Ben Danford / Oshawa Generals (OHL) – SIGNED (Aug. 2, 2024)
4-120: D Victor Johansson / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-151: C Miroslav Holinka / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20) – must sign by June 1, 2028
5-152: LW Alexander Plesovskikh / Mamonty Yugry (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
5-157: G Timofei Obvintsev / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
7-200: D Matthew Leahy / Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
7-216: LW Sam McCue / Owen Sound Attack (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-225: D Nathan Mayes / Spokane Chiefs (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Utah Hockey Club

1-6: C Tij Iginla / Kelowna Rockets (WHL) – SIGNED (July 11, 2024)
1-24: C Cole Beaudoin / Barrie Colts (OHL) – SIGNED (July 22, 2024)
2-65: D Will Skahan / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
3-89: D Tomas Lavoie / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
3-96: D Veeti Väisänen / KooKoo (Liiga) – must sign by June 1, 2028
4-98: D Gregor Biber / Rögle BK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
4-103: C Gabe Smith / Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-135: C Owen Allard / Soo Greyhounds (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-153: D Aleš Čech / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-167: C Vojtěch Hradec / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-190: D Ludvig Lafton / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Vancouver Canucks

3-93: RW Melvin Fernström / Örebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
4-125: C Riley Patterson / Barrie Colts (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-162: RW Anthony Romani / North Bay Battalion (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
6-189: D Parker Alcos / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-221: D Basile Sansonnens / Gottéron U20 (U20-Elit) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Vegas Golden Knights 

1-19: LW Trevor Connelly / Tri-City Storm (USHL) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
3-83: G Pavel Moysevich / SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL) – signing rights held indefinitely
6-180: LW Trent Swick / Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
7-197: C Lucas Van Vliet / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028

Washington Capitals

1-17: RW Terik Parascak / Prince George Cougars (WHL) – SIGNED (July 5, 2024)
2-43: D Cole Hutson / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2028
2-52: D Leon Muggli / EV Zug (NL) – SIGNED (July 10, 2024)
3-75: LW Ilya Protas / Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) – SIGNED (July 6, 2024)
3-90: LW Ēriks Mateiko / Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
4-114: G Nicholas Kempf / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP) – must sign by Aug. 15, 2029
6-178: C Petr Sikora / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20) – must sign by June 1, 2028
7-212: C Miroslav Šatan / HC Slovan Bratislava U20 (Slovakia U20) – must sign by June 1, 2028

Winnipeg Jets

2-37: D Alfons Freij / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell) – must sign by June 1, 2028
4-109: LW Kevin He / Niagara IceDogs (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026
5-155: C Markus Loponen / Kärpät U20 (U20 SM-sarja) – must sign by June 1, 2028
6-187: C Kieron Walton / Sudbury Wolves (OHL) – must sign by June 1, 2026

Oilers, Senators Swap Xavier Bourgault, Roby Jarventie

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Senators have already completed one transaction today, signing goaltender Mads Søgaard to a two-year deal, and they’ve now completed a second. They’ve sent left winger Roby Jarventie and their 2025 fourth-round pick to the Oilers in exchange for forward prospects Xavier Bourgault and Jake Chiasson, per announcements from both teams.

“This trade provides us with additional competition and depth at forward,” Senators general manager Steve Staios said in a press release. “Both Xavier and Jake are trending in the right direction with their respective development. With the potential for greater playing opportunity next season, they should both benefit considerably.”

Bourgault, 21, is the big fish in this trade. He was the Oilers’ first-round pick in 2021, taken 22nd overall, a pick acquired from the Wild in a pick swap on draft day that resulted in Minnesota selecting top goaltending prospect Jesper Wallstedt at 20. Unfortunately, Bourgault hasn’t progressed as hoped and is yet to make his NHL debut.

After wrapping up his junior career with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes, Bourgault signed his entry-level contract in March 2022 and turned pro the subsequent season. He did okay in his first season on assignment to AHL Bakersfield, finishing 2022-23 with a solid 13 goals, 21 assists and 34 points in 62 games and finishing fourth on the team in scoring. But this past season was unkind to the Quebec native, whose offense was limited to only eight goals and 20 points in 55 games with Bakersfield. He was also held without a point in two playoff games.

Edmonton recently rejuvenated their forward prospect pool in a big way, acquiring 2022 ninth-overall pick Matthew Savoie in a trade with the Sabres earlier this month. That made Bourgault somewhat expendable for a team in the middle of a championship contention window, especially one with their forward corps set for the immediate future.

But with Ottawa, Bourgault should have a much clearer path to his NHL debut. He can play center and right-wing, both of which are positions of need for the Sens – at least in depth roles. He joins a group that includes veterans Noah Gregor and Zack MacEwen as well as up-and-comers Jan Jeník and Zack Ostapchuk that will be competing for roster spots out of camp.

The Sens also added Chiasson in this deal, but he’s far off from seeing NHL ice. The 21-year-old was selected three rounds after Bourgault in 2021 but stayed in juniors for his overage season, meaning he didn’t turn pro until last year. After signing his ELC with Edmonton, Chiasson played just one game with AHL Bakersfield and was instead sent to ECHL Fort Wayne for most of the campaign, where he had nine goals and 20 points in 68 games with a -12 rating.

In exchange for parting ways with a pair of prospects, the Oilers recoup Jarventie, a player that the team’s Bob Stauffer reports they’ve liked for quite some time. Selected 33rd overall by Ottawa in 2020, the 6’2″, 214-lb Finnish winger made his NHL debut last season, recording an assist and a -5 rating in seven games while averaging a paltry 7:31 per night. The 21-year-old has one season remaining on his entry-level contract, which will presumably be spent with Bakersfield.

While he doesn’t have Bourgault’s billing as a first-round pick, Jarventie does have a much better recent track record in the minors. Injuries and roster moves limited him to 22 games with AHL Belleville last season, but he clicked at nearly a point per game with nine goals and 11 assists in 22 contests. He has 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 136 career games with Belleville since arriving in North America in 2021.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top