Flyers Sign Christian Dvorak To Five-Year Extension
Another pending free agent domino has fallen, as the Philadelphia Flyers announced that Christian Dvorak has been extended on a five-year deal worth $5.15MM per season. The news was first reported by Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, who shared that the two sides were closing in earlier this evening.
According to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, the agreement carries a no-trade clause for the first two years, a limited no-trade clause in years three and four, and finally, no trade protection in the fifth and final year.
The extension will keep the soon-to-be 30-year-old Dvorak in the orange and black for what could prove to be his longest stay anywhere, after five and four year stops in Arizona and Montreal, respectively.
Signed by the Flyers last summer on a one-year deal worth $5.4MM, Dvorak has been a strong fit, with 25 points in 39 games so far this season which is on pace to be a career best by a considerable margin. Somewhat surprisingly, the Illinois native has become a top center on a Flyers club right in the playoff mix, and rather than hit the market with his value as high as ever, Dvorak cashes in and now can settle in on his home for years to come.
AFP Analytics predicted that if he were to hit the open market, Dvorak could have been due for a four year contract worth $5.6MM per. Given the especially thin center market, the money is right on track, and the extra year may have been the cherry on top to get it done.
Chosen in the second round of the 2014 draft by Arizona, the Montreal Canadiens were impressed by Dvorak’s track record in five seasons as a ‘Yote. Just prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign, they gave up first and second round picks, setting him up with an opportunity to blossom into a true top six center. Dvorak came to the Habs in a transitional phase, as former GM Marc Bergevin tried to create a new window. It didn’t materialize as envisioned, and shortly thereafter, Bergevin was let go. Even through a rebuild, Dvorak managed to stick around, but he never took another step as a Hab, dealing with injuries and never eclipsing the 33-point mark.
In need of a placeholder center, the Flyers were content to give Dvorak a “prove it” deal where the center bet on himself, aware he’d likely hold a larger role in Philadelphia. A possible spring trade-flip was likely in the back of the Flyers’ minds, but instead, to Dvorak’s credit, it has paid off. Such a contract may bring some sticker shock, but even as the Flyers’ youth takes form in coming years, Dvorak brings real intangibles. As shared by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, GM Daniel Briere spoke highly of Dvorak’s trustworthy two-way abilities, and his key role in the locker room.
What will be most fascinating, is where his game goes from here. On paper, Dvorak figures to age into a bottom six center capable of strong shutdown play, but his current metrics lean offensively, with a questionable defensive impact. Still just 39 games into his tenure, Philadelphia is banking on the center to continue such offensive output and not regress to his previous ~30 point level. Clearly they hold Dvorak in high regard, and with ample cap space and an extremely limited free agent market this summer, it may be a gamble worth taking. Dvorak figures to be a respectable bridge-gapper for center prospects Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt, both quintessential Flyers following Briere’s vision.
With Dvorak out of the fold, along with Alexander Wennberg, who re-upped with San Jose yesterday at three years, $6MM per season, even more eyes turn to Utah’s Nick Schmaltz, in the midst of a great season. Based on recent developments, Utah may need to weigh their options with their top line center. The Mammoth still hold onto an outside shot at the postseason, where they’d love to make their first appearance in franchise history, but a top scorer may be preparing to hit the open market in July.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s core is now mostly locked up entering 2026-27, outside of Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, both pending restricted free agents. If they can maintain their performance of late and make a real playoff push, Briere still holds enough cap flexibility to supplement the group further. Dvorak will work to prove his value as a Flyer, scoring when needed and contributing in all situations, giving the team a big morale boost from today’s news.
Photo Courtesy of Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin Leaves Game Due To Injury
A potentially significant injury occured this evening, as New York Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin left due to a lower body injury, and will not return, as announced by the team.
With around seven minutes remaining in the first of a scoreless game, Utah forward JJ Peterka lightly collided with Shesterkin in his crease in an innocuous play. The light impact sent the goaltender falling backward with his right pad planted, resulting in an awkward position and an apparent knee injury, which has many fearing the worst.
The 30-year-old is in year one of his eight year extension worth $11.5MM per season, solidifying himself among the league’s very best. In a time where scoring rates have climbed, Shesterkin holds elite statistics, with a .912 save percentage this season and a 2.47 goals-against-average to boot.
Thankfully, New York is tremendously deep in net, with ageless wonder Jonathan Quick as backup, who subsequently entered the game tonight along with his .924 save percentage. The Rangers also have Dylan Garand in the AHL, a well regarded prospect patiently awaiting his NHL debut, now in his fourth full season pro. However, Shesterkin is desperately needed if New York will be able to climb the ranks in the grueling Metropolitan Division and vie for a fourth straight playoff appearance.
After their exciting Winter Classic victory in Florida, the Rangers were hoping to turn the corner, but just five days into the New Year, they find themselves facing another massive challenge, if the superstar netminder will miss extended time.
Minnesota Wild Recall David Jiricek
According to a team announcement, the Minnesota Wild have recalled defenseman David Jiříček from the AHL’s Iowa Wild. The Wild now have a full 23-man roster, with eight of them being defensemen.
Jiříček’s story in the NHL is well known at this point. The Wild acquired the former sixth overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets last season for a 2025 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, and defenseman Daemon Hunt, who has since re-joined the Wild.
Still, Jiříček, 22, has yet to break out in any meaningful way with Minnesota. He looked promising in his first professional season with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, scoring six goals and 38 points in 55 games with a -11 rating. He hasn’t come close to achieving that level of performance again.
In fact, the way his tenure with the Wild has begun is similar to how his time with the Blue Jackets ended. Jiříček was frequently moved between the NHL and AHL lineup, failing to provide any continuity in the early stages of his development. He now finds himself in the same situation with the Wild.
During the 2025-26 season, Jiříček has played 18 games for Minnesota and 13 games for Iowa. He’s only scored with the latter, posting a goal and two assists with a -8 rating. His limited output in the NHL may be due to averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time per game when he plays.
There’s little indication he’s poised for an offensive breakout either. Throughout his tenure with the Wild, he’s only managed a 46.3% CorsiFor% at even strength, which is slightly worse than what he averaged with Columbus. However, his defensive play has improved, averaging a 94.3% on-ice SV% at even strength.
Regardless, given that the Wild are dealing with a few injuries on defense to Hunt and Zach Bogosian, Jiříček should find his way into the lineup for the time being. However, once one of them returns, he’s likely headed back for another extended stay with AHL Iowa.
Oilers Recall Isaac Howard; Reassign Quinn Hutson
Jan. 5th: Hutson’s recall with the Oilers didn’t last long. The team announced that they’ve assigned Hutson back to AHL Bakersfield. He went scoreless against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday over 9:17 of ice time.
Jan. 2nd: The Oilers announced they’ve recalled wingers Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson from AHL Bakersfield. They had two open roster spots after reassigning Max Jones to Bakersfield on Thursday, so no further moves are required.
In doing so, Edmonton gives two of its brightest young forwards their second chance on the active roster this season. Howard, last season’s Hobey Baker Award winner as the NCAA’s top men’s player, broke camp with the Oilers after they acquired his signing rights from the Lightning.
Immediately slotting in as Edmonton’s No. 2 prospect, he never got a crack in their top six and languished in a fourth-line role for several weeks to begin the season. After recording just two goals and an assist in 17 appearances, averaging 9:30 of ice time per game, the Oilers ended the 21-year-old’s initial run of NHL play and assigned him to Bakersfield to give him his first taste of minor-league hockey.
In the month and a half since his demotion, Howard has been among the AHL’s best players. With a 10-13–23 scoring line in 16 contests, he’s tied for the league lead in points per game (1.44). The 5’11” lefty has been especially hot as of late, recording four goals and 10 points – including a trio of three-point efforts – on a four-game point streak.
Hutson, 24, entered the season as more of an unknown. The older brother of Canadiens star Lane and Capitals prospect Cole was never drafted but broke out as a college superstar as a junior for Boston University in 2024-25, racking up 23 goals and 50 points in 38 games. He signed an entry-level deal with Edmonton as a free agent near the end of the year and skated in the Oilers’ final two games of the regular season, although he was ineligible to suit up in the playoffs.
Viewed as a long-shot candidate to make their opening night roster with more established prospects like Howard and Savoie having a leg up, he was sent to Bakersfield to begin the first full season of his pro career. Like Howard, he’s been among the AHL’s most dominant offensive wingers, ranking top-five in the league in both goals (19) and points (32) in 26 appearances.
That emphatic production got Hutson his NHL debut last month, appearing in a three-game stretch for Edmonton in mid-December. Like Howard, his ice time was extremely limited at just 7:34 per game, but that didn’t stop him from scoring his first NHL goal against the Bruins on Dec. 18.
Now, with six goals and eight points in his last four games for Bakersfield, he gets another opportunity to make himself known as an NHL commodity. Whether head coach Kris Knoblauch will give him and Howard a long enough leash to make a tangible impact remains to be seen, but with veterans Mattias Janmark and Andrew Mangiapane struggling to produce in top-nine roles on the wing, it’s becoming near indefensible not to give some of the Oilers’ most promising talent a chance higher up in the lineup.
Jack Johnson Retires, Joins Canucks Staff
According to a team announcement, the Vancouver Canucks have hired former defenseman Jack Johnson as a professional scout. The update indirectly confirms that Johnson’s 19-year career has come to an end.
Johnson’s professional career began in 2005 when he was selected with the third overall pick of the 2005 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, behind Sidney Crosby and Bobby Ryan. Just over a year after being drafted, the Hurricanes traded Johnson and Oleg Tverdovsky to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Gleason and Éric Bélanger.
Before joining the Kings at the end of the 2006-07 season, Johnson played two years at the University of Michigan in the NCAA, where he scored 26 goals and amassed 71 points in 74 games.
Unlike fellow prospect Drew Doughty, Johnson took longer to adapt to the NHL’s pace. Throughout his first three years, despite playing in a top-four role, Johnson managed only nine goals and 22 points in 120 games with a -42 rating. Still, once he was moved to a top-pairing role for the 2009-10 season, Johnson’s offense took off, scoring 13 goals and 78 points in his next 162 contests.
Los Angeles quickly rewarded Johnson for his breakout, signing the young blue liner to a seven-year, $30.5MM extension in early January of 2010. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Kings wouldn’t last much longer.
Looking to add a top-six center, the Kings traded Johnson, along with a 2013 first-round pick, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jeff Carter. Carter played a crucial role in the Kings’ first Stanley Cup championship later that year, while Johnson experienced the best years of his career with Columbus.
Playing out the rest of his extension with the Blue Jackets, Johnson finished his first stint with the Blue Jackets, scoring 36 goals and 154 points in 445 games. Additionally, he could always be counted upon on the defensive side of the puck, never falling below a 90.0% on-ice SV% at even strength throughout his tenure in Ohio.
Entering unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career, Johnson signed a five-year, $16.25MM contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the 2018-19 season. Despite averaging nearly three hits a game for Pittsburgh, his offense didn’t hold up to the contract value. Johnson finished his tenure with the Penguins with four goals and 24 points in 149 games, and had the final three years of his contract bought out after the 2019-20 campaign.
Again a free agent, Johnson signed with the New York Rangers on a one-year, $1.15MM contract. Unfortunately, he was limited to 13 games in the year due to a core muscle repair surgery.
Firmly in the twilight years of his career, Johnson was open to a lower salary and a lower role in an attempt to win the first Stanley Cup of his career. He found it immediately.
Signing a one-year, league-minimum contract with the Colorado Avalanche for the 2021-22 campaign, Johnson played in 13 games for the Avalanche during the 2022 postseason, helping the team win its first Stanley Cup championship in 21 years.
Salary cap limitations prevented the Avalanche from re-signing Johnson the following year, but they subsequently acquired him again at the trade deadline from the Chicago Blackhawks. He experienced a brief offensive resurgence with Colorado during the 2023-24 season, before ultimately finishing his career with Columbus last season. He briefly attempted to make the Minnesota Wild’s roster last September, though he didn’t make the roster.
Johnson finishes his career with 77 goals and 342 points in 1,228 games with a -127 rating across 19 seasons. The length of his career is remarkable, given his willingness to sacrifice his body, averaging 1.49 blocked shots and 1.57 hits per game.
We at PHR congratulate Johnson on an impressive career and wish him the best of luck in his new role with the Canucks.
Photo courtesy of Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images.
Multiple Teams Interested In Andrew Mangiapane
On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared that the Edmonton Oilers were actively looking to trade forward Andrew Mangiapane. Despite the struggles that might come with attempting to trade a higher-priced winger with another year left on his contract, some potential suitors have reportedly emerged.
According to a new update from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Oilers have spoken to the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Winnipeg Jets regarding Mangiapane. Edmonton is reportedly looking to acquire a “two-way” forward in return.
Outside of being division rivals, it’s difficult to imagine the Ducks and Oilers lining up on a trade for Mangiapane. Anaheim has a relatively deep forward core, and although they do need a winger on the third line, it’s only temporary while Frank Vatrano recovers from an upper-body injury. Additionally, even if the Ducks think that Mangiapane can rebound offensively, they already have a top-10 offense in the league without him.
Regardless, for speculation’s sake, the Oilers have likely contacted the Ducks due to their overwhelming cap space, and may covet one of Anaheim’s fourth-line forwards, namely Ross Johnston. The big-bodied winger is enjoying his best season to date, registering 11 points (the same as Mangiapane) in 39 games. Additionally, he offers more of a two-way style that they’re seeking, being one of the most physical forwards in Orange County and averaging a 92.3% on-ice SV% at even strength across his 10-year career.
Meanwhile, similar to Anaheim, the Red Wings make little sense as a trade partner given their deep forward core. Unlike the Ducks, Detroit could theoretically use more offense at even strength, though much of their drawbacks this year have been on defense, save a few players. The Red Wings could offer Mason Appleton, who is also signed through next season, in the hope of more offense from their bottom-six. Additionally, the Red Wings could offer struggling youngster Elmer Söderblom, who has been a healthy scratch on multiple occasions this season, like Mangiapane.
Lastly, of the three candidates, the Jets seem to be the likeliest fit. There is no more struggling team in the game as Winnipeg has only managed eight wins in its last 30 contests.
In his same report on Saturday Headlines, Friedman indicated that the Jets are desperately seeking goal-scoring. Additionally, if the Oilers want two-way players, Winnipeg has some to offer in Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, Nino Niederreiter, or Vladislav Namestnikov, each of whom has struggled in their own right this season.
In fact, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic wrote just yesterday that Winnipeg appears to be the likeliest destination for Mangiapane. Although some teams might be hesitant to acquire Mangiapane and his $3.6MM salary through next season, LeBrun notes that the Jets may find this attractive.
Whatever the case may be, and wherever Mangiapane ultimately finishes the 2025-26 campaign, it will almost assuredly not be in Edmonton.
Buffalo Sabres To Activate Jason Zucker
After seeing their 10-game winning streak come to a close a few days ago, the Buffalo Sabres will get a boost to their forward core. In an injury update released by the team earlier this afternoon, the Sabres announced that Jason Zucker will return to the lineup tomorrow against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Sabres revealed that Zucker has been healthy for some time, but the coaching staff didn’t feel comfortable removing anyone from the lineup due to their current performance. In fact, head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Zucker could have returned on December 31st against the Dallas Stars, and was frustrated he was unable to.
Ruff was quoted as saying, “I think (he’s) a little frustrated he wasn’t put back in earlier, but I think the little extra time will help him, too, and I think he can help us. I talked to him before that Dallas game, and he was anxious to get back in, which he should be. Any player that sits out shouldn’t be happy; if he’s happy, he’s in the wrong business.”
Zucker will return tomorrow after nearly a month away from the game due to lower- and upper-body injuries. Before being placed on the injured reserve on December 8th, Zucker had scored nine goals and 18 points in 21 games with a -10 rating, averaging 15:36 of ice time per game. Nine of those points came on Buffalo’s power play.
The Sabres’ power play is expected to benefit the most from Zucker’s return. Although Buffalo ended December with a 10-game winning streak, their power play struggled, achieving only a 15.2% success rate. They’ve scored 19.1% of the time with the man advantage when Zucker is in the lineup.
Before the Olympic break, outside of their recent hot streak, the Sabres have a massive opportunity in January to further entrench themselves in the playoff conversation in the Eastern Conference. They have a particularly difficult stretch in front of them, lining up nine times against teams currently positioned in a postseason spot in their remaining 14 games through the end of the month.
Predators Sign Justus Annunen To Two-Year Extension
The Nashville Predators will be keeping their current goaltending tandem intact for a few more years. According to a team announcement, the Predators have signed Justus Annunen to a two-year, $2.5MM ($1.25MM AAV) extension.
Nashville acquired Annunen, along with a 2025 sixth-round pick, from the Colorado Avalanche last season for backup goalie Scott Wedgewood. Performance in the crease, as well as the injury bug, was one of the biggest plagues to the Avalanche last season, and Annunen was a part of the problem.
Still, Colorado wouldn’t have believed that just a year before. Although primarily rostered with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, Annunen participated in 14 games for the Avalanche during the 2023-24 campaign, managing an 8-4-1 record with a .928 SV% and 2.25 GAA.
Unfortunately, after being thrust into a backup role behind Alexandar Georgiev, Annunen didn’t continue that performance. Despite winning six of his nine starts, Annunen had disappointed with a .872 SV% and 3.23 GAA, leaving Colorado with little stability in the crease. Deciding to overhaul their entire goaltending room, the Predators swooped in to acquire Annunen and pair him with fellow countryman Juuse Saros.
He played far more with the Predators down the stretch, starting 20 games. He performed mildly better than what he was doing with the Avalanche, accruing a 9-11-1 record with a .888 SV% and 3.17 GAA.
Things haven’t gone much better this year, though they’ve been better lately. He was one of the worst backup options to begin the year, managing a 1-6-1 record in eight games with a .844 SV%. Still, his last four appearances have gone remarkably better, winning two out of four games with a .933 SV% across 90 shots.
Regardless, barring a significant injury to Saros, Annunen will only be counted upon to start 15 to 20 games a season. Given his last four outings, Nashville is likely hoping that Annunen has found another level to his game, leading them to ink today’s extension.
Bob Pulford Passes Away
Hall-of-Fame player and executive Bob Pulford has passed away, the NHL Alumni Association said. He was 89 years old.
An Ontario native, Pulford is one of the most integral figures in franchise history for his hometown team. He spent his playing days as a center and left winger after breaking into the league with the Maple Leafs in 1956-57, eventually becoming a five-time All-Star and one of the top penalty-killing forwards of the late Original Six era.
More than 55 years after Pulford played his last game for the Leafs, he still ranks quite high on the franchise leaderboard. He’s seventh in games played (947), 11th in goals (251), and 11th in points (563). He led Toronto with 10 assists in 12 playoff games in the Leafs’ last Stanley Cup victory in 1967, the fourth and final title of his career after winning three straight with the Leafs from 1962-64.
Pulford was traded to the Kings in 1970 and spent the final two seasons of his career in Los Angeles. While his offensive production wasn’t at its peak, he captained the Kings in his final season as a player in 1971-72 before beginning his arguably more impactful off-ice career as their head coach the following season.
As the sixth head coach for the Kings in their first six seasons, Pulford oversaw the team’s first sustained period of relevance. He posted a 178-150-68 record (.535) over five regular seasons, winning Coach of the Year honors in 1975 and beginning a streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances that still stands as a franchise record.
In 1977, the Blackhawks tabbed Pulford to serve as both their head coach and GM. That hiring would kick off a 30-year run for Pulford in Chicago – during which time he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player as part of the class of 1991 – that saw the franchise make the playoffs 22 times.
His roles were varied. Pulford had four separate stints as the Hawks’ head coach (1977-79, 1981-82, 1984-87, 1999-00), often taking over as the interim boss midseason when someone was fired. Those often overlapped with four stints as GM (1977-90, 1992-97, 1999-00, 2003-05). When he wasn’t either of those things, he served as the club’s senior VP of hockey operations until he transitioned to working for the Hawks’ parent company in 2007, no longer directly affiliated with the team.
Pulford was also the first head of the NHLPA, elected to the role in 1967 and holding it until Ken Dryden took over presidential duties in 1972.
All of us at PHR send our condolences to the Pulford family and the many in the hockey community who worked with him.
Flames Recall William Stromgren
The Flames have recalled left wing prospect William Strömgren from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, per a team announcement. Calgary had been rolling with an open roster spot, so no corresponding transaction is required.
It will mark the 22-year-old’s NHL debut when he plays, although that won’t be tonight. He’s ticketed to be a healthy scratch against the Kraken, Wes Gilbertson of Postmedia reports.
Strömgren’s development has largely gone as anticipated since being drafted 45th overall by the Flames in 2021. The 6’4″ Swede spent two seasons after his draft getting limited minutes in his home country’s top league before making the move to North America.
It’s been a multi-year road, but Strömgren has firmly established himself as a top-line talent in the AHL. After breaking out for 14 goals and 49 points in 70 games for the Wranglers last year, he’s now the team’s leader in assists (23) and rating (+13) through 33 games in 2025-26.
There was worry Strömgren may have trouble standing out in a deep Calgary prospect pool – most didn’t view him as a top-10 talent in the system entering the season – but he’s done more than enough to ensure he stays on their internal radar. He’s been especially hot as of late, racking up four goals and nine points in his last five games, en route to being rewarded with his first NHL recall.
With John Beecher suspended (and injured), Strömgren could stick around as a 12th/13th forward for a while as the Flames evaluate where his checking game is at. One of his main knocks has been a lack of physicality for his tall frame. He’ll likely need to add that element into his game to transition into a fourth-line NHL role before eventually pushing to make an offensive impact in the Flames’ top nine.