Welcome back to another summer edition of Around the NHL. The free-agent market has dried up considerably on the unrestricted side, however, there’s plenty of restricted free agents, who remain unsigned.
There’s been some rumblings about a couple RFA’s being traded over the course of the next few weeks, meanwhile, talks league wide have slowed up as the offseason continues in August. Here’s the very latest from around the NHL:
Ducks’ McTavish unsigned, trade still possibility
While the Toronto Maple Leafs and restricted free-agent forward Nick Robertson avoided arbitration this week, agreeing to a one-year deal, the same can’t be said for Anaheim Ducks’ forward Mason McTavish. The 22-year-old is still without a contract for next season, and trade winds continue to swirl around sunny California.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek hasn’t been shy making bold trades the past two seasons, with moves that included trading veteran goaltender John Gibson, but also giving up on Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. McTavish is coming off a stellar season in 2024-25, recording 22 goals, and 52 points in 76 games. He won 51% of his faceoffs, and continued to improve his 200-foot game. If the Ducks entertain a deal involving McTavish, expect to see a top-six forward who has established himself for a few seasons in return. Verbeek wants to win now and isn’t going to give up a core piece for a future considerations type of trade package.
As for the other restricted free agents who have yet to sign new deals, the list includes New Jersey Devils’ defenceman Luke Hughes, Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi, Calgary Flames’ forward Connor Zary, Seattle Kraken blueliner Ryker Evans, and Nashville Predators’ forward Luke Evangelista.
Kings re-sign Laferriere to 3-year extension
Speaking of the restricted free-agent market, scratch off Alex Laferriere of the Los Angeles Kings. The two sides came to terms on a three-year deal, worth $12.3 million total, carrying an AAV of $4.1 million.
Laferriere, 23, notched a career-high 19 goals, 23 assists, and 42 points last season for the Kings, appearing in 77 games. He’d also chip in with three assists in six Stanley Cup Playoff games in the first round against the Edmonton Oilers.
Laferriere is a former third-round pick of the Kings, and over 158 career NHL games to this point, has registered 65 points. After his contract hits the books, Kings’ GM Ken Holland has $2.6 million in cap space to work with. However, the Kings have all their internal business taken care of, and Holland can keep the cap space in his back pocket, and see how creative he can get on the trade market in season, or there’s also the potential of professional tryouts for training camp turning into one-year NHL contracts next month.
Islanders’ Calum Ritchie ready to breakout with new team
The New York Islanders turned some heads before last season’s trade deadline, sending Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. While that wasn’t all that surprising, consider Nelson was a pending unrestricted free agent, what sparked everyone’s attention was that the Isles were able to land top prospect Calum Ritchie in return.
“It was a call pretty late at night, that I was getting traded to the Islanders,” Ritchie told NHL.com’s Stefen Rosner. “At first, it was a bit of a shock, but I realized the opportunity that’s there with the Islanders.
“I got to talk to management and development people, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the organization. I’m excited to get to camp and get going with them.”
Ritchie didn’t get a chance to crack the Islanders lineup last season, but that’s all going to change in a major way come training camp. At 6-foot-2 and 185 lbs, Ritchie certainly has the frame to make an impact in the NHL, and with his high-end offensive instincts, and a golden opportunity he may be given to play in the top-nine in 2025-26, Ritchie has a great chance to seize the moment, and kick-start his NHL career next season.
“I feel like I play a smart game; I play the right way,” Ritchie said. “I think I make creative plays offensively and can take care of stuff defensively as well. I just compete hard — I want to win every single night. I’m excited to be able to try and show that.”
Quick hits from around the NHL:
- Calgary Flames’ defenceman Rasmus Andersson continues to be an interesting trade candidate to follow, as he has one season left on his contract, and didn’t sign an extension July 1 when he was eligible to do so.
- Speaking of Flames, Nazem Kadri was left off of the Team Canada Olympic training-camp roster, and even commented on the announcement on social media with “???”, obviously confused why he wasn’t included. Team Canada invited 42 players to training camp, including Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens. Maple Leafs’ veteran John Tavares was also named ahead of Kadri.
- The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports that the Wild and Marco Rossi are not currently negotiating a contract extension. Trade talks have been active in the past, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Rossi moved by Minnesota GM Bill Guerin ahead of next season.
- A feel good story for the summer – The first 5K held in the memory of Johnny and Matt Gaudreau helped raise more than $500,000, enough to break ground later this year on an accessible playground at the special education school where their mother works.
- Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman expects to pick up contract extension talks with Connor McDavid ‘soon’. Bowman confirmed he’s trying to give McDavid space, and respect his offseason away from the rink.
- Some interesting names remain on the free-agent market, including former Leafs Ilya Samsonov and James Reimer. Along with Jack Roslovic, Max Pacioretty, Robby Fabbri, Jakub Vrana, Luke Kunin, and Victor Olofsson. Fully expect to see Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving invite a couple of players on PTO’s to training camp, as Steven Lorentz is a success story from last season.