Fantasy Hockey

Karlsson will undergo surgery Wednesday for a broken wrist, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

Karlsson left Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday due to the injury, and he didn't play in Game 6 on Sunday. He had three goals and nine points in 15 playoff appearances this year. The 33-year-old also recorded four goals and seven points in 14 regular-season outings, but he missed the bulk of the campaign because of a lower-body injury. It's the second straight year that Karlsson has missed a significant chunk of time -- he was limited to 53 regular-season games and 11 playoff outings in 2024-25.

Colton and Isak Posch were traded to Nashville from Colorado in exchange for Magnus Chrona, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.

Colton will suit up for his former Central Division rival in the 2026-27 campaign following his move to the Predators. Earlier in June, Nashville named Chris MacFarland the team's new President of Hockey Operations, who spent four years in Colorado before taking his new gig. Across 73 regular-season games in 2025-26, Colton compiled nine goals, 15 assists, 153 shots on net, 159 hits and 25 blocked shots. He'll likely slot into a middle-six role for the Predators, who were in need of forward depth after another season where they missed the playoffs. Colton's toughness could help fill the hits gap that Michael McCarron left behind after Nashville traded their former alternate captain away at the 2026 trade deadline.

Koblar signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Toronto on Monday.

Koblar had eight goals and 14 points in 47 games with Leksands IF of the SHL in 2025-26. He was impressive at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 10 games to help Norway capture the bronze medal. After signing a one-year deal with Rogle BK in May, he could remain in the SHL for the 2026-27 campaign. However, he could also compete for playing time in North America in the AHL or NHL.

Staal was named the Conn Smythe winner after Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Staal was tied for 22nd in points (12) during the playoffs, but he tied for fifth in goals (eight) thanks to an impressive five-game goal streak to start the Cup Finals. He didn't score in the clincher, but Staal did enough earlier in the series to sway the voters away from Vegas' playoff points leader Mitch Marner or any of the Hurricanes' other top forwards. At 37 years and 277 days old, Staal is the oldest Conn Smythe winner in NHL history. He is under contract with the Hurricanes for one more season.

Lettieri logged three assists in AHL Toronto's 5-4 overtime win over Chicago in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday.

Lettieri has already earned six points over two games in the finals. He's now at 23 points, 59 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 20 playoff appearances. The Marlies are heading home with a 2-0 series lead after winning both games in Chicago to start the series.

Groulx scored twice in AHL Toronto's 5-4 overtime win over Chicago in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday.

Groulx is up to seven goals, six assists and 44 shots on net over 20 appearances during the playoffs. He had a career-best 52 points in 59 regular-season outings for the Marlies. His performance Sunday helped the team take a 2-0 series lead, with the series heading back to Toronto for at least two more games.

Duehr signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with Winnipeg on Monday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $875,000 in the NHL. Duehr spent most of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Manitoba, picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 62 regular-season games before adding one goal and two assists in seven playoff outings. The 28-year-old also appeared in three NHL contests for Winnipeg in March, but he didn't reach the scoresheet while posting two shots on net, two blocked shots and 10 hits.

Ehlers scored an empty-net goal on three shots in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

It's not every year that a big splash in free agency pays off, but Ehlers brought everything the Hurricanes could have asked for. His tally to seal the championship was his eighth goal of the playoffs, and he added 10 assists, 39 shots, 14 hits and a plus-9 rating over 18 appearances. He also had a 26-goal, 71-point effort -- a career-best year -- during the regular season. This was just the first campaign of a six-year deal, so expect Ehlers to be an early-round pick in fantasy drafts in the fall.

Hall scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vegas bungled a zone entry, and Hall took a pass from Jaccob Slavin to get behind the defense. Hall made no mistake on the shot, and his goal at 3:47 of the first period was the game-winner in the Hurricanes' Cup-clinching victory. The 34-year-old had a stellar postseason with seven goals, 12 assists, 55 shots on net, 24 hits, 14 PIM, 13 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating over 19 appearances. Hall signed a three-year contract extension in April of 2025, so he figures to continue to be a part of the Hurricanes' middle six in 2026-27.

Blake scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two PIM, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Blake had five points over six games versus Vegas in the Cup Finals. The 22-year-old winger made a name for himself in the postseason with six goals, 14 assists, 43 shots on net, 18 hits, 14 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a plus-8 rating over 19 appearances. Blake has already established himself as a reliable scoring winger, and he should be part of the Hurricanes' core for years to come.

Malatesta signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets on Friday, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.

Malatesta had 10 goals, 18 points and 87 PIM in 57 regular-season outings with AHL Cleveland in 2025-26. He didn't play at the top level in 2025-26, but the 23-year-old has recorded two goals and four points in 13 career regular-season NHL games.

Dorofeyev scored twice on three shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Dorofeyev entered the contest on a six-game point drought. He snapped it with the opening goal at 6:52 of the first period, a power-play tally, and he added an even-strength goal in the third, but the Golden Knights couldn't rally off that. Dorofeyev is up to 12 goals, four assists, 52 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over 21 playoff appearances. Vegas will need him to get hot one more time as the team faces elimination in Game 6 on Sunday.

Kesselring was traded to the Sharks from Buffalo on Wednesday, along with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, in exchange for the No. 20 overall pick in 2026.

Kesselring was not going to get much in the way of ice time with the Sabres next year, given the team's logjam on the blue line. In San Jose, the 26-year-old defenseman should get a chance at a third-pairing role, especially if veterans Nick Leddy and John Klingberg walk in free agency.

Clayton signed a one-year, two-way contract with Vancouver on Tuesday.

Clayton notched two goals and 11 points in 65 AHL regular-season games between Abbotsford and San Jose in 2025-26. The 26-year-old blueliner hasn't seen any NHL action yet. He will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Benoit and Joseph Woll were dealt to the Flyers from the Maple Leafs on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Benoit suited up for 73 games in 2025-26, logging six helpers, 194 hits, 114 blocked shots and a minus-22 rating while averaging 17:18 of ice time. The Flyers' top four appears to be set for at least the 2026-27 campaign, but Benoit should be able to be a fixture on the third pairing with his new team. The 6-foot-4 defenseman is entering the final season of his three-year, $4.05 million deal -- he's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.

Andrae, Samuel Ersson and a 2026 third-round pick were acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Flyers on Tuesday in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

With this move to Toronto, Andrae will have the chance to carve out an everyday role with his new club. The 24-year-old accounted for two goals, 13 points, 68 hits, 58 blocks and a plus-15 rating over 61 regular-season games with the Flyers in 2025-26. Andrae will likely fill a third-pairing role to start with the Maple Leafs, and he could factor into the second power-play unit if he performs well in the early going.

Bear agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on Monday.

Bear has spent the last two seasons playing exclusively in the AHL, having last appeared in an NHL game back in 2023-24 when he was with Washington. With Bridgeport in 2025-26, the 28-year-old blueliner notched four goals and 23 assists in 40 regular-season contests. If he can earn a call-up from the Isles in 2026-27, Bear should be capable of offering decent upside, considering he has 67 points in 275 career regular-season games.

Valimaki scored two goals in AHL Chicago's 5-4 overtime loss to Toronto in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday.

Valimaki has impressed in the postseason with five goals, eight assists, 33 shots on net and a minus-2 rating over 18 appearances. He'll need to keep chipping in on offense -- the Wolves squandered their home-ice advantage, losing twice in Chicago before the series shifts to Toronto.

Akhtyamov recorded a 24-save shutout in AHL Toronto's 1-0 win over Chicago in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals on Tuesday.

Akhtyamov has stood out in the playoffs with a 14-6 record, two shutouts, a 2.10 GAA and a .928 save percentage over 20 games. His effort Tuesday was a big one, giving the Marlies a 3-0 lead in the championship series. Akhtyamov will likely get the chance to close out the sweep in Game 4 on Thursday.

Nashville acquired Posch and Ross Colton from Colorado on Tuesday in exchange for Magnus Chrona, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.

Posch posted a 15-8-5 record with a 2.78 GAA and an .891 save percentage over 28 regular-season appearances with AHL Colorado in 2025-26. He is under contract through the 2026-27 campaign, and he will probably spend most of the year in the minors.

Gauthier signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Gauthier posted a 21-9-5 record with a 2.09 GAA, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 36 regular-season appearances for ECHL Wheeling in 2025-26. He also went 9-8 with a 2.23 GAA and a .922 save percentage during the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The 25-year-old will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign in the minors.

Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia on Tuesday along with Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.

In 33 regular-season appearances this year, Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage. While the 26-year-old backstop should still be in the mix for plenty of opportunities with the Leafs, he figures to be the No. 2 option to start the season behind Anthony Stolarz (groin). Still, with Stolarz's extensive injury history (he's only hit the 30-game mark in one of his last five seasons), Ersson could get a chance to play No. 1 minutes if called upon.

Woll and Simon Benoit were traded to Philadelphia from Toronto on Tuesday in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick.

Woll saw action in 39 regular-season games for the Leafs this season, going 15-16-7 with a 3.34 GAA, .898 save percentage and two shutouts. With his new club, the 27-year-old backstop figures to slide into the backup role behind Dan Vladar, though he should still see about 25-35 games as the No. 2 option for the Flyers.

Bussi posted a 22-save shutout in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bussi won the last three games of the series to finish what Frederik Andersen started. The Hurricanes' defense did its part, and Bussi handled the rest to post his first career playoff shutout in the biggest game of his life. He allowed just six goals on 87 shots (.931 save percentage) over his four playoff appearances to help the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup. After signing a three-year contract extension in February, Bussi is a virtual lock to open 2026-27 on the Hurricanes' NHL roster.