After being acquired from Chicago earlier in the week (for Andre Burakovsky), Joe Veleno has been placed on unconditional waivers by Seattle for the purposes of a buyout. The 25-year-old forward is in the 2nd year of a 2-year, $4.55 million contract and will incur a hit of $2,275,000 AAV in the 2025-26 season.
The Capitals acquired Sourdif's RFA rights a couple of days ago and wasted no time inking him to a two-year deal. The 23-year-old winger spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, where he had 34 points (16G / 18A) in 43 games, but he could be a candidate to join the Capitals' fourth line in 2025-26.
One of the biggest expected off-season free agents will not be hitting the open market after Florida announced Friday that they have signed Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension ($8 million AAV). The 29-year-old is coming off an impressive Conn Smythe-winning playoff performance, with 15 goals, 22 points and a +6 plus/minus in 23 games played.
The 2020 No.8 overall pick had another decent, but unspectacular season in 2024-25, scoring 15 goals with 24 assists (39 points) in 74 games. He's now averaging 45 points (18G / 27A) per 82 games for his NHL career, so the Sabres signed him to a two-year bridge deal to see if he can unlock any more offence.
Brindley was a second-round pick (No.34 overall) in 2023 but had an underwhelming first pro season, scoring just six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 52 games with Cleveland (AHL). Colorado's pipeline was pretty empty, so adding a player like Brindley while shedding $7.75M AAV was a tidy piece of business.
Wood's contract certainly isn't the best, as he has four more years at $2.5M AAV, but he's a physical bottom-6 winger that will help Columbus replace some of the wingers they let walk in free agency. Most recently, Wood missed 45 games in 2024-25, finishing the season with just four goals and four assists in 37 games.
After six and a half years in Boston, Coyle was traded to the Avalanche at the deadline last year, and only scored two goals with 11 assists (13 points) in 19 games. WIth the Avalanche pressed up against the salary cap, a third-line centre making $5.25M was a luxury they could not afford. With Columbus, Coyle will settle in behind Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli on the depth chart and could make Cole Sillinger expendable in a trade this summer.
Saad was signed mid-season after being bought out by the Blues and had 14 points (6G / 8A) in 29 games with the Golden Knights. At $2.0M AAV, Saad is a cheap middle-6 winger that can still provide some offence, having averaged 40 points (21G / 19A) per 82 games over the last three seasons.
