Boston will keep a familiar face around for the upcoming season after announcing they have signed John Farinacci to a one-year, two-way contract on Tuesday. The 24-year-old forward made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with the Bruins, scoring his first career goal in his only game appearance. He is expected to fight for a bottom-six spot out of training camp but will likely start the season back in Providence (AHL) where he had 10 goals and 38 points in 58 games last season.

Despite being the talk of much trade speculation, Buffalo and Bowen Byram will avoid arbitration after they agreed on a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension ($6,250,000 AAV) on Monday. The 24-year-old is entering his 6th NHL season after completing all 82 regular season games for the first time in his career in 2024-25, putting up seven goals, 38 points and a +11 plus/minus.

Sabourin is a 32-year-old veteran who has spent most of his career in the AHL. Most recently, he was with the Sharks for the last two seasons, where he had just four NHL appearances. He had 10 goals and 15 assists (25 points) to go along with 111 PIMS in 68 AHL games in 2024-25.

Barron had eight goals and seven assists (15 points) in 74 games with the Jets in 2024-25. Barron found a role on the Jets' fourth line but he will have more competition for minutes in 2025-26 after the signings of Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson and Cole Koepke.

Skinner signed with the Oilers last summer but struggled in 2024-25, recording 29 points (16G / 13) while averaging just 13:00 TOI/gm. In San Jose he should have a larger role, likely in the top-6 and will look to get back to 20-plus goals for the 11th time in his career.

Manson still had one year left on his current contract, but will extend his time with the Avalanche for two more years after he signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.95 million AAV ($7.9M total). The 33-year-old bruising defenseman only appeared in 48 games in 2024-25 due to injury, but still had a goal, 15 points and 28 PIMs. He is entering his fifth season with Colorado and is expected to return to his regular defensive role.

San Jose added to their goaltending depth on Thursday after adding 25-year-old netminder Jakub Skarek on a one-year, two-way contract. The Czech goaltender made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with the Islanders, but struggled with a 0-1-0 record, .872 SV% and 3.94 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

With funds tight in Florida for the upcoming 2025-26 season, Mackie Samoskevich has signed a one-year, $775,000 bridge contract to remain with the Panthers. The 22-year-old scrappy right-winger was Florida's 2021 1st-round pick (24th overall) and made a big impact throughout their lineup in 2024-25 with 15 goals, 31 points and 129 SOG in 72 games played.

Vancouver has signed their 2025 1st-round pick in Braeden Cootes after the 18-year-old forward signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The Alberta native spent 2024-25 captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games played. He will attempt to secure a position on the Canucks for the upcoming season but is expected to eventually return to Seattle for the majority of 2025-26.

Antonio Stranges will return to Texas (AHL) for a fourth consecutive season after Dallas announced they had signed the 23-year-old to a one-year, two-way extension. The shifty forward was Dallas' 2020 4th-round pick (123rd overall) but has yet to make an NHL appearance despite picking up 18 goals and 43 points in 55 games played in 2024-25 with Texas (AHL).

After three successful seasons in Henderson (AHL), Lukas Cormier will return for a fourth campaign after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with Vegas on Wednesday. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman only appeared in 19 games with Henderson in 2024-25 due to injury, but still picked up nine assists and a -9 plus/minus. He is expected to start 2025-26 with Henderson but will provide depth if needed for the Golden Knights.

Morton made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with one goal in one game and has earned himself a one-year, two-way extension to remain in Calgary for the upcoming season. The undrafted 25-year-old spent his first full professional season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) in 2024-25, picking up 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games played.

Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.

Kindel was Pittsburgh's 2025 1st round pick (11th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract just weeks after being drafted. The 18-year-old right-winger spent 2024-25 with Calgary (WHL), where he was a point shy of the century mark with 35 goals and 99 points in 65 games played. He is expected to return to Calgary this season but may receive an extended look with the Penguins with a strong training camp.