The Chicago Blackhawks signed goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million extension on Saturday.

• The deal runs through the 2026-27 season for Soderblom, who avoided arbitration.

  Soderblom, 25, posted a 10-18-7 record with a 3.18 goals-against average and .898 save percentage in 36 games (33 starts) last season. He set career highs in both wins and games played.

  He is 17-52-11 with a 3.55 GAA and .889 save percentage in 86 career games (77 starts) with the Blackhawks. He signed with Chicago as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

  --Field Level Media

The Avalanche and Sharks traded forwards, with Danil Gushchin headed to Colorado in exchange for fellow forward Oskar Olausson.

• Russian native Gushchin notched two goals and five points in 18 games from 2023-2025 with the Sharks, who drafted him in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

  He recorded 51 points in 56 games last season with San Jose's AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. His 28 goals marked a new career high and was second-best on the Barracuda.

  Olausson was a first-round pick by the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Draft and has appeared in four games for the Avs over the past three seasons.

  --Field Level Media

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake has signed an eight-year, $45 million contract extension with the team.

• The deal, announced late Thursday night, will begin in the 2026-27 season.

  Blake, who will turn 22 on Aug. 3, will play the final season of his entry-level deal in 2025-26. He could have become a restricted free agent after the upcoming season.

  The son of former NHL forward Jason Blake made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 16, 2024. He followed his lone game of that season by recording 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 80 games last season with Carolina.

  "Jackson had an outstanding rookie season, and we think he is just scratching the surface of the player he can be," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said in a news release. "His tenaciousness on the puck and competitiveness match our team's culture, and we're excited about his future with our club."

  Jackson Blake was selected by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

  --Field Level Media

Five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team were acquitted of all charges Thursday in a sexual assault trial in London, Ontario.

• Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia of the Ontario Court of Justice said she didn't find the complainant's evidence "credible or reliable."

  "I cannot rely upon the evidence of (the accuser) and then considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts before me," Carroccia said.

  Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod were charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident in a London hotel in June 2018. McLeod also faced a second charge of being party to the offense. He was found not guilty of that as well.

  The accuser alleged that she willingly accompanied McLeod to the hotel. She contended that McLeod invited his teammates to his room and then joined the players in an alleged sexual assault over several hours.

  Carroccia cited videos filmed by McLeod in which the woman said that the events in the hotel room were "all consensual." The judge also noted that she had consensual sex with at least one of the players previously that night.

  "In this case, I have found actual consent not vitiated by fear," Carroccia said.

  The news Thursday comes after Carroccia previously declared a mistrial and dismissed two separate juries. Those decisions ultimately left the charges to be adjudicated by the judge.

  Formenton is a former NHL forward currently playing in Switzerland, while the other four were active NHL players who had taken paid leaves of absences from their teams. Their respective teams parted ways with them in June 2024 by failing to give them qualifying offers, thus making them free agents.

  McLeod, 27, played for the New Jersey Devils, while Hart, 26, was a No. 1 goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers.

  Dube, 27, played with the Calgary Flames and Foote, 26, played for three NHL teams, mostly recently the Devils.

  --Field Level Media

The Seattle Kraken liked what they saw in the 49 games that right winger Kaapo Kakko played for them last season.

• On Tuesday, the franchise and the 24-year-old Finnish forward agreed to a three-year contract featuring an average annual value of $4,525,000. The team will avoid arbitration with the restricted free agent.

  Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick by the Rangers in the 2019 draft, was dealt by New York to Seattle on Dec. 18 for defenseman Will Borgen and a pair of 2025 draft picks.

  He made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals and adding 20 assists in 49 games. Kakko averaged a career-best 17:03 of ice time per game with Seattle. Combined between the Rangers and Kraken, he totaled 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists), also a career best for the six-year veteran.

  "Getting a contract done with Kaapo was a top priority this summer," Seattle general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. "We knew quickly he'd be a big part of our team moving forward. He's got size, skill and tremendous playmaking ability, and isn't afraid of going to the net. He fit in immediately with our group, and we're thrilled to have him under contract."

  Kakko has played in 379 NHL games, amassing 71 goals and 90 assists. He was used more extensively on the power play for Seattle and responded with three goals on that unit after tallying seven in five-plus years for New York.

  --Field Level Media

Porter Martone, selected No. 6 overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft, will delay signing to play for Michigan State in the 2025-26 season, Sportsnet reported Monday.

• The Canada native spent last season playing for the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League and tallied 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games. He added nine points (four goals, five assists) in six playoff games.

  The Flyers will retain the draft rights to the 18-year-old forward.

  "We are aware of the reports surrounding Porter and will support what he decides to do," Flyers general manager Danny Briere told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

  The Spartans won the Big Ten title in 2024-25 and were the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost to Cornell in the first round.

  The Flyers finished last season with a 33-39-10 record (76 points) and have not made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the 2019-20 season.

  --Field Level Media

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi signed a six-year, $45 million contract extension, avoiding arbitration.

• The 25-year-old restricted free agent's annual salary of $7.5 million represents a raise from $3.4 million in 2024-25.

  Vilardi registered career highs across the board last season with 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games.

  A first-round pick by Los Angeles in 2017, he has 175 points (90 goals, 85 assists) in 270 games with the Kings and Jets.

  The Jets announced the contract details on Friday.

  --Field Level Media

Yegor Chinakhov's agent doubled down on the notion that the Columbus Blue Jackets' coach, Dean Evason, is the reason the 24-year-old forward requested a trade.

• "(Chinakhov) is comfortable with this team. He's comfortable with this city," Shumi Babaev said, per The Athletic. "But he's not comfortable with this coach. It's all about the coach.

  "If you remember, (Chinakhov) started the season on the first line and he was fantastic. And then he's on the third line, and that's it. Third line. The coach doesn't tell him anything. Why? Why would you do this? It should be something that should be (explained) about why he did this."

  Chinakhov requested a trade from the team on Thursday, citing conflict with Evason in a statement released on social media by Babaev.

  "I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location," Chinakhov said in the statement posted on X. "Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here."

  Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell reacted to the request in an interview with The Athletic.

  Waddell acknowledged that Chinakhov "fell out of favor" with Evason. The general manager added that he will continue to engage in trade talks with other teams but is looking for value in return.

  "I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him," he told The Athletic.

  The Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov with the 21st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Draft.

  The past two seasons, a back injury limited the playing time of Chinakhov. In 2024-25, he posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games. The previous season, he recorded 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games.

  In 175 career games, he has 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) and a minus-42 rating.

  Chinakhov has one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. He will earn $2.1 million.

  Babaev did not appear hopeful about Chinakhov's chances of remaining in Ohio, telling The Athletic, "I don't think there's any way he can stay in Columbus. I don't see any way."

  --Field Level Media

Goaltender Jaroslav Halak officially announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons on Friday, more than two years removed from his last game.

• Halak, 40, last played a game on April 13, 2023, with the New York Rangers. He then spent time with the Carolina Hurricanes early in the 2023-24 season on a professional tryout but was released before competing in a game.

  "Last year I completed summer training ... but when nothing came of it, I told myself it was pointless. After that I didn't even try anymore," Halak told Slovakia's Dennik Sport, per a translation. "I'm officially ending my career. I would like to thank my family, friends, fans and especially my wife Petra, who has been by my side my entire career."

  A two-time William M. Jennings Trophy Award winner as the goalie on the team that allowed the fewest goals in a season, Halak posted a 295-189-69 record with 53 shutouts, a 2.50 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 581 career games (555 starts). He has played with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Rangers.

  "It's been two years and I've come to terms with not reaching 300 (wins)," Halak said. "Looking back on my career, it's been a good one. It would have been nicer with 300 wins, but I'll be happy with 295."

  Halak also played for his native Slovakia at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014 and guided Team Europe to the championship game at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

  --Field Level Media

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

• Joshua, 29, recorded 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and a team second-best 193 hits in 57 games last season. He missed the early portion of the campaign while recovering from surgery to treat testicular cancer.

  "Dakota went through a lot last season before the year even started and we were very impressed in how he handled such a difficult off-ice situation," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. "Once healthy, he tried hard to help the team in many ways, and we want to wish him the best moving forward in Toronto."

  Signed to a four-year, $13 million contract on June 27, 2024, Joshua has totaled 78 points (40 goals, 38 assists) in 241 career games since he was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

  Joshua was traded to St. Louis in 2019 and made his NHL debut in 2020-21, playing for the Blues and Canucks.

  --Field Level Media

Goaltender Lukas Dostal reached a five-year contract extension to remain with the Anaheim Ducks, the team announced Thursday.

• Per The Athletic, the deal is for $32.5 million and carries a $6.5 average annual value.

  "Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender and we are so pleased to get this deal done," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. "He is just entering the prime of his career with his best hockey ahead of him."

  Dostal, 25, posted a 23-23-7 record with one shutout, a 3.10 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in 54 games (49 starts) last season.

  Dostal shared netminding responsibilities with John Gibson, who was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on June 28 for fellow goaltender Petr Mrazek, fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and second-round selection in 2027.

  "Super excited to announce that I'm staying in Anaheim for another five years," Dostal said in a video message to the fans shared by the Ducks on X, formerly Twitter.

  "I love to play in front of you and I love to live in this community. We are a team on the rise and I can't wait to see you soon in the Honda Center."

  Dostal has a 42-58-13 record with two shutouts, a 3.29 GAA and a .902 save percentage in 121 career appearances (107 starts) with the Ducks.

  --Field Level Media

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade from the team, citing conflict with head coach Dean Evason.

• The Russian player announced his wish in a statement released Thursday on social media by his agent, Shumi Babaev.

  "I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location," Chinakhov said in the statement posted on X. "Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here."

  Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell reacted to the request in an interview with The Athletic.

  Waddell acknowledged that Chinakhov "fell out of favor" with Evason. The GM added that he will continue to engage in trade talks with other teams but is looking for value in return.

  "I'm not just going to trade him because you said to trade him," he told The Athletic.

  The Blue Jackets selected Chinakhov, 24, with the 21st overall selection of the 2020 NHL Draft.

  The past two seasons, a back injury limited the playing time of Chinakhov. In 2024-25, he posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games. The previous season, he tallied 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games.

  Chinakhov has one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer. He will earn $2.1 million.

  "We are fully aware that there is an active contract in place, and if Yegor's request for a trade does not materialize, he will continue to give 120 percent in fulfilling his responsibilities," Babaev said in a separate social media post.

  In 175 career games, he has 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) and a minus-42 rating.

  --Field Level Media

Gerard Gallant, who spent 11 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, has accepted a coaching position in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, TSN reported Thursday.

• An official announcement is expected soon.

  Gallant, 61, last coached in the NHL with the New York Rangers (2021-23) but previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-04, 2005-07), Florida Panthers (2014-17) and expansion Vegas Golden Knights (2017-20).

  He took the first-year Vegas squad to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, where they lost to the Washington Capitals in five games. He won the Jack Adams Award as the league's coach of the year.

  In this first season with the Rangers in 2021-22, he led the team to the Eastern Conference final with a 52-24-6 (110 points) record, with the Rangers losing in the Eastern Conference final to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

  The next season, despite a 47-22-13 (107 points) mark, the Rangers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in seven games by the New Jersey Devils.

  He was fired after that season.

  Gallant has a career record of 369-262-4-70 in 705 regular-season games.

  --Field Level Media

Wayne Thomas, who spent his entire professional career in professional hockey, died of cancer at his home in Falmouth, Mass. on Wednesday. The eight-year National Hockey League goalkeeper and former San Jose Sharks vice president was 77.

• A native of Ottawa, Thomas attended the University of Wisconsin and played three seasons (1968-70) for the legendary Bob Johnson, who would go on to winning a Stanley Cup as head coach of the 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins.

  Thomas made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1972-73 season and became the 10th goalie in league history to record a shutout in his debut as Montreal blanked Vancouver, 3-0 on Jan. 14, 1973. He became the first Wisconsin Badger to play in the NHL.

  Thomas was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Montreal squad in 1972-73, although he did not play any games in the playoffs. He was traded to Toronto and earned All-Star Team honors in 1975-76. After two years in Toronto, he played his final four seasons with the New York Rangers (1977-81).

  After he retired in 1981, Thomas had several stints as a goalie coach with the Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues over the next decade. In addition, he served as head coach in the International Hockey League for Rangers' and Blues' affiliates.

  In 1993, the San Jose Sharks -- a second-year NHL franchise -- hired Thomas as an assistant to the general manager and assistant coach. He worked behind the bench for three seasons, before going upstairs as assistant GM. Thomas became a vice president for the Sharks in 2001 and remained in both roles until his retirement in 2015.

  --Field Level Media

The Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year, $12.5 million contract on Tuesday.

• The 24-year-old restricted free agent is now under contract through the 2026-27 season.

  The Sabres acquired Byram -- the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Avalanche -- in a deal with Colorado at the 2024 trade deadline.

  In the 2024-25 season, he played all 82 games and scored a career-high 38 points (seven goals, 31 assists).

  In 246 career games with the Avalanche and Sabres, Byram has 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists) with 313 blocks and 337 hits.

  The Sabres also signed 18-year-old defenseman Radim Mrtka, the No. 9 pick in the 2025 draft, to a three-year entry-level deal on Tuesday.

  --Field Level Media

An ownership group led by Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux has expressed that it is "very interested" in buying his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, as reported by The Athletic on Monday.

• Lemieux and his ownership group, comprised of former co-owner Ron Burkle and former executive David Morehouse, have reportedly informed NHL commissioner Gary Bettman of their intention to pursue a purchase of the team from Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the organization that acquired the team from their group in 2021.

  FSG has announced the pursuit of additional minority investors in the wake of selling just 91.4 percent of available tickets in 2024-25, the lowest amount in two decades, but hasn't expressed publicly a desire to sell the club.

  The Penguins were valued at $1.47 billion in 2024, per Sportico.

  Lemieux, 59, was a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Penguins, earning three Hart Trophies among nine All-Star appearances.

  His 1,723 career points and 690 career goals remain the most in franchise history, with current Penguins star Sidney Crosby second in both categories.

  Since acquiring the team, FSG has presided over just one playoff appearance, including straight postseason misses. The Penguins' recent record is in stark contrast to the team winning three league championships from 2009-17.

  --Field Level Media

Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan will make his debut behind the New York Rangers' bench against his former team, part of the NHL's season-opening tripleheader on Oct. 7.

• The action begins with the Chicago Blackhawks visiting the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the Penguins and Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. ET and capped by the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Colorado Avalanche at 10:30 p.m. ET.

  All three games will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN in the U.S., and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

  The complete 2025-26 regular-season schedule will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

  The Panthers will raise their second championship banner prior to the game at Amerant Bank Arena. Florida beat the Edmonton Oilers in six games to claim the Stanley Cup last month.

  Sullivan, 57, coached the Penguins from 2015-25 and won two Stanley Cups. He and the team agreed to part ways on April 28 after the Penguins missed the playoffs for a third straight season.

  On May 2, Sullivan was hired to replace Peter Laviolette as the coach of the Rangers, who missed the 2025 playoffs after reaching the Eastern Conference finals the previous season.

  --Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Penguins shored up the goaltending position on Sunday as the team acquired Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

• Silovs, 24, appeared in just 10 games for the Canucks this past season. However, the 6-foot-4 Latvian shined in the American Hockey League, where he led the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Championship as the Playoff MVP.

  In 21 regular-season games with Abbotsford, Silovs went 14-5-2 with a .908 save percentage and a career-best 2.41 goals-against average. In leading the team to its first Calder Cup, he went 16-7 in 24 games with a 2.01 GAA and a .931 save percentage.

  With five shutouts in the playoffs, Silovs fell one shy of the AHL all-time record during a single postseason. He also became just the fourth goaltender to earn Playoff MVP honors.

  Silovs, whose contract runs through the 2025-26 season, has compiled a 59-35-13 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA in parts of five AHL seasons. In three years with Vancouver, he appeared in 19 games (18 starts) with an 8-8 record, .880 save percentage and 3.13 GAA.

  --Field Level Media

The San Jose Sharks signed free agent forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year deal worth $3 million, the team announced Friday.

• Skinner, 33, is fresh off a one-year stint with the Edmonton Oilers which gave him his first postseason experience in 15 seasons in the league. The Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year, failing to secure their first title since 1990.

  Skinner had 16 goals and 13 assists in 72 regular-season games with the Oilers, and added a goal and an assist in five games during the Oilers' postseason run.

  After being picked by the Carolina Hurricanes with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Skinner won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2011 as the league's best rookie.

  In 15 NHL seasons with the Hurricanes (2010-18), Buffalo Sabres (2018-24) and Oilers, Skinner has racked up 373 goals and 326 assists in 1,078 games.

  --Field Level Media

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded veteran forward Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun on Thursday night.

• Reaves, 38, joins his seventh NHL team after two ineffective seasons in Toronto. The Maple Leafs demoted him to the American Hockey League in early March of last season.

  Known as an enforcer, Reaves has incurred four suspensions during his NHL career, his incidents including an attempt to injure an opponent during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and a check to the head of Darnell Nurse in a game between Toronto and Edmonton last November.

  Reaves had four goals and four assists across 84 games in his two seasons with the Leafs.

  In 15 NHL seasons, he has totaled 137 points (63 goals, 74 assists) in 912 games for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Maple Leafs.

  Thrun, 24, had a career-best 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 60 games for the Sharks last season. In 119 games over parts of three seasons with San Jose, he has scored five goals and added 20 assists.

  --Field Level Media

The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension through 2027-28 on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• Manson, 33, has spent three-plus seasons with the Avalanche after beginning his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, though he was limited to 48 games in 2024-25 due to injury.

  He tallied 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) in that time and has amassed 57 points (13 goals, 44 assists) and 443 hits in 173 games for Colorado. Manson was a trade deadline acquisition for the Avs in 2022, and he helped the team win the Stanley Cup a few months later (three goals, five assists in 20 playoff games).

  "Josh has been an important member of our blue line since joining the team during the 2022 stretch run," Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said in a statement. "He is a steady and tough defender who chips in on the offensive side at key times. He is also a veteran leader in our dressing room, and we are excited to have him under contract for another three seasons."

  Across 11 seasons with Anaheim (2014-22) and Colorado, Manson has tallied 39 goals, 131 assists and 1,526 hits in 626 games.

  --Field Level Media

The Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday in exchange for defenseman Mathew Dumba and a 2028 second-round draft pick.

• Kolyachonok, 24, recorded a combined seven points (two goals, five assists) and averaged 13:01 of ice time in 35 games with the Utah Mammoth and the Penguins last season. Pittsburgh claimed him off waivers on Feb. 10. He has one year remaining on the contract he signed with Utah in June 2024.

  The Belarus native has 14 career points (four goals, 10 assists) over four seasons with the Arizona Coyotes (2021-24), Mammoth and Penguins.

  Dumba notched 10 points (one goal, nine assists) and averaged 15:18 of ice time last year for Dallas. Dumba, who will be 31 on July 25, also has one season remaining on a two-year deal worth $7.5 million he signed with the Stars in July 2024.

  He has 258 points (84 goals, 174 assists) in his 12-year career with the Minnesota Wild (2013-23), Coyotes (2023-24), Tampa Bay Lightning (2023-24) and Stars.

  Minnesota selected him seventh overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. Kolyachonok was a second-round pick by Florida in the 2019 draft.

  --Field Level Media

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers re-signed forward Mackie Samoskevich to a one-year contract on Thursday, the team announced.

• The Panthers did not disclose financial terms, though multiple sources reported the value is $775,000, the league minimum.

  Samoskevich, 22, played his first full season for Florida in 2024-25 and totaled 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists), 12 penalty minutes, 32 blocks and 134 hits in 72 regular-season games.

  His 15 goals were seventh most by a rookie in club history, according to the Panthers, and five of the goals were game winners, tying Carter Verhaeghe for the team lead.

  He also had one assist in four playoff games as the Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions.

  "Mackie is a talented young forward who demonstrated skill and maturity well above his age in his first full NHL season," said Bill Zito, Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager. "He showcased his ability to slot into any hole in our lineup and find success this past season, which is a testament to both his play and character. We look forward to seeing him compete in our organization for years to come."

  Samoskevich also appeared in seven regular-season games in the 2023-24 season.

  Florida selected Samoskevich 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft out of the University of Michigan.

  --Field Level Media

The Edmonton Oilers acquired reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard from the Lightning, sending forward prospect Sam O'Reilly to Tampa Bay in exchange.

• The Oilers announced the trade late Tuesday after signing the forward to a three-year, entry-level contract.

  The Lightning drafted Howard with the No. 31 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, before he played as a freshman at Minnesota-Duluth. The Wisconsin native spent the next two seasons at Michigan State, where he won the top award in college hockey after scoring 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games.

  Had the trade not occurred, Howard intended to return to college for his senior season and become an unrestricted free agent.

  Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois said in May that signing the 21-year-old likely wasn't in the offing for the Lightning.

  "When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty, and I thank him for his honesty," BriseBois said. "He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him. And I won't speak for him, but he values that. Right now, I would say it's unlikely that we will sign him."

  O'Reilly, 19, was taken by Edmonton with the No. 32 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He played for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season, tallying 98 points in 84 regular season, playoff and Memorial Cup games.

  --Field Level Media

The National Hockey League and the NHL Players' Association ratified on Tuesday a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement that will run through the 2029-30 season.

• The two sides reached an agreement in principle on June 27 but votes of the full membership of the NHLPA and the league's Board of Governors were required for ratification.

  "The partnership between the Players' Association and the League is stronger than it ever has been and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release. "We are grateful to the Board of Governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come."

  The previous CBA still had more than a year left until expiration.

  The particulars of the CBA have not been released, but ESPN reported that under the new CBA, the season will be expanded from 82 to 84 games, with the elimination of two preseason games. That is expected to take effect with the 2026-27 season.

  ESPN also reported the new CBA includes language that addresses topics such as shorter maximum contract lengths and eliminating a player dress code on game days.

  "This CBA shows what can be accomplished when the NHL and the Union work together -- an agreement that will allow for the continued worldwide growth of the game. That is a win for everyone," said Marty Walsh, NHLPA executive director. "We could not have achieved this outcome without the involvement and support of our players."

  --Field Level Media