Kessel has been a reliable depth defenseman for the St. Louis Blues the past three seasons, playing 97 combined games, but will have a change of scenery in 2026-27, signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old defenseman scored three points (2G / 1A) in 25 games with the Blues last season.
Perunovich was a high-pedigree prospect, drafted 45th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but has not been able to translate his talents to the NHL level. The 27-year-old defenseman scored nine points (2G / 7A) last season in 35 games split between time with the Blues and the New York Islanders.
Vancek's hopes of becoming a starting goalie are likely behind him after promising stints with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, but he has settled into a serviceable backup role, which should continue with his new team, the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Czech goalie posted a 2.93 GAA and .883 SV% last season in 22 games with the Utah Mammoth (5-13-3).
Last offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli with the hopes that he could provide supplementary offence and playmaking after the departure of Mitch Marner. The 25-year-old Finnish forward had a decent season with the Maple Leafs, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 71 games, but the team opted not to give the restricted free agent a qualifying offer, sending him to free agency and ultimately signing a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.
Veleno was a first-round pick, 30th overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but he has failed to live up to that billing, settling into a bottom-six defensive role. The 26-year-old Montreal native spent the 2025-26 season with his hometown Canadiens, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games.
After spending the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Acciari will remain in the Metropolitan Division, signing a two-year contract worth $5.6 million ($2.8M AAV) with the Philadelphia Flyers. The veteran 34-year-old forward is a reliable, defensively sound bottom-six forward who should add some stability to a young and improving Flyers team. He had 25 points (13G / 12A) last season in 67 games with Pittsburgh.
Rumours have circulated about the Winnipeg Jets regarding a possible trade of starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck. It's unclear if these rumours will come to fruition this offseason, but the team added some depth to their goaltending position in the interim, signing Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract worth $7.5 million ($3.75M AAV). The 27-year-old Skinner battled adversity during his tenure with the Edmonton Oilers, ultimately being dealt last season to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he posted a 2.95 GAA and .885 SV% in 27 games (12-9-5).
The Maple Leafs added solid offensive depth on the opening day of free agency, signing Jack Roslovic to a two-year contract worth $8 million ($4.0M AAV). The 29-year-old forward spent the 2025-26 season with the Edmonton Oilers, playing up and down the lineup, averaging 15:46 time-on-ice and scoring 36 points (21G / 15A) in 69 games.
Benning was a fourth-round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft who made his NHL debut in the 2025-26 season. The 24-year-old defenseman averaged 16:54 time-on-ice and scored six points (2G / 4A) last season in 18 games with the Panthers.
Belzile is an undrafted forward who has spent most of his career in the AHL, playing just 44 NHL games. The 34-year-old scored 62 points (29G / 33A) last season in 66 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL).
GM Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings have faced some adversity this offseason, but made a quality offensive acquisition on the opening day of free agency, signing Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth $10 million ($5.0M AAV). The 33-year-old Swedish forward has battled some injury concerns and consistency in his career, but is coming off an excellent 2025-26 season with the Boston Bruins, scoring 54 points (25G / 29A) in 69 games.
Carlile is an undrafted defenseman who never made an impact at the NHL level until last season, when he played a career-high 42 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 3 points (1G/2A). The 26-year-old adds some depth to Pittsburgh's blueline on a two-year contract worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV).
Colorado added some reliable depth to their blueline on the first day of free agency, signing Noah Juulsen to a two-year contract worth $2.2 million ($1.1M AAV). The 29-year-old defenseman played 52 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, averaging 13:49 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (1G / 9A).
Viel has played only 99 career NHL games but had an impact with the Ducks last season, primarily in a fourth-line role, earning himself a five-year contract worth $12.5 million ($2.5M AAV) with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old forward was especially effective in the postseason with the Ducks, recording four points (2G / 2A) and 17 penalty minutes in 12 games.
Gilbert has played 119 career NHL games, but only suited up in eight last season with the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old defenseman will provide some reliable depth on Buffalo's blueline after signing a one-year deal worth $850K.
Johnston has struggled to be a full-time NHLer over his career, but at age 31 in the 2025-26 season, he had a breakout season in a fourth-line role for the Anaheim Ducks, tallying 14 points (3G / 11A), 107 penalty minutes, and 192 hits in 62 games. He earns himself some security, joining the Blues on a three-year contract worth $6 million ($2M AAV).
Korpisalo has spent the previous two seasons as a serviceable backup for the Boston Bruins, but he will head to the New York Rangers in the 2026-27 season to serve as Igor Shesterkin's backup. The 32-year-old Korpisalo posted a 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% last season in 31 appearances (14-9-6).
Vaisanen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. The 23-year-old forward spent his first full professional season in North America, recording four points (3G / 1A) in 51 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
