EIHL 2026/27: 70 Days to go!
Yep, the countdown is officially ON! Opening night for the 2026/27 Elite League season is now just 70 days away. With 77 days having passed since Playoff Finals Weekend, we are officially through the worst part of the off-season, and closer to the start of a new campaign than we are to the end of the last one. Watch this space as we begin the countdown to 2026/27!
Tracking free agency in AHL
The free agency period in the AHL and the National Hockey League began at noon ET on July 1. Here’s a look at some of the players on the move: Signing Team Player Contract 25-26 AHL Club July 3 Samuel Hlavaj 1-year July 3 Zach Gallant 1-year AHL July 3 Elliot Desnoyers 1-year AHL July 3 Zach Uens 1-year AHL July 2 Henry Thrun 1-year July 2 Matthew Peca 2-year AHL July 2 Matthew Stienburg 1-year July 2 Henrik Rybinski 2-year July 2 Cole McWard 2-year July 2 Kyle Keyser 1-year, 2-way July 2 Brett Leason 1-year, 2-way July 2 … Continue reading
Peeke signs 1-year, $1 million contract with Mammoth
Andrew Peeke signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Utah Mammoth on Friday. The 28-year-old defenseman had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 77 games for the Boston Bruins last season and one assist in six Stanley Cup Playoff games. He led the Bruins with 135 blocked shots and was second among Boston defensemen with 105 hits, behind Nikita Zadorov (196). “Andrew is a big, mobile defenseman that brings depth to our blue line,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said of Peeke (6-foot-3, 214 pounds). “He’s a smart player with offensive upside, and we’re happy to add him to the club.” … Continue reading
McKenna signs entry-level contract with Maple Leafs
Gavin McKenna, selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. The 18-year-old left wing from Whitehorse, Yukon, was the sixth-youngest player in men’s college hockey last season for Penn State. He finished tied for fifth in the NCAA with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) and was second with 1.46 points per game in 35 games. McKenna also was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top NCAA men’s hockey player. Prior to enrolling at Penn State, McKenna played parts … Continue reading
Carlsson gets offer sheet from Flyers; Ducks can match
Leo Carlsson received an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The contract is for five years and worth $90 million ($18 million average annual value). The Anaheim Ducks have until July 10 to exercise their right of first refusal on the 21-year-old center, per section 10.3 of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement. If they decide not to match the contract, they will receive four first-round draft picks as compensation. Carlsson had NHL career-highs in goals (29), assists (38) and points (67) in 70 regular-season games for the Anaheim Ducks last season. He also had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) … Continue reading
Rittich signs 1-year, $1 million contract with Devils
David Rittich signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The 33-year-old goalie was 14-10-3 with a 2.76 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and two shutouts in 30 games (28 starts) for the New York Islanders last season. Signed by the Calgary Flames as an undrafted free agent June 13, 2016, Rittich is 122-81-29 with a 2.79 GAA, .903 save percentage and nine shutouts in 260 regular-season games (232 starts) for the Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings and Islanders, and 0-4 in four Stanley Cup Playoff games (three starts). The … Continue reading
