Monthly Archives: July 2025
Wild Trade For Tarasenko to Start Off Free Agency Early
Islanders re-sign Tony DeAngelo, add David Rittich on one-year deals
The Islanders are retaining a key piece on their blueline.
New York is re-signing defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year, $1.75 million extension.
DeAngelo spent the early part of last season playing in the KHL, but after he and the team mutually agreed to terminate his contract he landed back in the pros with an Islanders team decimated by injuries.
With Noah Dobson and Mike Reilly out long-term, New York turned to the former first-round pick to provide an offensive spark, and he did just that -- producing a goal and five assists over his first 10 games.
DeAngelo ended up sticking on a league-minimum deal for the remainder of the season.
He was able to continue his strong play down the stretch as the Isles battled towards a potential playoff spot before ultimately falling short -- finishing with a total of 19 points across 35 games.
At seasons end, DeAngelo said he hoped to work something out this summer.
"I loved it here," he said. "It worked out great. I wasn’t nervous when I made the choice to sign here. I made some poor choices as far as things went in my career on when to leave a team and go to a different team -- so you never know what's gonna happen, but this one has been a home run."
With Dobson traded to the Canadiens ahead of the draft, DeAngelo figures to slot into a prominent role next season, and he could potentially find himself quarterbacking the Isles’ top power-play unit.
An addition between the pipes
The Isles are also adding another piece to their goalie rotation, bringing in David Rittich on a one-year deal.
First-year GM Mathieu Darche recently indicated that they could look to make a move between the pipes in free agency with veteran backup Semyon Varlamov still working his way back from injury.
Rittich comes to the Island having played in parts of nine pro seasons with the Kings, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames.
He appeared in 31 games last season with Los Angeles -- posting a .886 save percentage and 2.84 GAA.
Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025
Rasmus Asplund Leaves Florida Organization For Switzerland
Swedish forward Rasmus Asplund, 27, has signed a two-year contract with HC Davos, the National League club announced on Tuesday.
“Rasmus is a classic two-way center who can handle all game situations," said Davos sports director Jan Alston. “He’s very intelligent, reads the game excellently, and brings a lot of speed.”
Asplund was a product of the Färjestad BK club in Karlstad, Sweden, eventually turning pro with the club and remaining until he was 20. He was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2016.
Between 2019 and 2025, Asplund played 189 NHL games with the Sabres, Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, recording 49 points and 22 penalty minutes. His only full NHL season was 2021-22, when he recorded 27 points in 80 games with Buffalo. That spring, he was chosen to play for Sweden at the IIHF World Championship in Finland.
In 2024-25, Asplund was held pointless in six NHL games with Florida and had 52 points in 81 AHL regular-season and playoff games as the Charlotte Checkers advanced to the Calder Cup finals.
Davos, which hosts the annual Spengler Cup tournament, is coming off a season in which it finished fifth in the National League standings and lost in the semifinals. Other than Asplund, the team has under contract for 2025-26 ex-NHLers Brendan Lemieux, Joakim Nordström, Filip Zadina and Klas Dahlbeck.
Photo © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images: Rasmus Asplund playing for the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022-23 season.
Canadiens’ Top Unrestricted Free Agent Targets at Centre
Canadiens: What’s Next for Alexander Zharovsky?
As is often the case with Russian players, RG.org published an exclusive interview with the Montreal Canadiens’ first pick at the last draft, Alexander Zharovsky. As we’ve already reported, the 18-year-old is a childhood friend of Habs rookie Ivan Demidov, and he won’t be attending development camp. Still, it’s never too early to learn a little bit more about a Canadiens' prospect.
In the interview with RG’s Tuboltseva, the youngster gave some details about the whirlwind that was his last few days. He returned to Russia on Sunday after spending time in Florida, where he participated in the Gold Star showcase. This is an event put on by his agency that showcases its players. The youngsters trained and played scrimmages while scouts and executives observed. In the afternoon, they had the opportunity to speak with the team’s representative.
Canadiens All Set For Development Camp
Will The Canadiens Go Big Game Hunting?
Canadiens Call Time On Cayden Primeau’s Stay In The Organization
Zharovsky met with the Canadiens at the showcase, but it wasn’t the only time he spoke to them. He had multiple interviews, and after the meeting at the showcase, they called again to ask more in-depth questions, which is when he thought things were getting serious.
The youngster was frank; he had hoped to be picked in the first round, but he’s happy he was picked early in the second round, and by a team as storied as the Canadiens. His last season was a great success in the MHL, where he was named Rookie of the Year following a 50-point (including 24 goals) output in 45 games. He was happy to make his KHL debut under former NHLer and current coach Viktor Kozlov.
The 6-foot-1 and 163-pound right winger knows what he needs to focus on this Summer; he plans on getting bigger, stronger, and faster. His debut in the KHL likely contributed to that realization, as he described the highest league in Russia as faster and more challenging than the junior league in which he spent his last season.
After being drafted by the Canadiens, he received a call from Nick Bobrov, Montreal’s co-director of scouting, who told him the team believes in him and his counting on him. Don’t expect Zharovsky to come over to North America soon though, he has a valid contract with his Russian team until the end of the 2026-2027 season, meaning Canadiens fans might have to wait two whole seasons before he makes his debut in the Habs organization, but judging by the highlights, he will be worth the wait. If you thought you were done chasing KHL highlights now that Demidov has a contract with the Habs, think again; you’ll want to see what Zharovsky is up to.
Photo credit: MHL Website
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Vancouver Canucks Sign Goaltender Thatcher Demko To Three-Year Contract Extension
The Vancouver Canucks have officially locked up a big part of their core. With his current deal expiring at the end of the 2025–26, the Canucks agreed to a three-year, $8.5M AAV contract extension with goaltender Thatcher Demko. This move comes only a couple of months after the team signed newcomer Kevin Lankinen to a long-term, five-year deal. With both Demko and Lankinen in their ranks, Vancouver’s goaltending comes out to under $15M per year.
Demko was drafted 36th overall by the Canucks in 2014. Often referred to as the “goaltender of the future” in Canucks land throughout his time as a prospect, Demko spent nearly two full seasons with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Utica Comets, before making his NHL debut on March 31, 2018. He spent a little more time with the Comets before starting his first full NHL season as a backup to Jacob Markström in 2019–20.
The Bubble Playoffs were where Demko made himself known as a force to be reckoned with. After posting a pre-COVID-19 regular season record of 13–10–2, Demko was called to action during the second round of the 2020 Bubble Playoffs. An injury to Markström pushed Demko into the spotlight, where he backstopped his team to a Game 7 effort with a .985 SV%.
Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:
Vancouver Canucks Players With New No Movement/No Trade Clause That Begin On July 1, 2025
Vancouver Canucks Prospects Recap Day 1 Of Development Camp
Vancouver Canucks Announce 2025-26 Pre-Season Schedule
Since 2021, Demko has taken the role of starting goaltender for the Canucks, save for the 2024–25 season in which he dealt with injuries. He has been named to two NHL All-Star Games (2022 and 2024) and finished second in Vezina Trophy voting in 2023–24 after winning 35 of his 51 starts and posting five shutouts.
With Demko now extended, the Canucks’ goaltending department looks to be getting more and more crowded. This also comes as a result of Artūrs Šilovs’ phenomenal play during the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, in which the prospect won 16 of the team's 24 games and registered five shutouts. Only time will tell what the Canucks decide to do with their three great goaltenders.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Panthers re-sign forward Tomas Nosek to one-year deal, per report
The Florida Panthers are doing their best to run it back after winning a second straight Stanley Cup.
An offseason that has included extending Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand now includes another re-signing of a key forward.
Just a few hours ahead of NHL Free Agency officially opening at noon on Tuesday, the Panthers inked Tomas Nosek to a new deal.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, it’s a one-year deal worth $775,000.
Nosek deal is done with Florida, one year, $775k https://t.co/u03hxIZyC8
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2025
That’s the same amount he signed with Florida for last summer, when he initially joined the Panthers.
Last season, Nosek played 59 games with Florida last season and another 16 during the playoffs. He was a primary member of the team’s penalty kill and centered a fourth line that Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice counted on nightly.
Maurice credited the re-insertion of Nosek’s line during Florida’s second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the thing that turned the series around in the Panthers favor.
Following the Nosek deal, Florida is now $1.1 million over the salary cap.
During the offseason, teams can go up to 10% over the cap and have until Opening Night to become cap compliant.
The Panthers are likely not done making moves. We’ll see how the coming hours and days play out.
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Report: Panthers Working To Re-Sign Veteran Forward
Panthers Key Defenseman Hitting Free-Agent Market
After locking up key pending UFAs, Panthers may still have work to do as free agency opens
Panthers to sign Brad Marchand to multi-year extension, per report
Report: Aaron Ekblad staying with Panthers on long-term extension
Photo caption: Feb 25, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Tomas Nosek (92) awaits the face-off against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
Former Wild Defenseman Signs Two-Year Contract With Washington
Just a few days after the Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Declan Chisholm, the Washington Capitals signed Chisholm to a two-year contract at $1.6 million average annual salary.
Chisholm, 25, recorded two goals and 12 points in 66 games for the Wild during the 2024-25 season. He was a restricted free agent but the Capitals signed him before he entered free agency.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Declan Chisholm to a two-year, $3.2 million contract. Chisholm’s contract will carry an average annual value of $1.6 million. #ALLCAPS | @Shift4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 30, 2025
In 95 career NHL games with the Wild, Chisholm recorded five goals, 15 assists, and 20 points. Three of his five goals came on the power play. He was a waiver claim by the Wild during the 2023-24 season.