An unexpected option may have just emerged for the Colorado Avalanche as they continue navigating NHL free agency.

Veteran forward Jonathan Drouin is once again available after the St. Louis Blues placed him on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of buying out the final season of his contract. With the NHL's buyout window now officially closed, Drouin becomes one of the more intriguing unrestricted veterans still on the market—and a familiar name for Colorado.

Drouin's stint in St. Louis proved to be brief. Acquired from the New York Islanders in a March trade that sent Blues captain Brayden Schenn to New York, the 31-year-old appeared in just nine games, recording one goal and two assists before the organization elected to move on. He had one year remaining on a contract carrying a $4 million cap hit.

Before arriving in St. Louis, Drouin spent two productive seasons with the Avalanche, where he revitalized his NHL career alongside longtime friend Nathan MacKinnon. The pair first became teammates with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL before reaching the NHL together years later, and their chemistry translated immediately in Denver.

Over 122 regular-season games with Colorado, Drouin totaled 30 goals and 63 assists for 93 points, becoming a reliable top-six contributor and an important part of one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. His playmaking ability and familiarity with head coach Jared Bednar's system made him a seamless fit throughout his time with the Avalanche.

Following the 2025-26 season, Drouin made it no secret that he hoped to remain in Colorado, expressing a desire to continue his career with the organization. Instead, he ultimately landed in St. Louis, where his stay lasted less than three months before ending with Tuesday's buyout.

Originally selected third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2013 NHL Draft, Drouin has appeared in 671 NHL games, compiling 111 goals and 287 assists over his career.

Colorado's offseason priorities remain centered on improving its roster, with the front office still expected to explore additional help up front and potentially add another defenseman. But with Drouin suddenly back on the open market—and his history with both the organization and MacKinnon well established—the circumstances have changed.

Whether that opens the door for a reunion is another question entirely, but one that has suddenly become much more interesting.

The Utah Mammoth have made it clear that their trade for Sebastian Cossa was about more than adding organizational depth.

Just days after acquiring the former first-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for the 23rd overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, Utah announced Wednesday that the 23-year-old goaltender has signed a two-year contract carrying an average annual value of $2 million. The deal immediately solidifies Cossa as a central piece of the organization's long-term plans between the pipes.

Cossa arrives in Utah after spending the past four seasons developing with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, where he established himself as one of the league's top young goaltenders. He owns a career 70-33-19 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and eight shutouts across 123 regular-season appearances.

His strongest campaign came in 2025-26, when he posted a 26-8-4 record, a 2.33 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage while recording five shutouts in 39 games. The performance earned him his second consecutive selection to the AHL All-Star Game after also receiving the honor in 2025.

Although most of his professional experience has come in the AHL, Cossa has already made his NHL debut. He appeared in his first game with the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 9, 2024, stopping 12 of 14 shots to earn his first career victory against the Buffalo Sabres.

Before beginning his professional career, Cossa emerged as one of the premier goaltending prospects in junior hockey with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. He compiled a 71-16-7 record with a 2.12 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and 14 shutouts over 98 games from 2019 through 2022.

His dominance was particularly evident during the 2020-21 season, when he led the WHL with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. One season later, he backstopped the Oil Kings to a league championship, finishing the postseason with a 16-3 record, a 1.93 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and five shutouts in 19 playoff appearances.

That championship run also carries a familiar connection for Utah. Cossa spent all three of his WHL seasons alongside current Mammoth forward Dylan Guenther, giving the two an opportunity to reunite as teammates at the NHL level.

Internationally, the Hamilton, Ontario, native captured a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship after previously representing Team Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Originally selected 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa now joins the Mammoth with a proven track record of success at every level he has played. By following last week's trade with a new contract, Utah has made an early statement that it views the towering netminder as an important part of the franchise's future.

The Los Angeles Kings could be preparing to address one of their offseason priorities as NHL free agency approaches.

With veteran forward Scott Laughton widely expected to move on when the market opens July 1, Los Angeles is expected to explore options to reinforce its forward depth. One name that has already surfaced is veteran winger Erik Haula, whom NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes could be headed to the Kings.

Speaking on The Game Nashville, Friedman was asked whether he had heard of any potential free-agent destinations before the market officially opens. Haula was the first player he mentioned.

"The one name I did hear is that Erik Haula might end up in LA," Friedman said.

Haula would bring experience, versatility, and secondary offense to a Kings roster looking to add reliable depth under new head coach Peter Laviolette. The 35-year-old has spent parts of 14 NHL seasons with seven different organizations and has built a reputation as a dependable two-way forward capable of contributing throughout the lineup.

He spent the 2025-26 season with the Nashville Predators, recording 14 goals and 38 points in 81 games. Across 840 career NHL contests, Haula has totaled 147 goals and 375 points while logging minutes in a variety of offensive and defensive roles.

For Los Angeles, the fit makes sense beyond the production. If Laughton leaves as expected, the Kings will have another opening among their veteran forwards, making an experienced player like Haula a logical target. He offers lineup flexibility, playoff experience, and should come at a manageable price compared to some of the higher-profile options available in free agency.

Haula is coming off a three-year, $9.45 million contract and is expected to command a similar annual salary on a shorter-term deal. A one- or two-year contract in the $3 million to $4 million average annual value range appears to be a realistic projection despite the NHL's rising salary cap.

Because Haula is 35 years old, he is also eligible to sign a one-year contract that includes performance bonuses. That structure could provide additional flexibility for the Kings, who have roughly $11 million in available salary cap space entering free agency. A deal with a lower guaranteed salary and attainable performance incentives could allow Los Angeles to maximize its cap flexibility while adding another proven veteran to its forward group.

On Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights added an experienced voice to their coaching staff, hiring former NHL forward Mark Letestu as an assistant coach. Letestu joins head coach Ryan Craig's staff for the 2026-27 season, with the remainder of the Golden Knights coaching group set to return as well.

Letestu brings both playing pedigree and a steadily building coaching resume to Vegas. The former forward spent 11 seasons in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets, appearing in 567 regular season games and producing 210 points on 93 goals and 117 assists.

His NHL career painted a picture of a reliable two-way centre who carved out a long professional career through intelligence, faceoff ability and a willingness to embrace whatever role his team needed.

His final NHL stint came with the Jets, where he appeared in seven games during the 2019-20 season before transitioning out of playing and into coaching. The move to the bench suited him well. Letestu spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, helping build a winning culture in the organization. 

The Monsters qualified for the postseason in each of the final two seasons of his tenure, capturing the North Division title during the 2023-24 campaign and advancing to the Eastern Conference Final that same year.

From there, Letestu took his biggest step yet in coaching, becoming head coach of the AHL's Colorado Eagles ahead of last season. He wasted little time making an impact, guiding Colorado to a 41-20-11 record and a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with the Eagles advancing all the way to the Western Conference Final in his first and only season behind the bench. 

The strong showing made Letestu one of the more attractive coaching candidates available this summer and clearly caught the attention of the Golden Knights front office.

The connection to Craig also likely played a role in the hire as the two shared the ice together in Columbus during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. For Vegas, the addition of Letestu rounds out a coaching staff built around Craig, who is entering his first season leading the Golden Knights after the team fell short in the Stanley Cup finals under interim hire John Tortorella.

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The Nashville Predators are likely to lose one of their centers to the free agency market on Wednesday. 

Erik Haula, who has reached the end of a three-year, $9.45 million contract, will be an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, as the Predators have not extended him a qualifying offer. 

The 35-year-old center scored 38 points in 81 games last season as one of the Predators' anchors in the bottom six. He was acquired last June in a trade for Jeremy Hanzel and a 4th-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

Haula was also one of four Predators players who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Finland and scoring six points (three goals and three assists) in six games en route to a bronze medal. 

.@FriedgeHNIC says on his final radio hit in Nashville this season that Haula might end up in Los Angeles. https://t.co/nopbGJQfnX

— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) June 30, 2026

It's his second time around in Nashville, as he was with the team during the 2020-21 season, scoring 21 points in 51 games. 

General Manager Chris MacFarland has opted to go with a younger Jack Drury to fill the center role in the bottom six, trading for and signing the 26-year-old center to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. 

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Haula could end up in Los Angeles.

He is not the only UFA that could be on the move, as Tyson Jost was not extended a qualifying offer. 

The 28-year-old forward was claimed off waivers in the 2025-26 preseason on a 1-year, $775,000 contract. He played in 69 games, scoring eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. 

Defenseman Kevin Gravel, who played just one game in Nashville this past season, was also not extended a qualifying offer and is now an unrestricted free agent. He just finished a two-year, $1.555 million contract. 

Restricted free agent defenseman Justin Barron and newly acquired forward Chase Bradley were both extended qualifying offers on Tuesday. 

NHL free agency opens on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CST. 

‘Twas the night before Free Agency, and all through the house, 

Not a creature was stirring, except for Kelly McCrimmon. 

On Tuesday night, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Vegas Golden Knights signed pending Unrestricted Free Agent Jeremy Lauzon to a long-term contract extension: six years, with a $4 million AAV.

In year one of the contract, Lauzon will count for $5.7 million against the cap and has a full No-Trade Clause. In year two, the cap hit drops to $4.3 million, and the No-Trade Clause becomes a 16-team no-trade list. For the remaining four years, Lauzon’s cap hit will be $3.5 million; in years 3-4, he has a 10-team no-trade list, and in years 5-6, that becomes a 7-team no-trade list. 

After missing most of the 2024-25 season with a lower-body injury, Lauzon returned to action and played 68 games. He struggled out of the gate, but eventually, the rust wore off, and he settled in. Lauzon is more of a stay-at-home defender, but he registered a goal and 13 points during the regular season. He averaged 17:10 TOI, 1:54 of which came on the penalty kill.

Lauzon is best known for his physicality, and he’s often described as someone who is ‘difficult to play against.’ He led all Golden Knights defensemen— and was second on the team— in hits with 251. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 79. 

The Golden Knights are now in an interesting position, as all five contracted defensemen on their roster are left shots. They traded right-shot Kaedan Korczak to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and received Parker Wotherspoon, a cheaper left-shot defenseman, in return. Shea Theodore has already been playing on his offside for several seasons; now, it seems like one of Lauzon or Wotherspoon will have to join Theodore in that endeavor.

Monday, June 29 at 2 PM PST, qualifying offers for pending NHL RFAs were due for clubs to retain the rights to their RFAs. If pending RFAs were not tendered qualifying offers by the aforementioned deadline, they are scheduled to become UFAs on July 1 at 9 AM PST if they are unsigned before then.

The Anaheim Ducks had 11 pending RFAs due QOs, but only tendered seven of them.

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Among the players who were qualified were goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets, center Leo Carlsson, goaltender Calle Clang, left winger Cutter Gauthier, defenseman Tyson Hinds, defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, and left winger Sasha Pastujov.

The NHL roster players (Carlsson, Gauthier, Mintyukov, Hinds) were no-brainers to receive QOs, as were the two AHL roster players (Buteyets, Pastujov). Clang (24) was a bit of a surprise to receive a QO, as he recently signed a two-year contract with Rogle BK in the SHL, the club he played for before making the jump to North America to play for the San Diego Gulls in the AHL.

It appears the Ducks’ logic behind Clang’s QO is to retain his rights should he benefit from a reset in his home nation of Sweden and, in the future, express interest in returning to North America.

The four players who did not receive QOs are defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka, defenseman Kyle Masters, center Jan Mysak, and right winger Jaxsen Wiebe.

Biakabutuka (24) was a piece sent Anaheim’s way from the St. Louis Blues along with a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for long-time Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round pick. During his time in the Ducks organization, Biakabutuka played just 11 games in the AHL with the Gulls and 75 games in the ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers.

Masters (23) was acquired just two days before he wasn’t tendered a QO, on the second day of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, along with a sixth-round pick (Noah Kosick) from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the signing rights to defenseman John Carlson. His signing rights have since been traded back to the Canes in exchange for the signing rights to AHL center Noah Philp (27).

Mysak (24) was acquired by Anaheim two years ago from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jacob Perreault. Like Clang, Mysak signed a two-year contract to play in the SHL for HV71. Over two and a half years with the Ducks organization, he played 138 games with the Gulls.

Jaxsen Wiebe (24) signed an entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent in March 2023. He yo-yoed between the AHL and ECHL during his time in the Ducks organization.

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It’s been a busy few days for the Florida Panthers.

After acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators earlier this month, the Panthers addressed several of the team’s needs via trades.

Mainly, the two vacancies in goal.

Before getting to the goaltenders though, the Panthers made a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, bringing in gritty forward Garnet Hathaway in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round selection.

The Flyers retained half of Hathaway’s $2.5 million salary in the trade.

Then on Monday, Florida got to the goaltenders, acquiring Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick.

Then about 12 hours later on Tuesday morning, news started to trickle out that the Panthers were trading for veteran netminder Jacob Markstrom.

The former Panthers draft pick was brought back, along with forward Angus Crookshank, in a trade with the New Jersey Devils for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves.

Florida making a pair of moves for goaltenders also meant that the team would not be bringing back longtime netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. 

After the dust settled, The Hockey Show hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork were joined by Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald to make sense of it all.

You can see their thoughts in the video posted below:

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The 2026 NHL Free Agency period officially begins at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and while most of the speculation surrounding the Detroit Red Wings is the ongoing trade request saga of Dylan Larkin, the club still has multiple pending unrestricted free agents. 

As of 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Patrick Kane remains unsigned. The club has spoken openly about wanting him back for another season, and Kane himself said there was mutual interest during his season-ending media availability. 

And while the Red Wings are expected to move on from the likes of James van Riemsdyk and Cam Talbot, one pending UFA they could potentially retain is David Perron. 

According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Red Wings and Perron are "talking" about a new contract, though there is still a chance he could head to the open market. 

"David Perron, 38, intends to play again next season," LeBrun wrote. "Perron, who had 13 goals between the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings last season, is still talking to the Red Wings, but if something can’t be worked out there, he is looking to hit the open market."

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Perron, who signed a two-year contract with the Red Wings in 2022, was a valuable veteran voice in the locker room and provided timely scoring. But he departed the club in 2024 to sign a two-year deal with the divisional rival Ottawa Senators, whom he helped reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring. 

Red Wings Officially Tender Simon Edvinsson, Decline to Qualify Carter MazurDetroit prioritizes blue-line cornerstone Simon Edvinsson ahead of free agency, while recurring injuries leave former third-round selection Carter Mazur without an offer as the roster reshuffle begins.

However, he missed a good portion of this most recent season after undergoing surgery, and was re-acquired by the Red Wings at the Trade Deadline for a conditional fourth-round pick. 

In the 15 games he played after returning to Detroit, Perron scored three goals with no assists.

The 38-year-old veteran has played in 1,239 career NHL games, and has accumulated 332 goals with 480 assists. He also helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup In 2019. 

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The Vegas Golden Knights didn't just end the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup hopes this spring—they've now taken another piece of the organization.

Less than two months after sweeping Colorado out of the Western Conference Final, Vegas has hired Colorado Eagles head coach Mark Letestu as an assistant coach, adding another respected figure from the Avalanche pipeline to its NHL staff.

The Golden Knights announced Tuesday that Letestu has joined Ryan Craig's coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season, ending his brief but successful tenure as head coach of the Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate.

Letestu spent just one season behind the bench in Loveland, but it proved to be a productive one. He guided the Eagles to a 41-20-11 record before leading the club to the Western Conference Finals in the Calder Cup Playoffs, marking one of the organization's deepest postseason runs in recent years.

His departure creates another vacancy within Colorado's development system while strengthening the coaching staff of the team that eliminated the Avalanche from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Before taking over the Eagles, Letestu spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Monsters. During his time there, Cleveland reached the Calder Cup Playoffs twice, captured the North Division title in 2023-24, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals that same season.

The 40-year-old transitions to Vegas with plenty of NHL familiarity. Letestu played 11 seasons in the league with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets, appearing in 567 regular-season games while recording 93 goals and 117 assists for 210 points.

His connection to the Golden Knights extends beyond his coaching résumé. Letestu and Craig were teammates with the Blue Jackets during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, reuniting them on Vegas' coaching staff.

Letestu originally signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent after one season at Western Michigan University and four years with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He also appeared in 255 AHL games during his professional playing career.

For the Avalanche organization, the move represents another offseason change following Colorado's run to the Western Conference Final. While the Golden Knights eliminated the Avalanche on the ice, they've now added one of the coaches who helped develop the club's next wave of talent.