Martin Frk Expected To Join Shanghai Dragons in KHL
Veteran forward Martin Frk is reportedly heading overseas, with multiple sources indicating he has agreed to a two-year contract with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL.
According to reports from Czech journalist Vojtěch Tůma and KHL insider accounts, the 32-year-old Czech has terms in place for the next two seasons with the Dragons, though the move has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.
Frk spent the 2025-26 season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL affiliate of the Flames) on an AHL deal after signing a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract with Calgary the previous summer. He posted another strong minor-league campaign with 30 goals and 60 points in 66 games.
A second-round pick (49th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, Frk carved out a 124-game NHL career with stops in Detroit, Carolina, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Calgary. Known for his heavy shot and elite AHL scoring touch, he has totaled 20 goals and 41 points in the NHL, surpassed 20 goals in the AHL seven times and helped the Grand Rapids Griffins capture the Calder Cup in the 2016-17 season.
At 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, Frk has been a reliable AHL producer throughout his professional career but struggled to secure a full-time NHL role due to skating limitations. The move to the KHL could offer him a larger role, higher pay, and a return to a European-based league after years of North American shuttling.
This signing continues a trend of veteran North American/European players finding opportunities in the KHL as NHL depth options become more competitive.
Free Agent Focus: New York Islanders
Free agency is now less than a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. Even with the UFA crop being thinned out in recent months, there will be some quality veterans set to hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the New York Islanders.
Key Restricted Free Agents
Other RFAs: F Marc Gatcomb, F Ruslin Iskhakov, F Alex Jefferies, F Daylan Kuefler, F Joey Larson, G Tristan Lennox, F Eetu Liukas, F Matt Maggio, F Maxim Shabanov, F Cam Thiesing, and G Henrik Tikkanen.
The Islanders enter this offseason with a notably light group of restricted free agents compared to many other NHL clubs. With several key young contributors already signed to longer-term deals, the organization faces fewer immediate contract decisions on the RFA side, allowing GM Mathieu Darche more flexibility to focus on veteran UFAs, potential trades, to help surround and support players like Matthew Schaefer in the lineup. This lean RFA class could prove advantageous in a cap-constrained environment, though it also shows the importance of continued strong drafting and development to replenish the pipeline.
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
F Anders Lee — The 35-year-old captain (turns 36 on July 3) wrapped up his seven-year contract with a respectable but down year: 19 goals and 42 points in 82 games. Known for his net-front presence and leadership, Lee remains a fan favorite and consistent performer around the crease despite the dip in production. Darche may look to bring him back on a shorter/lower-value deal if Lee is flexible, but the market could test the Isles’ priorities in a transition phase.
D Carson Soucy — Acquired mid-season from the Rangers, the 31-year-old left-shot defenseman played 30 games with 2 goals and 2 assists for the Isles. He provided some stability on the blueline amid injuries, averaging 15:27 TOI. As a veteran depth option, his next deal will depend on the team’s defensive needs and cap flexibility.
D Tony DeAngelo — The 30-year-old right-shot defenseman had a solid campaign playing in 76 games, contributing five goals and 35 points. As a UFA, he brings puck-moving ability that could draw interest league-wide.
G David Rittich — The 33-year-old backup appeared in 30 games posting a 14-10-3 record along with .894 SV% and two shutouts. His veteran presence could be valuable, but the already aging, thin goaltending market will dictate his future options.
D Adam Boqvist — The former eighth-overall pick in 2018 has bounced around but found a home with the Islanders. After signing a one-year, $850K deal for 2025-26, the 25-year-old Swedish defenseman appeared in 28 games, recording 4 assists while dealing with limited ice time hovering around 13 minutes per game. His underlying numbers were mediocre, but as a former high pick with offensive upside from the back end, the Islanders will need to decide whether to bring him back as he hits unrestricted free agency.
Other UFAs: D Ethan Bear, F Adam Beckman, F Matthew Highmore, D Marcus Hogberg, F Matt Luff, D Cole McWard, D Travis Mitchell
Projected Cap Space
The Islanders enter the offseason with approximately $10.7M in projected cap space, alongside a projected cap hit in the low-to-mid $90M range. While it is on the lower side, this still provides room to re-sign key pieces and select UFAs while filling out the roster conservatively. However, decisions on veterans like Lee and potential moves on the blue line (or elsewhere) could open up more flexibility as the team continues its competitive window alongside young talent.
Hurricanes’ Goaltending Picture Shifts As Bussi Pushes For Game 5 Start
The Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltending situation remains one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with the crease decision for Game 5 carrying major implications as the series returns to Raleigh tied at 2-2.
As first reported by Emily Kaplan of ESPN, the Hurricanes made a bold move in Game 4, healthy scratching veteran Frederik Andersen in favor of Brandon Bussi. Bussi delivered in his first playoff start, helping Carolina even the series with a road victory.
Andersen, 36, had been rock-solid through the first three rounds, entering the Final with an incredible 12-1 postseason record while leading the Hurricanes past Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Montreal.
However, the Golden Knights’ heavy forecheck, interior pressure, and ability to force him out of position exposed vulnerabilities in the first three games of the series. His performance dipped noticeably, prompting the coaching staff to make a change. Kaplan’s reporting confirmed the scratch was performance-driven, with no injury concerns.
Bussi, 27, emerged as one of the NHL’s feel-good stories in the regular season, posting a 31-6-2 record in 39 appearances. The goaltender had seen limited postseason action until the Final but made a strong impression in relief during Game 3, stopping 18 of 19 shots. His Game 4 start and solid outing have now pushed him firmly into the conversation as the legitimate starting goaltender the rest of the way.
With the series knotted at 2-2, head coach Rod Brind’Amour faces a high-stakes choice between his three goaltenders. With Bussi fresh off a strong relief appearance and a Game 4 win, the younger netminder brings energy, athleticism, and regular-season dominance. Should he turn back to Anderson, the body of work this postseason (despite the series struggles) still commands respect. Then there is Pyotr Kochetkov who served as Bussi’s backup in Game 4 despite his own lengthy absence. His availability adds another layer of fluidity, though he remains the long-shot option.
Brind’Amour has not yet committed to a Game 5 starter, and as reported by Hurricanes beat writer Walt Ruff, all signs are leading toward indicates the call will be made “at some point.”
Morning Notes: Ott, Puustinen, McIlvane, NHLPA Rebrand
The St. Louis Blues have signed Steve Ott to a two-year contract extension, securing the 43-year-old as the Springfield Thunderbirds head coach through the 2027-28 season and keeping him within the St. Louis Blues organization.
Ott took over as head coach on January 19, 2026, after the Thunderbirds were struggling midseason. In the club’s final 34 regular-season games, he guided the team to an 18-14-2 record, clinching a sixth-seed playoff berth in the Atlantic Division. Ott then led Springfield to the Division Finals, with a first-round series win over the third-seeded Charlotte Checkers and a historic upset victory over the Providence Bruins in the Division Semifinals. The win over Providence marked the single-biggest upset in AHL history, with the teams separated by 38 points in the regular season.
“It’s a great opportunity for myself, but not only that, I get to stay in an organization that I truly love,” Ott said of the extension. “To help develop our young guys with the development side of coaching, it’s really exciting for myself. … When you get asked to take that opportunity, I look at it as a big honor.”
Additional Notes
- The NHLPA has restructured and rebranded its commercial business unit as the NHLPA Player Collective. The move aims to expand global business opportunities and partnerships for NHL players, building on recent staff additions like Chief Commercial Officer Steve Scebelo (formerly of NFL Players Inc.) to enhance player-driven commercial initiatives worldwide.
- Forward Valtteri Puustinen has signed with Luleå HF of the SHL. The 27-year-old Finnish winger split time last season between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Colorado Eagles in the AHL after being traded from Pittsburgh to Colorado in January 2026. The 27-year-old recorded 77 goals and 189 points across 276 AHL games, seven goals and 24 points 66 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- The Boston Bruins are said to be hiring Matt McIlvane as an assistant coach. The 39-year-old spent the last three seasons as head coach of the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, where he earned a multi-year extension in April 2026 after previous success coaching in Europe.
Senators To Be Active In Trade And Free Agency Front During Offseason
The Ottawa Senators are wasting little time addressing areas of need following their first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. With the NHL Draft approaching on June 26-27, president of hockey operations and GM Steve Staios was active at last week’s Combine in Buffalo. According to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun, Staios met with league executives and player agents amid a thin free-agent market that is pushing more clubs toward trades. The push includes additions at all areas of the roster.
A league executive indicated Ottawa is in the market for a top-six winger capable of lining up with Tim Stützle and captain Brady Tkachuk. While the Senators lack significant assets for a major splash, Garrioch’s sources noted Anaheim’s Mason McTavish as a realistic target given existing organizational ties. Jordan Kyrou was previously mentioned in early deadline chatter, though Garrioch noted that scenario “doesn’t make sense” for Ottawa at this stage.
On the blue line, adding a top-four right-shot defenseman remains a priority with veteran Nick Jensen expected to test unrestricted free agency following knee surgery. RFA Jordan Spence averaged 25 minutes of ice time during his four postseason games and holds arbitration rights, which could set up potentially tricky negotiations.
In an effort to boost the blue line and offer any veteran help, the Senators also checked in on St. Louis veterans Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk at the March trade deadline. However, neither was willing to waive their new move clauses to come to Ottawa. Faulk was ultimately dealt to Detroit, while Parayko declined to waive his no-move clause despite a strong offer from Buffalo that included a high-end prospect and first-round pick.
In net, the Senators are expected to focus on backup goaltending, and should qualify Leevi Meriläinen, while monitoring UFAs options like Connor Ingram and Stuart Skinner, among others.
Veteran UFA forwards Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins have noted strong desires to stay in Ottawa. Staios is reportedly high on retaining both, with Giroux likely returning on another bonus-heavy structure.
Trade talks will be a little more challenging without the draft capital of their No. 32 overall draft selection. Expect trade discussions to intensify in the coming weeks as clubs position themselves ahead of July 1 free agency.
Blues Linked To Sign Dillon Dubé As Depth Forward
As the Alexander Steen era officially begins on July 1, the St. Louis Blues appear poised to bolster their bottom-six forward group with a familiar face from their AHL affiliate.
According to a recent mailbag in The Athletic, a league source indicates there is a strong chance that 27-year-old forward Dillon Dubé signs a free-agent contract with St. Louis and plays in the middle for the Blues, likely as a fourth-line center option.
Dubé, originally a second-round pick (56th overall) of the Calgary Flames in 2016, brings 325 games of NHL experience to the table. He recorded 57 goals and 127 points during his time with Calgary, enjoying his most productive season in 2021-22 with 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games. After becoming a UFA and navigating the legal proceedings stemming from the 2018 Hockey Canada case where he was acquitted of all charges in 2025, Dubé spent the 2024-25 season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, posting 11 points in 42 games.
He joined the Springfield Thunderbirds on a professional tryout in December 2025 and made an immediate impact. In 46 regular-season games with the Blues’ AHL affiliate this past season, Dubé finished the regular season tied for second on the team in goals (20) and fourth with 37 points. He also contributed five goals and eight points in 12 games during the Thunderbirds’ playoff run.
The Blues are looking to rebuild a more aggressive and competitive bottom-six, with the potential of moving on from pending UFA Oskar Sundqvist and demand more consistency from players like Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker. Dubé’s two-way capabilities, center versatility, and recent scoring touch at the AHL level make him a low-risk, experienced option that fits the emphasis on grit and scoring upside.
For a Blues team in transition, remaining focused on nurturing younger talent like Jimmy Snuggerudand Dalibor Dvorsky while remaining competitive, adding a proven NHL veteran on a likely bargain deal provides valuable depth and flexibility without significant cap commitment.
While nothing is finalized until contracts are signed, Dubé’s strong performance in Springfield has clearly caught the attention of Blues management as they prepare for the Steen-led offseason. More updates are expected in the coming weeks as free agency approaches.
Anders Lee Could Be Heading to Free Agency
The New York Islanders are facing the very real possibility of losing their captain this summer. According to a report from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, long-time Islanders forward Anders Lee appears increasingly likely to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
LeBrun reports that Lee’s agent, Neil Sheehy, met with Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche to discuss a potential extension. However, the two sides remain “far apart” on the parameters of a new deal. While the organization reportedly intends to keep negotiating and wants their captain back in the fold, the current gap in expectations means that the draft and free agency period could mark the beginning of the end for Lee’s tenure on Long Island.
With several weeks remaining before the official start of the new league year, there is still time for negotiations to shift. Front offices and agents frequently use the threat of free agency as a final leverage point, and a breakthrough in talks could materialize.
However, if Lee does hit the open market, the 35-year-old forward will draw plenty of attention from contending teams looking for size, leadership, and net-front production. Lee has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Islanders, serving as team captain since 2018. Replacing his locker room presence and physical edge would be a massive challenge for Darche. For now, the Isles will need to do all they can to course correct in their conversations, or determine if their captain will wear a new sweater next season.
Jon Cooper Wins 2026 Jack Adams Award
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper has added another crowning achievement to a storied NHL career.
Cooper was announced Wednesday as the 2026 recipient of the Jack Adams Award, granted each season to the NHL coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” Voted on by members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, Cooper becomes just the second coach in franchise history to capture the honor, joining John Tortorella (2004).
This marked Cooper’s third time as a finalist for the award. Voters ultimately selected the veteran bench boss over fellow 2026 finalists Dan Muse (PIT) and Lindy Ruff (BUF).
The league’s longest-tenured head coach guided the Lightning to a ninth consecutive playoff berth in 2025-26. Tampa Bay navigated an injury-filled campaign to finish with a 50-26-6 record, securing 106 standings points to tie for fifth overall in the NHL. It marks the organization’s first 50-win season since 2021-22.
Under Cooper’s stewardship this year, the Lightning finished among the NHL’s elite, ranking near the top of the league in wins, goals scored, goals against, goal differential, road wins, regulation wins, and comeback wins, as well as penalty kill percentage.
The award puts a bow on a milestone-heavy season for the prospective Hall of Fame coach. Cooper coached his 1,000th career NHL game, all with Tampa Bay, on December 31, and quickly followed that up on January 12 by becoming the second-fastest coach in league history to reach 600 wins with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Hurricanes Eye Adjustments Ahead of Game 2
Following a “self-inflicted” loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the series, the Carolina Hurricanes took to the podium today ahead of Thursday’s Game 2 and addressed the media. The overarching sentiment from both the players and coaching staff wasn’t one of panic, but a firm sense of accountability. While credit was given to a resilient Vegas squad, the Hurricanes emphasized that their biggest opponent in the opening game of the series was themselves.
Veteran forward Taylor Hall stated the team’s frustrations when assessing how the game got away from them. “A lot of what happened was self-inflicted,” Hall noted. “But they’re a good team. They can force you into some bad spots.” The turnover battle and executing under heavy pressure should continue to be a crucial area of the series for Carolina as they adjust their approach.
A substantial portion of that execution falls on the shoulders of the team’s offensive leaders. Carolina’s top line found itself limited for much of the evening, struggling to generate the high-danger scoring chances that defined their success leading up to this round. When asked about the top line’s lack of production, franchise center Sebastian Aho didn’t mince words.
“It’s on us to figure it out,” Aho said. “We can be a little bit smarter with the puck, that’s for sure. We have to get to our game where we can use our strengths.”
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour echoed his players’ statements. When asked by reporters whether the video gave him a better or worse impression of last night’s performance, Brind’Amour candidly replied, “Maybe both.”
For a coach known for demanding a relentless, structurally sound work ethic, the gaps in execution were a little clearer as the game moved on.
“If we had played our best game and it was that outcome, I think there would be a different feel today,” Brind’Amour explained. “We’ve got to be better. We were not as good as we need to be… There’s certainly areas we have to clean up, but we’re still right there.”
The Hurricanes will look to clean up those self-inflicted errors, manage the puck with more care, and unlock their top-line offense as they look to even things up before the series shifts locations.
2026-27 Performance Bonus and 35+ Candidates
As NHL front offices gear up for free agency, managing the salary cap demands a delicate balance between risk and reward. While performance bonuses are often linked to elite rookies on entry-level contracts, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) adds two additional avenues for performance-based incentives: injury comeback deals and contracts for 35-year-old or older veterans. These mechanisms enable teams to secure impactful players with low base salary cap hits, effectively deferring financial obligations until later.
If a team ends the fiscal year with earned bonuses exceeding their remaining cap space, the excess funds are carried over into the next league year as a direct salary cap penalty. This can significantly impact teams near the cap limit or heavily relying on LTIR. PuckPedia has detailed the upcoming free agents who qualify for these specialized incentive structures for the 2026-27 season.
To qualify for a performance-bonus-eligible contract via the injury route, a player must have 400 or more career games and have spent 100 or more days on Injured Reserve during the previous season. This structure allows franchises to take low-risk gambles on proven assets, while the financial incentives toward active roster availability and durability rather than pure scoring production.
Six players fit this criteria heading into free agency, including Derek Forbort (VAN), Alexander Kerfoot (UTA) Patrik Laine (MON), Petr Mrazek (ANA), Matt Murray (SEA), and Tomas Nosek (FLA).
For a team looking for top-six offensive upside, a player like Laine could be highly coveted on a bonus-laden deal, while teams seeking goaltending depth or penalty-killing options could turn to turn to Mrazek, Forbort, or Nosek under this low-risk umbrella.
Contracts signed by players who will be 35 or older by July 1 of the contract year are also eligible for performance bonuses on one-year deals. Front offices frequently use these to protect against sudden age-related decline, tying mid-six-figure bonuses to basic longevity milestones—such as reaching 10, 40, or 60 games played—or team-oriented postseason success.
The upcoming free agent class has an extensive group of veteran forwards eligible for this structure, including Jamie Benn (DAL), Evgenii Dadonov (NJD), Nicolas Deslauriers (CAR), Lars Eller (OTT), Nick Foligno (MIN), Claude Giroux (OTT), Luke Glendening (PHI), Erik Haula (NSH), Adam Henrique (EDM), Marcus Johansson (MIN), Patrick Kane (DET), Anders Lee (NYI), Gustav Nyquist (WPG), Alex Ovechkin (WSH), David Perron (OTT), Corey Perry (TBL), Ryan Reaves (SJ), Reilly Smith (VGS), Jonathan Toews (WPG), Garrett Wilson (PHI), James van Riemsdyk (DET), and Mats Zuccarello (MIN).
The blue line also features a robust market of eligible 35+ defensemen who can weaponize these flexible agreements. This group includes Zach Bogosian (MIN), Brent Burns (COL), John Carlson (ANA), Ian Cole (UTA), Radko Gudas (ANA), Travis Hamonic (DET), Nick Jensen (OTT), Nick Leddy (SJ), Jeff Petry (MIN), Luke Schenn (BUF), and Brendan Smith (CBJ).
Contending teams could use performance bonuses to maximize rosters with high-profile franchise icons like Ovechkin, Benn, Giroux, and Kane eligible for a flexible, low-base-salary structure. However, general managers must be cautious. A player hitting a games-played milestone in late March could trigger a cap overage, restricting cap space at the trade deadline or forcing a painful penalty on the 2027-28 books.