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Kings Sign Jared Woolley To Entry-Level Contract

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The Kings announced that they have signed defenseman Jared Woolley to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning next season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Woolley, 19, was a sixth-round pick by the Kings (No. 164 overall) last summer. The 6’5″, 207-lb lefty has spent the past two seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, where he won a league championship as a rookie in 2023-24.

A two-way defender by trade, Woolley had a coming-out party this year. After playing a limited role on last year’s London squad, he saw expanded minutes this year and rose to the occasion. He posted a respectable 9-19–28 scoring line in 68 games, and his +49 rating ranked third on the club. He also racked up 75 PIMs.

He didn’t check in at all when Scott Wheeler of The Athletic ranked the Kings’ prospect pool earlier this year, so it’s safe to say public scouts remain conservative on NHL expectations for Woolley. Nonetheless, the Kings liked his season enough to get a deal done now and avoid potentially running out the clock on his signing rights, which were set to expire in June 2026.

Woolley’s deal is eligible for a one-year entry-level slide. Assuming he plays fewer than 10 NHL games next season, overwhelmingly the likeliest scenario, his deal will defer to the 2026-27 campaign and run through 2028-29. He’ll still be paid any signing bonuses owed to him for the 2025-26 campaign, lowering the cap hit of his deal slightly when it does go into effect. He’s too young for a full-time AHL assignment next year and will undoubtedly return to London for a third OHL season. If that’s the outcome, he won’t count against L.A.’s 50-contract limit.

Lightning Recall Cam Atkinson, Reassign Brandon Halverson

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According to a team announcement, the Lightning have recalled veteran forward Cam Atkinson from AHL Syracuse. The club has reassigned goaltender Brandon Halverson to Syracuse to stay under the salary cap. He was no longer needed on the roster after usual backup Jonas Johansson returned from a two-game personal leave for last night’s win over the Penguins. Their active roster remains at 22.

Atkinson, 35, is a two-time 30-goal scorer and veteran of 13 NHL seasons who joined the Lightning on a one-year deal last summer following a buyout by the Flyers. The forward’s time in Tampa has been inconsequential, posting 4-5–9 through 38 games while averaging just 8:47 per game. He hasn’t appeared in more than eight consecutive games for the Bolts this year and has only suited up three times since the 4 Nations Face-Off.

That tough showing led him to land on waivers for the first time in his career earlier this month, opening up some cap flexibility for Tampa ahead of the trade deadline. They’ve taken advantage of it, sending him down to Syracuse twice, but those assignments have purely been for salary cap management purposes. He hasn’t suited up for the Crunch, and it’s unlikely he will if he returns to them later this year.

Atkinson hasn’t dressed since March 13, when he scored a goal against Philly. He has three points in his last four games dating back to Feb. 9, so at least over the past couple of months, he’s been a good depth scoring option when inserted into the lineup. Tampa’s frequently dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen in recent games, but after Erik Černák left last night’s game with an undisclosed injury, they may need to go back to the routine 12-6 lineup tomorrow against Utah. That could mean Atkinson’s return to the lineup – or Mitchell Chaffee, who’s been scratched six times in the last eight games. Either way, Atkinson’s recall guarantees they’ll have 12 forwards available if one sustains a last-minute injury before tomorrow’s game.

Halverson made his Tampa debut on this most recent recall, making his first career NHL start against Utah last Saturday. It didn’t go very well for the 28-year-old farmhand, who surrendered five goals on 24 shots for a .792 SV% in a 6-2 loss (Utah’s last goal was an empty-netter). Initially a second-round pick by the Rangers back in 2014, his lone previous NHL appearance came in relief of Henrik Lundqvist in February 2018.

The Michigan native has been strong at the minor-league level this year, though, posting a .913 SV% and 2.32 GAA with four shutouts in 34 games for Syracuse. While he began the year on a minor-league deal, that showing earned him an NHL contract from Tampa early last month. He’s been recalled a couple of times since then amid periods of unavailability from Johansson, who has a 7-5-2 record and .896 SV% in 15 appearances this season. His deal was for two years, so he’ll be back with the team as organizational depth next season.

Stars Sign Trey Taylor To Entry-Level Deal

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The Stars signed left-shot defenseman Trey Taylor to a two-year entry-level contract earlier this week, per a team release. The deal begins next season, but he’ll finish out 2024-25 on a tryout with AHL Texas. His contract carries a cap hit of $975K and includes a base salary of $877.5K, a signing bonus of $97.5K, and a minors salary of $85K each season, according to PuckPedia.

Taylor turns pro after recently completing his junior season at Clarkson University, where he was teammates with recently-signed Dallas prospect Ayrton Martino. Unlike Martino, Taylor wasn’t already in the Stars’ system. Undrafted after initially becoming eligible for selection in 2020, the 6’2″ lefty didn’t even touch college hockey until what would have been his DY+3 season. After spending time in high-level juniors with the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League and the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League, the B.C. native jumped to Clarkson for the 2022-23 campaign.

After not making much of an impression in a depth role in his freshman year, Taylor impressed in expanded usage in 2023-24. He put together a dominant two-way performance for Clarkson, posting 4-13–17 in 35 games while adding a +20 rating that earned him ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman honors. This season, Taylor improved offensively with a 9-20–29 scoring line in 39 games while serving as an alternate captain, repeating his performance as the conference’s best shutdown defenseman as well.

A sound collegiate performance should allow him to step in as an impact defender at the AHL level somewhat seamlessly. The road ahead to NHL minutes on the Stars’ blue line is less clear, especially on a team with Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell, and Lian Bichsel penciled in as its top three left-side defenders for years to come, so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets reps on his off side in Texas. He’ll be under contract through 2026-27, after which he’ll be a restricted free agent.

Red Wings Recall Sebastian Cossa, Petr Mrazek And Cam Talbot Out

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The Detroit Red Wings have recalled top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa under emergency conditions. Detroit is currently dealing with a mix of unavailability and injury in their goaltending room. Petr Mrazek sustained an undisclosed injury just two minutes into the team’s Monday win over Utah, after catching the stick of Dylan Guenther in a netfront collision. Backup Alex Lyon took over for Mrazek and led Detroit to a 5-1 victory. Lyon will have to man the starter’s net for a second night in a row on Tuesday, with Cam Talbot also out of the lineup for undisclosed reasons, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. Talbot has only played four games in the month of March, and just one in the last week.

With Mrazek and Talbot on the shelf, Cossa will receive his first NHL call-up since December. He made his NHL debut in relief of Talbot on his last recall, and managed to lead Detroit to a shootout victory in 45 minutes of ice time. Cossa was returned to the minors in the days after, where he’s been up to his usual antics. He has a 19-11-5 record and .913 save percentage through 35 games on the year and is in firm control of the Grand Rapids Grffins’ starting role. This now marks the fourth consecutive season that Cossa has posted a .913 save percentage. Dating back to his 2021-22 season, Cossa has managed the exact same mark through 46 WHL games, 46 ECHL games, 40 AHL games last year, and now 35 games this year. The performances have been shockingly unwavering through the start of his pro career.

Detroit will be able to hold onto Cossa for 30 days or 10 games before his emergency recall expires. With a full house in the goaltending room, it’s hard to picture Detroit hanging onto their minor-league starter for too long – especially as the Griffins pursue a playoff chase of their own. Mrazek has managed a team-leading .902 save percentage in five games since joining Detroit at the Trade Deadline. Lyon is closely challenging that title, though – with a .944 on Monday bringing his year-long save percentage up to a .901. While Cossa seems like a surefire bet to post a .913 wherever he goes, Detroit might find more comfort in sticking with their vets through the end of the year. The Red Wings are currently three points behind an Eastern Conference Wild Card, down a game.

Sabres Sign Tyler Kopff To Entry-Level Deal

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The Sabres have signed forward Tyler Kopff to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2025-26 season, per a club announcement. He’ll finish out the season on a tryout with AHL Rochester. Per PuckPedia, his deal carries a cap hit of $975K and breaks down as a $877.5K salary with a $97.5K signing bonus each season.

Kopff, 21, is an undrafted free agent coming off his sophomore season at Brown University. The New Jersey native was first eligible for the 2021 draft but spent the year in the state high school system and was far too down the competition ladder to warrant a selection.

He’s produced well everywhere he’s gone since then, though. He jumped to junior ’A’ hockey for his age-18 and age-19 seasons in British Columbia with the Coquitlam Express, posting 42-51–93 in 107 BCHL games over two seasons. Over two years at Brown, he’s added 15-31–46 in 62 games.

He thus leaves college early to turn pro in the Sabres organization, a decision undoubtedly influenced by his 6’4″, 205-lb frame that should make adjusting to the AHL level an easier task. He’s likely not ticketed for an NHL call-up anytime soon, but he gives Buffalo another project for Rochester who should be able to step in immediately as a depth scorer with size.

His deal will expire in the 2027 offseason, making him a restricted free agent. Buffalo now has 26 deals on the books for 2025-26.

Blue Jackets Sign Jack Williams To Entry-Level Contract

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The Blue Jackets have signed undrafted free agent center Jack Williams to a two-year entry-level contract beginning immediately, the team announced today. Williams will report directly to Columbus for the remainder of the regular season, but since he wasn’t on the Blue Jackets’ reserve list at the trade deadline, he isn’t eligible to suit up in the playoffs if Columbus makes the cut.

Per PuckPedia, the deal carries a cap hit of $923,750 and breaks down as follows:

2024-25: $877.5K prorated base salary, $97.5K signing bonus, $85K prorated minors salary
2025-26: $775K prorated base salary, $97.5K signing bonus, $102.5K games played bonus, $85K minors salary

Williams, 23, is coming off his junior season at Northeastern. The Jackets had been in contact with his camp for a few days but weren’t considered favorites for his services, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. Offering him an ELC that begins immediately – meaning he’ll land a signing bonus today instead of on July 1 – likely helped their cause.

A captain for the Huskies this season, Williams led the club with 16-25–41 in 37 games. The school’s two leading scorers, himself and Sharks prospect Cameron Lund, have now both signed ELCs that begin with immediate effect. Called a “skilled, hard-working player with a passion for the game” by Columbus general manager Don Waddell, Williams leaves Northeastern after posting 39-55–94 with a +11 rating in 106 career collegiate matchups. He was a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award in both 2024 and 2025.

He’ll now jump into a Blue Jackets organization that’s turned a longstanding weakness down the middle into a strength, now boasting a resurgent Sean Monahan with the rapidly developing Adam Fantilli right behind him. He likely won’t have many playing opportunities as they remain with a legitimate shot at climbing back into playoff position, but if they’re eliminated from contention with a couple of games left, Williams could get a chance to debut.

In all likelihood, Williams will be destined for development time with AHL Cleveland next year. He’ll need at least a semi-intriguing performance at that level to earn a qualifying offer from the Jackets in the summer of 2026 upon reaching restricted free agency.

Golden Knights Expected To Activate Shea Theodore, Raphael Lavoie

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The Golden Knights are expected to activate defenseman Shea Theodore from long-term injured reserve, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. They’ve also removed forward Raphael Lavoie from injured reserve, Webster relays from the league’s media site, but he’s not on the roster, indicating he’s been reassigned to AHL Henderson. Vegas wasn’t using Theodore’s LTIR relief to stay cap-compliant, so they could activate him without an additional cap-clearing move.

Theodore will be a game-time decision for tonight’s road matchup against the Wild as a result, head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters, including Jessi Pierce of NHL.com. The 29-year-old has been out since sustaining an arm injury while suiting up for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The 10-year veteran is amid another spectacular offensive campaign. After starting the year with three multi-point efforts in his first six appearances, he put pen to paper on a seven-year, $51.975MM extension to keep him in Vegas for what could be the rest of his career. He went onto post 48 points in 55 games until the 4 Nations break, during which he injured his right arm on a hit from Swedish winger Adrian Kempe in the Canadians’ first round-robin game.

While injuries have taken a huge bite out of Theodore’s availability for the third season in a row, he remains one of the league’s premier point producers from the blue line. Since the 2019-20 season, Theodore’s 271 points rank 11th among defensemen, while his 0.75 points per game rank ninth among rearguards with at least 100 games played. The Golden Knights hope he can continue at this season’s 71-point pace upon his return, helping soften the blow of losing star center Tomáš Hertl to a shoulder injury for at least their next three games after he didn’t travel with the team, Webster relayed yesterday.

Theodore presumably returns to his usual spot, playing his offside with lefty Brayden McNabb on the team’s second pairing. The duo, who have been regular partners since the 2021-22 season, have controlled 52.7% of expected goals this season while outscoring opponents 25-21 at 5v5, per MoneyPuck. 24-year-old Kaedan Korczak will likely head to the press box after playing a regular role in Theodore’s absence, posting five assists and a plus-four rating in 13 games coming out of the 4 Nations break.

Lavoie presumably heads to the farm after being held out of the lineup since March 5 with an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old narrowly remains waiver-exempt, playing just nine NHL games this season and remaining on the active roster for under 30 cumulative days thanks to a series of paper transactions. The ex-Oilers prospect hopped between Edmonton and Vegas three times on the waiver wire in October before finally settling down with the Knights organization.

He hasn’t made an impact in the NHL lineup when dressed, averaging 10:05 per game and posting a minus-four rating without registering a point. He remains pointless across 16 career big league appearances, but he does have 13-8–21 in 32 showings for Henderson this year.

Sharks Sign Noah Beck

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The Sharks announced today that they’ve signed defenseman Noah Beck to a one-year, entry-level contract starting for the 2025-26 season. Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal said yesterday the signing was likely to happen. Per PuckPedia, Beck’s deal carries a $975K cap hit and breaks down to a $877.5K NHL salary, a $97.5K signing bonus, and an $85K minors salary. He’ll join AHL San Jose on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season.

Beck, 24, spent four years with Clarkson before transferring to Arizona State last summer for his fifth and final collegiate seasons. The decision paid dividends, as Beck posted a career-high 33 points (5 G, 28 A) on the upstart Sun Devils to lead their blue line in scoring. That was enough to get him selected to the All-NCHC Second Team as Arizona State narrowly missed out on a berth in the national tournament.

The 6’3″ lefty was quite inconsistent over the bulk of his collegiate career with Clarkson. While he combined for just 4-7–11 in 50 games during his freshman and senior seasons, he led their rearguards in scoring in his sophomore and junior campaigns with showings of 22 and 23 points, respectively. He was named to the ECAC’s All-Academic Team in those two strong showings. He ends his NCAA career with 20-69–89 in 161 games with a +10 rating.

That inconsistency at Clarkson was enough to scare off the Blues, who selected Beck in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, from giving him an ELC. His exclusive signing rights expired on Aug. 15 last year, making him an unrestricted free agent and free for any team to sign.

On the older end of the prospect scale, Beck doesn’t have a clear pathway to NHL minutes in arguably the league’s deepest pool. With emerging lefties like Luca Cagnoni, Sam Dickinson, and Leo Sahlin Wallenius ahead of him on the Sharks’ depth chart, he’s likely destined for a full-time AHL role and doesn’t project as much more than a replacement-level defender at his peak.

Beck will be a restricted free agent in 2026. The Sharks now have 28 contracts signed for next season.

Avalanche Recall Jacob MacDonald

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The Avalanche announced that defenseman Jacob MacDonald has been recalled from AHL Colorado. Their roster size is now 25, and his recall presumably comes under emergency conditions, with Samuel Girard, Erik Johnson and Josh Manson all not expected to play tonight against the Red Wings because of injury.

MacDonald will kick off his second NHL stint with the Avs, assuming he enters the lineup. An undrafted free agent signed by the Panthers in 2018, he was flipped to Colorado the following summer and spent nearly four years in the Avalanche organization. A dual-threat defenseman and left-winger, he was traded to the Sharks midway through the 2022-23 campaign but returned to the Centennial State on a two-year deal last summer.

The 32-year-old Portland, Oregon, native has been spectacular on the Eagles’ blue line this season. He’s posted 27 goals through 55 games – three short of the record set by John Slaney for goals by a defenseman in an AHL season. The recall certainly hurts his hopes of tying or breaking that record, but he should have a few games left to do it, assuming Girard’s and Johnson’s injuries remain short-lived. He’s added 23 assists for 50 points with a +19 rating, leading the Eagles in scoring.

MacDonald previously scored 1-10–11 in 74 NHL games for Colorado from 2020-21 to 2022-23, along with a +10 rating while averaging 11:37 per game. He shouldn’t expect more minutes than that tonight, as he’ll likely replace Johnson in a third-pairing role alongside little-used Keaton Middleton.

MacDonald will presumably be returned to the AHL once one of the Avs’ injured rearguards is ready to return to the lineup. The Cornell product is on a two-way deal that pays him a $525K salary in the minors. He’ll remain in the organization next year, after which he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.

Devils Sign Ethan Edwards To Entry-Level Contract

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March 25: The Devils announced today they’ve signed Edwards to a two-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2025-26 season. They confirmed he’ll report to Utica for the remainder of the current year.

March 23: Devils prospect Ethan Edwards’ time in college is over. The University of Michigan product won’t be going to the national tournament in his senior year, so he’ll instead be joining New Jersey’s AHL affiliate in Utica for the rest of the 2024-25 season, Ben Birnell of the Utica-Rome Daily Sentinel reports. Whether that’s on an AHL tryout or an NHL contract remains to be seen – an important distinction, given Edwards’ signing rights will expire on Aug. 15 if the Devils don’t get him signed to an entry-level deal by then.

The 22-year-old defender was a fourth-round pick by the Devils (No. 120 overall) back in 2020 out of the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The 5’10” lefty jumped south of the border to USHL Sioux City for his post-draft season before jumping on with the Wolverines for 2021-22. Since then, the two-way Edwards has slowly seen his game flourish. Michigan’s top rearguard this season after the departure of fellow Devil Seamus Casey, he took the increased ice time in stride. Edwards’ five goals, 16 assists and 21 points in 36 games this year were all career highs, but his minus-two rating was evidence of the team’s overall regression as Michigan missed out on the nationals for the first time since 2021.

After finishing fourth on the Wolverines in scoring, Edwards will take his talents eastward. He’s an intriguing name in what’s still a rather deep prospect pool on defense in New Jersey, checking in at No. 12 in Scott Wheeler of The Athletic’s 2025 organizational rankings. It’ll likely be a while before he sees an NHL call-up – assuming his AHL stint turns into an ELC with the Devils if he doesn’t sign one now. He’s got enough of a wide-ranging toolbox to make him a valuable depth piece in New Jersey’s lineup if his smaller stature doesn’t become a limiting factor.

If the Devils sign Edwards to an ELC beginning next season, they’ll have 33 of the maximum 50 contracts on the books.

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