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Rangers Sign Juuso Pärssinen To Two-Year Extension

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The Rangers have retained pending restricted free agent forward Juuso Pärssinen on a two-year deal for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 campaigns, per a team announcement. It’s worth a total of $2.5MM with a cap hit of $1.25MM, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Pärssinen, 24, arrived in New York in March when the Blueshirts acquired him from the Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade. It was the young Finn’s second move of the season. He kicked off his third NHL campaign as a member of the Predators, who selected him in the seventh round in 2019, but was sent to Colorado in a minor trade in December after struggling to stay in the lineup.

On the year, the 6’3″, 212-lb pivot posted 6-10–16 with a minus-five rating in 48 appearances across the three clubs. From a points-per-game perspective, that’s a minor improvement on his 2023-24 sophomore slump, in which he was limited to 12 points in 44 games with Nashville. He got his offense going again despite averaging 10:32 per game after averaging north of 14 minutes per night across his first two NHL campaigns.

The fact that he’s no longer waiver-exempt has likely helped his case for staying on NHL rosters, but he had a strong finish to the campaign that likely helped his case for an opening-night job in 2025-26. Considering the Rangers gave him $100K more than the maximum buriable cap hit in the minors, that’s something they’re anticipating. After the move, Pärssinen averaged fewer than 10 minutes per game for New York but scored five points in his final three games of the campaign, adding a plus-one rating with 14 blocks and 17 hits.

Pärssinen does have legitimate offensive upside. In his first NHL showing in 2022-23, he posted a 6-19–25 scoring line in 45 games for the Preds after an early-season call-up from AHL Milwaukee. That’s an 11-goal, 46-point pace over an 82-game campaign. It’s certainly unreasonable to expect him to replicate those numbers if new head coach Mike Sullivan continues deploying him in a fourth-line role, but he can be a useful play-driver deep in the lineup.

By signing now, Pärssinen avoids a bout with RFA status for the second time in as many years. He spent almost the entire offseason unsigned by Nashville in 2024 before coming to terms on a league-minimum deal the week before training camp opened. His deal includes a $1.05MM base salary and a $150K signing bonus in 2025-26 and a base salary of $1.3MM with no bonuses in 2026-27, per PuckPedia. He’ll be one year away from UFA status when his deal expires, and the Rangers will need to tender a $1.3MM qualifying offer to retain his signing rights upon expiry.

The Rangers now have just $8.42MM in cap space for next season with a roster size of 19, per PuckPedia. Without any cap-clearing moves, that will be eaten up quickly by new deals for pending RFAs William Cuylle and K’Andre Miller.

Image courtesy of Brad Penner-Imagn Images.

Lightning Assign Two To AHL

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Following their elimination at the hands of the Panthers on Wednesday, the Lightning have extended the seasons for two of their younger players for at least one more day.  The team announced that defenseman Maxwell Crozier and center Conor Geekie have been assigned to AHL Syracuse.

Crozier’s stint with the big club was short-lived as he was only recalled yesterday to serve as extra depth for the final game of the series.  He only played in five regular season games with Tampa Bay this year after suiting up 13 times (plus three playoff contests) last season for them.  The 25-year-old had 34 points in 52 games with the Crunch this season and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.

As for Geekie, the 20-year-old was a key part of the return for Mikhail Sergachev in the trade with Utah back at the draft.  The 11th overall pick in 2022, Geekie spent most of the year with Tampa Bay but in a fairly limited role as he logged just over 12 minutes a night of ice time while chipping in with eight goals and six assists.  That earned him a midseason assignment to the Crunch where he was much more impactful offensively, tallying 11 goals and nine helpers in 24 games.  Geekie was brought back up late in the year and got into four postseason contests where he had one assist in nearly identical ice time compared to the regular season.

Both players are in uniform tonight for the Crunch against Rochester.  It’s a must-win game for Syracuse as they’re down two games to none in their best-of-five second-round series.

Capitals Recall Mitchell Gibson, Assign Clay Stevenson To AHL

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With the next few days off, the Capitals have made a couple of moves on the goalie front.  The team announced that they’ve recalled Mitchell Gibson from AHL Hershey while assigning Clay Stevenson to the Bears.

Gibson is in his second full professional season and spent the bulk of the year with ECHL South Carolina.  In 14 games with the Stingrays, he played quite well, putting up a 1.75 GAA and a .933 SV% while winning his only start with Hershey.  However, he has played just three times for the Bears over the last two years which might not help his cause heading into restricted free agency this summer.

As for Stevenson, he made his NHL debut in the final game of the regular season but otherwise has played exclusively with the Bears in each of the last two years.  In 33 games with Hershey this season, he posted a 2.94 GAA along with a .888 SV%, numbers that were considerably worse compared to a year ago when those checked in at 2.06 and .922, respectively.

The move will essentially serve as a swap of third-string goaltenders, allowing Stevenson to potentially see game action with Hershey during their second-round series against Lehigh Valley.  Before their series against Carolina gets underway, there’s a good chance this move will be reversed.

Blues Sign Will Cranley To Two-Way Extension

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The Blues re-signed goaltender Will Cranley to a two-way contract for 2025-26, per a team announcement. He’ll make the league minimum of $775K if he’s on the NHL roster with an $85K salary in the minors.

Cranley, 23, was recently up with the Blues as their emergency goaltender for the playoffs. However, he was returned to ECHL Florida on Monday with AHL Springfield starter Colten Ellis recalled in his place following the latter’s elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs.

A sixth-round pick by the Blues in 2020, Cranley was set to be a restricted free agent this summer following the expiry of his entry-level contract. He’s now in his second professional season, spending nearly all of his time in the ECHL. The 6’4″, 185-lb netminder posted a 2.71 GAA, .896 SV%, two shutouts, and an 11-9-3 record in 23 games for the Everblades this season as the backup to the AHL-contracted Cam Johnson.

Cranley enters the offseason with stability for next season, but he’s still fifth out of five signed netminders on the Blues’ depth chart. He’s still young, but he didn’t inspire much confidence in his short recall with Springfield this year, posting a .867 SV% across two appearances. He’s almost certainly destined for ECHL minutes again next season, and without a demonstrable step forward in his performance, a qualifying offer in the summer of 2026 seems unlikely.

Hurricanes Sign Taylor Hall To Three-Year Extension

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5:50 p.m.: According to PuckPedia, Hall’s new extension breaks down as follows:

  • Year 1: $3.5MM salary, full no-movement clause
  • Year 2: $3.425MM salary, full no-movement clause
  • Year 3: $2.575MM salary, full no-movement clause*

* If Hall scores less than 35 points in 2026-27, the full no-movement clause in 2027-28 will convert to a 10-team modified no-trade clause. 

9:02 a.m.: Taylor Hall has agreed to a three-year, $9.5MM extension with the Hurricanes, according to a team announcement. The deal carries a cap hit of $3.167MM and will carry the veteran left-winger through the 2027-28 campaign.

“Taylor has proven to be an outstanding fit for our team, and we are thrilled that he is excited to make Raleigh his home for another three seasons,” general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “He’s been a solid veteran presence in the locker room and a difference maker on the ice.”

Hall has fit well in Carolina since the team acquired him from the Blackhawks in January’s blockbuster three-way deal with the Avalanche. While the 2010 first overall pick isn’t the MVP threat he was in his prime, he’s settled in as a capable middle-six scorer in his twilight years. He scored 9-9–18 in 31 regular-season games after arriving in Raleigh-Durham, a 24-goal, 48-point pace over an 82-game schedule.

While a three-year term may carry some risk for a player who’ll be 36 years old upon expiry, it’s a cost-effective commitment that maintains the Hurricanes’ immense salary cap flexibility next season. Hall’s extension still leaves them with $32.06MM in projected cap space for 2025-26 with just five roster spots to fill, per PuckPedia. With no notable restricted free agents to re-sign, this is a highly team-friendly deal to allow Carolina to retain a reliable middle-six scorer and go big-game hunting in earnest over the summer.

It’s no surprise to see Hall prioritize term over money in extension talks. He’s been traded twice in the past three seasons after signing a four-year, $24MM contract with the Bruins in 2021. After potting 61 points in 81 games for Boston in the first year of the deal, his most since his Hart Trophy campaign with the Devils in 2017-18, he managed 36 points in 61 contests in 2022-23 and was traded to Chicago in a cap-clearing move the following summer. Knee surgery then limited Hall to just 10 appearances for the Hawks in 2023-24 before scoring 24 points in 46 games for Chicago this season, before the move to the Hurricanes.

While he takes a 47% pay cut per year, Hall avoids his first trip to unrestricted free agency in five years the morning after Carolina became the first team to advance to the second round with a come-from-behind double overtime win over the Devils in Game 5. The 6’1″, 210-lb forward had a goal and two assists with a minus-one rating in the series while averaging 15:56 per game.

For the organization, retaining their top pending UFA forward well in advance of the market opening is an important development after seeing their scoring depth gutted by free-agent departures last summer. This time around, Tulsky won’t face the same fate while also having nearly unprecedented flexibility among playoff contenders to add to his roster on the open market.

It’s a deal the Canes and Hall have been working on essentially since his acquisition. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network both said in February that they were discussing an extension.

Image courtesy of David Kirouac-Imagn Images.

Los Angeles Kings Recall Six Black Aces

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As they look to stave off elimination in Game 6, the Los Angeles Kings announced several recalls. According to the announcement, forwards Andre Lee, Francesco Pinelli, Jack Studnicka, Taylor Ward, defenseman Caleb Jones, and netminder Pheonix Copley have been recalled as black aces.

Pinelli is the only player of the group who hasn’t debuted in the NHL yet. Although he has mild NHL experience, Studnicka did not play with the Kings during the regular season.

The remaining four all enjoyed limited playing time with Los Angeles this year. Lee appeared in the most contests, scoring one goal and two assists in 19 games while averaging 9:10 of ice time per game.

Los Angeles likely recalled players solely based on their past NHL experience. They did not promote any of the Reign’s top four point scorers (although Jeff Malott is already on the team) or the top five players with the best +/- ratings.

Still, it’s unlikely any of the six call-ups will play in Game 6 for the Kings. Entering their first elimination game of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tanner Jeannot remains the only injured member on the roster. Without any meaningful injury updates after Game 5, it’s unlikely any of today’s recalls will suit up for the Kings.

Sami Niku Signs Two-Year Deal In Switzerland

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An NHL comeback for free agent defenseman Sami Niku isn’t in the cards, at least for now. He’s signed a two-year deal to remain in Switzerland with National League club Lausanne HC, the club announced.

The 6’1″ lefty was a seventh-round pick of the Jets in 2015, but his hype quickly exceeded his draft pedigree. He came over to North America in 2017 following a pair of strong post-draft seasons with Liiga’s JYP in his native Finland. Niku crashed onto the scene in the minors with the Manitoba Moose, earning AHL Defenseman of the Year and First All-Star honors with a 16-goal, 54-point showing in 76 appearances. He also scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game that year.

Niku’s development stalled out almost immediately, though. He remained on the Jets’ roster for the vast majority of the next three years as a No. 7/8 option but never secured a full-time role amid occasional AHL stints. Niku and the Jets mutually terminated his contract shortly before the 2021-22 season. He caught on with the Canadiens a few days later, but after being buried in AHL Laval for most of the year, wasn’t extended a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent.

The 28-year-old has played in Europe ever since. He first rejoined JYP and, after a strong initial showing in 2022-23, erupted to lead Liiga defensemen with 37 assists and 49 points in 53 games with JYP and Ilves in 2023-24.

Niku jumped to Switzerland last year with EHC Kloten. He had a successful run with a 5-25–30 scoring line and plus-five rating in 52 games, but his stay with the club won’t extend past this season. His offensive performance overseas may warrant another look in NHL minutes, but time is running out for him to make a meaningful return since he’ll be 30 when his deal with Lausanne expires.

Lausanne, coming off back-to-back losses in the National League final, also has former NHLers Dominik Kahun, Janne Kuokkanen, and Antti Suomela on their roster for next season.

Lightning Recall Maxwell Crozier

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The Lightning announced they’ve recalled defenseman Maxwell Crozier from AHL Syracuse ahead of tonight’s must-win Game 5 against the Panthers.

While a single-player recall is eye-popping this time of year, especially after captain Victor Hedman briefly left Monday’s Game 4 loss for repairs, Tampa doesn’t anticipate having any injuries that require inserting Crozier into the lineup. Head coach Jon Cooper said Hedman’s (and banged-up center Anthony Cirelli’s) health “is status quo,” and they’re both in tonight as they try to avoid losing to Florida in five games in the first round in back-to-back years (via the team’s Benjamin Pierce).

Instead, Crozier’s inclusion on the roster comes as simple insurance with Syracuse on the brink of elimination in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Tampa has dressed seven defensemen for the majority of the series, leaving them without any press box options.

The 25-year-old got just five games of NHL action this season, averaging 16:41 per game with six blocks and 11 hits across a January call-up. In the slim chance he’s needed, it wouldn’t be his first Stanley Cup rodeo. The Calgary native drew into three of the Lightning’s five contests against the Panthers last year, posting a minus-one rating in bottom-pairing minutes.

A pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Crozier finished second among Syracuse defensemen in scoring and fourth overall on the team this season with a 9-25–34 line in 52 games. His +16 rating led the team. A 2019 fourth-round pick, he’s posted good numbers from the get-go in Syracuse after turning pro out of Providence College in 2023 and has likely worked his way into consideration for an opening night roster spot in Tampa next fall if he re-signs.

Toronto Maple Leafs Recall Fourteen Black Aces

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Now that the AHL’s Toronto Marlies season has ended at the hands of the Cleveland Monsters, the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to recall several players for their playoff run. As announced by the team, the recalled players are as follows:

F Nicholas Abruzzese
D Matt Benning
G Dennis Hildeby
F Roni Hirvonen
F Reese Johnson
D Mikko Kokkonen
G Matt Murray
F Alexander Nylander
D Topi Niemelä
F Jacob Quillan
D Marshall Rifai
F Alex Steeves
D William Villeneuve
D Cade Webber

There will certainly be a concrete pecking order should the Maple Leafs fall into any injury trouble during their postseason run. Steeves, Nylander, and Abruzzese should get the call for forwards, while Villeneuve and Murray will lead their respective positions.

Steeves recently recorded the first point-per-game season of his career. Leading all Marlies players, Steeves scored 36 goals and 62 points in 59 contests.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve set the scoring pace from the blue line. In an increase of magnitude from his previous two years with the club, Villeneuve recorded four goals and 40 points in 55 games with a +12 rating.

Hopefully, for Toronto’s sake, they won’t need any of the 14 call-ups to play, especially as they look to close out the Ottawa Senators this evening. Still, considering the numerous injuries they dealt with during the regular season, the Maple Leafs could rely on one or a few of these players to make their mark on the 2025 postseason.

Utah Signs Jaxson Stauber To Two-Year, Two-Way Extension

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Pending Group VI unrestricted free agent goaltender Jaxson Stauber has inked a two-year, two-way extension to keep him in Utah through the 2026-27 campaign, the team announced (X link). If Stauber is in the NHL, the contract will carry the league minimum cap hit of $775K, Belle Fraser of the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Since Stauber is a likely candidate to land on waivers to begin next season, his signing doesn’t impact Utah’s salary cap projection for 2025-26 at present. 2024-25 was Stauber’s last year of waiver-exempt status. He becomes the 35th player under contract with the Club for next year.

Stauber, fresh off his 26th birthday, spent the season as Utah’s No. 3 in the net after getting non-tendered by the Blackhawks last summer. He inked a two-way deal with an $80K AHL salary and $100K guarantee in the first week of free agency last summer and, while he didn’t make the opening night roster, spent a solid chunk of the season up with the NHL team as Karel Vejmelka’s backup with Connor Ingram missing significant time due to injury and an active stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Across his four starts and two relief appearances with Utah this year, the 6’3″ netminder posted a 2-1-1 record, .892 SV%, and a 3.26 GAA. It was his second season of NHL experience after starting six games for Chicago in 2022-23. He recorded his first NHL shutout in his season debut against the Golden Knights on Nov. 30 with a 29-save performance.

The Minnesota still primarily played with AHL Tucson this season. He backstopped the Roadrunners to a 12-7-2 record in 21 appearances with a .897 SV% and 3.14 GAA. He started two of Tucson’s three games in their first-round loss to Abbotsford, humming with a .935 SV% and 2.61 GAA.

Stauber will be eligible to test standard unrestricted free agency upon expiry.

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