Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th year goalie Cayden Primeau(30) gets re-upped for a nice 3-year NHL contract worth $890,000 AAV as a restricted free agent, possibly after a solid Calder Cup playoff run by affiliate Laval Rocket, where he posted a 9-5 record with a 2.17 GAA and .936 SV%.
The 6’3″ 203 lbs. net minder started a career high 12 games, but didn’t get the results he was looking for, by a mile.
A former 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#199 overall), he did 2 stellar seasons at Northeastern University Huskies before turning pro.
Almost oddball, he did 1 season at tier 3 junior hockey EHL for Philadelphia Revolution before getting selected in the next frame.
The 23-year old, son of former bruiser Keith Primeau of 909 games played, 1541 penalty minutes, is likely looking to get the nod as starter, if he can earn it.
After 6 years in one system, the unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year deal with Carolina Hurricanes for 2025/2026.
Then he gets waived from training camp and scooped up by Toronto Maple Leafs, which is a bit of a thinker.
After 1 unsuccessful start, he is put on waivers again and Carolina Hurricanes step back in to claim him.
University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ freshman center Cole McKinney(11) already has 3 goals and 4 assists in 10 games this season.
The 6′ 201 lbs. forward was more than a point-per-game scorer through his 2nd USNTDP season and did the same coming up with the Chicago Mission program.
From Chicago, IL, the 18-year old found himself to be a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2025 NHL draft (#53 overall).
Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2021 draft (#98 overall), center Josh Lopina(18) picked up his 3-year NHL entry level deal upon deciding to leave UMass Minutemen after a college career sophomore season, scoring 12 goals and 15 assists in 27 games with a +21 rating.
He had equally stellar numbers as a freshmen, when they went on to win the 2021 NCAA Division 1 National Championship.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward twice put up 12 goals with Lincoln Stars in a pair of USHL sessions.
He managed to grab an assist in his AHL debut with affiliate San Diego Gulls and be credited with 2 shots on net and a +1 rating.
The 21-year old looks ready to step into his new lifestyle.
After 3 years in the same place, he moves on to sign with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2025/2026.
He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 ECHL games, where we think he notches points really well.
University Of Massachusetts Minutemen sophomore, left wing Taylor Makar(6) is starting to pop scoring with 7 goals and 2 assists in 19 games.
The fairly sizable 6’4″ 209 lbs. forward was a Colorado Avalanche 7th round pick in the 2021 draft (#220 overall), which could very well put him on the same team as his Stanley Cup winning, NHL Best Defenseman brother, Cale Makar.
He has yet to prove he has the same depth, but did take his scoring up in his 3rd season with AJHL junior team, Brooks Bandits before getting selected.
The Calgary, AB native is big and looks to be starting to use his size to his advantage, which will definitely create room for him to score.
For his senior year, he decides to head off to Hockey East rival, University Of Maine Black Bears for 2024/2025 and he’s off to a huge start with 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games.
There’s little doubt he will post some college hockey bests, but 18 goals and 12 assists in 38 games with a +24 rating and he is ready to sign and does on a 1-year NHL deal.
He reports to affiliate Colorado Eagles on an ato to get things started.
Starting the season in the AHL, he skates 10 games, scoring 1 goal and 3 assists with a +4 rating to score a 1st appearance in the big league.
He skates just 8 shifts for 6:07 ice time in a 3-2 overtime loss.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ graduate center Chris Jandric(7) signs for his 2nd pro season with ERC Ingolstadt 2025/2026 after a 40 assist season as a rookie with a +23 rating.
Then the 5’11” 180 lbs. forward scored another 13 points in 21 games to capture the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship.
He had a college best scoring 29 assists last year.
From Prince George, BC, we look for the 27-year old to continue to do well.
Boston University Terriers‘ freshman Jack Murtagh(19) is off to a nice start with 2 goals and 3 assists in 9 games to start his college career.
The 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward was basically a point-per-game player in his 2nd year at USNTDP.
From East Greenbush, NY, the 21-year old was selected by Philadelphia Flyers in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft (#40 overall).
5th year center Troy Josephs(16) signs on for a 2nd season with HC Lugano, continuing his climb up Swiss Hockey leagues.
He skated for EHC Visp of the tier 2 SL, when arriving from North America.
The 6′ 194 lbs. was originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th round pick in the 2013 draft (#209 overall), but only signed an AHL deal with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
He was two years in the system, but mostly reassigned down to Wheeling Nailers, where he exploded on the scoresheet as a more than point-per-game player and eventually just signed an ECHL contract.
There’s little doubt the 27-year, former 4-year Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ old found his footing immediately overseas and will continue to do so, as he climbs.
He would end up a 2nd full session with the NL club, putting up 5 goals and 15 assists that he will take to a new, bold opportunity, signing a 1-year deal with Lada Togliatti of the KHL.
Doing best in his first run at Russian hockey, he scores 20 goals, but is fairly consistent as he travels between a couple of teams and for 2025/2026 will head to a 3rd, signing with HK Sochi.
After 10 games with 2 assists, not sure what has occurred, but he becomes available to Shanghai Dragons to sign for the term.
UMASS Minutemen sophomore defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce(23) was picked up by Colorado Avalanche in the 3rd round of the 2025 draft (#77 overall) after putting up 7 goals and 17 assists in 40 games as a freshman with a +18 rating.
The 6’1″ 181 lbs. blue liner only did 1 BCHL year before college.
From Toronto, ON, the 20-year old seemed to play onto the team who selected him’s radar.
Notre Dame University Fighting Irish senior captain Nick Leivermann(4) was originally selected by Colorado Avalanche in the 7th round of the 2017 draft (#178 overall), but went unsigned upon completing his graduate frame with a 3rd 10+ assist season (21 as a senior).
He turns pro and signs a 1-year AHL deal with last year’s Calder Cup Champion, Hershey Bears for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner from Eden Praire, MN did only 1 BCHL season with Penticton Vees before heading to school.
At 24-years old, he’s likely gunning to get going.
After a solid rookie frame, scoring 3 goals and 13 assists in 37 games with a +5 rating is an easy re-sign to stay a Bears for 2025/2026.
University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ sophomore center William Horcoff(44) left his 2nd USNTDP season to join his college commit team and scored 4 goals and 6 assists in 18 games.
In his 2nd year, the 6’5″ 203 lbs. forward has 6 goals and 4 assists in 7 games.
He also became a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 1st round pick in the 2025 draft (#24 overall).
From Birmingham, MI, the 18-year old will see how long he school stays.
