All articles tagged with #defenseman
Barry Petchesky argues that Brett Kulak is the stay-at-home, reliable second-pairing defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, acquired via trades and valued for steady defense over flashy offense; his understated presence keeps Colorado balanced, with a nod to the idea that if he ever delivers clutch overtime or series-clinching goals, it could swing the playoffs.
With the March 6 trade deadline near, the Washington Capitals reportedly plan to move on from veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, potentially paving the way for top prospect Cole Hutson to join the NHL roster as soon as mid-March; Hutson could arrive from Boston University to bolster the defense, while TVR’s $3 million cap hit and looming free agency factor into the decision.
The New York Rangers are nearing a trade to send defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders, with terms still being finalized and Soucy likely held out for roster management ahead of a game vs. Boston. The 6-foot-4 left-shot defender owns a $3.25 million cap hit and was acquired from Vancouver at the 2025 deadline; the Rangers are retooling after a disappointing season, while the Islanders—third in the Metro—would gain a left-side blueliner while Alexander Romanov recovers from shoulder surgery.
Seth Jones has been a standout defenseman for the Florida Panthers this season, leading to speculation about his potential to make the U.S. Olympic hockey team for Milano Cortina 2026, especially given his strong playoff performance and current form.
The Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year, $12.5 million contract, keeping him through the 2026-27 season. Byram, 24, had a standout 2024-25 season with career highs in several categories and played a key role in the team's success, especially in his pairing with Rasmus Dahlin. Originally drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche, Byram was acquired by the Sabres in March 2024 and has since contributed significantly to the team.
The Colorado Avalanche signed veteran defenseman Brent Burns, a former Norris Trophy winner, to a one-year, $1 million contract with up to $3 million in bonuses, adding size and experience to their defense core for the upcoming NHL season.
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired defenseman K'Andre Miller from the New York Rangers in exchange for a conditional first-round pick, a second-round pick in 2026, and defenseman Scott Morrow, signing Miller to an eight-year, $7.5 million AAV contract, aiming to strengthen their defense for the upcoming seasons.
Alexander Romanov signed an eight-year contract with the New York Islanders, after a season where he contributed significantly in defense and was acquired from the Canadiens in 2022, with the Islanders also making recent trades including sending Noah Dobson to Montreal.
Noah Dobson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, forming a strong defensive duo with Lane Hutson, and is expected to boost the team's defense and power play with his speed and shooting ability, potentially helping the Canadiens improve in the Eastern Conference.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected defenseman Jackson Smith with the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, recognizing his size, mobility, and offensive potential, and he is expected to develop further through upcoming development camps and college hockey at Penn State.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Czech defenseman Radim Mrtka with the 9th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, highlighting his impressive size, skating, and offensive potential, with expectations of him becoming a reliable top-four defenseman.
The New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer as the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, recognizing his potential as a future star and franchise face despite limited recent game experience due to injury. Schaefer is highly regarded for his skating, offensive skills, and competitive nature, and is projected to become a top NHL defenseman.
Michael Kesselring was traded to the Buffalo Sabres and learned about the move at midnight, expressing excitement for the opportunity to play a larger role and develop his game alongside stars like Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin. He highlighted his defensive skills, physicality, and experience from international play, including winning a gold medal with Team USA, and shared his enthusiasm for reuniting with former teammates and contributing to the Sabres' future.
The Boston Bruins signed Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000, with a strong recent performance in the Swedish Hockey League and previous NHL and AHL experience.
The Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Victor Soderstrom from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick and prospect Ryan Mast, aiming to bolster their right-shot defense corps, which has been an area of need.