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  • Heading back to Czechia
    Smejkal signed a five-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of Czechia on Thursday.

    Advice: Smejkal picked up one goal and one assist over 20 NHL games with the Senators as well as 22 points in 47 contests with AHL Belleville in 2023-24. The 27-year-old winger signed an entry-level deal with Ottawa last May, but he was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer before signing this deal to head back to his home country. Rotowire.com Thursday, 3:02 pm
     
  • Agrees to one-year deal
    Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kakko was set to become a restricted free agent in July after completing his two-year, $4.2 million contract. He struggled in 2023-24, recording just 13 goals and 19 points across 61 regular-season contests after setting career highs with 18 goals and 40 points in 82 regular-season outings in 2022-23. The 23-year-old can't be counted out, but he certainly hasn't lived up to his potential after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Look for him to open next season as a part of the Rangers' middle six. Rotowire.com Thursday, 12:08 pm
     
  • Inks three-year contract
    Chatfield signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Hurricanes on Thursday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

    Advice: Chatfield had eight goals, 22 points, a plus-15 rating, 24 PIM, 58 hits and 66 blocks in 72 regular-season outings with Carolina in 2023-24. The 28-year-old was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July after completing his two-year, $1.525 million deal, but he'll stick with the Hurricanes instead. Although he averaged just 14:48 of ice time across his first 48 regular-season appearances in the recent campaign, that ticked up to 17:09 over his latest 37 regular-season and playoff contests. It would not be surprising to see that increased role carry into 2024-25. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:03 am
     
  • Signs new deal
    Crookshank signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

    Advice: Crookshank made his NHL debut in 2023-24, picking up three points, 20 shots on net, 20 hits and a minus-3 rating over 13 appearances. He also had 46 points in 50 contests with AHL Belleville. Crookshank will likely spend some time in the minors in 2024-25, but he may be ready to push for a larger role at the NHL level. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 4:04 pm
     
  • Hits unconditional waivers
    Todd was placed on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of contract termination, per CapFriendly.

    Advice: Todd generated 19 goals and 55 points in 69 regular-season contests for AHL San Jose during the 2023-24 campaign. The 28-year-old forward doesn't have any NHL experience yet. Per Max Miller of The Hockey News, Todd intends to sign in Russia for the 2024-25 season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:29 pm
     
  • Inks one-year deal
    Ellis agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with St. Louis on Tuesday.

    Advice: Ellis split his time between the AHL and ECHL this season, logging 16 games for AHL Springfield in which he posted a 7-9-0 record and .924 save percentage while also going 12-5-2 for ECHL Orlando. Selected by the Blues in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, the Nova Scotia native shouldn't be expected to make his NHL debut anytime soon but could push for a more prominent role with the AHL Thunderbirds. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 8:04 am
     
  • Ejected from Game 2
    Foegele was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct in Game 2 versus the Panthers on Monday.

    Advice: Foegele was dismissed from the game due to his knee-on-knee hit against Eetu Luostarinen, who did eventually return to the game. For his part, the 28-year-old Foegele was limited to just 1:54 of ice time due to his ejection, which extended his 16-game goal drought. Since he was given a game misconduct, it seems unlikely the winger will receive any additional discipline, and he should be an option for Game 3 on Thursday. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 6:49 am
     
  • Notches two helpers in win
    Lundell registered a pair of primary assists in Monday's 4-1 win versus Edmonton in Game 2.

    Advice: Lundell had an even-strength assist on Niko Mikkola's second-period tally before adding the primary helper on Evan Rodrigues' power-play goal in the final frame. Lundell added one shot, one block, two hits and a plus-1 rating in 16:02 of ice time. The 22-year-old moved into fourth on the team in postseason scoring after his two-point effort Monday. The middle-six center has 14 points (three goals) and a plus-8 rating through 19 postseason appearances. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 2:15 am
     
  • Deposits empty-netter
    Luostarinen scored an empty-net goal and added two hits in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Oilers in Game 1.

    Advice: Luostarinen has a goal and two assists over his last three games after finishing Saturday's win with an empty-netter. The 25-year-old forward continues to play on the Panthers' third line, so his scoring chances will likely remain limited. He's picked up a decent seven points with 24 shots on net, 53 hits, 20 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 18 playoff contests in that supporting role. Rotowire.com Saturday, 8:46 pm