Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey

  • Rights moved in Mikheyev trade
    Lafferty's negotiating rights, along with Ilya Mikheyev and a second-round pick in 2027, were traded from the Canucks to the Blackhawks for a fourth-round pick in 2027 on Wednesday, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Lafferty had not agreed to a contract at the time of the trade, but the Blackhawks will have until Sunday night to negotiate with him exclusively before free agency opens Monday. If he signs with Chicago, this would be Lafferty's second stint with the team. He earned 32 points over 97 contests across parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks, and he continued his solid depth scoring with 24 points in 79 outings with the Canucks in 2023-24. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:27 pm
     
  • Dealt to Chicago
    Mikheyev, along with the negotiating rights to Sam Lafferty and a second-round pick in 2027, were traded from the Canucks to the Blackhawks on Wednesday in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Mikheyev's a useful player, but his $4.75 million cap hit had become burdensome for the Canucks. This deal gives them cap flexibility heading into the draft and free agency, while the Blackhawks get a middle-six forward with speed and defensive skills to bolster their depth. Mikheyev had 31 points in 78 contests in 2023-24 after being limited to 28 points in 46 games due to a knee injury the year prior. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:22 pm
     
  • Sticking with Ottawa
    Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.

    Advice: Highmore picked up two assists in seven NHL games last year, his first with the Senators. He added 31 points over 43 games with AHL Belleville. Highmore will have a chance to compete for a bottom-six role in training camp. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:31 pm
     
  • Staying with Vancouver
    Blueger signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with the Canucks on Wednesday.

    Advice: Blueger was set to be a free agent Monday, but instead he'll return to the Canucks on a new deal. The 29-year-old matched his career high with 28 points in 68 contests in 2023-24, playing primarily in a third-line role. Given Vancouver's ample center depth, that's likely where Blueger will slot for 2024-25, pending any other additions up front. He'll also feature prominently on the team's penalty kill. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:04 pm
     
  • Making jump to North America
    Akhtyamov is expected to move to Toronto ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun reports Wednesday.

    Advice: Akhtyamov almost certainly will wind up with AHL Toronto this upcoming season considering he is just 22 years of age. Still, the backstop should get the opportunity to show the Maple Leafs what he can do during training camp. Last year with AK Bars in the KHL, Akhtyamov went 6-7-0 with a .921 save percentage and 2.51 GAA. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:42 am
     
  • Inks three-year deal
    O'Brien signed a three-year contract with Utah HC on Wednesday, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

    Advice: O'Brien had five goals, 14 points, 153 PIM and 228 hits in 75 contests with the Coyotes in 2023-24. The 29-year-old is likely to serve primarily on the fourth line for the upcoming season. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Monday after completing his two-year, $1.55 million contract. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:05 am
     
  • Signs one-year deal
    Back signed a one-year, two-way contract with Dallas on Tuesday.

    Advice: Back collected seven goals and 36 points in 59 regular-season contests for AHL Texas in 2023-24. The 24-year-old forward doesn't have any NHL experience yet. Back will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2024-25 campaign in the minors. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 1:43 pm
     
  • Acquired in trade
    San Jose acquired Walman and a 2024 second-round pick from Detroit on Tuesday in exchange for future considerations.

    Advice: Walman produced 12 goals, 21 points, 108 shots on net and 151 blocked shots in 63 games during the 2023-24 campaign. The 28-year-old defender has two more seasons left on his three-year, $10.2 million contract. As a member of the Sharks, Walman could occupy a top-four role and see power-play time. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:47 pm
     
  • Inks two-year contract
    Kolyachonok signed a two-year contract with Utah on Tuesday.

    Advice: Kolyachonok earned one goal, three assists, five shots on net, six blocked shots and four hits in five NHL outings this past season. He also collected eight goals and 11 points in 36 regular-season contests for AHL Tucson during the 2023-24 campaign. He will compete for a depth spot on the Utah blue line during training camp in the fall. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:52 am