Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Friday, August 7, 2026
Penguins Lock Up Koivunen for Eight Years, $32M
Ville Koivunen, the 23-year-old Finnish forward acquired from Carolina in March 2024, signed an eight-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday worth $32 million — a $4 million average annual value through the 2033-34 season. The restricted free agent split the 2025-26 campaign between Pittsburgh and AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting seven points in 39 NHL games and 41 points in 34 AHL contests. Koivunen earned AHL Player of the Month in February after recording 16 points in 11 games. GM Kyle Dubas noted there are no guarantees Koivunen makes the opening-night roster, though the deal signals Pittsburgh's long-range commitment to the young Finn.
Sources: The Hockey News
USA Tops Canada 4–3 in Shootout to Reach Hlinka Gretzky Cup Final
Team USA eliminated Canada 4-3 in a shootout in Friday's Hlinka Gretzky Cup semifinal at Rogers Place in Edmonton, ending Canada's undefeated run through four preliminary-round games. The Americans, who also finished the round robin unbeaten, advance to Saturday's gold medal game while Canada drops to a bronze-medal matchup. USA forward Gavin Burcar, who had recorded a hat trick against Czechia earlier in the tournament, was a standout for the Americans. Landon DuPont, widely projected as the top pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, skated for Canada throughout the week. The result gives the United States a shot at their first Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold in several years.
Undrafted Goalie Connor Ungar Quietly Climbing Oilers' Organization
Undrafted 24-year-old goaltender Connor Ungar is quietly climbing the Edmonton Oilers' organizational depth chart, NHL.com reported Thursday. Ungar signed a one-year, two-way contract at $850,000 on June 18 and split the 2025-26 season between ECHL clubs and the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, going 9-2-2 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 13 AHL appearances. He is expected to spend 2026-27 with Bakersfield. The Oilers' NHL crease is occupied by Frederik Andersen and Calvin Levi on one-year deals, and Tristan Jarry with two years remaining. Ungar's strong AHL numbers have put him on the organizational radar as a long-term depth option.
Colorado Avalanche Reshape Roster Under Sakic After GM Departure
The Colorado Avalanche enter 2026-27 with a reshaped roster after GM Chris MacFarland departed June 2 to take the Nashville job. Joe Sakic stepped back into a hands-on role and executed several trades: Ross Colton and Jack Drury went to Nashville for 23-year-olds Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux, Valeri Nichushkin moved to Columbus for picks, and Boston prospect Fabian Lysell was added June 27. Veteran forward Jaden Schwartz signed a three-year deal on July 2. Colorado's defense allowed an NHL-low 197 goals last regular season, and young players including Gavin Brindley and Sean Behrens are expected to compete for roster spots.
Blackhawks Lock Up Bedard for $75M, Reunite with Patrick Kane
The Chicago Blackhawks secured their two biggest priorities in back-to-back July moves. On July 19, 21-year-old Connor Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million extension — a $15 million AAV ranking him third-highest-paid in the NHL behind Leo Carlsson and Kirill Kaprizov — after recording career highs of 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games. Four days later, Patrick Kane signed a two-year, $16 million deal to return to Chicago, where he won three Stanley Cups across the first 16 of his 19 NHL seasons. Kane had 57 points in 67 games with Detroit last year and cited the chance to play alongside Bedard as a factor in his return.
Canada Closes Unbeaten Hlinka Gretzky Cup Prelims; DuPont Dazzles Scouts
Canada wrapped up a perfect 4-0 preliminary round at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton on Thursday, closing the round robin with a win over Sweden. Forwards Kayden Stroeder and Maddox Schultz each collected a goal and two assists in the finale, and Stroeder was among Canada's most consistent contributors throughout the week. Landon DuPont — the consensus top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft — opened scoring in multiple games and drew praise from scouts on hand. A pair of 2028 draft-eligible Canadians also impressed at the event. Canada entered Friday's semifinal against Team USA as one of two unbeaten sides in the tournament.
Tarasenko Leads Remaining UFAs as Training Camps Draw Closer
With NHL training camps fewer than six weeks away, a handful of notable veterans remain on the 2026 unrestricted free agent market. Vladimir Tarasenko, 34, leads the list after posting 47 points in 75 regular-season games for Minnesota last season, adding five more in 11 playoff contests. Patrik Laine, who recorded 33 points in 52 games with Montreal in 2024-25 before a season-ending injury, is another name teams are watching, with the Kings and Lightning reported as potential suitors. Claude Giroux, Jamie Benn and Michael Bunting round out the notable remaining names. The expanded 84-game 2026-27 regular season opens September 29.
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round: Carolina def. Ottawa 4–0
Conf. Semifinals: Carolina def. Philadelphia 4–0
Conf. Finals: Carolina def. Montreal 4–1
Western Conference
First Round: Vegas def. Utah Mammoth
Conf. Finals: Vegas def. Colorado 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 (June 14, 2026) — Jordan Staal, Conn Smythe Trophy
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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