The Buffalo Sabres acquired Eric Robinson in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. This provides a fresh start to Robinson, who had struggled to secure a regular role in the Blue Jackets’ lineup during the current season.

Since arriving in Columbus as an undrafted player in 2017, Robsinson scored 38 goals and 82 points in 266 career appearances. Scoring a career-high 12 goals last season, the left wing managed to net only one goal in seven games this season. Meanwhile, the Sabres received an experienced left wing, assigning forward Brandon Biro to AHL Rochester to free up room in the roster.

Buffalo is in need of reinforcements to bolster its roster, particularly after losing four straight games. With Zemgus Girgensons expected to miss another week due to a lower-body injury, Robinson is expected to provide much experience in checking-line and penalty-killing roles.

The post Buffalo Sabres Acquire Eric Robinson appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Arizona Coyotes signed 2022 first-round draft pick Logan Cooley to a three-year, entry-level contract, bringing an end to speculation about the player’s future. The 19-year-old player was previously considering returning to Minnesota to play another year of college hockey.

Cooley hit the ground running after being selected third overall in last year’s draft, scoring 22 goals and making 38 assists in 39 games for Minnesota to take them to the NCAA championship game. Second in the country with 60 points, Cooley was able to grab at least one point in 32 games.

After initially deciding to return to the Gophers for another college season, Cooley took to Instagram to reveal that he had changed his mind. “I want to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an NHL player,” the rising star explained. “The hardest part of coming to this decision was feeling like I was letting people down, but I have to be true to myself and do what’s in my heart. I’m so grateful for my time as a Gopher.”

The post Coyotes Sign 2022 First-Round Pick Logan Cooley appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Alexandre Texier is set to return to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2023-24 NHL season after spending a year playing closer to home for personal reasons. A native of Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France, Texier played for Zurich in the Swiss National League following a recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse and behavioral health program to step away from Columbus.

Texier revealed that he decided to move to Europe as a means of being closer to his family as he experienced personal issues. He was previously granted a leave of absence by the Blue Jackets in March 2022 when he was sidelined with a fractured finger.

“Alexandre Texier is an outstanding, young player who is an important part of our team and we are excited that he will be rejoining the club as expected next season,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced. “His well-being has been our sole priority, and we couldn’t be happier that he is ready to resume what is a very promising NHL career at this time.”

The post Alexandre Texier to Rejoin Blue Jackets Ahead of New Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran forward Kasperi Kapanen didn’t have to wait long to find out his next NHL destination after being waived by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. The St. Louis Blues moved quickly to claim him, confirming the move on Saturday.

By claiming Kapanen, the Blues are taking over the remainder of the two-year, $6.4 million deal Kapanen signed with the Penguins during the offseason. The 26-year-old player has seven goals and 13 assists for a total of 20 points in 43 games this season.

The move makes sense for the Blues, who will benefit from Kapanen’s speed on ice for the remainder of the season. They will also be able to determine whether he fits into their long-term plans. 

“It’s a good pick up, he brings speed, has good skill,” said Blues’ head coach Craig Berube. “I’m looking forward to getting him here, coaching him, and having him be part of the team.”

Penguins surprisingly gave Kapanen a new deal in the summer despite his inconsistencies since arriving in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020. The move didn’t work out, and Pittsburgh’s front office decided to admit their mistake sooner than later. By placing Kapanen on waivers, the team also managed to clear enough salary cap space to add veteran defenseman Jan Rutta to the roster from long-term injured reserve.

The post St. Louis Blues Pick Up Forward Kasperi Kapanen Off Waivers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Nino Niederreiter signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Nashville Predators, it was confirmed on Thursday. He joins the team after representing the Carolina Hurricanes last season, scoring 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) in 75 regular season games as well as five points during 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“Playing against them in the past was always hard, they are a very passionate fan base, very loud. Playing for them this year is going to be a lot of fun, knowing all the teams coming into the building and knowing how tough it is to play there, it is definitely going to be a lot of fun,” Niederreiter remarked following the confirmation of his arrival.

Since being selected for the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft as the number five overall pick, Niederreiter has amassed 368 points in 732 regular-season NHL games. Prior to arriving in North Carolina, the 29-year-old player played for the Islanders as well as Minnesota Wild.

According to Niederreiter, the Predators were always near the top of his list of teams that he would consider joining following his tenure with the Hurricanes, particularly due to their goal-scoring strength.

The post Niederreiter Signs Two-Year Deal With The Nashville Predators appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill announced on Tuesday that his team has completed the signing of restricted free agent Denis Gurianov. The forward, who celebrated his 25th birthday on the same day as the announcement, has agreed to a $2.9 million contract with the Stars that will last for the 2022-23 season.

Hailing from Togliatti, Russia, Gurianov joined the Stars in 2015 when they selected him as their first-round pick and the 12th selection overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Gurianov hit his peak in the 2021-22 season, scoring career highs of 31 points and 20 assists in 73 games.

The 25-year-old player’s 31 points saw him ranked sixth among the Stars’ forwards, while his 11 goals put him in seventh place on the scorers’ chart. Gurianov’s standout moment in a Dallas jersey last season came during Game 7 of his team’s first-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames when he scored four goals and bagged an assist.

Gurianov’s regular-season record throughout his career is 44 goals and 50 assists across 214 games. In 32 career postseason games, the Russian national has racked up nine goals and eight assists.

The post Denis Gurianov Signs for Dallas Stars appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Philadelphia Flyers are officially punting on the 2021-22 NHL season. The team just traded away All-Star center Claude Giroux, sending their longtime captain to the Florida Panthers.

According to the official terms of the deal, the Flyers will receive a third-rounder in next year’s draft and a first-round pick in 2024. They also get talented winger Owen Tippett, but they will continue playing 50 percent of Giroux’s salary.

On the other hand, the Panthers get Giroux and 2024’s fifth-round selection while also taking on the contracts of forwards Connor Bunnamann and German Rubtsov.

This move indicates that the Panthers are all-in for this season. Giroux makes their already-scary offense even better and should make a significant impact with his scoring and passing ability. The franchise recognized the time to win is now, and you can’t blame them for mortgaging their future in an effort to win their first Stanley Cup. Florida is currently sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division with the second-best record (42-14-6) in the league.

The Flyers, on the other hand, recognized that they shouldn’t deny Giroux a chance to win his first Stanley Cup. They are a weaker team today, but the assets they received should help them in the long run.

Claude Giroux spent his entire NHL career with the Flyers and has served as the team captain since 2013. He played a total of 1,000 games for the franchise in which he scored 291 goals and dished 609 assists. In addition, Giroux made seven All-Star appearances while in Philadelphia.

The post Flyers Trade Captain Claude Giroux to Florida Panthers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Nashville Predators announced during a news conference on Wednesday that defenseman Mattias Ekholm has agreed to a four-year, $25 million contract extension. The deal will keep him with the team until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Following the signing of the contract, Ekholm made the following statement: “Nashville is home for us. It’s where we want to be. I believe in the future of this team and I’m looking forward to the chance at competing for the Stanley Cup here in the next five seasons.”

General manager David Poile expressed his own satisfaction in the signing of the deal, stating that Ekholm’s inclusion adds a lot of defensive strength to the team, particularly due to his imposing stature. He also expressed relief that the deal had been concluded before the team’s opening NHL fixture of the new season against the Seattle Kraken.

Picked 102nd overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, Ekholm has played for the Predators for the past eight seasons. With at least 20 points in six consecutive seasons, Ekholm enjoyed the first multi-goal game of his career in February.

The post Predators Seal Mattias Ekholm Contract Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mika Zibanejad has agreed to an eight-year contract worth $68 million with the New York Rangers, it was reported late on Sunday. The 28-year-old player will have an $8.5 million salary cap.

Since joining the Rangers from the Ottawa Senators in 2016, Zibanejad has scored 283 points in 232 regular-season games. Last season, the Swedish center became a point-per-game player, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists in 50 appearances.

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury released the following statement with regards to the deal: “Since joining the team in 2016, Mika has emerged as one of the premier players in the NHL. In addition to being a great player on the ice, Mika is an exemplary person off of the ice. We are fortunate to have him as part of our Rangers organization and are excited that he will continue his career in New York.”

In addition to securing the services of Zibanejad for the next eight seasons, the Rangers have also struck deals with forwards Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Barclay Goodrow, each of whom has committed five years or more to the franchise. It is widely believed that the Rangers’ next contract renewal target will be Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox. The 23-year-old is currently serving the final year of his existing deal.

The post Mika Zibanejad Signs 8-Year Contract With Rangers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Florida Panthers secured the signing of Finnish superstar Aleksander Barkov, sources confirmed on Friday. The 26-year-old player signed an eight-year contract worth $80 million with the Miami-based team. The majority of the contract consists of signing-bonus money.

In an effort to keep Barkov at the franchise, the Panthers closed the largest-ever contract in their history. The player’s $10 million cap will be the 10th highest in the NHL as of the present.

Previously set to become an unrestricted free agent, Barkov arrived at the Panthers in 2013. He previously played under a six-year contract worth $35.4 million.

Now, Barkov sees himself heading into the ninth NHL season of his career; all of which have been with the Panthers. In 529 games, Barkov scored 465 points, earning him the reputation of being one of the top two-way centers in the league at this time.

Barkov’s individual honors include the 2018-19 Lady Byng Trophy for the most gentlemanly player in the NHL as well as last season’s Selke Trophy for being the league’s best defensive forward.

The post Panthers Sign Aleksander Barkov in 8-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Buffalo Sabres acquired Eric Robinson in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. This provides a fresh start to Robinson, who had struggled to secure a regular role in the Blue Jackets’ lineup during the current season.

Since arriving in Columbus as an undrafted player in 2017, Robsinson scored 38 goals and 82 points in 266 career appearances. Scoring a career-high 12 goals last season, the left wing managed to net only one goal in seven games this season. Meanwhile, the Sabres received an experienced left wing, assigning forward Brandon Biro to AHL Rochester to free up room in the roster.

Buffalo is in need of reinforcements to bolster its roster, particularly after losing four straight games. With Zemgus Girgensons expected to miss another week due to a lower-body injury, Robinson is expected to provide much experience in checking-line and penalty-killing roles.

The post Buffalo Sabres Acquire Eric Robinson appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Arizona Coyotes signed 2022 first-round draft pick Logan Cooley to a three-year, entry-level contract, bringing an end to speculation about the player’s future. The 19-year-old player was previously considering returning to Minnesota to play another year of college hockey.

Cooley hit the ground running after being selected third overall in last year’s draft, scoring 22 goals and making 38 assists in 39 games for Minnesota to take them to the NCAA championship game. Second in the country with 60 points, Cooley was able to grab at least one point in 32 games.

After initially deciding to return to the Gophers for another college season, Cooley took to Instagram to reveal that he had changed his mind. “I want to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an NHL player,” the rising star explained. “The hardest part of coming to this decision was feeling like I was letting people down, but I have to be true to myself and do what’s in my heart. I’m so grateful for my time as a Gopher.”

The post Coyotes Sign 2022 First-Round Pick Logan Cooley appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Alexandre Texier is set to return to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2023-24 NHL season after spending a year playing closer to home for personal reasons. A native of Saint-Martin-d’Hères, France, Texier played for Zurich in the Swiss National League following a recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse and behavioral health program to step away from Columbus.

Texier revealed that he decided to move to Europe as a means of being closer to his family as he experienced personal issues. He was previously granted a leave of absence by the Blue Jackets in March 2022 when he was sidelined with a fractured finger.

“Alexandre Texier is an outstanding, young player who is an important part of our team and we are excited that he will be rejoining the club as expected next season,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced. “His well-being has been our sole priority, and we couldn’t be happier that he is ready to resume what is a very promising NHL career at this time.”

The post Alexandre Texier to Rejoin Blue Jackets Ahead of New Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran forward Kasperi Kapanen didn’t have to wait long to find out his next NHL destination after being waived by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. The St. Louis Blues moved quickly to claim him, confirming the move on Saturday.

By claiming Kapanen, the Blues are taking over the remainder of the two-year, $6.4 million deal Kapanen signed with the Penguins during the offseason. The 26-year-old player has seven goals and 13 assists for a total of 20 points in 43 games this season.

The move makes sense for the Blues, who will benefit from Kapanen’s speed on ice for the remainder of the season. They will also be able to determine whether he fits into their long-term plans. 

“It’s a good pick up, he brings speed, has good skill,” said Blues’ head coach Craig Berube. “I’m looking forward to getting him here, coaching him, and having him be part of the team.”

Penguins surprisingly gave Kapanen a new deal in the summer despite his inconsistencies since arriving in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020. The move didn’t work out, and Pittsburgh’s front office decided to admit their mistake sooner than later. By placing Kapanen on waivers, the team also managed to clear enough salary cap space to add veteran defenseman Jan Rutta to the roster from long-term injured reserve.

The post St. Louis Blues Pick Up Forward Kasperi Kapanen Off Waivers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Nino Niederreiter signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Nashville Predators, it was confirmed on Thursday. He joins the team after representing the Carolina Hurricanes last season, scoring 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) in 75 regular season games as well as five points during 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“Playing against them in the past was always hard, they are a very passionate fan base, very loud. Playing for them this year is going to be a lot of fun, knowing all the teams coming into the building and knowing how tough it is to play there, it is definitely going to be a lot of fun,” Niederreiter remarked following the confirmation of his arrival.

Since being selected for the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft as the number five overall pick, Niederreiter has amassed 368 points in 732 regular-season NHL games. Prior to arriving in North Carolina, the 29-year-old player played for the Islanders as well as Minnesota Wild.

According to Niederreiter, the Predators were always near the top of his list of teams that he would consider joining following his tenure with the Hurricanes, particularly due to their goal-scoring strength.

The post Niederreiter Signs Two-Year Deal With The Nashville Predators appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill announced on Tuesday that his team has completed the signing of restricted free agent Denis Gurianov. The forward, who celebrated his 25th birthday on the same day as the announcement, has agreed to a $2.9 million contract with the Stars that will last for the 2022-23 season.

Hailing from Togliatti, Russia, Gurianov joined the Stars in 2015 when they selected him as their first-round pick and the 12th selection overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Gurianov hit his peak in the 2021-22 season, scoring career highs of 31 points and 20 assists in 73 games.

The 25-year-old player’s 31 points saw him ranked sixth among the Stars’ forwards, while his 11 goals put him in seventh place on the scorers’ chart. Gurianov’s standout moment in a Dallas jersey last season came during Game 7 of his team’s first-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames when he scored four goals and bagged an assist.

Gurianov’s regular-season record throughout his career is 44 goals and 50 assists across 214 games. In 32 career postseason games, the Russian national has racked up nine goals and eight assists.

The post Denis Gurianov Signs for Dallas Stars appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Philadelphia Flyers are officially punting on the 2021-22 NHL season. The team just traded away All-Star center Claude Giroux, sending their longtime captain to the Florida Panthers.

According to the official terms of the deal, the Flyers will receive a third-rounder in next year’s draft and a first-round pick in 2024. They also get talented winger Owen Tippett, but they will continue playing 50 percent of Giroux’s salary.

On the other hand, the Panthers get Giroux and 2024’s fifth-round selection while also taking on the contracts of forwards Connor Bunnamann and German Rubtsov.

This move indicates that the Panthers are all-in for this season. Giroux makes their already-scary offense even better and should make a significant impact with his scoring and passing ability. The franchise recognized the time to win is now, and you can’t blame them for mortgaging their future in an effort to win their first Stanley Cup. Florida is currently sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division with the second-best record (42-14-6) in the league.

The Flyers, on the other hand, recognized that they shouldn’t deny Giroux a chance to win his first Stanley Cup. They are a weaker team today, but the assets they received should help them in the long run.

Claude Giroux spent his entire NHL career with the Flyers and has served as the team captain since 2013. He played a total of 1,000 games for the franchise in which he scored 291 goals and dished 609 assists. In addition, Giroux made seven All-Star appearances while in Philadelphia.

The post Flyers Trade Captain Claude Giroux to Florida Panthers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Nashville Predators announced during a news conference on Wednesday that defenseman Mattias Ekholm has agreed to a four-year, $25 million contract extension. The deal will keep him with the team until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Following the signing of the contract, Ekholm made the following statement: “Nashville is home for us. It’s where we want to be. I believe in the future of this team and I’m looking forward to the chance at competing for the Stanley Cup here in the next five seasons.”

General manager David Poile expressed his own satisfaction in the signing of the deal, stating that Ekholm’s inclusion adds a lot of defensive strength to the team, particularly due to his imposing stature. He also expressed relief that the deal had been concluded before the team’s opening NHL fixture of the new season against the Seattle Kraken.

Picked 102nd overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, Ekholm has played for the Predators for the past eight seasons. With at least 20 points in six consecutive seasons, Ekholm enjoyed the first multi-goal game of his career in February.

The post Predators Seal Mattias Ekholm Contract Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Mika Zibanejad has agreed to an eight-year contract worth $68 million with the New York Rangers, it was reported late on Sunday. The 28-year-old player will have an $8.5 million salary cap.

Since joining the Rangers from the Ottawa Senators in 2016, Zibanejad has scored 283 points in 232 regular-season games. Last season, the Swedish center became a point-per-game player, scoring 24 goals and 26 assists in 50 appearances.

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury released the following statement with regards to the deal: “Since joining the team in 2016, Mika has emerged as one of the premier players in the NHL. In addition to being a great player on the ice, Mika is an exemplary person off of the ice. We are fortunate to have him as part of our Rangers organization and are excited that he will continue his career in New York.”

In addition to securing the services of Zibanejad for the next eight seasons, the Rangers have also struck deals with forwards Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Barclay Goodrow, each of whom has committed five years or more to the franchise. It is widely believed that the Rangers’ next contract renewal target will be Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox. The 23-year-old is currently serving the final year of his existing deal.

The post Mika Zibanejad Signs 8-Year Contract With Rangers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Florida Panthers secured the signing of Finnish superstar Aleksander Barkov, sources confirmed on Friday. The 26-year-old player signed an eight-year contract worth $80 million with the Miami-based team. The majority of the contract consists of signing-bonus money.

In an effort to keep Barkov at the franchise, the Panthers closed the largest-ever contract in their history. The player’s $10 million cap will be the 10th highest in the NHL as of the present.

Previously set to become an unrestricted free agent, Barkov arrived at the Panthers in 2013. He previously played under a six-year contract worth $35.4 million.

Now, Barkov sees himself heading into the ninth NHL season of his career; all of which have been with the Panthers. In 529 games, Barkov scored 465 points, earning him the reputation of being one of the top two-way centers in the league at this time.

Barkov’s individual honors include the 2018-19 Lady Byng Trophy for the most gentlemanly player in the NHL as well as last season’s Selke Trophy for being the league’s best defensive forward.

The post Panthers Sign Aleksander Barkov in 8-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.