Kovalenko inked a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kovalenko spent the 2024-25 campaign with San Jose and Colorado, scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists across 57 regular-season games. The 25-year-old forward spent seven years in the KHL before coming to North America late in 2023-24.

Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract to join the Sharks on Friday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Skinner is headed to San Jose after posting 16 goals and 13 assists in 72 regular-season games with the Oilers last season, but he spent most of his first postseason as an NHL player as a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old will look to prove he still has some gas left in the tank with the Sharks; at the very least, he will be a good veteran presence with all of the young talent the team has. He'll likely jump right into the top six at the beginning of the season.

Hoefenmayer signed a one-year contract with KHL Sochi on Friday, per Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey.

EDGE Analysis

Hoefenmayer had five goals and 21 points across 43 regular-season AHL appearances between Bakersfield and Laval in 2024-25. The 26-year-old defenseman hasn't appeared in an NHL game. Hoefenmayer was an unrestricted free agent this summer after Montreal declined to present him with a qualifying offer.

Milne signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Wild on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Milne had 15 goals, 26 points and 44 PIM across 60 regular-season appearances with AHL Iowa in 2024-25. He also made his NHL debut Nov. 16, recording no points and three hits in 6:34 of ice time. Milne might get another chance to play for Minnesota during the 2025-26 campaign, but he's expected to begin the upcoming season in the minors.

Phillips signed a two-year contract with the Jets on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips was dealt to the Jets in January from Chicago and was sent to AHL Manitoba, where he generated three goals and five assists in 39 outings. The 23-year-old played 56 NHL games with the Blackhawks across parts of four seasons, scoring twice and adding 10 assists. He is well down the depth chart on the Jets' blue line and is likely to spend most of the season, if not all of it, with the Moose.

Carbonneau will be back with QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand for the 2025-26 campaign, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic reports Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Carbonneau was originally expected to attend Boston College in the fall, but instead will stay in juniors, where he can likely make a quicker transition to the NHL. In his 62 regular-season games for the Armada, the 18-year-old winger racked up 46 goals and 43 helpers before adding three more goals in five postseason tilts. The 2025 19th overall pick will likely take part in training camp this fall if he can put pen to paper on an entry-level deal.

Bayreuther agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Bayreuther hasn't appeared in an NHL game since 2022-23 when he was with the Blue Jackets. That season, the 31-year-old blueliner notched two goals and 12 helpers in 51 tilts while averaging 15:57 of ice time. It certainly seemed like the New Hampshire native was close to becoming a full-time NHL option, but instead spent last year playing overseas with Lausanne HC, notching five goals and 18 helpers in 52 regular-season contests. At this point, if Bayreuther logs any NHL minutes, it will probably be the result of an injury among the Hurricanes' defensive group.

Reaves was traded to the Sharks from the Maple Leafs on Thursday in exchange for Henry Thrun.

EDGE Analysis

Reaves' role at this stage of his career is to bring grit and leadership. That still has some intangible value, but moving to the Sharks doesn't improve his outlook on offense. Look for Reaves to be in the mix for a fourth-line role early in 2025-26, though he could be bumped to the press box if any prospects are more deserving of ice time.

Thrun was traded to the Maple Leafs from the Sharks on Thursday in exchange for Ryan Reaves.

EDGE Analysis

This is a bit of an odd trade on the surface for the Sharks, and one that may not benefit Thrun on an individual level. San Jose's offseason acquisitions of John Klingberg, Nick Leddy and Dmitry Orlov brought a more veteran group of defenders into the mix, which may have left Thrun without a regular role in 2025-26. That said, he's no lock to play with his new team, and he almost certainly won't be in the power-play mix immediately with Toronto. Thrun had 12 points in 60 appearances in 2024-25, and if he can't win a job in training camp, he may have to spend part of the year with AHL Toronto.

Medvedev signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Medvedev made the jump to the major junior ranks in 2024-25, playing with OHL London for the season. He had a 22-8-2 record, 2.79 GAA and .912 save percentage in 34 regular-season games. Medvedev will likely get more playing time with the Knights this year as he continues his development with an OHL powerhouse.