As the NHL season progresses into its second month, there have been four player trades and contract extensions for Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark, and others.

Several prominent players are also seeking contract extensions, including Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Brock Boeser.

Expect more trades as teams aim for a Stanley Cup or plan for the future. Keep an eye on important dates such as the December holiday roster freeze, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and the trade deadline in early March.

Stay tuned here for updates on signings, trades, and other NHL developments:

Nov. 18: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to Undergo Heart Surgery

New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly will have heart surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined indefinitely.

General manager Lou Lamoriello revealed that the heart issue was discovered during a routine concussion evaluation that had already kept Reilly out since November 1.

“It could be considered a blessing in disguise,” Lamoriello mentioned, noting that the condition could have been something he was unaware of previously.

He added that Reilly has been cleared regarding his concussion.

Nov. 18: Sabres Send Down Goalie; Sharks Call One Up

The Buffalo Sabres have assigned 22-year-old goalie Devon Levi to the American Hockey League to gain more playing time after facing recent challenges. The team will rely on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and recently acquired James Reimer in net. Levi has allowed 17 goals in his last four starts.

On the other hand, the San Jose Sharks have promoted their promising goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, who is 22, after he achieved a record of 6-3 with a 1.92 goals-against average in the AHL. He was brought in from the Nashville Predators in an offseason trade. Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek left Saturday’s game due to injury.

Additionally: The NHL confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes-Tampa Bay Lightning game postponed last month due to Hurricane Milton has been rescheduled for January 7 at 7 p.m. ET.  Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury.

Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin Returns from Suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin made his return on Friday night following a six-month suspension. His suspension was related to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program during the playoffs last May. Earlier this season, he had also spent about two months in the program and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a vital scorer, having netted 28 goals in 54 games last season. He was joined in returning by injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood on Friday.

Additionally: The Vegas Golden Knights have extended the contract of defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, for three more years at an average of $3.65 million per year.

OILERS: Connor McDavid is the fourth fastest player to hit 1,000 points.

Nov. 13: Sabres Claim Goalie James Reimer Off Waivers

The Buffalo Sabres have claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, marking his return after he initially signed with the team during the summer. Reimer had previously been claimed by the Anaheim Ducks when the Sabres attempted to send him to the AHL. Following the return of injured goalie John Gibson, the Ducks placed him on waivers again. On a one-year, $1 million contract, Reimer had a 4.50 goals-against average over two games in Anaheim. Sabres’ starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was injured in a loss on Monday but hasn’t been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup.

Additionally: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm is expected to be sidelined for “weeks” due to a lower-body injury sustained from blocking a shot, according to coach Jim Montgomery.

Nov. 12: Capitals Reacquire Lars Eller in Trade with Penguins

Center Lars Eller, 35, returns to the Washington Capitals, where he played from 2016 to 2023 and was part of the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning team. Known for his strong penalty-killing abilities and faceoff skills, Eller’s trade signals that the Pittsburgh Penguins may be restructuring their roster after a rocky start. The Penguins received a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in the deal, indicating they are allowing younger players to gain more ice time. Eller is set to become a free agent soon.

Additionally: The Winnipeg Jets have claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche, later sending him to their AHL affiliate. The Jets lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.

Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to Have Season-Ending Surgery

The Calgary Flames announced that forward Anthony Mantha will undergo ACL surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the season. Mantha sustained the injury to his knee on November 5. He had seven points this season after signing a one-year contract during the offseason. Had he remained healthy, he might have been a candidate for trade this season after being moved during previous trade deadlines.

Additionally: The Colorado Avalanche have put goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers once again. They had previously claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Nov. 9: Penguins Call Up Veteran Goalie Tristan Jarry from Minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on October 26 after struggling with a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. In the AHL, he posted much stronger numbers with a 2.16 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

Also: The Philadelphia Flyers have decided to keep rookie Matvei Michkov out of the game for the second straight match.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken have brought back Daniel Sprong from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have faced challenges in scoring this season, and Sprong previously netted 21 goals for them two seasons ago. He has achieved double-digit goal totals in five different seasons and has scored once with Vancouver this year.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Highly regarded rookie Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers will miss Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking the first time in his career that he will be a healthy scratch.

Coach John Tortorella referred to this decision as “part of the process.”

“With younger players, watching games can also contribute to their development,” he explained to the media. “It’s about aiding their growth.”

At just 19 years old, Michkov has tallied 10 points in 13 games but has a minus-8 rating. He was named the NHL’s rookie of the month in October but recorded only one point in his last five appearances, with his ice time decreasing over the last four games.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

Macklin Celebrini, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft and plays center for the San Jose Sharks, is set to return to play after worsening an injury during the season’s opening match, according to NHL.com.

He practiced on Monday with top line players Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and aims to participate in his second match of the season on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini mentioned that he aggravated his hip injury on his very first shift in the season opener, yet he managed to finish the game recording a goal and an assist. He has since been sidelined for 12 games. The Sharks started this season poorly at 0-7-2 but have turned things around with a record of 3-1 in their last four matches.

Also: St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg is expected to be out for four to six weeks due to a lower-body injury. He required assistance getting off the ice after a check from Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year contract worth $775,000. Johnson has two Stanley Cup victories with the Tampa Bay Lightning and played the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

Mathew Barzal, the premier center for the New York Islanders, has been placed on long-term injured reserve due to an unspecified upper-body injury, which will keep him out for four to six weeks. Last season, he amassed 80 points over 80 games, but this season he has only managed five points in 10 outings as the Islanders have experienced offensive difficulties.

Additionally, defenseman Adam Pelech will also be sidelined for four to six weeks after sustaining a facial injury from a puck. He has been placed on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs received defenseman Matt Benning along with a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in return for Timothy Liljegren. The 25-year-old Liljegren had played just one game for Toronto this season, and the team recently committed to Jake McCabe with a five-year contract extension. However, Liljegren is expected to fit into the Sharks’ plans, which are focused on developing younger talent. Both Benning and Liljegren are under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season.

This marks the second consecutive day of trades in the NHL after a stagnant period following the start of the North American season.

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club traded a third-round pick for Olli Maatta, a veteran defenseman they desperately needed. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term following surgeries. Utah has been struggling defensively during a four-game losing streak, which included blowing a 4-1 lead late in a match against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta brings a solid defensive game and nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year contract extension, with an average annual value of $4.51 million. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the deal includes some deferred payments. McCabe, 31, was brought in from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade last February and currently ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and holds the team’s best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers have recalled forward Matt Rempe from the AHL after his two-game stint there. The Rangers are set to compete against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in a matchup known for its intensity.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins have moved two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their AHL affiliate for a conditioning loan following his struggles early in the season. Jarry was sent home from an earlier road trip to refine his performance after posting a 5.47 goals-against average and a .836 save percentage over three games. He was pulled from his last start on October 16 after allowing six goals in the season opener.

Currently, Jarry is in the second year of a five-year deal with a cap hit of $5.375 million. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has been the primary goaltender for the Penguins this season, while Alex Nedeljkovic has recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders have signed forward Matt Martin for the remainder of the season. Martin had attended training camp on a tryout basis after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers has secured a seven-year extension as he builds on his successful last season. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2020 will earn an average of $7.45 million per year, as reported by lohud.com, part of the YSL News Network. This represents a notable increase from this season’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, now 23, had a breakout season last year with 28 goals and 57 points, adding eight goals and 14 points during the playoffs. He has been averaging a point per game through his first seven games this season, scoring his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He’s now under contract until the end of the 2031-32 season.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Shea Theodore, a defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, has signed a seven-year contract extension averaging $7.425 million per year.

Next season, a new contract will take effect that extends through 2031-32. Securing this player’s signature is crucial, especially after the Golden Knights saw several key players from their 2023 Stanley Cup team, including Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, depart through free agency this summer.

At 29 years old, Theodore is the top-scoring defenseman in the franchise’s history, boasting 296 points, and he has started this season strong with seven points in six games. Alongside him, Vegas’s other leading defensemen—Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin—are also locked in through at least the 2026-27 season.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino to miss extended time following surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, which enhanced its defensive lineup during the offseason, will face a long-term setback with the absence of two crucial defensemen due to surgeries.

Sean Durzi, who sustained an injury on October 15, is expected to be sidelined for four to six months following shoulder surgery. John Marino, who hasn’t played this season yet, will be out for three to four months after undergoing back surgery.

During the offseason, Utah strengthened its defense by bringing in Mikhail Sergachev, Marino, and Ian Cole. Durzi, acquired last season from Arizona, inked a four-year deal worth $24 million over the summer.

Additionally, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers reward coach Paul Maurice with contract extension

Coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers received a multi-year contract extension, thanks to his exceptional playoff achievements. Specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Since joining the Panthers in the 2022-23 season, Maurice led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in his inaugural year, securing the championship last season. His franchise-record of 29 playoff victories stands out.

He has also amassed 98 regular-season wins with Florida and ranks fourth all-time in NHL history with a total of 873 career wins.

Oct. 17: Jake Oettinger of Stars signs eight-year deal

Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has signed an eight-year contract extension valued at $66 million, set to begin next season. His $8.25 million cap hit is on par with the recent contracts of Jeremy Swayman from the Bruins and Linus Ullmark from the Senators.

Oettinger has propelled the Stars to the Western Conference finals for the past two seasons.

Oct. 12: Injuries for Aleksander Barkov and Macklin Celebrini

As the NHL season is just beginning, two high-profile players are already sidelined due to injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to be out for two to three weeks after he crashed into the boards during a game while attempting to prevent a goal. His stick broke during the attempt, which allowed Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle to score. The timeline for his recovery should enable Barkov to join the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on November 1-2. Barkov was the first Finnish player to captain a team to a Stanley Cup victory and won the Selke Trophy last season, marking his second win as the top defensive forward.

In related news, the San Jose Sharks have placed their top overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky noted that Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been nursing an injury during training camp but managed to play in the season opener, recording a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche acquire goalie Kaapo Kahkonen via waivers

On a busy day for goalie movements, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche had a rough start, losing their opener 8-4, with Alexandar Georgiev allowing five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on just four shots. Kahkonen now joins his fourth team in a year after previously splitting his time between the San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils last season.

In other transactions, the Minnesota Wild have brought up Jesper Wallstedt, their promising goalie, who will back up Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and veteran Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators have also reassigned Matt Murray, who served as backup to Scott Wedgewood in Thursday’s game while injured starter Juuse Saros sat out.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed due to Hurricane Milton

The game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Lightning scheduled for Saturday has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area cleans up after Hurricane Milton. The NHL will announce a rescheduled date as soon as it is confirmed.

The Lightning will begin their season with an away game against Carolina on Friday. The postponed game was set to kick off a three-game homestand for Tampa Bay (also scheduled for the following Tuesday and Thursday).

The Amalie Arena sustained minimal damage from the storm, while Tropicana Field, home of the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered significant roof damage.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner undergoes surgery

Boone Jenner had shoulder surgery to address an injury sustained during training camp, and he could potentially be out for up to six months.

“We hope he can make a return before the season concludes,” Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell stated. “His absence will impact the team, but we have a strong leadership group, and other players will get the chance to step up both on and off the ice.”

Last season, Boone was the second-highest scorer on the Blue Jackets with 22 goals and holds the franchise record for most games played. He has served as the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Contract extensions for Linus Ullmark and Joey Daccord

Linus Ullmark, the Bruins’ Vezina Trophy winner in the 2022-23 season, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason, which allowed Boston to re-sign Jeremy Swayman. Ullmark has signed a four-year deal worth $33 million with the Senators, with a cap hit of $8.25 million, similar to Swayman’s.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord has secured a five-year extension worth $25 million. He stepped up in place of injured Philipp Grubauer last season and achieved the NHL’s first shutout during the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect in the following season.