The Red Wings have signed Finnish forward Jesse Kiiskinen (NSH 2023 3rd round, 68th overall) to a three-year ELC. The 19 year old, who the Wings acquired from Nashville in a trade involving current Edmonton D-man Jake Walman, tallied 44 points (14G 30A) in 46 games last season in Liiga, Finland’s highest pro league. His 44 points were the highest total in Liiga by a junior-aged player. Kiiskinen also had 7 points (6G 1A) in 7 games for silver medalist Finland at the 2025 WJC, and was named one of the team’s top 3 players.
The Sharks have re-signed Russian D-man (NJD 2020 1st round, 20th overall) to a one-year, $1 M contract. The 23 year old split time between the Sharks (30 games) and Barracuda (21 games) last season, and is expected to make the Sharks’ opening night roster. The Sharks also issued contract offers to 20 year old D-man Nate Misskey (SJS 2024 5th round, 143rd overall) of UMass-Lowell, 18 year old D-man Colton Roberts (SJS 2024 5th round,131st overall) of the Vancouver Giants, and 19 year old forward Carson Wetsch (SJS 2024 3rd round, 82nd overall) of the Kelowna Rockets.
The Flyers reportedly remain close to signing Russian free agent forward Maxim Shabanov (the team has been “close” for about a week). The 24 year old totaled 67 points (23G 44A) in 65 KHL games last season, and has garnered attention from many teams upon the expiration of his KHL contract in May. He is capped at a one-year ELC for 2025-26. Also, 18 year old defensive prospect Spencer Gill (PHI 2024 2nd round, 59th overall) has been traded by Memorial Cup host Rimouski of the QMJHL to Blainville-Boisbriand. Gill’s ELC runs through 2027-28 and has an annual cap hit of $890K.