Reading Royals sign 24-year-old forward Ben Raymond for the 2025-26 season, adding a Colgate graduate who spent last year with the Iowa Heartlanders in the Flyers' development system. Raymond posted 9 goals and 18 points in 36 games during his final college season and totaled 43 points in 130 NCAA contests, with a BCHL stint at Powell River on his resume, signaling a versatile, offense-minded projection for the Royals’ pipeline.

The move underscores the Flyers’ ongoing strategy of layering their ladder system from BCHL through college to pro, aiming to steadily push talent toward Lehigh Valley and potentially Philadelphia. Raymond’s background—Colgate production, brief pro exposure, and junior experience—gives him a clear path to contribute in the ECHL and perhaps climb toward AHL opportunities if development stays on track.

Five Team Canada players cleared of charges become eligible to sign in October, with Dec. 1 readiness on the line. Alex Formenton has already headed overseas; Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod and Carter Hart are eyeing their next steps, Hart attracting the most attention as a possible Edmonton Oilers addition. Edmonton must balance a potential goaltending boost from Hart against fan backlash, plus a two-year layoff that complicates immediate contribution behind Skinner and Pickard.

Nashville’s Luke Evangelista is drifting toward a two- to three-year deal, with a missed camp shading the negotiation for both sides and a possible shift in his early role. Edmonton’s goalie situation remains unsettled; no Kostin re-engagement and no PTOs on the horizon. Carter Hart’s next destination is likely U.S.-based, while Vancouver doubles down on on-ice prep as the season looms.

Columbus and Ottawa linger in rumors, and the Oilers’ goaltending path could reshape rosters across the league. Monitor camp reports, line combos, and power-play time closely for fantasy implications across the landscape.