Buffalo Sabres are nudging toward adding a proven top-six forward, eyeing Eeli Tolvanen as a plausible midseason target if Seattle isn’t in the playoff chase. Tolvanen posted a career-high 23 goals and has one year left on his deal, making him a high-upside rental with potential cost tied to a 20-goal pace and conditional picks or blue-chip prospects such as Isak Rosen, Devon Levi, or Noah Ostlund. If Seattle dangles Tolvanen, Buffalo could pursue a package that includes a first-rounder or a strong prospect, balancing immediate impact with future assets.

The chatter also covers a broader trade-market and draft-pick dynamics around 2026 selections, with Penguins’ Kyle Dubas discussing teams attempting to re-acquire their 2026 picks and the possibility of offer sheets viewed as leverage by teams like Winnipeg and San Jose. The report lists offer-sheet candidates (Sebrango, Kupari, Holtz, Zary, Evangelista, McTavish, Rossi) and notes some teams’ interest in specific names (Zary, Evangelista, McTavish, Rossi). It also notes extension talks for Dustin Wolf, UFA Matt Grzelcyk, and various waiver/rookie-target angles shaping both teams’ in-season contorts. The piece closes with a reminder to subscribe and follow for ongoing rumor-driven discussions across the league.

Ryker Evans signed a two-year extension with the Seattle Kraken, locking in a mobile, 23-year-old defenseman through 2026-27 with a 2.05 million AAV. In his first full NHL season, Evans posted 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) across 73 games, establishing himself as a reliable, up-tempo blueliner with room to grow. A second-round pick from 2021, he debuted in December 2023 and finished with 34 points in 109 NHL games, signaling a rising contributor on Seattle’s back end.

Seattle’s brass back Evans, stressing his yearly progress and belief he’ll elevate his game again next season. His international experience with Canada at the world hockey championship—two assists in eight games—adds to his profile as a young defender who can push for more minutes and increased role, including potential power-play opportunities as he develops.

For fantasy audiences, the deal hints at a stable, cost-controlled defensive option in Seattle’s system who could emerge as a multi-category contributor if minutes and role expand. Evans’ trajectory suggests a potential jump from a solid depth piece to a breakout candidate, assuming he continues advancing his two-way game and offensive pop while benefiting from a growing Kraken core.

Ryker Evans signed a two-year extension with the Seattle Kraken at a 2.05 million AAV, keeping the 23-year-old in Seattle through 2026-27. Evans posted 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 73 games in his first full NHL season and has 34 points in 109 career games. The deal signals Seattle’s confidence in his continued development on the blueline after his 2023 NHL debut on December 7.

Seattle GM Jason Botterill praised Evans for taking strides since turning pro, with international duty for Canada at the world championship adding to his profile. The Kraken envision him taking another step next season, a nod to his two-way upside and potential to contribute more on special teams as the team builds around a promising young core.

Ryker Evans inked a two-year, 4.1 million contract with the Seattle Kraken, carrying an AAV of 2.05 million. At 23, the defenseman was a restricted free agent who piled up 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 73 games last season and led Kraken blueliners with 123 hits while ranking third with 106 blocks. Seattle’s deal signals confidence in his continued development as a reliable two-way piece on the bottom of the lineup who can contribute perimeters while growing in minutes.

Selected in the 2021 draft in the second round (No. 35), Evans has 34 points in 109 NHL games and has shown year-after-year progress since turning pro. General manager Jason Botterill lauded his trajectory and emphasized that Evans will look to take his game to another level next season, cementing him as a core piece of Seattle’s defense as the team aims for more consistent defensive structure and depth.

From a fantasy perspective, Evans’ profile blends counting stats with solid peripherals. If he secures top-four minutes and some power-play time, a multi-category asset with upside emerges, especially in leagues that reward hits and blocks. The deal is light enough to be a cost-efficient gamble for managers willing to buy into continued development and incremental role expansion in 2025-26.