The New York Islanders have officially signed their 2025 first-overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, to a lucrative three-year entry-level contract valued at $975,000 against the salary cap. With an average annual value of $4.475 million, Schaefer's deal includes a base NHL salary of $877,500, coupled with a $97,500 signing bonus, and performance bonuses that could total up to $3.5 million. Schaefer expressed his eagerness to prove himself and secure a spot on the NHL roster, emphasizing the hard work ahead.

In other NHL news, the Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way deal, while the Anaheim Ducks have re-signed Sam Colangelo to a two-year contract maintaining a cap hit of $850,000. Additionally, the Toronto Maple Leafs extended defenseman William Villeneuve's contract after a solid season with the Marlies, where he showcased significant offensive skill. Meanwhile, former Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin has announced his retirement, wrapping up a career that included stints with several teams across the league.

The Vancouver Canucks have bolstered their roster by signing forward Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way contract as announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old, who previously excelled in the KHL, recorded 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games, showcasing his potential as a scoring threat. He also proved his skills in the playoffs, contributing six goals and an assist in 19 games, leading Traktor Chelyabinsk to the Gagarin Cup final.

Having had limited NHL experience with the New York Rangers and Canucks, Kravtsov’s stats include six goals and six assists across 64 games. The Canucks acquired him from the Rangers in February 2023 in exchange for forward William Lockwood and a seventh-round pick in 2026. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin expressed optimism about Kravtsov’s growth and is eager to see his performance in training camp.