Image: Todd Little
We are a week away from the end of the eight-year maximum contract in the NHL. Will Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ville Koivunen be the last or will someone else beat the buzzer? Check out TSN’s Have we seen the last eight-year deal in the NHL? article for more.
The Montreal Canadiens signed restricted free agent forward Sasha Pastujov to a one-year, two-year contract worth $850K. Pastujov was acquired by the Canadiens from the Anaheim Ducks on July 27. He played 71 games with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL in 2025-26, producing 21 goals and 57 points.
The Savannah Ghost Pirates, proud ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, have signed forwards Anthony Callin and Max Dorrington for the 2026–27 season. Callin, 27, spent the past four seasons with the Worcester Railers, recording 58 goals and 150 points. Dorrington, 24, spent the past two seasons under an AHL contract with the Bridgeport Islanders while playing most of his games in the ECHL with Worcester.
Friday games from the preseason President of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Cup saw Gornyak Rudny edge Kulager Petropavi 2-1; HC Aktobe nip Nomad Astana 3-2 in overtime; Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk defeat Arlan Kokshetau 3-2; and Saryarka Karagander post a 4-2 win over Yertis Pavlodar.
At the only game at the preseason regional SCA Cupen in Sundsvall, Sweden on Friday, SHL side Timrå IK defeated the host team IF Sundsvall of Hockeyettan by a 5-1 score.
Saturday action in the Australian Ice Hockey League saw the Sydney Bears rout the Perth Thunder by a 10-5 count; the Canberra Brave double up the Newcastle Northstars 6-3; and the Melbourne Mustangs cruise to a 7-1 victory over the Adelaide Adrenaline. This is the next to last weekend of the AIHL regular season.