Morning Briefing - September 16

TL;DR

• Luke Evangelista locked in long-term with New Jersey on a 5-year, $7.25M AAV deal; core forward secured.
• Cutter Gauthier signed 6-year extension with Anaheim at $13.5M cap hit; restricted free agent retained.
• Justin Sourdif and Ryan Leonard both inked 8-year deals with Washington on the final day to do so.
• Adam Fantilli and Columbus remain far apart on contract terms; no settlement expected before Wednesday camp report date.
• Connor Hellebuyck named to Winnipeg's training camp roster but unlikely to report amid ongoing negotiations.

Evangelista signs five-year extension with Devils

HOLD · New Jersey · C/LW Luke Evangelista and the Devils have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $7.25M AAV, for a total of $36.25M. The deal locks in a restricted free agent and keeps the forward off the trade market. Season-long managers holding Evangelista should feel secure; this removes uncertainty around his availability.

Gauthier secured long-term in Anaheim

HOLD · Anaheim · LW Cutter Gauthier has signed a six-year contract extension with the Ducks carrying a $13.5M cap hit. The restricted free agent is now locked in through the prime years of his prime. Managers should hold; Gauthier will be in the lineup and cap certainty is a positive.

Sourdif and Leonard ink final 8-year deals for Washington

HOLD · Washington · RW/LW Justin Sourdif has signed an 8-year, $50.8M contract (AAV $6.35M) with Washington, effective next season. Ryan Leonard signed his own 8-year, $84M extension earlier the same day. The Capitals secured both on the final day teams could ink such agreements. Managers with either player can hold without worrying about the contract front.

Staal extended one more year in Carolina

HOLD · Carolina · C Jordan Staal has signed a one-year contract extension with the Hurricanes for the 2027-28 season. The captain remains locked in long-term. No fantasy impact change for this season.

Newhook and Xhekaj sign with Montreal

HOLD · Montreal · LW/D Alex Newhook has signed a four-year extension with Montreal worth $5.55M AAV ($22.2M total). Arber Xhekaj has signed a one-year deal at $1.5M. Both moves secure Canadiens depth, but neither is a core fantasy name demanding attention at this stage of camp.

Fantilli-Blue Jackets contract talks stalled

STASH · Columbus · C Adam Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain far apart on contract terms with no settlement expected before Wednesday, when the team opens on-ice training camp. First on-ice action is Thursday. Managers cannot roster him until a deal is done. Monitor for a last-minute breakthrough, but expect this to bleed into the season.

Hellebuyck named to camp roster but not expected to report

STASH · Winnipeg · G Connor Hellebuyck appears on Winnipeg's training camp roster, though the team does not expect him to report. The goaltender remains in contract negotiations. Managers should stash him and await clarity on his status; a resolution will move quickly once it comes.

Eiserman on Islanders PP1

WATCH · New York (Islanders) · RW Cole Eiserman is slotted on the Islanders' top power-play unit in the rookie camp alongside Berg, Eklund, Aitcheson and Dravecky.

Legault and Khazheyev show in Carolina prospect showcase

WATCH · Carolina · D/G Charles Alexis Legault impressed in the Hurricanes' prospect showcase, which concluded with a 4-2 loss to the Lightning. Ruslan Khazheyev made the most of his start in goal. The big club's training camp takes the ice Thursday. Both are depth prospects to monitor.

Allen works final day of Devils rookie camp

WATCH · New Jersey · G Jake Allen is participating in the Devils' rookie camp in Annapolis, wrapping the event before the main training camp begins Thursday. No immediate roster impact, but tracking veteran depth goalie placement in camp is standard for league-wide monitoring.

The rows behind it

From the beat

• Transaction · @DFOFantasy (NJD): The Devils have signed Luke Evangelista to a 5-year contract extension worth $7.25M AAV ($36.25M total) · Luke Evangelista · also reported by @NJDevils
• Transaction · @Tarik_ElBashir (WSH): The #ALLCAPS have signed Justin Sourdif to an 8-year, $50.8 million contract. The deal, which kicks in next year, will carry an AAV of $6.35 million. Today was the last day teams could ink players to an 8-year deal. Now Sourdif and Ryan Leonard, who signed an 8-year, $84 million extension earlier today, are locked up long term. · Justin Sourdif · also reported by @sammisilber, @TSNHockey, @DFOFantasy and others
• Transaction · @Canes (CAR): STAALLELUJAH 🙌 We've signed captain Jordan Staal to a one-year contract extension for the 2027-28 season. Details » · Jordan Staal
• Transaction · @TSNHockey (ANA): The Anaheim Ducks have signed restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract that carries a cap hit of $13.5 million: · Cutter Gauthier · also reported by @DFOFantasy
• Camp · @Aportzline (CBJ): Doesn't sound like there's much hope for an 11th hour contract settlement that would allow #CBJ Adam Fantilli to report to Blue Jackets' training camp on time Wednesday. Two sides still far apart and no action as of 9 p.m. See what the morning brings. First on-ice is Thursday. · Adam Fantilli
• Camp · @WPGMurat (WPG): Winnipeg has released its training camp roster. Connor Hellebuyck's name is on it, obviously, although I don't think anybody expects him to report. · Connor Hellebuyck
• Lines · @stefen_rosner (NYI): #Isles PP (4 min): PP1: Eiserman-Berg-Eklund-Aitcheson-Dravecky · Cole Eiserman · also reported by @stefen_rosner
• Transaction · @DFOFantasy (MTL): Montreal has signed Alex Newhook to a four-year, $5.55 million contract ($22.2M total) · Alex Newhook
• Transaction · @DFOFantasy (MTL): Montreal has signed Arber Xhekaj to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. · Arber Xhekaj · also reported by @reporterchris
• Camp · @WaltRuff (CAR): The #Canes close out their Prospect Showcase with a 4-2 loss to the Lightning. Of the positives from the event, Charles Alexis Legault looked strong, and Ruslan Khazheyev made the most of his Sunday start. Onward to the big club's training camp, which takes the ice on Thursday! · Charles Alexis Legault
• Camp · @Capitals (NJD): "I love the way they do [Rookie Camp] here. We compete against each other out here and work hard. I feel like it gets us ready." Cam Allen joins Mike Vogel on the final day in Annapolis before the team gears up for Training Camp on Thursday. #ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth · Jake Allen
• Lines · @DooleyLAK (LAK): Today's @LAKings Line Rushes (lines formatted from the post) · Koehn Ziemmer