Andre Burakovsky is heading to Ottawa — a city with a special connection to his family. His father once suited up for the Senators organization, and now the 31-year-old winger is joining them after Chicago dealt him away Friday in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.
The trade allows the Blackhawks to shed Burakovsky’s $5.5 million salary cap hit heading into next season. For Ottawa, the deal brings in a two-time Stanley Cup champion who previously hoisted the trophy with Washington and Colorado, and also spent time in Seattle before landing in Chicago.
Senators general manager Steve Staios expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, saying Burakovsky “adds skill and playmaking ability to our forward group.” The family tie runs deep — Burakovsky’s father Robert suited up for Ottawa in 23 games during the franchise’s second NHL season back in 1993-94. Andre is now joining his fifth NHL organization.
Staios had a busy Friday before finalizing the Burakovsky deal. He also acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson’s rights from Toronto, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Maple Leafs. Toronto had received Ersson, along with Emil Andrae, from Philadelphia in a separate cap-clearing deal that sent Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Flyers.
Ottawa also locked up defenseman Jordan Spence on a four-year, $20 million contract. The 25-year-old had a standout season, setting a career high with seven goals and totaling 31 points while averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game across 73 contests. He was a key figure as the Senators dealt with defensive injuries yet still managed to reach the playoffs.
Staios praised Spence’s contributions, saying, “Jordan was an excellent addition to our hockey club and proved to be a valuable asset on our blue line and stepped up when it counted last season. We’re excited to have him as part of our core group.”
In New York, the Rangers made their first offseason move Friday, shipping forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens in return for defenseman William Trudeau. Berard, who will turn 24 in September, was once viewed as part of New York’s long-term core. Trudeau is about a month younger but has yet to make his NHL debut, having spent his time in the minors, while Berard has appeared in 48 NHL games and recorded 10 points.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury is widely expected to pursue more significant transactions. Center Vincent Trocheck has reportedly been discussed in trade conversations dating back to before the March trade deadline.
The Buffalo Sabres acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger from Anaheim in exchange for the 45th overall pick and forward prospect Anton Wahlberg. Zellweger, who turns 23 in September, helps replenish Buffalo’s defensive depth after the Sabres earlier traded Bowen Byram to Chicago.
The New York Islanders re-signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a two-year deal worth $9 million, carrying a $4.5 million annual cap hit through the 2027-28 season. DeAngelo, 30, is back for his second full season with the Islanders after rejoining the NHL in January 2025 following a stint in the Russia-based KHL.
Out in Colorado, the Avalanche re-signed veteran defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak following a season that saw them win the Presidents’ Trophy before falling to Vegas in the conference final.
Burns, 41, inked a deal for next season — his 23rd in the league — at the veteran minimum of $850,000, with the potential to earn up to $3 million through incentives, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity since financial terms were not officially announced. Burns has played in 1,007 straight regular-season games and needs just 58 more to surpass Phil Kessel for the longest ironman streak in NHL history.
Kulak received a five-year contract reportedly worth $22.5 million. Colorado’s president of hockey operations Joe Sakic is reshaping the roster after reassuming general manager duties when the previous GM departed for Nashville.
