A former member of the Edmonton Oilers got himself a nice payday from his new team.
The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday that Ryan McLeod signed a four-year contract extension worth $20 million.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Four more years of Clouder! ⚔️
We have signed Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. Details → <a href="https://t.co/Es0DLMo4Vg">https://t.co/Es0DLMo4Vg</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBuffalo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBuffalo</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NorthtownAuto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorthtownAuto</a> <a href="https://t.co/wX8MR5ylbR">pic.twitter.com/wX8MR5ylbR</a>
&mdash; Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1940156576498848151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The 25-year-old McLeod set career highs in 2024-25, scoring 20 goals and recording 33 assists for 53 points in 79 regular-season games. Selected in the second round of the 2018 draft, the native of Mississauga, Ontario, scored 32 goals and 75 points with the Oilers between 2021 and 2024.
The Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/many-layers-to-the-oilers-ryan-mcleod-for-matthew-savoie-trade">traded McLeod to the Sabres</a> last July (along with prospect Tyler Tullio) in exchange for Matthew Savoie. McLeod was in the second season of a two-year, $4.20 million contract in his first campaign with the Sabres, and he became a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
McLeod finished sixth in scoring on a Buffalo team that went 36-39-7 and missed the playoffs for an NHL record-extending 14th consecutive season.
<h2 class="text-center text-3xl text-white xl:text-4xl">Golden Knights say Alex Pietrangelo already on LTIR, ‘unlikely he’ll play again’</h2>
After some speculation about Alex Pietrangelo’s future, the Vegas Golden Knights and the veteran blueliner finally gave an update on the defender&#8217;s status. General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that Pietrangelo has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve, and based on how he framed it, this might be the end of the road for the potential future Hall of Famer.
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Alex Pietrangelo released a statement saying that, after exploring decisions with doctors, he’s been advised to “remove the intensity of hockey to see if (his) body can improve so that (he) can return to a normal quality of life.”
Vegas says Pietrangelo’s hips would require… <a href="https://t.co/zDwC9shjo7">pic.twitter.com/zDwC9shjo7</a>
&mdash; B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) <a href="https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1939842917712969813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The move frees up $8.8 million in cap space, which is what ultimately allowed Vegas to swing big and sign Mitch Marner to an eight-year deal worth $12 million annually. But unlike the usual LTIR loophole talk we’ve seen with Vegas and Mark Stone, this doesn’t seem like a temporary stunt. McCrimmon said it’s “unlikely” that Pietrangelo will play again.
Pietrangelo was suited up for the majority of the 2024-25 season — he played 71 games for the Golden Knights, chipped in four goals and 33 points, and added another six points in 11 playoff games. But he did back out of the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/evan-bouchard-among-possible-replacements-for-team-canada-after-alex-pietrangelo-withdraws-from-4-nations-face-off">4 Nations Face-Off after being named to Team Canada’s roster</a>, saying he needed time off to recover from injuries. It looks like those same injuries have now caught up with him.
If this is it, Pietrangelo walks away after 1,087 NHL games over 17 seasons, 12 with the St. Louis Blues, five with Vegas. Drafted fourth overall in 2008, he retires with 148 goals and 637 points, tied for 42nd all-time among defensemen in scoring. He also ends his career with two Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal.
<h2 class="text-center text-3xl text-white xl:text-4xl">NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, IOC officially sign 2026 Olympic agreement</h2>
It’s official: NHL players are heading back to the Olympics.
On Wednesday, the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC signed an agreement that will see NHLers compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina. It&#8217;ll be their first Olympic appearance since Sochi 2014.
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The IIHF, NHL, NHLPA and IOC have finalized the agreement for NHL players participation at Milano-Cortina 2026 &#8211; the first Olympic appearance since 2014!🤝
🔗 Read more at <a href="https://t.co/ldDBa43uXI">https://t.co/ldDBa43uXI</a>: <a href="https://t.co/aj5LeQDrvD">https://t.co/aj5LeQDrvD</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IIHF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IIHF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLPA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLPA</a> <a href="https://t.co/lgyj6FEJ8Z">pic.twitter.com/lgyj6FEJ8Z</a>
&mdash; IIHF (@IIHFHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/IIHFHockey/status/1940417628654510381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The tournament promises to be a showcase of elite talent, with names like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and Matthew Tkachuk all expected to represent their countries.
Canada will face Switzerland, France, and Czechia in Group A. Group B features Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and host Italy, while the U.S. draws Germany, Latvia, and Denmark in Group C.
Canada previously won gold at Salt Lake City in 2002, Vancouver in 2010, and Sochi in 2014. Other past champions include Czechia in 1998, Sweden in 2006, the Olympic Athletes of Russia in 2018, and Finland in 2022. Russia remains banned from international play due to ongoing IIHF sanctions.
The men’s tournament kicks off Feb. 11, with the playoffs starting Feb. 17 and the gold medal game set for Feb. 22. The NHL will go on an extended break during that time.

A former member of the Edmonton Oilers got himself a nice payday from his new team.

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Tuesday that Ryan McLeod signed a four-year contract extension worth $20 million.



https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1940156576498848151

The 25-year-old McLeod set career highs in 2024-25, scoring 20 goals and recording 33 assists for 53 points in 79 regular-season games. Selected in the second round of the 2018 draft, the native of Mississauga, Ontario, scored 32 goals and 75 points with the Oilers between 2021 and 2024.

The Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/many-layers-to-the-oilers-ryan-mcleod-for-matthew-savoie-trade">traded McLeod to the Sabres</a> last July (along with prospect Tyler Tullio) in exchange for Matthew Savoie. McLeod was in the second season of a two-year, $4.20 million contract in his first campaign with the Sabres, and he became a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

McLeod finished sixth in scoring on a Buffalo team that went 36-39-7 and missed the playoffs for an NHL record-extending 14th consecutive season.
<h2 class="text-center text-3xl text-white xl:text-4xl">Golden Knights say Alex Pietrangelo already on LTIR, ‘unlikely he’ll play again’</h2>
After some speculation about Alex Pietrangelo’s future, the Vegas Golden Knights and the veteran blueliner finally gave an update on the defender's status. General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that Pietrangelo has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve, and based on how he framed it, this might be the end of the road for the potential future Hall of Famer.

https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1939842917712969813

The move frees up $8.8 million in cap space, which is what ultimately allowed Vegas to swing big and sign Mitch Marner to an eight-year deal worth $12 million annually. But unlike the usual LTIR loophole talk we’ve seen with Vegas and Mark Stone, this doesn’t seem like a temporary stunt. McCrimmon said it’s “unlikely” that Pietrangelo will play again.
Pietrangelo was suited up for the majority of the 2024-25 season — he played 71 games for the Golden Knights, chipped in four goals and 33 points, and added another six points in 11 playoff games. But he did back out of the <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/evan-bouchard-among-possible-replacements-for-team-canada-after-alex-pietrangelo-withdraws-from-4-nations-face-off">4 Nations Face-Off after being named to Team Canada’s roster</a>, saying he needed time off to recover from injuries. It looks like those same injuries have now caught up with him.
If this is it, Pietrangelo walks away after 1,087 NHL games over 17 seasons, 12 with the St. Louis Blues, five with Vegas. Drafted fourth overall in 2008, he retires with 148 goals and 637 points, tied for 42nd all-time among defensemen in scoring. He also ends his career with two Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal.

<h2 class="text-center text-3xl text-white xl:text-4xl">NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, IOC officially sign 2026 Olympic agreement</h2>
It’s official: NHL players are heading back to the Olympics.
On Wednesday, the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC signed an agreement that will see NHLers compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina. It'll be their first Olympic appearance since Sochi 2014.
https://twitter.com/IIHFHockey/status/1940417628654510381
The tournament promises to be a showcase of elite talent, with names like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and Matthew Tkachuk all expected to represent their countries.
Canada will face Switzerland, France, and Czechia in Group A. Group B features Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and host Italy, while the U.S. draws Germany, Latvia, and Denmark in Group C.
Canada previously won gold at Salt Lake City in 2002, Vancouver in 2010, and Sochi in 2014. Other past champions include Czechia in 1998, Sweden in 2006, the Olympic Athletes of Russia in 2018, and Finland in 2022. Russia remains banned from international play due to ongoing IIHF sanctions.
The men’s tournament kicks off Feb. 11, with the playoffs starting Feb. 17 and the gold medal game set for Feb. 22. The NHL will go on an extended break during that time.

NHL Notebook: Sabres sign Ryan McLeod to four-year, $20 million contract extension

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