What happened: Dillon Dube has signed a one-year NHL contract, returning to the league after more than two years away. The 27-year-old forward was one of five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada case. Terms are a one-way deal worth $850,000, with agent Dave Cowan representing him.

Why it matters: The signing marks a return to the NHL for a forward who had been out of the league for over two years during the legal proceedings. A one-way structure guarantees the salary at the NHL level regardless of whether he is assigned to the minors, a signal the club intends to give him a genuine look, as reflected in the reported terms of the deal.

What to watch: Watch whether Dube earns an opening-night roster spot for the 2026-27 season and where he slots into the forward group.