WDSE is excited to share that client Natalie Buchbinder is staying put with the Minnesota Frost, signing a new two-year deal that will keep her on the blue line through the 2026–27 PWHL season.

Fresh off her second straight Walter Cup championship, Buchbinder returns to a Minnesota roster that’s looking to defend its title for a third year in a row. A key part of both championship runs, she’s earned a reputation as a steady, reliable defender with a high hockey IQ and a team-first mindset.

Originally selected 37th overall in the 2023 PWHL Draft, Buchbinder has grown into one of the league’s most dependable right-handed defenders. Her return is a big boost for the Frost, especially after the club saw top talent selected in the recent expansion draft.

The Fairport, N.Y., native brings a winning pedigree to the locker room. Before joining the PWHL, she captured three NCAA titles with the University of Wisconsin and represented the U.S. on the international stage, including a gold medal at the 2017 U18 World Championship.

With Minnesota aiming to extend its dynasty, Buchbinder’s leadership, consistency and championship experience will be a key part of the team’s continued success.

WDSE congratulates Natalie on the new deal and looks forward to what’s next in her already impressive career.

 Tyson Foerster’s steady rise through the hockey ranks reached a new milestone this week as the Philadelphia Flyers inked the 23-year-old forward to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension. The deal comes on the heels of Foerster’s most complete NHL campaign to date, a season that firmly established him as a core piece of the Flyers’ future.

A former first-round pick in 2020, Foerster delivered on his long-held potential during the 2024–25 season. Skating in 81 games, he notched 25 goals and 43 points, adding consistent offensive contributions while showing significant growth in his two-way play. It was a major leap forward from the 20-goal mark he reached as a rookie just a year prior, becoming the first Flyer to score 20 or more goals in each of their first two full NHL seasons with the team since Simon Gagne in 2000 and 2001.

Foerster’s path to this point has been marked by patience, development, and a relentless work ethic. His early years in the OHL with the Barrie Colts showcased his raw scoring ability and elite shot, but his time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL helped refine his all-around game. That foundation has proved crucial as he has transitioned into an everyday NHL player.

The new contract is a testament to the confidence the Flyers have in Foerster’s continued growth. With size, skill, and hockey IQ, he brings versatility to the lineup and has become a reliable option in all situations, from 5-on-5 play to the power play.

Beyond the NHL, Foerster has also continued to represent Canada on the international stage, suiting up at both the World Junior Championship and this year’s IIHF World Championship, where he added another three points in seven games.

As the Flyers look to build a young, competitive roster for the future, locking in Foerster was a key piece of their offseason puzzle. His upward trajectory has been impossible to ignore, and the two-year extension provides both player and team with the opportunity to continue growing together.

From top prospect to top-six mainstay, Tyson Foerster’s development is right on track. The future is bright, and this latest deal is just the beginning.

WDSE client Natalie Buchbinder is a two-time PWHL champion after helping the Minnesota Frost win their second consecutive Walter Cup with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Ottawa Charge.

Minnesota secured the championship on home ice at Xcel Energy Center in front of 11,024 fans, closing out the best-of-five series 3-1. The win marked the team’s second straight title in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Buchbinder played a steady role on the Frost’s blue line throughout the postseason, contributing defensively in high-pressure moments and helping the club maintain its structure during four consecutive overtime games in the final.

The Frost clinched the final playoff spot on the last day of the regular season before defeating the Toronto Sceptres in the semifinals. After dropping Game 1 to Ottawa, Minnesota responded with three straight overtime wins to seal the championship.

This marks Buchbinder’s second Walter Cup title in as many seasons with Minnesota. The 24-year-old defenceman is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and continues to be a key part of one of the league’s top teams.

WDSE congratulates Natalie on her continued success in the PWHL.

We’re proud to announce that defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo has signed a two-year, one-way contract extension with the Ottawa Senators, carrying an average annual value of $875,000 through the 2026-27 NHL season.

Matinpalo, 26, took a major step forward this season, appearing in 40 regular-season games and all six Stanley Cup Playoff games for Ottawa. He recorded 1 goal and 3 assists during the regular season and proved to be a steady, physical presence on the Senators’ blue line down the stretch and into the postseason.

Signed as a European free agent in 2023, the 6’3” right-shot defenceman has now played 45 NHL games and 91 AHL games over two seasons with the organization. He began the 2024-25 campaign with Belleville before earning a full-time role in Ottawa following his recall in December.

Internationally, the Espoo, Finland native represented Team Finland at the 2025 Four Nations Faceoff and has represented Finland at the IIHF World Championships each of the last two seasons.

This new deal reflects Matinpalo’s strong development and growing impact at the NHL level.

The Detroit Red Wings today signed forward Austin Watson to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

Watson, 33, has skated in two games with the Red Wings during the 2024-25 season, logging two penalty minutes, one shot and six hits in 7:00 average time on ice. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward has also played in 52 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 12 goals (T3rd), 20 assists (4th), 32 points (3rd), a plus-seven rating (3rd), 94 penalty minutes (1st), five power play goals (2nd), nine power play points (3rd), two shorthanded goals (T1st), one game-winning goal (T5th) and 122 shots (2nd). He represented the Griffins at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic in Palm Desert, Calif., along with goaltender Sebastian Cossa. Watson spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording four points (2-2-4), a plus-two rating and 93 penalty minutes in 33 games. Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the first round (18th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Watson has compiled 118 points (60-58-118) and 707 penalty minutes in 517 games with the Predators, Ottawa Senators, Lightning and Red Wings since 2012-13. He has also registered 19 points (10-9-19) and 48 penalty minutes in 45 postseason contests, helping the Predators reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, Watson has played in parts of seven AHL seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals and Griffins, racking up 164 points (85-79-164), a plus-17 rating and 183 penalty minutes in 286 games.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Watson played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes and London Knights from 2008-12 prior to turning professional, winning OHL championships with Windsor in 2009 and London in 2012. During his major junior career, Watson collected 219 points (89-130-219) and 164 penalty minutes in 244 games, in addition to 22 points (12-10-22) and 27 penalty minutes in 43 postseason matchups. Watson captured a Memorial Cup title with Windsor in 2009, and later earned the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP with London in 2012. Watson also skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2009-10, notching six points (4-2-6) and 33 penalty minutes in nine appearances. On the international stage, Watson served as an alternate captain with Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, logging one assist and 27 penalty minutes in 10 games. He also competed at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, tallying nine points (3-6-9) and a plus-six rating in six games. Watson received a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, showing three points (2-1-3), a plus-two rating and 33 penalty minutes in seven contests.

Nikolas Matinpalo’s standout performance during the 2025 4 Nations Tournament not only highlighted his exceptional skills on the ice but also solidified his place as a top-tier defenseman with the Ottawa Senators. Playing for Team Finland, Matinpalo’s impressive contributions across both ends of the ice earned him widespread recognition from scouts and fans alike.

The 6’3″, 213-pound Finn showcased his defensive prowess and ability to handle pressure when matched up against some of the world’s best players, including NHL superstars like Connor McDavid. Known for his powerful skating and ability to shut down top offensive threats, Matinpalo did not shy away from the challenge. His performance was especially evident when defending against the explosive Canadian offensive team, where his combination of physicality and smart decision-making allowed Finland to hold its ground.

In addition to his rock-solid defense, Matinpalo made key plays in transition, helping Finland stay competitive throughout the tournament. His work in breaking up opposing plays and quickly transitioning the puck to offense was invaluable.

Despite the challenges, Matinpalo’s performance was marked by confidence and leadership. He was a key figure in keeping Finland in the game against top-tier teams, proving that he belongs at the highest level of competition. As a result, his already solid reputation as a reliable defenseman was further solidified.

Matinpalo’s presence at the 4 Nations Tournament was a critical aspect of Finland’s defense, and his efforts should not go unnoticed by the Ottawa Senators. While his role in Ottawa may have been recently reduced following the return of Nick Jensen, the Finnish defenseman’s performance in this tournament clearly demonstrated that he is more than capable of handling increased responsibility at the NHL level.

Belleville Senators head coach David Bell, who has worked closely with Matinpalo in the AHL, recently praised his natural ability to adapt to the smaller North American ice and his work ethic. “Nikolas has been one of the best-kept secrets for the last 10 to 12 months. He’s a hard player to play against, and I knew that once he adjusted to the league, he would find success. His skill set is perfect for the NHL,” said Bell.

Matinpalo’s success at the 2025 4 Nations Tournament is just another chapter in his ongoing development as a key contributor for both Finland and the Ottawa Senators. His solid play in Boston left no doubt that he can compete at the highest level, making him a valuable asset to the Senators moving forward. As his confidence continues to grow, it’s clear that Matinpalo’s future in Ottawa, and on the international stage, is bright.