NHL Notebook: Maple Leafs signs Connor Dewar as Julian BriseBois, Kyle Dubas join Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off

Selected in the third round of the 2018 draft by the Minnesota Wild, Dewar played parts of four seasons with them, scoring 18 goals and 38 points in 173 games, including 10 goals and 14 points in 57 games. Before the 2024 trade deadline, he was traded to the Leafs in exchange for Dmitry Ovchinnikov and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

With the Leafs, the 25-year-old scored a goal and five points in 17 games, along with an assist in six postseason games. Not a bad contract for a bottom-six forward.

Julien BriseBois and Kyle Dubas join Team Canada for 4 Nations Face-Off

On Tuesday, it was reported by numerous sources that Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois as well as Pittsburgh Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas will join Team Canada for the 4-Nations Face-Off. Brisebois will be the team’s assistant general manager, while Dubas will take the role as the director of player personnel. 

After Steve Yzerman left to become the Detroit Red Wings general manager in the summer of 2018, BriseBois took over as the Lightning general manager, winning two Stanley Cups with the team in 2020 and 2021, as well as a Presidents’ Trophy in 2018-19.

Dubas became the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2018-19 season, but the team constantly fell short in the first round, usually to either the Lightning or Bruins, before finally winning a first round in 2023 for the first time in 19 seasons. At the end of the 2022-23 season, Dubas left to become the President of Hockey Operations for the Penguins, before eventually making himself the general manager.

The 4 Nations Faceoff will take place from Feb.12 until Feb. 20 in Montréal and Boston. Canada will play the United States, Finland, and Sweden in the small tournament.

Beck Malenstyn and Buffalo settled prior to arbitration

On Tuesday, it was reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that the Buffalo Sabres and Beck Malenstyn agreed to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1.35 million annually.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft by the Washington Capitals, the left-winger became a regular for the team in 2023-24, scoring six goals and 21 points in 81 games. Overall, he has eight goals and 24 points in 105 National Hockey League games.

Malenstyn was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on the second day of the 2024 draft for a second-round pick (43rd overall). We’ll see if he gets a bigger opportunity with the rebuilding Sabres.