Cole McWard - NHL News & Rumors

Put on waivers McWard was waived by Toronto on Wednesday, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Impact McWard signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Maple Leafs over the summer. Although it's a one-way agreement, which means he'll still earn his full salary even if he plays in the minors, it seems there isn't a role for the McWard as part of the Maple Leafs' Opening Night roster. The 25-year-old had six goals, 27 points and 24 PIM in 63 regular-season appearances with AHL Bridgeport in 2025-26.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Maple Leafs Sign Lettieri, McWard, Rybinski and Hlavaj | Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Vinni Lettieri, defenceman Cole McWard, forward Henrik Rybin...

JULY 3 • NHL.COM

Inks two-year deal McWard signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Maple Leafs on Thursday, per PuckPedia.

Impact McWard's new deal is a one-way contract in both years. The 25-year-old defenseman has logged nine career NHL games, earning one goal, eight shots on net, nine hits and 11 blocked shots. McWard will likely get a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Maple Leafs in 2026-27, but he'll probably spend most of the campaign with AHL Toronto.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Isles Day-to-Day: George Recalled | New York Islanders Isaiah George was recalled from the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday, while Cole McWard was returned on loan

JANUARY 24 • NHL.COM

Returned to AHL McWard was reassigned to AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

Impact McWard played three games for the Islanders and was unable to hit the scoresheet. McWard was a healthy scratch in the Islanders' last six games. The Islanders recalled Isaiah George in a corresponding move.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Isles Day-to-Day: Boqvist and Tsyplakov in vs Wild | New York Islanders Cole McWard and Kyle MacLean to come out of the lineup, plus line changes

JANUARY 10 • NHL.COM

NYI 4 vs TOR 3 (OT): Cole McWard | New York Islanders Cole McWard addressed the media following the Islanders 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

JANUARY 4 • NHL.COM

NYI vs TOR 1/3: Cole McWard | New York Islanders Cole McWard addressed the media ahead of tonight's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

JANUARY 3 • NHL.COM

Recalled from AHL McWard was summoned from AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

Impact The Islanders are down to six healthy defensemen, hence the recall of McWard. McWard led all Bridgeport defensemen with five goals and 16 points in 29 AHL games before his recall. He will likely be the seventh defenseman Saturday when the Islanders travel to Toronto.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Pots two goals in AHL win McWard scored twice in AHL Bridgeport's 4-3 win overtime win over Belleville on Sunday.

Impact McWard had three assists during a nine-game goal drought that ended with his performance Sunday. He's done fine in his first year in the Islanders' organization, racking up five goals, 15 points and a plus-7 rating over 23 AHL appearances. McWard is not likely to be a call-up candidate this year, as the Islanders have turned more frequently to Travis Mitchell and Marshall Warren when in need of a blueliner for the big club.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Three-point effort Wednesday McWard scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Bridgeport's 5-4 shootout loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Impact McWard has three multi-point efforts over his last six games. The defenseman is up to three goal, seven helpers, 19 shots on net and a plus-10 rating over 13 appearances this season, his first with Bridgeport. He was limited to 26 points in 67 regular-season outings for AHL Abbotsford last year, but it appears he's taken another step on offense in his third professional campaign.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up two points McWard scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Bridgeport's 3-2 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.

Impact McWard is up to four points through eight outings for Bridgeport this season. He has no obvious path to the NHL barring multiple injuries for the big club, where the Islanders are carrying seven blueliners. In addition to the 24-year-old McWard, the Islanders could call on Isaiah George or Marshall Warren, the latter of whom just had a week-long stint in the NHL before returning to the minors Friday.

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for waivers McWard was waived by the Islanders on Friday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Impact McWard last appeared in an NHL game back in 2023-24 when he was with the Canucks. In the minors last year, the 24-year-old blueliner put up decent numbers -- six goals and 20 helpers in 67 regular-season games -- but it wasn't enough to earn him a call-up. Expect more of the same for McWard this year, as he figures to continue plying his trade in the AHL.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for Long Island McWard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders, the team announced Tuesday.

Impact After spending the first three seasons in the Canucks organization, McWard has chosen the Islanders as his second team. In the 2024-25 season, he posted a career-high 26 points in 67 games played with AHL Abbortsford. He will likely start his time in the Islanders organization at the AHL level with Bridgeport in 2025-26.

JULY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bound for free agency McWard will not be given a qualifying offer by the Cancucks, the team announced Monday.

Impact McWard failed to break into Vancouver's lineup last season, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the club didn't want to retain his services heading into 2025-26. In his six NHL contests during his career, the 24-year-old blueliner generated just one point to go with seven shots and five hits.

JUNE 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Abbotsford Canucks Advance To The 2025 Calder Cup Playoff Western Conference Final With A 5–0 Win Against The Colorado Eagles The Abbotsford Canucks are heading to the 2025 Calder Cup Playoff Western Conference Final. They took a dominant 5–0 win over the Colorado E...

MAY 27, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Sent to AHL McWard was assigned to AHL Abbotsford on Friday.

Impact McWard was called up by the Canucks on Thursday, but he didn't appear in any games and will head back to the minors a day later. Even if he rejoins Vancouver at some point later this year, it seems unlikely that he'll play a significant role.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Vancouver McWard was recalled by the Canucks on Thursday.

Impact McWard was sent to the minors ahead of the regular season, and he's logged a goal and six points over 21 appearances at AHL Abbotsford to begin the year. He's made just six appearances in the NHL over the last two seasons, but he'll be available to provide additional depth after Filip Hronek (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Thursday.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL McWard (lower body) was assigned to AHL Abbotsford on Tuesday.

Impact McWard had been recovering from an injury for most of training camp, but his return to the minors indicates that he could return to action soon. He supplied four goals and 17 points in 57 regular-season outings with AHL Abbotsford in 2023-24.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday McWard (lower body) isn't expected to play Saturday against Calgary, per Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

Impact McWard's next opportunity to get into a game will come Monday versus Edmonton. He had four goals and 17 points in 57 regular-season appearances with AHL Abbotsford in 2023-24.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Friday McWard (lower body) isn't expected to be in the lineup Friday versus Seattle.

Impact McWard had four goals and 17 points in 57 contests with AHL Abbotsford in 2023-24. He's likely to open the campaign in the minors, provided the 23-year-old is healthy enough to do so.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Tuesday McWard (lower body) will not be in the lineup to face Seattle on Tuesday, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province reports.

Impact McWard has just six games of NHL experience under his belt, including one game last year in which he posted no significant stats in 9:05 of ice time. At this point, McWard will almost certainly be heading down to AHL Abbotsford to open the season once he is given the all-clear from his lower-body injury.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still out to begin main camp McWard is recovering from a lower-body surgery and won't be on the ice Thursday when the Canucks begin training camp, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.

Impact First news of McWard's injury surfaced when he was ruled out of rookie games last week. His surgery was to address a nagging injury that bothered him in 2023-24. McWard hasn't been ruled out of preseason games yet, but he'll be starting the year slowly while finishing his recovery.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with minor injury McWard won't play in rookie games for the Canucks while recovering from a minor injury, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province reports.

Impact McWard's injury was described as minor and a nagging injury from last season. The defenseman had 17 points in 57 games with AHL Abbotsford in his first full professional season. He's got six NHL games to his name, but there's no guarantee he'll begin 2024-25 with the big club, especially if his injury costs him preseason action.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs one-year deal McWard inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Canucks on Thursday.

Impact McWard had the option to become a restricted free agent in July after completing his entry-level deal. The 23-year-old had four goals and 17 points in 57 regular-season games with AHL Abbotsford in 2023-24. McWard has also provided a goal across six career contests with Vancouver.

JUNE 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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