Cole McWard

July 2025 – McWard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders worth $775,000 at the NHL level that expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. McWard did not play in the NHL during the 2024-25 season with the Vancouver Canucks and played 67 games in the American Hockey League with the Abbotsford Canucks. McWard will play for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, during the 2025-26 season and may get a chance at his first NHL action since the 2023-24 season in a bottom-pairing role if injuries become an issue on Long Island with their defenseman. He has no fantasy value and does not need to be rostered. Mark Henry

January 2025 – McWard’s second season with Abbotsford has been impressive to this point. In 20 fewer games, McWard has 15 points compared to 17 a year ago. He’s also featured a strong defensive skill set. McWard’s comfort level in professional hockey has grown from last year, and with Vancouver’s defensive core facing a lot of questions, McWard may get another crack at the NHL later in the year. For now, Abbotsford is relying on him to continue playing well amid their hot stretch. Nick Orr

May 2023 – The Canucks inked McWard to a two-year entry-level contract in April. McWard, 21, just completed his sophomore season at The Ohio State University, where he had an impressive performance with 21 points in 39 games. He led the Buckeyes’ defensemen in goals and ranked second in assists and points. Throughout his college career, the Missouri native has accumulated 37 points and 10 penalty minutes. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds, he brings size and offensive production to the blue line. Suiting up in five games at the tail end of the Canucks 2022-23 season, McWard has already contributed his first NHL goal. While there is intrigue, he likely caps out as a bottom-pairing depth piece for deeper fantasy leagues. Dave Hall