Captain Gavin McCarthy became the third Terrier to sign an entry-level NHL contract, inking a three-year deal with Buffalo that carries a $1,007,500 AAV.
The contract begins with the 2026-27 season. He could play games this season with the Sabres AHL affiliate in Rochester under an Amateur Tryout (ATO) contract. Gavin’s older brother, Case McCarthy, who captained BU’s 2023-24 squad, plays for Harford in the AHL.
Check back for updates
In 36 games this season, he had a 4-17-21 scoring line and was +12 while playing on BU’s top defensive pair with Cole Hutson. He was named to Hockey East’s third all-star team and was runner-up for the conference’s top defensive defenseman award.
A third-round draft pick in 2023, the Clarence, N.Y., native played for the Junior Sabres growing up and skatedfor Muskegon in the USHL before coming to BU.
● NHL.com Sabres sign McCarthy to entry-level contract
● Daily Faceoff Sabres sign Gavin McCarthy to three-year entry-level contract
● SabreNoise 4 things to know about the Buffalo Sabres signing defenseman Gavin McCarthy
Owen McLaughlin, a seventh round Flyers draft pick in 2021, has signed a minor league contract with Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley. McLaughlin, who transferred from North Dakota to BU for his senior year, had 17 points (5G,12A) for the Terriers this season. At Lehigh Valley, he’ll join former Terrier Devin Kaplan.
HE’S IN ✅
Cole Hutson will officially make his NHL debut tonight in Washington!
Welcome to the League! pic.twitter.com/CyBE3ssvRf
— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2026
Tonight, Cole Hutson will become the 103rd Terrier to play in the NHL
when he takes the ice with the Washington Capitals to face off against Brady
Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators. The Terriers’ assistant captain and top
scorer signed a three-year entry level contract on Sunday.
The Hockey News reports that “Hutson is expected to play on a second pairing with Matt Roy and to also get time quarterbacking the power play,.”
College
Hockey Inc., reports that Hutson will be the 11th skater from last
Spring’s Frozen Four to play in the NHL this season.
Cole Hutson on being compared to his brother, Lane, and how they’re similar and different.
Also said of Lane: “I’d kill to be able to move like him out there.” pic.twitter.com/O8DSl7Y9ef
— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) March 18, 2026
● NHL.com Hutson to make NHL debut with Capitals against Senators
● The Hockey News Cole Hutson to make NHL debut for Capitals vs. Senators
Looking back
Montreal’s Lane Hutson put on a show in last night’s 3-2 overtime win against the Bruins. First, he set up the game-tying goal in the third period (YouTube), then in overtime made a game-saving block before assisting on Cole Caufield’s game-winner. The two helpers give Hutson 58 on the season and 69 points, tied for second among NHL defensemen.
Voici ce que Lane Hutson a fait à la fin d’une présence de 2min22s en prolongation
This is what Lane Hutson did at the end of a 2:22 shift in overtime#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/0uZ9tOBU88
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 18, 2026
Charlie Coyle scored the game-winner and assisted on three more tallies as Columbus thumped Carolina, 5-1. The former Hockey East Rookie of the Year has a 17-38-55 scoring line and is five points shy of his NHL-best 60 points.
Weymouth Mass loves St. Patty’s Day 🍀
CBJ x @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/LET1dyZLaL
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 17, 2026
Ryan Greene scored his ninth goal in the Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime loss to Minnesota.
things that just make sense: a Greener goal on March 17th 🍀 pic.twitter.com/d69fZgg3zL
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 18, 2026