NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NHL Signings and Front Office Moves

The St. Louis Blues have locked up forward Connor McMichael with a six-year, $40.5 million contract. In other signing news, the New Jersey Devils inked Anthony Mantha to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million, and the Winnipeg Jets reached an agreement with Cole Perfetti on a five-year, $30 million contract. The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly set to re-sign Trevor Zegras to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $9.125 million. Meanwhile, in a surprising move, Steve Yzerman stepped down as the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.

Season Opener and Schedule Notes

The Carolina Hurricanes will raise their second Stanley Cup championship banner on September 29, hosting the Florida Panthers to commence the NHL season. The league also announced its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, which will feature an expanded 84-game campaign, up from the traditional 82 games.

Player Recognition and Franchise History

Macklin Celebrini, at just 20 years old, will become the youngest player ever to grace the cover of EA Sports' NHL series. The Washington Capitals' long-term commitment to Alex Ovechkin was highlighted, detailing their efforts to keep the star forward with the franchise throughout his career. The offseason trade season is heating up, with GM grades available for recent significant swaps.