NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 11:41 AM ET

NHL Free Agency Frenzy and Trades Shake Up League

The NHL free agent market ignited with significant activity as teams moved to solidify rosters. The New Jersey Devils submitted an offer sheet for Utah Mammoth's restricted free agent forward Barrett Hayton on Wednesday, signaling a bold move to bolster their forward corps Utah's Hayton gets $4.78M. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings continued to build, signing veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry to one-year deals, and adding Erik Haula on a two-year contract, while also re-signing another player to bolster their lineup Busy Kings add Haula. In net, veteran goalie Frederik Andersen, fresh off helping the Carolina Hurricanes to multiple playoff series wins, agreed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers Cup champ Andersen, Oilers.

Defensive cores saw notable adjustments as well. The Tampa Bay Lightning addressed their blue line needs by signing coveted free agent John Carlson to a two-year deal, strengthening their right side defense Lightning add D Carlson. In a significant move, the Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defensive prospects, a move that reshapes both teams' blue lines Sources: Oilers set. The Vegas Golden Knights secured defenseman Rasmus Andersson with a seven-year contract, carrying an $8.5 million cap hit and ensuring his long-term presence Source: Andersson stays.

Goaltending carousel continued as the Florida Panthers acquired Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils in a five-player deal, a move that significantly alters the goaltending landscape in the Eastern Conference Source: Panthers acquire G. The New York Rangers also bolstered their goaltending, acquiring Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins Rangers acquire goaltender Korpisalo. In Winnipeg, amid speculation about Connor Hellebuyck's future, the Jets signed free agent goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract with a $3.75 million average annual value, increasing speculation about a potential goaltender shuffle Amid Hellebuyck trade buzz.

Forward depth was a focus for several clubs. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the signing of veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year deal, adding a two-time Cup champion to their roster Sources: Bobrovsky inks 3-year. The New York Rangers also made a splash by signing free agent winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year contract with a $4.5 million cap hit Rangers sign Bjorkstrand,. The San Jose Sharks inked Mason Marchment to a five-year, $35 million deal, adding a significant offensive presence to their forward group Marchment joins Sharks.

Veteran defenseman Zach Werenski publicly committed to the Columbus Blue Jackets, stating he was "aligned" with the general manager and wished to remain with the club, ending trade speculation Werenski 'aligned' with Jackets. He also reportedly vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars Source: Blue Jackets' Werenski. In other defensive news, veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba signed with the San Jose Sharks on a four-year deal worth $8.25 million annually Sharks, gets 4-year deal.

The Washington Capitals are reportedly prepared to bring back captain Alex Ovechkin, with general manager Chris Patrick confirming the team has both roster and salary cap space available cap room, roster spot. In addition to this potential reunion, the Capitals have also signed center Boone Jenner to a four-year, $23 million contract and defenseman Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $16.8 million deal Capitals sign ex-Jackets captain.

The Montreal Canadiens inked rookie star Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension, securing one of their top young talents for the foreseeable future Habs ink rookie star. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning added veteran forward Ilya Mikheyev on a four-year deal, enhancing their forward depth Lightning, Mikheyev, agree.

The New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier is set to remain with the club after signing a five-year contract extension worth $58.5 million, ending speculation about his future Captain Hischier signs Devils'. The Devils also signed restricted free agent winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year contract, locking up another promising young player Devils sign RFA Arseny.

The Colorado Avalanche added veteran forward Jaden Schwartz on a three-year contract worth $3.25 million annually, bringing in a player with Stanley Cup experience Source: Schwartz gets 3-year. The St. Louis Blues signed forward Dillon Dube to a free agent contract, marking his first NHL deal since his acquittal in the 2018 World Junior sexual assault case first NHL deal since.

The Philadelphia Flyers rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar with a contract extension after he led them to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season After playoff win, Flyers. The Buffalo Sabres re-signed checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million pact 6-yr, $17.5 M pact.

The Chicago Blackhawks are signing newly acquired defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract extension Sources: Blackhawks' Byram gets. The San Jose Sharks also signed newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract Sharks ink just-acquired Kesselring.

The Vancouver Canucks acquired Brendan Gallagher from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations Gallagher parts with Habs. The Detroit Red Wings are nearing a deal with winger Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year contract following his 25-goal campaign last season Sources: Red Wings, winger.

The Dallas Stars traded restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque and veteran Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators for draft picks Stars trade RFA Mavrik. The Toronto Maple Leafs shipped the rights to restricted free agent Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins Maple Leafs ship rights.

The Anaheim Ducks signed forward AJ Greer to a four-year contract, adding Stanley Cup experience to the team Source: Ducks sign Greer. The Boston Bruins saw forward Milan Lucic transition from an antagonist to a pro scout for the Buffalo Sabres Sabres hire former antagonist. The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Parker Wotherspoon from the Penguins, creating over $3 million in cap space Knights acquire Pens' Wotherspoon.

Playoff Post-Mortems and Future Outlooks

As the dust settles on another NHL season, the lingering effects of playoff performances and the long road ahead for teams are becoming clearer. The Carolina Hurricanes fell short in the Stanley Cup Final, with veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen notably giving up the starter's net to Brandon Bussi in the deciding games, a decision that will be scrutinized as Andersen now moves to the Edmonton Oilers Cup champ Andersen, Oilers. The Montreal Canadiens concluded their season with a 33-year Stanley Cup drought extending, a somber milestone after their playoff exit Canada's Stanley Cup drought reaches 33 years after Canadiens fall.

Mitch Marner's playoff performance was a significant storyline, as he "rewrote his reputation" with strong play in the second round NHL playoffs Round 2 winners, losers: Mitch Marner rewrites reputation. The notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" was debated, with analysts suggesting it's simply the inherent difficulty of winning the Stanley Cup rather than a specific curse There is no Presidents' Trophy curse; It's just hard to win the Cup.

the conversation has already turned to the 2027 Hockey Hall of Fame class, with the 2026 class recently announced Who makes the Hockey. Computer simulations are also being used to predict outcomes for upcoming playoff series, offering data-driven insights into matchups like the Golden Knights vs. Avs and Canadiens vs. Sabres Stanley Cup Playoffs: Picks, predictions for the conference finals; Golden Knights vs. Avs Game 1 picks from 10,000 computer simulations; Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 7 picks from 10,000 computer simulations; Golden Knights vs. Avs Game 2 picks from 10,000 computer simulations; Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game 5 picks from 10,000 computer simulations.

Potential trade targets are also being identified, with Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings being a subject of speculation regarding his next destination Five potential trade suitors for Red Wings' Dylan Larkin. Fantasy hockey players are also preparing for the upcoming season, with analysis on which 2026 NHL draft picks to target Which 2026 NHL draft.