NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

NHL FREE AGENCY AND PLAYER MOVEMENT

The NHL offseason is in full swing with significant player movement across the league, particularly in free agency and trades. The Philadelphia Flyers have tendered an offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, proposing a five-year deal valued at $18 million annually tender offer sheet. In a move signaling veteran commitment, Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is returning for his 18th season, having played his entire NHL career with the Stars returning for season. The Washington Capitals, after a social media video confirmed Alex Ovechkin's return, have been busy strengthening their roster, with GM Chris Patrick confirming cap room and a roster spot for their captain Ovechkin's return. The Capitals also signed center Boone Jenner to a four-year, $23 million contract and defenseman Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $16.8 million deal signed Jenner.

The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta in a trade with the Calgary Flames, alongside re-signing their own free agents acquire Coleman, Maatta. Veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen, a Stanley Cup champion, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers Andersen, Oilers agree. The Oilers also traded defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for unspecified assets trade Nurse. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has inked a three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs Bobrovsky inks deal. In other goaltending news, the Panthers acquired Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils as part of a five-player transaction acquire Markstrom.

The New York Rangers have been active, signing winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year contract with a $4.5 million cap hit sign Bjorkstrand. They also acquired goaltender Joonas Korpisalo in a trade with the Boston Bruins acquire Korpisalo. The Rangers' day-to-day operations have been handed to James Dolan's son, Quentin Dolan, by MSG Sports executive chairman James Dolan Rangers operations. The Vegas Golden Knights acquired defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from the Penguins, freeing up over $3 million in cap space acquire Wotherspoon.

The New Jersey Devils submitted an offer sheet for Utah Mammoth's restricted free agent forward Barrett Hayton, seeking a $4.78 million contract Hayton offer sheet. Devils captain Nico Hischier has signed a five-year contract extension worth $58.5 million, ending speculation about his future Hischier extension. The Devils also signed restricted free agent winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year deal sign Gritsyuk. The Utah Mammoth, looking to build on a Western Conference playoff appearance, acquired New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck acquire Trocheck.

The San Jose Sharks have been busy, signing Mason Marchment to a five-year, $35 million deal Marchment joins Sharks. They also acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring and immediately signed him to a three-year, $13.5 million contract ink Kesselring. Veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba has signed a four-year deal with the Sharks worth $8.25 million annually Trouba leaves Ducks. The Anaheim Ducks signed forward AJ Greer to a four-year contract worth $17 million, adding Stanley Cup experience sign Greer.

The Detroit Red Wings are nearing a deal with winger Viktor Arvidsson, who scored 25 goals last season with the Boston Bruins Arvidsson near deal. The Los Angeles Kings have added veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry on one-year contracts add Zuccarello. The Kings also signed Erik Haula to a two-year contract and re-signed another player add Haula. The Winnipeg Jets signed goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract with a $3.75 million average annual value, increasing speculation about Connor Hellebuyck's future sign Skinner.

The Colorado Avalanche signed veteran forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract worth $3.25 million annually Schwartz deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year deal, adding depth to their forward corps Mikheyev deal. The Montreal Canadiens inked rookie star Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension after his strong rookie season Demidov extension. The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed goaltender Dan Vladar, who led them to the playoffs last season Vladar new deal.

The Tampa Bay Lightning also added defenseman John Carlson to a two-year deal to bolster their right side defense add Carlson. The Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski, fresh off winning the Norris Trophy, has stated his commitment to the team and ended trade speculation Werenski alignedtruncated. The Toronto Maple Leafs shipped the rights to restricted free agent Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins ship Robertson rights. The Dallas Stars traded restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin to Nashville for draft picks trade Bourque.

The Chicago Blackhawks are signing newly acquired defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract extension Byram extension. The Buffalo Sabres re-signed checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million contract re-sign Malenstyn. Former NHL player Milan Lucic has joined the Buffalo Sabres as a pro scout, transitioning from his previous role as an antagonist for the team hire Lucic. Brendan Gallagher was traded from the Canadiens to the Canucks for future considerations Gallagher parts ways. The Golden Knights agreed to a seven-year deal with defenseman Rasmus Andersson, carrying an $8.5 million cap hit Andersson stays. Dillon Dube signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Blues, becoming the second player acquitted in the Canada 2018 World Junior sexual assault case to sign with an NHL team Dube joins Blues.

DEFENSEMEN AND NORRIS WINNERS

Zach Werenski, fresh off winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, has affirmed his commitment to the Columbus Blue Jackets, putting an end to trade speculation and signaling his intention to remain with the team Werenski alignedtruncated. In a significant move for the Vegas Golden Knights, defenseman Rasmus Andersson has agreed to a seven-year deal with an $8.5 million salary cap hit, ensuring his continued presence on the blueline Andersson stays. The San Jose Sharks have acquired veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba, who previously captained the New York Rangers, agreeing to a four-year deal worth $8.25 million annually Trouba leaves Ducks. The Tampa Bay Lightning have bolstered their defense by signing defenseman John Carlson to a two-year contract, filling a need on the right side add Carlson. Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram is set to receive a substantial six-year, $75 million contract extension, solidifying his long-term future with the franchise Byram extension.

GOALTENDING SHIFTS AND ROSTER ADDITIONS

Veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen, a Stanley Cup champion, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, adding experience to their crease Andersen, Oilers agree. The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on a three-year deal, adding a proven netminder to their roster Bobrovsky inks deal. The Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils in a multi-player transaction, signaling a significant change in their goaltending situation acquire Markstrom. The Winnipeg Jets have signed free agent goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract with a $3.75 million average annual value, a move that fuels speculation regarding Connor Hellebuyck's future with the team sign Skinner. The New York Rangers have added goaltender Joonas Korpisalo via trade with the Boston Bruins, further shuffling their goaltending depth acquire Korpisalo.

OFFSEASON MOVES AND PLAYER ACQUISITIONS

The Philadelphia Flyers have made a notable offer sheet submission for Anaheim Ducks star center Leo Carlsson, proposing a five-year deal with an annual value of $18 million tender offer sheet. The Minnesota Wild have been active, acquiring forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta in a trade with the Calgary Flames, in addition to re-signing their own pending free agents acquire Coleman, Maatta. The Washington Capitals, confirming Alex Ovechkin's return, have also been busy strengthening their lineup, with GM Chris Patrick indicating that both salary cap space and a roster spot are available for their captain Ovechkin's return. 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 signed Jenner.

The San Jose Sharks continue to be aggressive in free agency, signing forward Mason Marchment to a five-year, $35 million contract Marchment joins Sharks. They have also signed newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract ink Kesselring. The Utah Mammoth have acquired veteran center Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers as part of their efforts to build a competitive Western Conference team acquire Trocheck. The New Jersey Devils have signed restricted free agent winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year contract, securing one of last season's top rookies sign Gritsyuk. The Los Angeles Kings have added veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry on one-year contracts, bolstering their forward depth add Zuccarello. They have also signed Erik Haula to a two-year contract and re-signed another player add Haula. The Colorado Avalanche have signed veteran forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract worth $3.25 million annually Schwartz deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed veteran Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year deal, adding a tenacious player to their forward group Mikheyev deal.

The New York Rangers have signed free agent winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year contract with a $4.5 million cap hit sign Bjorkstrand. The Montreal Canadiens have signed rookie star Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension, locking up a key offensive talent for the foreseeable future Demidov extension. The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed goaltender Dan Vladar, who was instrumental in their playoff run last season Vladar new deal REF