NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

NHL Free Agency & Trades

The NHL offseason is in full swing with significant roster moves across the league. The Minnesota Wild were active, acquiring forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Flames Wild acquire Coleman, Maatta. In a notable move for the future, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed their first overall pick from the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, to a three-year entry-level contract McKenna signs deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning bolstered their defense by signing free agent John Carlson to a two-year deal Lightning add Carlson. Veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen, who played a key role in the Hurricanes' playoff run, has agreed to a one-year contract Cup champ Andersen agrees.

The New York Rangers saw a significant organizational shift as executive chairman James Dolan handed over day-to-day operations to his son, Quentin Dolan Dolan puts son charge. In other personnel moves, the Dallas Stars announced that captain Jamie Benn will return for his 18th season with the team Stars captain Benn returning. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin's return to Washington appears certain, with Capitals general manager Chris Patrick confirming cap space and a roster spot are available for their captain Capitals have cap room, following a social media post that signaled his intention to continue with the club Capitals won offseason.

Several teams made substantial signings on Wednesday. The New York Rangers were busy, signing winger Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Rangers sign Bjorkstrand and acquiring goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Bruins in a trade Rangers acquire Korpisalo. The San Jose Sharks added Mason Marchment on a five-year, $35 million deal Marchment joins Sharks, and defenseman Jacob Trouba signed a four-year, $8.25 million annually contract after leaving the Rangers Trouba leaves Ducks Sharks. The Colorado Avalanche brought in veteran forward Jaden Schwartz on a three-year, $3.25 million annually contract Schwartz gets Avalanche deal, while the Tampa Bay Lightning signed Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year deal Lightning, Mikheyev agree.

Defensive reinforcements were also a focus. The Vegas Golden Knights secured defenseman Rasmus Andersson on a seven-year deal with an $8.5 million cap hit Andersson stays Vegas, and the Chicago Blackhawks signed newly acquired defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million extension Blackhawks' Byram gets extension. The Buffalo Sabres re-signed checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million contract Sabres re-sign Malenstyn, and forward AJ Greer signed a four-year, $17 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks Ducks sign Greer.

Restricted free agents also found new homes or extensions. The New Jersey Devils submitted a $4.78 million offer sheet to Utah Mammoth forward Barrett Hayton Utah's Hayton gets offer, and later signed RFA Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year deal Devils sign Gritsyuk. The Stars traded RFA Mavrik Bourque to Nashville for draft picks Stars trade Bourque, while Toronto shipped the rights to Nick Robertson to Pittsburgh Maple Leafs ship Robertson. The Montreal Canadiens inked rookie star Ivan Demidov to an eight-year extension Habs ink Demidov.

Several other notable transactions occurred. The Los Angeles Kings continued to build their veteran presence by signing Mats Zuccarello and Corey Perry to one-year deals Kings add Zuccarello, and also signed Erik Haula to a two-year contract while re-signing Laughton Busy Kings add Haula. Goaltender Stuart Skinner was signed to a two-year contract by the Winnipeg Jets Jets sign Skinner, increasing speculation about their current goaltending situation. The Philadelphia Flyers extended goaltender Dan Vladar Flyers G Vladar gets, and the San Jose Sharks signed newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract Sharks ink Kesselring. Brendan Gallagher was traded to Vancouver for future considerations Gallagher parts Habs.

Contract Signings & Extensions

Player contract negotiations continued to dominate headlines. Captain Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils signed a five-year extension worth $58.5 million, keeping him with the team for his 10th NHL season Hischier signs extension. In Washington, center Boone Jenner was signed to a four-year, $23 million contract, and defenseman Vincent Desharnais received a four-year, $16.8 million deal Capitals sign Jenner. The Utah Mammoth acquired center Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers Rangers send Trocheck to Mammoth. Dillon Dube signed his first NHL deal since his acquittal, joining the St. Louis Blues Dube joins Blues.

League News & Transactions

The league also saw some intriguing acquisitions and personnel changes. The Florida Panthers acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils in a five-player deal Panthers acquire Markstrom. The Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks Oilers trade Nurse. The Buffalo Sabres hired former antagonist Milan Lucic as a pro scout Sabres hire Lucic. The Philadelphia Flyers signed Leo Carlsson to a record-setting five-year, $90 million offer sheet, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL Flyers sign Carlsson. Zach Werenski, who won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman, publicly committed to remaining with the Columbus Blue Jackets Werenski 'aligned' Jackets.

Playoff & Simulation Analysis

While the offseason churns, analysis of past playoff performances and future simulations continues. Computer simulations are providing predictions for upcoming games, including matchups between the Golden Knights and Avalanche Golden Knights vs. Avs Game 2 picks, Golden Knights vs. Avs Game 1 picks, and Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game 5 picks. Predictions are also available for the conference finals Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions and specific series like Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights picks and Canadiens vs. Sabres Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 7 picks. The analysis of playoff success has also led to discussions about the perceived "Presidents' Trophy curse" No Presidents' Trophy curse and the enduring 33-year Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams following the Canadiens' elimination Canada's Cup drought reaches 33 years. Mitch Marner's reputation has been re-evaluated in light of his playoff performances NHL playoffs Round 2 winners. speculation about the 2027 Hockey Hall of Fame class is already underway Hockey Hall of Fame 2027.