Free Agency Continues
The National Hockey League‘s free agency period has extended into a second day, with several notable players still seeking new contracts. Among those available is Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion who previously spent three years with Detroit. Kane, at 37 years old, brings significant playoff experience and three Cup rings to any team he joins.
Other prominent wingers who remain unsigned include Vladimir Tarasenko, a two-time Cup winner, and Anthony Mantha, who is coming off a strong season. Additionally, forward Claude Giroux, 38, is still pursuing a championship.
The initial hours of free agency saw over 55 players change teams, with contracts totalling more than $360 million. This figure does not include the new deal for Bowen Byram, who became the highest-paid defenceman with an average salary of $12.5 million starting in 2027. Byram’s contract with Chicago followed his acquisition in a trade with Buffalo.
The New York Islanders general manager, Mathieu Darche, anticipates having over $40 million in cap space next summer. Darche indicated a continued effort to improve the team throughout the summer, particularly in the coming weeks, despite many general managers typically taking vacations during this period.
Recent Signings and Offer Sheets
The New Jersey Devils made a move by tendering an offer sheet for Utah center Barrett Hayton for $4.775 million. The Mammoth, who acquired Vincent Trocheck in a trade with the Rangers, have a week to match the offer or will receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
In other team news, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, who declined a trade to Seattle last week, is in need of a new contract. The Stars recently signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal after he recorded nine points in 51 games for Colorado last season.
Several players have signed new contracts across the league. John Carlson signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Sergei Bobrovsky joined the Maple Leafs. Rasmus Andersson and Jeremy Lauzon each signed with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Columbus Blue Jackets confirmed that Zach Werenski will remain with the team, with two years left on his current deal, following earlier trade rumours. The NHL released a comprehensive list of restricted and unrestricted free agents, which includes various players across different groups.
Among the Group 3 Unrestricted Free Agents, A.J. Greer re-signed with the Anaheim Ducks, while Ross Johnston signed with St. Louis. Noah Philp signed with HV71 in Sweden, and Jacob Trouba joined San Jose. Jeffrey Viel also signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For the Boston Bruins, Viktor Arvidsson signed with Detroit, and Riley Tufte joined New Jersey. Michael Callahan signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Buffalo Sabres saw Josh Dunne sign with Washington, Luke Schenn with Vancouver, and Zac Jones with Utah.
The Calgary Flames had Justin Kirkland sign with Minnesota, Ryan Lomberg with Columbus, and Victor Olofsson with the Vegas Golden Knights. John Beecher signed with Florida. The Carolina Hurricanes had Frederik Andersen sign with Edmonton, and John Carlson with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Domenick Fensore signed with Colorado.
For the Chicago Blackhawks, Sam Lafferty signed with Florida, and Ilya Mikheyev signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Olivier Rodrigue also joined the Lightning. The Colorado Avalanche saw Jack Ahcan sign with Nashville, Joel Kiviranta with Dallas, and Jason Polin with Buffalo.
The Columbus Blue Jackets had Zach Aston-Reese sign with Philadelphia, Boone Jenner with Washington, and Mason Marchment with San Jose. Alexander Petrovic signed with Florida for the Dallas Stars. The Detroit Red Wings saw Erik Gustafsson sign with Los Angeles, Eduards Tralmaks with Edmonton, and Antti Tuomisto with the Vegas Golden Knights.
For the Edmonton Oilers, Cam Dineen signed with Philadelphia, James Hamblin with Anaheim, Calvin Pickard with Minnesota, and Jack Roslovic with Toronto. Samuel Poulin signed with Montreal. The Florida Panthers had Sergei Bobrovsky sign with Toronto, Noah Gregor with Winnipeg, Vinnie Hinostroza with Colorado, Jack Studnicka with Philadelphia, and Daniil Tarasov with Detroit.
The Los Angeles Kings saw Pheonix Copley sign with Columbus, Mathieu Joseph with Edmonton, Andrei Kuzmenko with Pittsburgh, and Jeff Malott with Anaheim. Mats Zuccarello signed with Los Angeles for the Minnesota Wild. The Montreal Canadiens had Sammy Blais sign with Ottawa.
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Source: nhl.com
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
