The National Hockey League free agent market is open, and teams are actively looking for ways to strengthen their rosters for the 2025-26 season. Many clubs took care of retaining key players in advance, signing new contracts with them even before July 1.
One of the most significant events of the offseason was the trade of Mitch Marner. Toronto Maple Leafs sent the star forward to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal. Marner signed an eight-year contract worth $96 million ($12 million per year) with Vegas. In return, the Maple Leafs received third-line center Nicolas Roy. This trade will immediately add offensive power to Vegas` top line.
Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito worked magic, retaining the core of the team despite their status as two-time Stanley Cup champions and key players set to hit the free agent market. Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad, who could have received huge contracts with other clubs, signed long-term agreements with the Panthers, taking annual discounts for the sake of keeping the roster together and a chance to build a dynasty. Marchand signed a 6-year contract worth $32 million, Ekblad an 8-year deal at $6.1 million per year, and 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett an 8-year contract for $64 million. All three played a key role in the team`s recent successes.
The Vancouver Canucks did extensive work to retain their leaders, signing long-term contracts with three key players before the market opened. Goaltender Thatcher Demko, who had injury issues last season (stats 10-8-3, 2.90 GAA, .889 SV% in 23 games), signed a three-year extension for $8.5 million per year. Forward Conor Garland, who had an excellent season with 50 points, extended his contract for six years with an average annual value of $6 million. And forward Brock Boeser, who scored 25 goals and added 25 assists last season, remained with the team for seven years at $7.25 million per year. Retaining this group was a priority for the Canucks.
Toronto Maple Leafs retained their captain John Tavares, signing him to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.38 million. Tavares, who scored 74 points in 75 games last season, has been an important figure for the Leafs for the past seven years. His new, more budget-friendly agreement is a significant success for the club, especially considering Mitch Marner`s departure to Vegas. Tavares will likely continue to play the role of the second-line center.
The Dallas Stars retained important veteran Matt Duchene. He extended his contract for four years with an average annual value of $4.5 million. Duchene was the Stars` leading scorer last season (82 points, including a career-high 52 assists). He remains a productive player for the top six, which will help the team in their attempts to win the Stanley Cup.
The Colorado Avalanche extended forward Brock Nelson`s contract. Acquired from the Islanders at the 2025 deadline, Nelson quickly fit into the Avalanche roster, scoring 13 points in 19 regular season games for his new team (56 points total for the season). He signed a three-year extension with an average annual value of $7.5 million and will likely continue to center the second line alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.
Edmonton Oilers locked up one of their key defensemen, signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $10.5 million. Bouchard has established himself as a top-pair defenseman and power play quarterback. The Oilers now have about $20 million of salary cap committed to two of their leading defensemen, Bouchard and Nurse.
One of the most surprising signings is a seven-year contract for $59.5 million ($8.5 million per year) from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Ivan Provorov. Despite the Blue Jackets using him in one of the top defensive pairs, Provorov has struggled in this role. Signing such a long-term and expensive contract with a defenseman who statistically looked poor at even strength raised questions.
Veteran Patrick Kane remains with the Detroit Red Wings for a third season, signing a one-year contract for $3 million. Kane, who has scored over 20 goals in each of his previous two seasons in Detroit, will add offensive power to the team`s top lines and help them in their quest to end a long playoff drought.
The New Jersey Devils retained goaltender Jake Allen, signing him to a five-year contract worth $1.8 million per year. Allen, acquired at the 2024 deadline from Montreal, posted a record of 13-16-1 with a 2.66 GAA and .908 SV% in 31 games for the Devils. His signing further narrows the list of available goaltenders on the market.
The Boston Bruins strengthened their forward group before the free agent market opened by acquiring Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. The Oilers made this move to shed salary. Arvidsson, who recorded 27 points (15+12) last season and added 7 points in the playoffs, should add depth to Boston`s middle six.
Winnipeg Jets decided to strengthen the roster with experienced veterans. The club signed Jonathan Toews, who is returning to the NHL after a two-year break. Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup winner and recipient of the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy, has accumulated 883 points in his career. His presence will add leadership to the Jets` locker room.
Nikolaj Ehlers Lands with Hurricanes
After several days of consideration, former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers made his decision and signed a seven-year contract worth $51 million ($8.5 million per year) with the Carolina Hurricanes. After a decade with the Jets, Ehlers will try to help the Hurricanes overcome the conference finals barrier. The speedy forward, who recorded 49 goals and 75 assists over the last two seasons despite limited ice time, was one of the most sought-after players on the market.
Sharks Ink Dmitri Orlov to Two-Year Deal
Another former Carolina defenseman, Dmitri Orlov, is moving to San Jose. Despite difficulties in the playoffs, Orlov received a two-year contract worth $13 million ($6.5 million per year) with the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks, having cap space, acquire an experienced defenseman for their very young team.
Brent Burns Joins Avalanche
Even at 40, Brent Burns remains a reliable two-way defenseman. After leaving Carolina, he joins the Colorado Avalanche on a one-year contract for $1 million plus incentives. Burns will add depth to the Avalanche defense behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews, but it remains to be seen how well he will perform outside Carolina`s elite defensive system.
Jets Add Veteran Winger Gus Nyquist
Winnipeg Jets also added veteran Gustav Nyquist to their roster. The 35-year-old winger signed a one-year contract for $3.25 million. Despite some decline last season, Nyquist is capable of playing an important role on the team`s third line.
Pius Suter Goes to Blues on Two-Year Contract
After signing Nick Bjugstad, the St. Louis Blues continued to strengthen their center depth by adding Pius Suter. Suter, who had a career-best season with Vancouver, signed a two-year contract for $4.125 million per year. He will bring reliable defense and the ability to score 15-20 goals to the team, which is a great deal for GM Doug Armstrong.
Kaedan Korczak Stays with Vegas on Four-Year Deal
Vegas Golden Knights, facing the need to strengthen their defense after Nic Hague`s departure and Alex Pietrangelo`s injury, retained young defenseman Kaedan Korczak. He signed a four-year contract worth $13 million. The 24-year-old Korczak performed well in limited ice time last year, and the club hopes he can step into a more important role.
Red Wings Add Forward Depth with Mason Appleton
Detroit Red Wings added forward depth by signing Mason Appleton. Appleton, a former Winnipeg player and part of their effective shutdown line, moves to Detroit on a two-year contract for $2.9 million per year. He may not add much offense, but he will significantly strengthen the team`s defensive game at a reasonable price.
Devils Re-sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
New Jersey Devils extended Cody Glass`s contract for two years with an average annual value of $2.5 million. Acquired from Pittsburgh at the deadline, Glass recorded 7 points in 14 games. He will be a good addition to the Devils` third or fourth line center depth.
Anthony Mantha Lands $2.5 Million Contract with Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins, in rebuilding mode, made an interesting bet by signing Anthony Mantha to a contract worth $2.5 million (likely one year). Mantha, who has had injury issues (31 games over two seasons) but is a reliable middle-six player, could become a valuable asset who, if he plays well, could be traded at the deadline.
Andrew Mangiapane Signs with Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers, in search of reliable offensive depth, signed Andrew Mangiapane. The 29-year-old forward, who scored 14 goals for the Capitals last season, is intended to strengthen the Oilers` middle six. He joined the team on a two-year contract worth a total of $7.2 million ($3.6 million per year).
Rangers Re-sign Will Cuylle
The New York Rangers retained promising forward Will Cuylle. A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Cuylle took a big step forward last season, recording 20 goals and 25 assists. As a restricted free agent, he could have been a target for other clubs, but the Rangers prevented this by signing him to a two-year contract for $3.9 million per year.
Sharks Bolster Depth
San Jose Sharks, in addition to signing Orlov, also bolstered their roster with veterans for depth. The club signed defenseman John Klingberg, who performed well in the playoffs with Edmonton, to a one-year contract for $4 million. The Sharks also added forward Adam Gaudette, who scored 19 goals last season for the Senators, signing him to a two-year contract totaling $4 million ($2 million per year).
Ducks Land Mikael Granlund
The Anaheim Ducks, a team on the rise aiming for the playoffs, signed center Mikael Granlund. He joined the club on a three-year agreement with an average annual value of $7 million. Granlund, who recorded 66 points last season for San Jose and Dallas, will be an important addition to the Ducks` center depth, which needed reinforcement after the trade of Trevor Zegras. He can also serve as a good mentor for the team`s young players.
Sabres Add Goaltending Depth in Alex Lyon
The Buffalo Sabres strengthened their goaltending line by signing veteran Alex Lyon. He joined on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.5 million. Lyon, who posted stats of 14-9-0 with a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% last season for Detroit, will compete with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. His signing occurred as many available goaltenders on the market have already found new teams.
Nashville Fills RHD Need with Nick Perbix
Nashville Predators, facing a shortage of right-handed defensemen, addressed this by signing Nick Perbix. He moves from Tampa Bay on a two-year contract totaling $2.75 million ($1.375 million per year). Perbix performed well in a depth defense role, and although he`s not expected to play top-pair minutes, he can contribute in a new role.
Isles Ink Jonathan Drouin to a Two-Year Deal
The New York Islanders, in need of offensive reinforcement, signed Jonathan Drouin. He joined the team on a two-year contract totaling $8 million ($4 million per year). Drouin, who successfully revitalized his career in Colorado where he recorded 63 points over two seasons, will add skill and playmaking ability to the Islanders` middle six, even if not playing with superstars.
Los Angeles Continues Busy Day with Defensive Additions
The Los Angeles Kings had a very active day, strengthening their defense, although the expediency of some steps raises questions. The club signed defensemen Cody Ceci (4 years, $18 million or $4.5 million per year) and Brian Dumoulin (3 years, $12 million or $4 million per year). These signings seem somewhat unexpected given the Kings` recent strength in defensive play. The Kings also signed goaltender Anton Forsberg, who will replace the departed David Rittich.
Kings Bring In Corey Perry and Joel Armia
Los Angeles Kings continue strengthening, adding veterans Corey Perry and Joel Armia. Perry, known for his frequent appearances in Stanley Cup Finals (in 5 of the last 6 years), signed a one-year contract worth $2 million. He will bring experience and production after a successful playoff run with Edmonton. Armia will add bottom-six depth.
Kraken Add Nate Schmidt After Excellent Postseason
After a successful playoff run with the Florida Panthers, defenseman Nate Schmidt moved to the Seattle Kraken. Last season, Schmidt played for the Panthers on a one-year contract for $800k and recorded 12 points in the playoffs, winning the Stanley Cup. Now he will receive $10.5 million over the next three seasons ($3.5 million per year) from the Kraken, where he will likely play a more significant role.
Nick Bjugstad Goes to Blues
The St. Louis Blues began strengthening their center depth by signing Nick Bjugstad to a two-year contract worth $1.75 million per year ($3.5 million total). Bjugstad will add size, defensive reliability, and some offensive potential to the team at a very reasonable price.
Kraken Ink Ryan Lindgren
The Seattle Kraken continue working on strengthening their line of defense. After acquiring Brandon Montour last summer, this year the club signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Lindgren, who in the past season played for the Rangers and Avalanche, signed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million. With 22 points (4+18) in 72 games, he will add reliability to the Kraken defense, who aim to return to the playoffs.
Vladislav Gavrikov Signs with Rangers
The New York Rangers significantly strengthened their defense by signing one of the best defensemen on the free agent market – Vladislav Gavrikov. Gavrikov, who recorded 30 points (5+25) for the Los Angeles Kings last season, signed a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. He is expected to pair with Adam Fox on the team`s top defensive pairing under new coach Mike Sullivan.
Flyers Add Goaltending Depth with Dan Vladar
The Philadelphia Flyers added depth to the goaltending position by signing Dan Vladar. The Flyers` goaltending roster, which already includes Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov, was joined by Vladar, who signed a two-year contract for $3.35 million per year. Last season for Calgary he had a record of 12-11-6 with a 2.80 GAA and .898 SV%. The team continues its search for a starting goaltender.
Flyers Sign Christian Dvorak to One-Year Deal
The Philadelphia Flyers, in the process of rebuilding under GM Danny Briere, started spending actively, signing center Christian Dvorak. Dvorak, who spent the last four seasons in Montreal and recorded 33 points (12+21) in a full season, joined on a one-year contract for $5.4 million. Despite the acquisition of Trevor Zegras, the Flyers needed depth down the middle. The club seems to be anticipating a significant increase in the salary cap in the coming years.
