The period of NHL free agency is here, prompting teams across the league to enhance their rosters for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Many teams proactively secured key players by signing them to contract extensions before the official July 1st start.
After considering his options for a few days, former Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers decided to sign a seven-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, valued at $51 million. Having spent the first decade of his NHL career with the Jets, Ehlers will now aim to help the Hurricanes advance past the conference finals.
In a significant move, the Vancouver Canucks also surprised many by re-signing forward Brock Boeser to a seven-year extension with an annual average value of $7.25 million. With several core players secured long-term, Vancouver is now expected to focus on signing 2024 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes to an extension.
Perhaps the most impactful transaction of the offseason involved the Vegas Golden Knights. In a sign-and-trade agreement, star forward Mitch Marner signed an eight-year contract worth $96 million, committing his future to Vegas. The Maple Leafs, in return, acquired third-line center Nicolas Roy.
On a positive note for the Maple Leafs, they successfully retained two important players. John Tavares will remain in Toronto on a four-year deal reportedly worth just over $4 million per year, and young forward Matthew Knies signed a six-year, $46.5 million contract before becoming a restricted free agent.
Elsewhere, Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito continued his impressive work. Facing free agency for Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers managed to sign all three to extensions lasting at least six more years. Each player reportedly accepted a lower annual salary to stay in Sunrise and pursue continued success.
Sharks Add Defenseman Dmitri Orlov
Former Hurricanes defenseman Dmitri Orlov is also on the move. Despite a challenging postseason, Orlov secured a $13 million contract over two years with the San Jose Sharks. Given their cap situation, the Sharks can afford this deal, and Orlov is expected to provide veteran leadership for a very young team.
Brent Burns Joins Avalanche
At 40 years old, Brent Burns continues to be a dependable two-way defenseman. After his time in Carolina, Burns is joining the Colorado Avalanche on a one-year deal worth $1 million plus potential incentives. Burns adds depth behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews, with questions remaining about his performance outside Carolina`s strong defensive system.
Jets Acquire Veteran Winger Gus Nyquist
Winnipeg has focused on adding experienced players this summer. Following the signing of Jonathan Toews, the Jets have brought in Gus Nyquist on a one-year contract valued at $3.25 million. The 35-year-old Nyquist saw a dip in performance in 2024-25 but should provide valuable third-line minutes for the Jets.
Pius Suter Heads to Blues on Two-Year Deal
After signing Nick Bjugstad, the St. Louis Blues further strengthened their center depth with Pius Suter. Coming off a career-best season with the Vancouver Canucks, Suter offers solid defense and consistent offensive production (15-20 goals). At an annual cost of $4.125 million over two years, this is considered a smart move by GM Doug Armstrong.
Kaedan Korczak Extended by Vegas
With Nic Hague traded and Alex Pietrangelo expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season, the Vegas Golden Knights need defensive solutions. They hope Kaedan Korczak can fill a larger role after signing a four-year, $13 million contract. The 24-year-old played well in limited ice time last year and faces tougher assignments ahead.
Red Wings Boost Depth with Mason Appleton
A key reason for the Jets` strong defense was the shutdown line featuring Adam Lowry between Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton. Now, Appleton is headed to Detroit on a two-year deal worth $2.9 million per season. While not a major offensive threat, Appleton significantly upgrades the Red Wings` team defense at a reasonable price.
Devils Re-sign Cody Glass
The Devils acquired Cody Glass from the Penguins at last year`s trade deadline, and he contributed seven points in 14 games. New Jersey is bringing him back on a two-year deal at $2.5 million per season, a modest investment for a player expected to provide valuable presence down the middle on the third or fourth line.
Anthony Mantha Signs with Penguins
Over the past two seasons, Anthony Mantha has played a combined 31 games. When healthy, he`s been a reliable middle-six winger. His $2.5 million contract is a reasonable gamble for Pittsburgh, a team clearly in a rebuilding phase. If Mantha performs well, the Penguins have the option to trade him for future assets at the deadline.
Andrew Mangiapane Joins Oilers
In their continuous effort to add reliable depth scoring, the Edmonton Oilers signed Andrew Mangiapane this offseason. The 29-year-old forward is coming off a 14-goal season with the Capitals and is expected to play a middle-six role in Edmonton. The Oilers hope he proves to be a more successful acquisition than some from last summer. Mangiapane signed a two-year contract worth a total of $7.2 million.
Rangers Retain Will Cuylle
Will Cuylle, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, had a breakout season last year with 20 goals and 25 assists. As a restricted free agent, he was a potential offer sheet target, but the New York Rangers secured him beforehand. Cuylle will stay with the Rangers on a two-year deal with an average annual value of $3.9 million.
Sharks Make Multiple Additions
The Sharks, building around an exciting young core, spent time adding veterans to their roster depth. San Jose signed defenseman John Klingberg, who revitalized his career during the Oilers` playoff run, to a one-year deal worth $4 million. They also added Adam Gaudette, a bottom-six forward who scored 19 goals for the Senators last season, on a two-year, $4 million contract.
Ducks Acquire Mikael Granlund
The Anaheim Ducks, a team aiming for a postseason run next season, signed center Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with a $7.0 million average annual value. Granlund recorded 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists) last season between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, being particularly productive in Dallas after a trade. The Stars couldn`t afford to re-sign him.
Anaheim needed center depth after trading Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia. Granlund addresses this need and can serve as a mentor for talented young forwards like Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier.
Sabres Add Goaltender Alex Lyon
The Buffalo Sabres increased their goaltending depth by bringing in veteran netminder Alex Lyon on a two-year deal carrying a $1.5 million annual cap hit. Lyon spent the previous two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, posting a 14-9-0 record with a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% in 2024-25. He joins Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi in Buffalo, potentially pushing Luukkonen after his 3.20 GAA last season.
Several notable goaltenders like Jake Allen, Anton Forsberg, Dan Vladar, and Lyon are now signed. Options like Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov, and James Reimer remain available, likely as tandem partners.
Nashville Fills RHD Need with Nick Perbix
With an abundance of left-handed defensemen, the Nashville Predators needed a right-handed shot and found one in Nick Perbix. He signed a two-year deal worth $2.75 million after performing well in a depth role for the Lightning. There`s potential for Perbix to thrive in a larger role in Nashville, though his contract reflects a depth signing.
Islanders Ink Jonathan Drouin
Seeking added offense, the New York Islanders signed Jonathan Drouin to a two-year, $8 million contract. Drouin, who revitalized his career with the Colorado Avalanche (63 points in 122 games), should be a good fit in the middle six, providing playmaking ability on the wing, even without playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon.
Kings Make Multiple Defensive Signings
The Los Angeles Kings had a busy day, signing Cody Ceci to a four-year, $18 million contract and Brian Dumoulin for three years and $12 million. These defensive acquisitions are seen by some as questionable moves for a team that has recently excelled defensively. The Kings also replaced backup goaltender David Rittich, who left in free agency, by adding Anton Forsberg.
Kings Also Add Corey Perry and Joel Armia
Following a strong Western Conference run, the Los Angeles Kings signed veteran forward Corey Perry to a one-year deal worth $2 million. Perry, who has recently been on the losing side of several Stanley Cup Finals, had a productive playoff run in Edmonton. Joel Armia was also added to provide bottom-six forward depth for the Kings.
Nate Schmidt Joins Mammoth After Strong Postseason
Before the 2024-25 season, Nate Schmidt signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers for $800,000. He played well in a depth role and had an excellent postseason with 12 points during their Stanley Cup win. Schmidt will now receive $10.5 million over the next three seasons with the Mammoth, where he is expected to take on a larger role. (Note: “Mammoth” appears in the source text as the team name.)
Nick Bjugstad Signed by Blues
Addressing their need for center depth, the St. Louis Blues signed Nick Bjugstad to a two-year deal. Bjugstad brings size, defensive ability, and some offense to the lineup at a reasonable cost of $1.75 million per season.
Kraken Sign Ryan Lindgren
The Seattle Kraken aimed to strengthen their defense for the second consecutive offseason. After signing Brandon Montour last summer, they`ve added defenseman Ryan Lindgren on a four-year contract reportedly worth $4.5 million annually. Lindgren split last season between the Rangers and Avalanche, recording four goals and 18 assists in 72 games. He provides solid defensive depth as Seattle looks to return to the playoffs.
Vladislav Gavrikov Signs with Rangers
The New York Rangers significantly improved their blue line by signing defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.0 million. Gavrikov was considered a top defenseman available in free agency. He recorded five goals and 25 assists with the Los Angeles Kings last season and is now expected to potentially pair with Adam Fox as part of the Rangers` top defensive unit under new coach Mike Sullivan.
Flyers Add Goaltender Dan Vladar
The Philadelphia Flyers have been active, signing goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year deal worth $3.35 million annually. Vladar had a 12-11-6 record with a 2.80 GAA and .898 SV% in 30 games with the Calgary Flames last season. The Flyers continue their search for a starting-caliber goaltender, with Vladar joining a crease that includes Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov.
Flyers Sign Christian Dvorak
Under GM Danny Briere, the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers are spending to start free agency. They`ve signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year deal worth $5.4 million. Dvorak spent the previous four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, recording 12 goals and 21 assists in a full 82-game season. Despite adding Trevor Zegras, the Flyers still needed center depth. Dvorak`s cap hit is notable, but the league`s salary cap is projected to increase significantly in the coming years.
Jake Allen Remains with Devils
The goaltender market tightened further as the New Jersey Devils signed Jake Allen to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $1.8 million annually. The Devils acquired Allen from Montreal last year, where he had a 13-16-1 record with a 2.66 GAA and .908 SV% while splitting time with Jacob Markstrom. Goalie-needy teams must now explore other options.
Bruins Acquire Viktor Arvidsson
The Boston Bruins added forward depth by acquiring winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. The Oilers made the trade to free up $4 million in cap space. Arvidsson adds depth to Boston`s middle-six, having tallied 15 goals and 12 assists last season and adding two goals and five assists in the 2024-25 playoffs.
Canucks Extend Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland
The Vancouver Canucks completed two key pieces of business before free agency, agreeing to extensions with goaltender Thatcher Demko (three years, $8.5 million AAV) and forward Conor Garland (six years, $6.0 million AAV). Both players were entering the final year of their contracts. Demko`s previous season was affected by injury, limiting him to 23 games (10-8-3 record, 2.90 GAA, .889 SV%). Garland had a strong season with 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists), the second-highest total of his career. Securing these two was important, especially with the possibility of Boeser exploring free agency (though he later re-signed).
Evan Bouchard Signs Big Deal with Oilers
Evan Bouchard`s future in Edmonton was never in doubt. He has developed into a top defender and a premier power-play quarterback. The Oilers announced they re-signed Bouchard to a four-year contract worth $10.5 million per season. This deal, combined with Nurse`s contract, commits nearly $20 million to two of their top defensemen.
Patrick Kane Returns to Red Wings
Veteran winger Patrick Kane is staying in Detroit for a third season, signing a one-year deal worth $3 million. While not at his Chicago peak, Kane has scored over 20 goals in each of his first two seasons with the Red Wings. He provides a top-six scoring option as the team aims to end its playoff drought.
Blue Jackets Sign Ivan Provorov to Large Contract
One of the more surprising re-signings was the Columbus Blue Jackets giving Ivan Provorov a seven-year, $59.5 million contract. Columbus has used him in a top-four role, but he has struggled to perform effectively in those minutes, particularly at five-on-five. An $8.5 million cap hit for a defenseman with these recent results is seen by some as questionable management.
Jonathan Toews Joins Jets
Jonathan Toews is making his return to the NHL after a two-season absence, signing with the Winnipeg Jets. Toews has a decorated career with 883 points (372 goals, 511 assists) in 1,067 games, ranking high in Blackhawks history in several categories. In his last full season (2022-23), he scored 15 goals and 16 assists in 53 games. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and 2010 Conn Smythe winner, Toews adds significant experience to the Jets.
Matt Duchene Stays with Stars
The Dallas Stars retained a key veteran forward, re-signing Matt Duchene to a four-year contract extension worth $4.5 million per season. Duchene was set to become an unrestricted free agent. He led the Stars in scoring last season with 82 points (30 goals, 52 assists), the second-highest point total of his 16-year career, with his 52 assists being a career-high. Duchene also contributed six points in the playoffs and is expected to remain a productive member of the Stars` top-six forward group as they pursue a Stanley Cup.
Avalanche Extend Brock Nelson
The Colorado Avalanche are keeping arguably their most significant free agent, signing forward Brock Nelson to a three-year extension with a $7.5 million average annual value. Nelson was acquired from the Islanders at the 2025 trade deadline and tallied 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 19 regular-season games for Colorado. He finished the season with 56 combined points and added four assists in the playoffs. Nelson, who turns 34 around the start of the season, is expected to continue centering the Avalanche`s second line, potentially with Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.
