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Free Agency

17 stories from the newsroom.

Quinn Hughes defends Nathan MacKinnon for the Minnesota Wild in Denver on May 13, 2026. File photo.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYMINSep 14, 2026

Quinn Hughes Sets His Own Clock On Wild Extension

The Minnesota defenseman says training camp and the season opener are not deadlines, and that talks with Bill Guerin are still early.

Braeden Bowman controls the puck for Vegas against Carolina on June 14, 2026. File photo.
Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYVGKSep 14, 2026

Golden Knights lock up Braeden Bowman for six years

The 23-year-old forward signed a six-year extension Thursday with a $3.4 million average annual value after splitting last season between Vegas and Henderson.

Carson Soucy handles the puck for the New York Islanders against Philadelphia on April 3, 2026. File photo.
Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYCBJSep 14, 2026

Blue Jackets Ink Carson Soucy to Pro Tryout Deal

The veteran defenceman gets a training camp look in Columbus after splitting last season between the Rangers and Islanders.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Gabriel Carriere skates during warmups before a game against the Edmonton Oilers on April 3, 2025. File photo.
Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYHFDSep 14, 2026

Carriere bets on Hartford for first free agent move

The goaltender left San Jose's system after two seasons and signed a one-year deal with the Wolf Pack.

Brendan Brisson appears for Vegas against Dallas on January 24, 2025. File photo.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYTORSep 14, 2026

Maple Leafs sign Brendan Brisson to one-year deal

The former Golden Knights first-round pick arrives in Toronto after a 37-point season with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Chris Kreider deflects the puck for Anaheim against Vegas on May 6, 2026. File photo.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYMTLANASep 13, 2026

Canadiens Sign Chris Kreider to One Year Deal

Montreal adds the 35-year-old winger days after Anaheim placed him on waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

Calle Jarnkrok battles Tyler Myers for Toronto against Dallas on April 13, 2026. File photo.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYTORSep 1, 2026

Calle Jarnkrok signs three-year deal with Brynas after 13 NHL seasons

The 34-year-old center leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs for the SHL club where he won a Swedish championship in 2012.

Tommy Novak passes the puck for Pittsburgh against Philadelphia on April 29, 2026. File photo.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYPITNSHVGKAug 12, 2026

Penguins lock up Tommy Novak through 2030 with extension

The versatile forward agreed to a three-year, $13.95 million deal that begins in 2027-28 and carries a $4.65 million cap hit.

Detroit Red Wings forward Cross Hanas skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL preseason game in Pittsburgh on October 4, 2023. File photo.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
FREE AGENCYPROTEXAug 12, 2026

Providence Bruins Sign Cross Hanas to One-Year AHL Deal

The 24-year-old forward joins the AHL's best regular-season team after a career-high 38 points in 56 games with the Texas Stars.

Patrick Kane moves the puck for Detroit against Florida on April 15, 2026, before his return to Chicago. File photo.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYCHIJul 24, 2026

Patrick Kane returns to Blackhawks on two-year deal

The 37-year-old winger signed a $16 million contract with Chicago on Thursday, rejoining the franchise where he won three Stanley Cups.

Georgii Merkulov carries the puck for Boston against the New York Rangers on November 28, 2025. File photo.
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYCOLJul 21, 2026

Avalanche Sign Center Georgii Merkulov to One-Year Deal

Colorado adds depth at forward with the signing of Georgii Merkulov on July 20.

PWHL executive Jayna Hefford speaks with reporters before a Minnesota-Boston game in Lowell on January 3, 2024. File photo.
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
FREE AGENCYDETHAMLVJul 21, 2026

PWHL Overhauls Expansion Rules, Eliminates Draft for Four New Teams

The league will use a six-phase signing process instead of an expansion draft as it grows to 12 teams for the 2026-27 season.

Zac Jones joins Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad in a New York Rangers goal celebration at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2025. File photo.
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYCLTCLECOLJul 21, 2026

AHL Free Agency Brings Familiar Names to New Homes

Top scorers and All-Star defensemen signed new deals across the league when the market opened July 1.

Alex Ovechkin takes the ice for Washington before a game in Pittsburgh on April 11, 2026. File photo.
Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYWSHOTTJul 16, 2026

Ovechkin Returns to Capitals for Record 22nd Season

The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer signed a one-year deal worth up to $9 million after Washington retooled its roster.

Patrick Kane skates for Detroit against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2026. File photo.
Danny Wild-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYBUFCHIDETJul 15, 2026

Patrick Kane narrows free agency choice to Sabres or Blackhawks

Former Blackhawks star Chris Chelios says Kane has ruled out a return to Detroit and is deciding between Buffalo and Chicago.

Mats Zuccarello shoots for Minnesota against Colorado on May 9, 2026. File photo.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYLAKMINNYRJul 15, 2026

Kings Sign Mats Zuccarello to One Year Deal Worth $1 Million

Los Angeles adds the 38-year-old Norwegian winger after seven seasons in Minnesota, banking on veteran offense at a low cost.

Anthony Mantha reaches for the puck while skating for Pittsburgh against Philadelphia on April 29, 2026. File photo.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYNJDJul 15, 2026

Devils Sign Anthony Mantha to Two-Year, $9.5 Million Deal

The 31-year-old forward joins New Jersey after posting career highs with Pittsburgh last season.