NHL free agency has arrived. And it’s already proven a hectic period rather hectic period.
Mitch Marner, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Brock Boeser lead the list of candidates who could find new homes come the end of the frame.
There’s already been a flurry of trades to whet NHL fans’ appetite. The NHL Draft saw Noah Dobson, Charlie Coyle, John Gibson, and Petr Mrazek swap jerseys. Who could join them in the transaction carousel? Here’s the latest on all things free agency, including signings, trades, rumors, and more.
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NHL free agency news, updates on signings and trades
Islanders, Alex Romanov discussing big extension
It it gets done, it will be an eight-year extension worth $6.25 million for the 25-year-old Romanov. After two years with the Canadiens, Romanov has spent three seasons in New York, playing in 221 games total and producing at least 20 points in each season.
Maple Leafs get Matias Maccelli from the Mammoth
Maccelli goes from Utah to Toronto for a 2027 3rd-round pick that could become a 2029 second if the Leafs make the playoffs next year and Maccelli collects 51 points. Maccelli is coming off a down season last year, but he produced at least 49 points twice between 2022 and 2024 for his former team and is still just 24 years-old.
Wild trade for Vladimir Tarasenko
- Date: June 30
- Source: Wild
Tarasenko is on the move again, this time from the Red Wings to Minnesota for future considerations. It will be Tarasenko’s sixth team in the last three years, as he put up just 33 points in 80 games for Detroit last year, while he still has one-year, $4.5 million left on his current contract,
Bruins re-sign three depth players
Boston has agree to deals with Henri Jokiharju, Michael DiPietro and Johnny Beecher for next season. It’s a one-year, $3 million deal for Jokiharju, two-year, $812.5K deal for DiPietro and one-year, $900K deal for Beecher.
Predators acquire and extend Nic Hague from the Golden Knights
- Date: June 30
- Source: Multiple reports
The full deal is Vegas sending Nic Hague and a third-round pick to Nashville for Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon. As part of the trade, the Predators are signing Hague to a four-year deal worth $5.5 million per year and retaining half of Sissons’ $2.875 million salary for next year.
Maple Leafs give Matthew Knies extension
Knies, who was a restricted free agent, is staying in Toronto on a six-year deal worth $7.75 million each season. The 22-year-old took a big step up in his second full season last year, totaling 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games and establishing himself as a key part of the Maple Leafs’ future.
Claude Giroux’s staying in Ottawa
Giroux and the Senators have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $2.75 million for the 2025-26 season. The 37-year-old will be in his fourth season as a Senator next year, and he has missed just one game in the last three seasons combined for Ottawa. Last year Giroux totaled 15 goals and 35 assists for the Senators, which were downturns for his typical career production.
Blue Jackets re-sign Dante Fabbro
It’s a four-year, $16.5 million for Fabbro, who was set to hit free agency this week. The defenseman spent six season in Nashville before the Predators traded him to Columbus early last season. Fabbro played in 62 games for Columbus and totaled a career-high 62 points while playing in over 21 minutes per game.
Ducks, Red Wings swap goalies as John Gibson, Petr Mrazek dealt in trade
The Ducks and Red Wings swapped goaltenders on Saturday, with John Gibson joining Detroit and Petr Mrazek heading to Anaheim. Gibson, 31, spent a decade with the Ducks, posting a 204-217-63 record with a .910 save percentage in 506 games. Mrazek, meanwhile, went 12-21-2 with an .891 save percentage and 3.35 goals against average last season. Anaheim will also receive a 2026 fourth-rounder and 2027 second-rounder in return for Gibson.Â
Flames lock up Kevin Bahl to six-year extension
The Flames inked 25-year-old defenseman Kevin Bahl to a six-year contract extension. The 6-6 blueliner will receive $32.1 million over the course of his deal. He recorded 20 points in 73 games this year, averaging 21:23 minutes.
Sam Bennett agrees to eight-year extension to stay in Florida
The Panthers locked up Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year extension. The 29-year-old will receive $8 million per season, up from $4.425 million from this previous deal. He very well could have netted more on the open market. Bennett tallied 25 goals and 26 assists in regular season. In the playoffs, he upped his production to 11 goals and 12 assists in 21 games.
MORE:Â Ranking the top 20 free agents, best players available by position
Islanders deal Noah Dobson to Canadiens for pair of first-round picks
The Canadiens acquired Islanders star defenseman Noah Dobson on Saturday, another signal that Montreal is ending its years-long rebuild. New York acquired 23-year-old winger Emil Heineman and the No. 16 and No. 17 pick in return. Dobson recorded 39 points in 71 games last year. He’s one year removed from a 70-point campaign that earned him Norris Trophy votes.
John Tavares agrees to four-year extension with Maple Leafs
Tavares was expected to be one go the most in-demand talents in this year’s free agency class. On Friday, he ended his sweepstakes with a whimper. Tavares will stay in Toronto, inking a four-year extension at an AAV of $4.38 million. Tavares produced yet another point-per-game season. His hometown discount should give the Maple Leafs a little wiggle room to add some depth. That could prove decisive: Mitch Marner is expected to sign elsewhere.
Jamie Benn inks one-year, incentive-laden deal to stay in Dallas
Dallas’ captain is staying home, extending his tenure with the Stars to a 17th season. Benn, who scored 49 points, will receive a base salary of $1 million. He’ll receive $500,000 each if he hits 20, 30, 50 and 60 games played. He can net an additional $500,000 if Dallas wins the Western Conference finals and another $500,000 if the Stars hoist the Stanley Cup. Benn has missed just two games in the past four seasons.
Oilers deal Evander Kane to Canucks in cap-clearing move
The Oilers dealt long-serving winger Evander Kane to the Canucks on Wednesday. The 16-year veteran has one-year left on his contract. He’ll make $5.125 million next season, all of which Vancouver will pick up. The Canucks represent the sixth stop of Kane’s career. In addition to Edmonton, the 33-year-old has turned out for the Thrashers, Jets, Sabres and Sharks. Kane’s departure will offer salary for an Oilers side taking on two hefty new deals: Leon Draisaitl’s contract extension kicks in this season, seeing his cap hit rise from $8.5 million to $14 million, while Evan Bouchard will receive a raise on the $3.9 million he earned last year.
