NHL News

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The 2026 NHL offseason has seen dynamic player movements as teams prepare for the new season. Notable deals include Patrick Kane's return to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year deal, Jason Robertson's one-year contract with the Dallas Stars, and the Toronto Maple Leafs securing top draft pick Gavin McKenna. Several teams, including Philadelphia, Montreal, and Edmonton, have signed key restricted free agents and veteran additions with varying contract lengths and values, per ESPN's continuous free agency tracker.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed 25-year-old goaltender Jet Greaves to a three-year, $15 million contract. Greaves impressed last season with a 26-19-9 record and a 2.60 goals-against average, ranking sixth among NHL goalies. His career save percentage stands at .913, and he represented Canada at the 2026 World Championships, solidifying his position as a key player for Columbus.

Veteran winger Patrick Kane has agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, featuring an $8 million average annual value and a full no-movement clause. Kane, the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer, helped Chicago win three Stanley Cups earlier in his career. After playing with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, Kane's return is welcomed by the team and star Connor Bedard.

The Toronto Maple Leafs kept forward Nick Robertson on their roster throughout the 2025-26 season despite trade rumors and a modest contract extension. After completing the season playing 78 games, Robertson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a restricted free agent on July 1, aligning with preseason expectations as confirmed by ESPN NHL analyst Greg Wyshynski.

Dallas Stars finalized a one-year, $12 million contract with leading scorer Jason Robertson, following protracted negotiations and salary arbitration filing. General manager Jim Nill expressed intent to pursue a longer-term agreement, highlighting Robertson's importance to the team. Robertson declined an eight-year offer from another team, showing commitment to Dallas, but the sides plan to revisit talks as the season progresses.

After the Miami Heat mistakenly posted then deleted a YouTube link for a LeBron James introductory press conference, the Winnipeg Jets humorously responded by announcing their own mock LeBron James press conference featuring James in a Jets jersey. This lighthearted exchange reflects playful cross-sport interactions amid ongoing free agency speculation involving the basketball star.

Former NFL star Marshawn Lynch will participate in the Hockey Diversity Alliance's SummerFest in Toronto, hosting a football clinic and playing in a celebrity ball hockey game. The HDA, founded by NHL players of color, aims to combat racism and increase hockey access among minorities and underserved youth through free equipment and clinics. SummerFest expects over 4,000 attendees, featuring other notable athletes like Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse.

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto began using a hockey puck knob bat in mid-May to shorten his swing and improve hitting with two strikes. Following the adjustment, his two-strike on-base plus slugging rose significantly, with reduced strikeouts and swing-and-miss rates. Soto continues to alternate between this bat and his traditional model while working with the Mets' analytics team to evaluate long-term benefits.

The Dallas Stars agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with leading scorer Jason Robertson, avoiding salary arbitration. The deal keeps Robertson under team control through the 2026-27 season as the Stars plan roster adjustments due to cap implications. Robertson declined a long-term contract offer from another team, signaling loyalty to Dallas while remaining open to future negotiations.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year, $54 million contract extension, solidifying his role as a defensive cornerstone. Marino contributed 36 points last season and helped Utah reach the playoffs for the first time since relocating. This extension is part of a broader strategy including key acquisitions, aiming to strengthen the Mammoth's position in the Western Conference.

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Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard voiced his wish for veteran Patrick Kane to rejoin the team, emphasizing Kane's impact on the Blackhawks' offense. Bedard, currently recovering from shoulder surgery, remains optimistic about his return and highlighted smooth contract negotiations, staying committed amid league-wide player movements.

The Chicago Blackhawks secured rising star Connor Bedard with a five-year, $75 million contract extension. Bedard, their 2023 first overall pick and former Calder Trophy winner, posted career-high numbers last season despite recent shoulder surgery. The team views Bedard as a key leader to guide their rebuilding effort back into playoff contention.

The Philadelphia Flyers agreed to a four-year, $26 million contract extension with defenseman Jamie Drysdale. At 24, Drysdale showed strong development last season, contributing eight goals and 32 points, and played a significant role in Philadelphia’s playoff run. The team expects Drysdale to continue strengthening their defensive core.

ESPN has released its 2026-27 fantasy hockey player rankings, placing Nathan MacKinnon first among forwards, followed by Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov. Zach Werenski leads defensemen, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy tops the netminders. The rankings assist fantasy players across 250 positions based on projected statistics under ESPN’s standard scoring system.

The NHL will centrally produce local broadcasts for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues following the closure of Main Street Sports regional channels. The league aims to improve production quality with enhanced technology while maintaining local announcers’ presence. Additional teams may join this centralized model before the season starts.

The NHL held a two-day Broadcast Training Camp in July for eight current and former players, including New York Rangers defenseman Sean Durzi, providing media training for potential careers in broadcasting. Led by experienced TV personalities, the sessions covered interviewing, in-game analysis, and studio hosting skills. The league supports ongoing development through its Player Development app to assist players’ transitions from ice to media.

The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract. Acquired recently from the Washington Capitals, McMichael had a career-best season with 46 points. This new deal raises his cap hit substantially and aims to secure him as a key contributor through the 2031-32 season.

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