The NHL’s player market remains active, suggesting that teams across the league are poised to enhance their squads in anticipation of the 2025-26 season.
Despite previous rumors of a potential trade to a different organization, restricted free agent Bowen Byram has officially recommitted to the Buffalo Sabres, signing a two-year contract with an annual value of $6.25 million. The 24-year-old defenseman’s career has experienced both highs and lows thus far, yet he has demonstrated the potential to excel as a top-tier, top-four defenseman.
This two-year agreement presents Byram with an opportunity to validate his standing as a highly touted prospect, originally selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Following a period of consideration, former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers has finalized his decision. On Thursday, Ehlers formally agreed to a seven-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Having spent the initial decade of his NHL career with the Jets, Ehlers aims to assist the Hurricanes in overcoming their conference finals hurdle.
Arguably the most impactful transaction of this offseason involves the Vegas Golden Knights acquiring star forward Mitch Marner through an eight-year, $96 million contract. This was facilitated by a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, in turn, received third-line center Nicolas Roy.
In other developments, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito is showcasing his strategic prowess. With Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad all approaching free agency, the Panthers have successfully secured all three players for at least six additional years. Notably, each player accepted a reduced salary, at least annually, to remain in Sunrise and pursue a potential dynasty.
CBS Sports is committed to providing comprehensive coverage of NHL free agency, delivering up-to-date information on all significant signings across the league.
Bowen Byram’s Stays with Buffalo for Now
Speculation regarding potential trades involving Byram has circulated extensively throughout the summer. However, he will remain with the Sabres for the foreseeable future, having signed a two-year contract worth $13 million. In his 100 appearances with the Sabres, the sixth-year defenseman has accumulated 10 goals and 37 assists. Although his five-on-five performance could improve, Byram will have the chance to exhibit his capabilities in the upcoming season.
Nikolaj Ehlers Joins the Hurricanes
With numerous prominent players re-signing before the official commencement of free agency, Ehlers emerged as a highly sought-after player, attracting interest from multiple teams. Ultimately, he reached an agreement with the Hurricanes, signing a contract with an annual value of $8.5 million. Over the past two seasons, the swift Ehlers has recorded a total of 49 goals and 75 assists while averaging under 16 minutes of ice time per game. It is hoped that Carolina can unlock his full potential by providing him with increased playing time.
Sharks Sign Dmitri Orlov to Two-Year Agreement
Another former Hurricanes defenseman is on the move, namely Orlov. Despite experiencing difficulties during the postseason, Orlov has secured a $13 million contract with San Jose. The Sharks are in a financial position to offer a premium, and Orlov will contribute a veteran presence within a youthful locker room.
Despite being 40 years old, Burns continues to contribute as a dependable two-way defender. With his time in Carolina concluded, Burns is set to join the Avs on a one-year deal amounting to $1 million, in addition to potential incentives. Burns will augment Colorado’s defensive depth behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews; however, questions remain as to how he will perform outside of Carolina’s exceptional defensive system.
Jets Welcome Veteran Winger Gus Nyquist
Winnipeg has seemingly prioritized the addition of experienced players to their locker room during this offseason. Following the signing of Jonathan Toews, the team has now secured Nyquist on a one-year contract valued at $3.25 million. The 35-year-old Nyquist’s performance declined somewhat in 2024-25, but he is anticipated to play on the Jets’ third line.
Pius Suter to Join the Blues on a Two-Year Contract
Following the acquisition of Nick Bjugstad on Tuesday, the Blues have further strengthened their center depth with the addition of Suter. Coming off a successful year with the Vancouver Canucks, Suter offers strong defensive skills coupled with a projected 15-20 goals on the offensive end. Given his annual salary of $4.125 million, General Manager Doug Armstrong has made a solid acquisition.
Kaedan Korczak Extends Stay with Vegas on Four-Year Contract
With Nic Hague moving to the Predators and Alex Pietrangelo sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season, the Golden Knights are required to identify defensive solutions. They are optimistic that Korczak, who has recently signed a $13 million contract, can fulfill this role as he takes on a more prominent position within the team. The 24-year-old demonstrated promise in limited playing time last year, but more challenging responsibilities are expected in the future.
Red Wings Strengthen Forward Depth with Mason Appleton
A significant factor in the Jets’ strong defensive performance was the shutdown line comprising Adam Lowry, Nino Niederreiter, and Appleton. Now, one-third of that line is heading to Detroit. While Appleton may not offer a significant offensive contribution to the Motor City, his annual salary of $2.9 million over the next two seasons represents a reasonable price for the Red Wings to improve their team’s defensive capabilities.
Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Contract
The Devils acquired Glass from the Penguins at last year’s trade deadline, and he recorded seven points in 14 games. With an annual salary of $2.5 million, New Jersey is making a financially prudent decision to bring back Glass, who is expected to provide a solid presence down the middle on the third or fourth line.
Anthony Mantha Secures $2.5 Million Contract with Penguins
Over the past two seasons, Mantha has appeared in a total of 31 games. When available, Mantha has proven to be a reliable middle-six winger. This represents a positive risk for Pittsburgh, a team undergoing a clear rebuilding phase. If Mantha performs well, the Penguins could potentially trade him for future assets before the trade deadline.
In their continuous pursuit of reliable depth scoring, the Oilers have turned to Mangiapane this offseason. The 29-year-old forward is coming off a 14-goal season with the Capitals, and it is expected that he will fill a middle-six role in Edmonton. The Oilers are hoping that he will prove to be a more successful acquisition than last summer’s additions of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Mangiapane has signed a two-year contract with a total value of $7.2 million.
Cuylle, a second-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, demonstrated significant progress last season, recording 20 goals and 25 assists. This made him a potential target for an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, but New York ensured that it did not reach that stage. Cuylle will remain with the Rangers on a two-year agreement valued at $3.9 million annually.
Sharks Enhance Roster Depth
The Sharks possess an exciting group of young players, and they dedicated the latter part of Tuesday to surrounding them with veteran players on the depth chart. San Jose secured defenseman John Klingberg, who revitalized his career during the Oilers’ playoff run, with a one-year deal valued at $4 million. The Sharks also signed Adam Gaudette, a bottom-six forward who is coming off a 19-goal campaign with the Senators. He signed a two-year agreement valued at $4 million.
The Anaheim Ducks are a team on the rise with aspirations of making a postseason appearance in the upcoming season. On Tuesday, they signed center Mikael Granlund to a three-year deal carrying an average annual value of $7.0 million.
Granlund was traded to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline this past season and tallied 66 points (22 goals & 44 assists) in his time between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas. The veteran center was productive in Dallas with seven goals and 14 assists in the second half of the regular season, but the Stars just didn’t have the cap room to bring him back.
Anaheim required additional depth at the center position following the trade of Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers last week. Granlund strengthens the Ducks’ center depth and could serve as an excellent mentor for talented young forwards such as Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier.
Sabres Enhance Goaltending Roster with Alex Lyon
The Buffalo Sabres are addressing their goaltending depth by acquiring veteran netminder Alex Lyon on a two-year deal carrying an annual cap hit of $1.5 million.
Lyon has been a member of the Detroit Red Wings for the past two seasons. In 2024-25, the 32-year-old posted a 14-9-0 record with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. Lyon will join fellow netminders Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi in Buffalo. It is believed that the Sabres are hoping that Lyon will motivate Luukkonen to improve following a 3.20 goals-against average this past season.
Several top goaltenders, including Jake Allen, Anton Forsberg, Dan Vladar, and Lyon, are now unavailable. Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov, and James Reimer remain as potential options, but they are likely to serve as a tandem option alongside a goaltender already on an NHL franchise’s roster.
Nashville Fills RHD Position with Nick Perbix
With an abundance of left-handed defensemen in the organization, the Predators sought a right-handed defenseman, and they found that in Perbix. He signed a two-year agreement for $2.75 million following a strong performance in a depth role for the Lightning over the last few years. It remains to be seen if Perbix will flourish in a more prominent role with Nashville. However, he is not being paid a premium to do so.
The Islanders could benefit from an offensive boost, and Drouin is expected to provide that through a two-year contract valued at $8 million. He will be a valuable presence in the middle six, particularly after reviving his career with the Colorado Avalanche, where he tallied 63 points in 122 games. While Drouin will not be playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon, he is expected to provide New York with some much-needed playmaking ability on the wing.
Los Angeles Active on a Busy Day with Defensive Additions
The Kings have been active today. Whether that is beneficial remains to be seen. Cody Ceci has signed a four-year deal worth $18 million, and Brian Doumolin has signed for three years and $12 million. These defensive moves are questionable, considering the team’s recent success in that department. Anton Forsberg also replaces backup goaltender David Rittich, who left as a free agent.
Kings Acquire Corey Perry, Joel Armia
Congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings on winning the Western Conference, and condolences on their Stanley Cup Final loss. Los Angeles has signed Perry, who has been on the losing side in five of the last six Cup Final matchups, to a one-year agreement valued at $2 million. Perry is coming off a productive playoff run in Edmonton, while Joel Armia provides the Kings with additional bottom-six depth.
Prior to the 2024-25 season, Schmidt signed a one-year contract with the Panthers for $800,000. He performed well in a depth role for Florida, and had an impressive postseason with 12 points en route to a Stanley Cup title. Now, Schmidt will receive $10.5 million over the next three seasons with the Mammoth, where he is expected to play a more significant role.
Nick Bjugstad Joins the Blues
The Blues are seeking to add center depth, which they accomplished by signing Bjugstad to a two-year deal. Bjugstad will bring size, defensive skills, and a limited offensive contribution to the St. Louis lineup at a reasonable annual cost of $1.75 million.
The Seattle Kraken have made efforts to improve their blue line for the second consecutive offseason. After signing Brandon Montour away from the Florida Panthers last summer, the Kraken have signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a four-year agreement that will have an average annual value of $4.5 million, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Lindgren divided his time between the New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche last season. The veteran blue-liner tallied four goals and 18 assists in 72 total games in 2024-25. Lindgren provides solid depth to Seattle’s back end as the franchise attempts to bounce back from missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The New York Rangers have greatly improved their blue line. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers have signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year contract that will carry a $7.0 million average annual value.
Gavrikov was considered the top blue-liner on the free agent market this summer. He accumulated five goals and 25 assists with the Los Angeles Kings in 2024-25, but is now expected to pair with Adam Fox as part of New York’s top defensive pairing. New coach Mike Sullivan has secured one of the top free agents that remained available.
The Los Angeles Kings are aiming to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference in the upcoming season. According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, veteran forward Corey Perry is signing a one-year deal with the Kings.
Perry spent the past two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and tallied 19 goals and 11 assists last season. The 40-year old winger has a proven track record of reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past six seasons. Perry provides veteran leadership to the locker room for a King team that is striving to take the next step.
The Philadelphia Flyers have been quite active to begin free agency. The team announced that they have signed goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year agreement that will be worth $3.35 million annually.
Vladar posted a 12-11-6 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage in 30 games with the Calgary Flames last season. The Flyers continue to search for a starting caliber goaltender, as Vladar will join a crease that also includes Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov.
The Vancouver Canucks have had a busy start to free agency. After extending forward Conor Garland and goaltender Thatcher Demko earlier in the day, the Canucks have re-signed winger Brock Boeser to a seven-year contract that will be worth $7.25 million on an annual basis.
Securing Boeser’s return to Vancouver is a significant achievement. Boeser is coming off a season where he scored 25 goals and provided 25 assists in 2024-25. Throughout the process, Boeser expressed a desire to remain with the Canucks, and the two sides were ultimately able to reach an agreement on a new contract. With teammate Pius Suter also a free agent and drawing considerable interest, retaining a forward with 40-goal scoring potential was an important move.
The Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild under general manager Danny Briere and are commencing their spending spree. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Flyers have signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year deal that will be worth $5.4 million.
Dvorak spent the past four seasons as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. The veteran forward recorded 12 goals and 21 assists in a full 82-game season. Despite the addition of Trevor Zegras in last week’s trade with the Anaheim Ducks, the Flyers still require depth at the center position. While Dvorak’s cap hit is $5.4 million, the league’s salary cap is expected to increase significantly over the next three seasons.
The goaltender market is becoming increasingly competitive. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the New Jersey Devils are signing goaltender Jake Allen to a five-year contract extension that will be worth $1.8 million annually.
The Devils acquired Allen at the 2024 trade deadline from the Montreal Canadiens. Allen posted a 13-16-1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in 31 games as he shared time with starter Jacob Markstrom last year. Now, teams in need of goaltending will be forced to explore alternative options to fill their needs in net with Allen off the board.
The Boston Bruins have added another forward to their group prior to free agency. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Bruins are acquiring winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.
The Oilers are attempting to reduce salary, with the trade of Arvidsson freeing up $4 million in cap space. Arvidsson is anticipated to bring some depth to the Bruins’ middle-six after tallying 15 goals and 12 assists with the Oilers this past season. He also contributed two goals and five assists during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024-25.
Canucks Extend Thatcher Demko, Conor Garland
The Vancouver Canucks accomplished two important pieces of business prior to the commencement of free agency. The team agreed to terms with goaltender Thatcher Demko on a three-year contract extension ($8.5 million AAV) and forward Conor Garland on a six-year contract extension ($6.0 million AAV).
Both Demko and Garland were slated to enter the final years of their respective contracts next season. Demko is coming off an injury-plagued campaign that limited him to just 23 games, where he posted a 10-8-3 record with a 2.90 goals-against average, a .889 save percentage, and a shutout. He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Canucks and is tied for fourth on the franchise’s goaltender all-time wins list (126).
Meanwhile, Garland just concluded a successful season in which he tallied 50 points (19 goals & 31 assists), which was the second-highest point total of his career. The talented winger has combined to score 39 goals over his past two seasons in Vancouver and could be relied upon even more going forward if Brock Boeser signs elsewhere in free agency.
Mitch Marner Traded to Golden Knights
On the eve of NHL free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs are trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a reported sign-and-trade deal, according to multiple reports. Marner, 28, is expected to sign an eight-year, $96 million contract with an average annual value of $12 million. It’s not yet clear what Toronto will receive in return. Marner would have been one of the top players available on the open market. Instead, he brings an immediate scoring punch to Vegas’ top line.
Panthers Secure Key Players with Ekblad Deal
General manager Bill Zito is aiming for continued success following back-to-back Stanley Cups. With Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand all set to enter free agency on July 1, it appeared unlikely that Florida would be able to retain all three. On the eve of free agency, the Panthers signed Marchand and Ekblad to new contracts. In the case of Ekblad, he accepted a significant salary reduction to remain with the Cats, signing for eight years at approximately $6.1 million, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Ekblad was once again crucial in Florida’s postseason success, contributing 13 points in 19 games while also posting excellent five-on-five numbers. He will now patrol the blue line in Sunrise well into his 30s.
Brad Marchand Signs Long-Term with Panthers
Marchand is staying put. The veteran forward is reportedly close to signing a six-year, $32 million extension with the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Marchand was traded to Florida at the deadline last season after spending 16 years with the Boston Bruins. He made an immediate impact, recording 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) during the Panthers’ playoff run.
Sam Bennett to Remain with Panthers
The 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is staying in Sunrise. In the Panthers’ bid for back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, Bennett was a standout performer. His 15 goals led the league, and he did not sacrifice his defensive play to generate offense. The veteran center excelled at both ends of the ice. Bennett’s performance could have warranted a massive payday in free agency, but he has re-signed with the Panthers on an eight-year contract worth $64 million.
There was never any real doubt regarding Bouchard’s future with the Oilers. He has become a leading No. 1 defender for the team and possesses exceptional power-play quarterbacking skills. On Monday, Edmonton announced that it had re-signed Bouchard to a four-year contract worth $10.5 million per season. Now, with Bouchard and Nurse, the Oilers have committed just under $20 million to two of their best blue liners.
The veteran winger will remain in Detroit for a third season after signing a one-year agreement worth $3 million. While Kane’s production may not be as high as it was during his time leading the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups, he has surpassed the 20-goal mark in each of his first two seasons with the Wings. He will remain with the team to provide a top-six scoring option as they attempt to end their playoff drought.
One of the more surprising moves during the re-sign period was the Blue Jackets announcing a seven-year, $59.5 million contract for Provorov. Columbus has utilized him in a top-four role over the past two years, but his success in those minutes has been inconsistent. Paying $8.5 million for a defenseman who has struggled to maintain a positive impact at five-on-five seems like questionable business.
John Tavares Re-Signs with Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are retaining one of their offensive assets. The team announced that they have re-signed Tavares to a four-year agreement carrying an annual cap hit of $4.38 million. Tavares was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week and would have likely attracted significant interest on the open market.
Tavares, 34, recorded 74 points (38 goals & 36 assists) in 75 regular-season games for Toronto last season. He has spent the last seven seasons with the Maple Leafs after signing a seven-year, $77 million contract with the franchise in free agency.
With the Maple Leafs anticipated to lose star winger Mitch Marner in free agency this summer, securing Tavares on an affordable multi-year deal is a considerable success. Tavares is likely to continue centering Toronto’s second line when the 2025-26 campaign commences.
Jonathan Toews will make his anticipated return to the NHL after a two-season absence from the ice. The Jets have announced that Toews will sign with the franchise when free agency opens on July 1.
Toews has recorded 883 points (372 goals & 511 assists) in 1,067 career regular-season games. He also ranks fifth in games played, sixth in points, sixth in goals, eighth in assists, and third in game-winning goals (69) in Blackhawks history. In his last full season in 2022-23, the Blackhawks star scored 15 goals and dished out 16 assists in 53 games. Toews boasts an extensive list of accomplishments, including three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010.
The Stars are bringing back a crucial member of their veteran leadership. Dallas has re-signed the forward to a four-year contract extension that will be worth $4.5 million per season. Duchene was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Duchene recorded 30 goals and 52 assists in 82 regular-season games, leading the Stars in scoring in 2024-25. His 52 assists were a career-high this past season, and Duchene’s 82 points marked the second-highest scoring season of his entire 16-year career. Duchene also added six points (one goal & five assists) in 18 games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Duchene is expected to continue contributing significantly as a member of the team’s top six forwards as they strive to make a Stanley Cup run next season.
The Avalanche are keeping what is arguably their top free agent for the foreseeable future. The team has signed forward Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $7.5 million. Nelson was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Nelson was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the New York Islanders and tallied 13 points (6 goals & 7 assists) in 19 regular-season games with Colorado. He recorded a combined 56 points (26 goals & 30 assists) between the Avalanche and Islanders, while also registering four assists in the team’s first-round series loss at the hands of the Dallas Stars. Nelson is likely to continue centering the Avalanche’s second line and skating with Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.
Nelson is set to turn 34 years old around the start of the 2025-26 season this fall.