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NHL general managers hit the ground running to open free agency Wednesday.
The Maple Leafs added two-time Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky on a three-year, US$21-million deal, according to multiple reports.
The veteran goaltender, who eliminated his new team from the 2023 and 2025 playoffs as a member of the Florida Panthers, hit the open market at 12 p.m. ET and will now partner with Anthony Stolarz in Toronto’s crease.
The Montreal Canadiens, meanwhile, signed winger Ivan Demidov to an eight-year, $73.2-million contract extension that kicks in after next season.
The Vegas Golden Knights re-upped with unrestricted free agent defenceman Rasmus Andersson to a reported seven-year, $59.5-million contract after acquiring him from the Calgary Flames ahead of March’s trade deadline.
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The Winnipeg Jets inked goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $7.5-million pact in unrestricted free agency with the future of Connor Hellebuyck up in the air.
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The San Jose Sharks snagged rugged blueliner Jacob Trouba on a four-year, $33-million deal.
Some of the other higher profile UFA names available include veteran forwards Anders Lee, Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin.
The Chicago Blackhawks reportedly signed defenceman Bowen Byram to a contract worth $75 million over six years that kicks in for the 2027-28 campaign after a recent trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
The New Jersey Devils agreed to a five-year, $58.5-million extension with captain Nico Hischier beginning in 2027-28.
The Maple Leafs also traded winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick at the 2028 NHL draft, while the Ottawa Senators re-signed pending UFA forward Nick Cousins to a two-year, $3.175-million deal.
The Panthers inked forward Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year extension worth a reported $40 million beginning in 2027-28.
The Vancouver Canucks brought defenceman Luke Schenn back on a one-year, $2.25-million deal.
Elsewhere in the league, the Dallas Stars traded pending restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque and defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-rounder.
The Philadelphia Flyers re-upped goaltender Dan Vladar to a five-year, $27.5-million extension that begins in 2027-28. The club also signed forward Tyson Foerster to an eight-year, $56.8-million contract that also kicks in after the upcoming season.
The Sabres signed RFA defenceman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9.3-million deal.
The Seattle Kraken signed RFA forward Mackie Samoskevich to a three-year, $11.55-million agreement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
