NHL free agency rolled into Thursday with a handful of recognizable names still searching for new teams, chief among them a player who has hoisted the Stanley Cup three times.
Patrick Kane, now 37 years old, remains without a contract after spending the last three seasons in Detroit. A decade may have passed since he claimed the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player and led the NHL in scoring, but Kane still brings three championship rings and playoff MVP experience to any team willing to sign him. Also still on the market are wingers Vladimir Tarasenko — a two-time Cup winner — and Anthony Mantha, who just wrapped up the best season of his career. Forward Claude Giroux, 38, is also still available as he continues his pursuit of an elusive championship.
The opening stretch of free agency — spanning more than 11 hours — saw upwards of 55 players land new deals worth a combined total exceeding $360 million. That figure doesn’t even account for defenseman Bowen Byram, who became the highest-paid blueliner in the league at an average annual salary of $12.5 million. His new deal with Chicago — following a trade from Buffalo — kicks in starting in 2027.
Byram may not hold that distinction for long. Colorado is working on a new contract for two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, which would also take effect in the 2027-28 season.
A record-setting salary cap increase to $104 million drove some significant spending, but it also meant fewer top players hit the open market — teams had enough financial flexibility to hold onto their key pieces. New Jersey locked up captain Nico Hischier with an extension, Florida brought back center Eetu Luostarinen, and Philadelphia gave goaltender Dan Vladar a long-term commitment.
New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche had hoped for a slower pace after the draft and free agency opening within the same week. Still, he says he’s not sitting still.
“We’ll have probably over $40 million of cap space next summer,” Darche said. “I’m still going to be working the rest of the summer, especially the next couple weeks. A lot of GMs, I won’t lie to you, they go on vacation and it goes pretty silent on the GM chat. But if I have opportunities to improve the team, I will. Every single day, it’s a relentless pursuit of trying to get better.”
Hischier’s Devils made a late Wednesday move by submitting an offer sheet for Utah center Barrett Hayton worth $4.775 million. Utah, who acquired Vincent Trocheck in a trade with the Rangers, has one week to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick in return.
Dallas winger Jason Robertson also faces the possibility of an offer sheet. Robertson turned down a trade to Seattle last week and is still in need of a new deal. The Stars did add forward Joel Kiviranta on a one-year contract — he posted nine points in 51 games for Colorado last season.
Meanwhile, reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski isn’t going anywhere. Despite trade rumors that circulated briefly, Werenski made clear he’s content in Columbus, where he still has two years remaining on his current contract.
