With a relatively shallow free-agent pool available this offseason, NHL franchises shifted their focus Wednesday toward locking up homegrown talent to long-term deals and exploring the trade market to fill roster needs.
The New Jersey Devils made the biggest splash of the day, securing captain Nico Hischier to a five-year contract extension valued at $58.5 million. The deal carries an annual cap hit of $11.7 million and runs from the 2027-28 season through 2031-32.
New Devils general manager Sunny Mehta expressed enthusiasm about keeping the Swiss center in the fold. “When I took this job, I knew that Nico was one of the core pieces that I definitely wanted as part of our future,” Mehta said. “The way he plays the game, his leadership, and selflessness are qualities we value for this team. We all look forward to him leading this franchise, on and off the ice, for years to come.”
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens reached an agreement to bring back 20-year-old Russian forward Ivan Demidov on an eight-year contract worth $73 million. Demidov earned the deal after topping all NHL rookies with 62 points — including 19 goals and 43 assists — during the past season.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings moved to bolster their forward group by signing veterans Erik Haula and Mats Zuccarello. Haula’s deal is a two-year agreement worth $7.2 million, while Zuccarello’s contract includes $1 million in base salary along with performance bonuses. The Chicago Blackhawks, meanwhile, are bringing in experienced defenseman Ian Cole for the upcoming season at a salary of $4.75 million. Those details were provided by individuals familiar with the agreements who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity since the contracts had not yet been officially announced.
On the trade front, the Pittsburgh Penguins added offensive depth by acquiring 24-year-old forward Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. Robertson brings six years of NHL experience to Pittsburgh and posted career-best numbers last season with 16 goals and 32 points across 78 games.
The Nashville Predators also made a deal, landing restricted free agent forward Mavrik Bourque from the Dallas Stars. Nashville sent a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick to Dallas in return for Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.
Predators general manager Chris MacFarland praised the acquisitions. “Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” MacFarland said. “At just 24 years old, his age and style of play fits in with the type of players we are looking to bring in to help make us better. In addition, Ilya Lyubushkin is a veteran defenseman with significant experience who can log minutes and be a physical presence in our own end.”
The trade also creates salary cap flexibility in Dallas, potentially allowing the Stars to sign forward Jason Robertson to a long-term, high-value contract. Robertson, who turns 27 this month, paced Dallas in scoring last season with 96 points on 45 goals and 51 assists.
The Florida Panthers have been among the busiest teams this week, acquiring goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid via trades, and also reeling in rugged defenseman Radko Gudas by sending A.J. Greer’s rights to Anaheim. Gudas signed a six-year deal worth $1.5 million per year for a total of $9 million.
The 36-year-old Gudas, who previously played three seasons in Florida from 2020 to 2023, had his return announced in a heartfelt video featuring his daughter Tynka. “I have good news: I’m coming back to Florida and I’m bringing my dad with me,” she said in the clip.
Gudas joins Brady Tkachuk as the second former team captain to land in Florida in recent weeks. Tkachuk — the brother of Matthew Tkachuk — was traded to the Panthers last month after serving as captain in Ottawa.
In other moves around the league, the Philadelphia Flyers rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar for a breakout season with a five-year extension valued at $27.5 million. His $5.5 million average annual salary begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through 2031-32. The Buffalo Sabres locked up newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger — obtained in a trade with Anaheim — to a three-year, $9.3 million deal. And the Ottawa Senators brought back forward Nick Cousins on a two-year contract worth $3.18 million.
