NHL Free Agency Opening Day delivers wild wave of signings and extensions!

The 2026 NHL free agency window swung open at noon ET on Wednesday, and general managers across the league wasted no time reshaping their rosters. From long-term extensions locking up franchise cornerstones to veteran additions aimed at filling playoff gaps, the opening hours delivered a relentless flurry of deals.

With the salary cap rising to $104.5 million and teams entering the market with more financial flexibility than in recent years, the first day of free agency featured a mix of massive commitments, surprise signings, and important roster adjustments.

Here is a complete breakdown of every NHL team's moves as they happen on July 1st:

Anaheim Ducks

• So far on Wednesday, the Ducks have been quiet. On Tuesday, After trading for A.J. Greer's negotiating rights from Florida, they signed him to a four-year, $4.25 million AAV deal.
• They then signed defenseman Nick Jensen to a two-year contract, carrying a $2.25M AAV, through the 2027-28 NHL season.
• The Ducks also inked  left wing Jeff Malott to a three-year contract through the 2028-29 NHL season. The deal carries a $1.85M AAV.

Boston Bruins

• The Boston Bruins have traded goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round pick.

• The Bruins are agreed to a two-year contract with Connor Clifton, for a $2.25M AAV.
• Boston also added Jordan Harris for a one-year deal at $850K.

Buffalo Sabres

• Buffalo signed newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year contract worth approximately $3 million annually, keeping the young blue liner in the organization after acquiring him from Anaheim.
• Dennis Gilbert agrees to 1 year, one way deal with Buffalo. $850,000.
• Buffalo also signed forward Conor Sheary and defenseman Dennis Gilbert to one-way contracts worth $850,000.

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

• Chicago committed long-term to defenseman Bowen Byram, signing him to a six-year extension worth $12.5 million annually beginning in 2027-28.
• The Blackhawks also added veteran forward Cole Smith on a three-year contract worth $3 million per season.
• Veteran blue liner Ian Cole comes to Chicago on a one-year deal at $4.75M.

Colorado Avalanche

• Colorado strengthened its forward depth by signing veteran winger Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract carrying a $3.25 million average annual value.
• Noah Juulsen joins the Avalanche, agreeing to a two-year contract with a $1.1 million AAV.

Columbus Blue Jackets

• In Columbus, they get winger Ryan Lomberg: 2 x $1.3 million AAV.
• Goaltender Pheonix Copley inked a one-year deal with the Blue Jackets. It holds a $850K cap hit.

Dallas Stars

• Dallas traded forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators in exchange for draft picks, a move that could create additional flexibility for Jason Robertson's contract negotiations.

• Three signings in Dallas: goaltender Brandon Halverson (one year), center Artem Shlaine (one year) and right wing Arttu Hyry (two years, $900,000 AAV).

Detroit Red Wings

• Detroit added veteran winger Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year contract worth $5 million annually.
• Carter Mazur stays put in Detroit, inking a two-year, $875,000 AAV contract.
• Goalie Daniil Tarasov signs with the Wings: one-year, $2 M.

Edmonton Oilers

• The Oilers goaltender Devon Levi and a seventh-round pick in 2028 from the Buffalo Sabres in return for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

Florida Panthers

• Florida extended winger Eetu Luostarinen on an eight-year contract worth $5 million annually while also bringing back veteran defenseman Radko Gudas on a six-year deal worth $1.5 million per season.
• Sandis Vilmanis returns to the Panthers by way of a two-year contract extension.
• Cole Schwindt, did not get a qualifying offer Monday from the Panthers, but still returns to Florida on a two-year contract.
• Defenseman Alexander Petrovic is returning to Florida on a two-year contract.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings addressed the retirement of Anze Kopitar by signing center Erik Haula to a two-year contract, adding veteran playmaker Mats Zuccarello on a one-year deal, and bringing Corey Perry back for another season.

• The Kings also added centers Jan Jenik (one year, $850,000) and Lane Pederson (two years, $875,000 AAV).

Minnesota Wild

• Minnesota retained veterans Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian while also signing Bobby Brink to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million.
• The Wild also signed goalie Calvin Pickard to a one-year, $1 million contract.
• Minnesota went on to sign Justin Kirkland to a 1 year two-way contract, worth $850K.

Montreal Canadiens

• Montreal secured Calder Trophy finalist Ivan Demidov on an eight-year extension worth $9.125 million annually beginning in 2027-28, ensuring long-term stability around one of the NHL's brightest young stars.
• The Canadiens have also agreed to terms on one-year contracts with forward Alex Belzile and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen.

Nashville Predators

• Nashville acquired Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin from Dallas, adding both youth and experience to its roster.
• Center Alexander Kerfoot leaves the Mammoth to the Predators, agreeing to terms on a two-year, $3.5 million AAV contract.

New Jersey Devils

• The Devils locked up captain Nico Hischier on a five-year extension worth $11.7 million annually beginning in 2027-28 while also signing Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year contract.

• Vladislav Kolyachonok signs a 1-year, $850,000 one-way contract with the Devils.
• They also re-signed goaltender Nico Daws to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,100,000.

New York Islanders

• The Islanders have signed Matias Macceli to a one-year contract. His time with the Toronto Maple Leafs is over.
• They have also signed Vitek Vanecek got a one year deal, $1 million.
• Matt Kessel has also signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $850K with the Isles.

New York Rangers

• The New York Rangers acquired goalie Joonas Korpisalo from Boston in exchange for forward Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round pick.
• Forward Joe Veleno is coming to the Big Apple a one-year contract worth at $1,2 million.
• Oliver Bjorkstrand is heading to the Rangers, on a one-year deal at $4.5 million.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa signed goaltender Samuel Ersson to a two-year contract and added veteran forward Nick Cousins on a two-year deal worth $1.59 million annually.

Philadelphia Flyers

• Philadelphia secured goaltender Dan Vladar on a five-year extension while also locking up Tyson Foerster on an eight-year contract worth $7.1 million annually.
• The Flyers have also signed forward Noel Acciari to a two-year contract, at $2.8M annually.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• The Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Elliotte Friedman confirmed the deal shortly after, reporting that Toronto receives a fourth-round pick in return.
• Trevor Van Riemsdyk has agreed to a deal in Pittsburgh: for two years at $4M AAV and also get blue liner Declan Carlile for two seasons, at $1.5M AAV.
• Pittsburgh also added forward Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-year contract, worth $5M

San Jose Sharks

• San Jose landed one of the top unrestricted free agents available when forward Mason Marchment agreed to a five-year deal worth $6.75M AAV annually. The signing carries a personal connection, as his late father Bryan played for the Sharks from 1997 to 2003.

• Another big move from San Jose came when it was announced that defenseman Jacob Trouba signed a four-year contract, carrying an $8.25M AAV.
• San Jose also signs goalie Eric Comrie: 2 years x $1.15 million.

Seattle Kraken

Seattle secured forward Mackie Samoskevich on a three-year contract worth $3.85 million annually after acquiring him from Florida.

St. Louis Blues

• Blues sign forward Ross Johnston to three-year contract ($2 million AAV).
• The Blues have also signed Dillon Dube to a one-year, $850K contract.

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Tampa Bay signed winger Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year contract carrying a $3.85 million average annual value.
• They have also signed forward Jeffrey Viel to a five-year, $12.5MM ($2.5MM AAV) contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs

• Jack Roslovic is signing a two-year deal with the Leafs, carrying a $4M AAV.
• The Leafs also traded Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for a pick.
• In the biggest news of the day in Toronto, Sergei Bobrovsky has signed a three-year contract, carrying a $7M AAV.

• Moments later, the Leafs also announced the signing of Colton Sissons for two years, carrying a $4.25M AAV.
• Toronto also signed forward Brandon Duhaime to a three-year contract, coming in at $2.6M per season.

Utah Mammoth

• Utah remains quiet for now, though they did trade for pending RFA goaltender Sebastian Cossa during the draft, and have now signed him to a two-year, $2 million AAV contract.
• Center Kevin Stenlund returns to Utah on a one-year deal, carrying a $2.75M AAV.

Vancouver Canucks

• Paul Cotter has signed in Vancouver, a one-year deal worth $2.15M.
• Luke Schenn returns to Vancouver on a one-year deal worth $2.25M

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas continued locking up its blue line by signing Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year extension worth $8.5 million annually while also extending Jeremy Lauzon for six years at $4 million per season.

Washington Capitals

• The Caps have signed Jonny Brodzinski to a 1 year $850K cap hit deal.
• Washington also inked defenseman Justin Holl to a $900,000 1-yea contract.
• Washington signed defenseman Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $16.8 million contract. Desharnais’ contract will carry an average annual value of $4.2 million.

Winnipeg Jets

• The end of an era appears to be happening in Winnipeg as they have signed goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract, worth $3.75M AAV, meaning more and more that Connor Hellebuyck is on his way out.

Still to Watch

Several major storylines remain unresolved, including Jason Robertson's contract situation in Dallas, Claude Giroux's future, several potential offer sheet scenarios, and the next wave of free-agent signings as the frenzy continues.

More to come as Day 1 unfolds here.