NHL free agency sees multiple veteran signings and extensions as 2026 offseason unfolds
Several veteran players and recent draft picks signed new contracts or extensions across the league, including Viktor Arvidsson with Detroit and Ivan Demidov with Montreal.
The NHL free-agency period opened with a series of veteran signings and extensions. Detroit added winger Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year deal, while Colorado secured former Seattle forward Jaden Schwartz on a three-year contract. Los Angeles signed veteran forward Mats Zuccarello to a one-year, $1 million deal and added center Erik Haula on a two-year, $3.6 million AAV contract for depth after Anze Kopitar’s retirement.
Seattle, after acquiring restricted-free-agent Mackie Samoskevich’s rights, signed him to a three-year, $3.85 million AAV contract. Detroit also retained forward Carter Mazur on a two-year, $875,000 AAV deal. Pittsburgh added defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Montreal extended Calder-trophy finalist Ivan Demidov on an eight-year, $9.13 million AAV contract.
Philadelphia extended goaltender Dan Vladar with a five-year, $5.5 million AAV deal starting in 2027-28, and Vegas re-signed defenseman Rasmus Andersson for seven years at $8.5 million AAV. Florida acquired veteran defenseman Radko Gudas, signing him to a six-year, $1.5 million AAV contract, while Buffalo signed defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $3 million AAV deal.
New Jersey locked up forward Nico Hischier with a five-year, $11.7 million AAV extension, and Ottawa kept forward Nick Cousins on a two-year, $1.59 million AAV contract. Boston retained restricted-free-agent goaltender Luke Cavallin on a one-year, $850,000 deal. Chicago extended defenseman Bowen Byram for six years at $12.5 million AAV, effective 2027-28.
Earlier on June 30, Vegas signed defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to a six-year, $4 million AAV extension, and Anaheim signed A.J. Greer to a four-year, $4.25 million AAV contract after acquiring his rights. Minnesota re-signed Bobby Brink on a one-year, $2.75 million pact, and Vancouver added defenseman Guillaume Brisebois on a one-year, $900,000 two-way contract. New Jersey extended forward Arseny Gritsyuk on a three-year, $3.25 million AAV deal, and Colorado signed goaltender Sebastian Cossa to a two-year, $2 million AAV contract.
