Author: NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

For once, the Toronto Maple Leafs have something that they haven’t had in about a decade: salary cap space.

There’s just one big problem: there’s no one left to spend it on.

Fresh off winning a Stanley Cup, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad all decided to re-sign with the Florida Panthers. Brock Boeser re-signed with Vancouver. Patrick Kane re-signed with Detroit. And pretty much everyone from Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev to Corey Perry and Vladislav Gavrikov were quickly taken off board once the free agency period began.

And so, instead of going on a guilt-free shopping spree on July 1, the Leafs took their $12 million in savings and went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of cheaper items.

They got third-line center Nicolas Roy from Vegas for the rights to Marner. They traded a conditional third-round draft pick to Utah for left winger Matias Maccelli. And they signed Michael Pezzetta, Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Travis Boyd each for less than $1 million each.

Maybe there's more to come. But anyone who tells you this lineup is not significantly worse today than the one that was booed off the ice after losing in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers is lying.

It’s worse. It’s much, much worse.

And it looks like it’s not getting any better.

Leafs GM Brad Treliving said don’t judge the team on July 1, because the season doesn't start on July 2. But what’s going to magically happen between now and the actual start of the season in October? Barring a trade, who is left?

But, but, but who’s left? https://t.co/iELXg3oeo0

— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) July 2, 2025

As of July 2, Nikolaj Ehlers was suddenly the top name on the board. However, if you didn't like how Marner performed in the playoffs, chances are you're not going to be happy with Ehlers, who has nine playoff goals in his 10-year NHL career. Worse, the Leafs won't be the only one bidding on his services.

"If you're looking for a top-six forward there wasn't a long list of them," Treliving told reporters on July 1. "If you're one of those teams that has a top six forward and you're not going to sign your own guy, you're looking at the same list. So, it really steers you to a point where the anticipation was a lot of those guys were going to sign back with their teams, which ended up happening.”

So what happens next? What happens if this is it?

Say what you want about Marner’s lack of post-season success, but he was a 100-point right winger last season. The Leafs replaced him with Roy and Maccelli, who combined for 23 goals and 49 points. No one thought you’d be able to find another player who could match Marner’s production. After all, there are few in the NHL who can do what he does, whether it’s from a playmaking or a penalty-killing perspective.

NHL Free Agency Frenzy 2025: Live Tracker And AnalysisWelcome to the NHL Free Agency Frenzy of 2025.

Still, there was a sense the Leafs would improve their DNA by signing a combination of players who could provide the team with some level of grit, size and other intangibles.

That really hasn’t happened. And if it doesn’t, there is a real sense that the Leafs could take a step backward next season.

Maybe they aren’t in danger of missing the playoffs. But in a division where Florida retained all their core pieces, Tampa Bay didn’t lose anyone of significance and Ottawa, Montreal and Detroit all got better, Toronto is no longer a lock to finish first again.

By the looks of it, they might not be a top-three team — much less a Stanley Cup contender (not that they every really were).

Not unless Treliving can end up with Ehlers or swing a significant trade and end up with some pieces that will make fans forget about losing Marner.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have added another depth player via NHL free agency.

The Maple Leafs have signed Vinni Lettieri to a one-year, $775,000 contract. The 30-year-old right-shot forward spent all of last season in the Boston Bruins organization. Lettieri appeared in 26 games with the Bruins, scoring three goals and two assists, and 47 games with the AHL's Providence Bruins, where he put up 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points in 47 games.

As an undrafted forward out of the University of Minnesota, Lettieri signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers in 2017. After three years in the organization, the Excelsior, Minnesota native played two seasons in the Anaheim Ducks' system (2020-2022).

He signed a one-year contract with the Bruins in 2022, spent most of the season in Providence, and joined the Minnesota Wild on a one-year contract in 2023. Lettieri played a career-high 46 NHL games with the Wild and scored nine points (five goals and four assists).

Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free AgencyThe Toronto Maple Leafs have a Mitch Marner-sized hole in their lineup opted for a sign and trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. But when the clock struck noon for the opening of free agency, the Leafs were quiet.

In 155 NHL games, Lettieri has 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points, plus 287 points (141 goals and 146 assists) in 324 career AHL games.

This is the fifth depth signing Toronto has made over the last 24 hours after losing the likes of Pontus Holmberg, Alex Steeves, Alex Nylander, and Nick Abruzzese to free agency. The Maple Leafs signed Michael Pezzetta and Benoit-Olivier Groulx, along with defenseman Dakota Mermis, to two-year deals with an annual average value of $812,500.

Toronto also added former Maple Leaf Travis Boyd on a one-year, $775,000 contract.

'We Wanted To Get Through The First Part Of Free Agency': Maple Leafs Not Closing The Door On Max Pacioretty ReturnEven after a quiet free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't closing the door on bringing Max Pacioretty back.

According to PuckPedia, on a 23-man roster, the Maple Leafs now have just shy of $5 million to play with for the remainder of the offseason.

(Top photo of Lettieri: Timothy T. Ludwig / Imagn Images)

The Detroit Red Wings announced a two-year extension with depth forward Elmer Söderblom.

The Red Wings announced on Wednesday, the extension of winger Elmer Söderblom to a new two-year deal with an annual cap hit at $1.125 million per season. 

After recording 17 points through 38 AHL games in Grand Rapids this past season, Söderblom could be given a extended look at a main roster spot. 

A former sixth-round pick in 2019, Söderblom has posted respectable numbers with a 0.45 point-per-game pace in the AHL and 0.40 in the NHL. Production that might be giving Steve Yzerman and Detroit’s front office something to think about as they assess potential bottom-six options, where roster spots could be up for grabs.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

At 6-foot-8 and roughly 250 pounds, the 23-year-old Swedish winger can look to borrow from the likes of Brian Boyle. The former longtime bottom-six centre carved out a meaningful role for himself as he would record 20-35 points while also working as a great physical tone setter. 

Boyle's role made him an impact through 124 playoff games in which he went to two straight Stanley Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This role could be more than attainable for Söderblom as he's shown slightly higher upside in terms of scoring and could learn how to use his large body to leave to lasting impact on opponents. 

The entire NHL has been put on notice by the Florida Panthers as physical, gritty hockey is what wins championships now and a role player like Söderblom could be a step in the right direction for the Red Wings.

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While the Pittsburgh Penguins have been making plenty of smaller moves at the NHL level since the start of unrestricted free agency on Tuesday, they've also been shoring up depth at the developmental levels of the organization.

On Wednesday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins - Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - re-signed goaltender Taylor Gauthier and signed forward Aidan McDonough, both to one-year AHL contracts.

Gauthier, 24, has been excellent over parts of the past three seasons within the Penguins' organization. At the ECHL level, he won ECHL Goaltender of the Year honors in 2023-24, when he posted a .923 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average to go along with four shutouts and a 24-16-2 record.

He was also excellent in split duties with fellow goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov this past season in Wheeling - even improving his numbers from the year prior - as he bolstered a .928 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average. Gauthier figures to, potentially, tandem with Murashov again next season, but this time, at the AHL level. 

At the AHL level so far, Gauthier is 10-5-7 with a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average. He will, likely, battle for a role with the WBS Penguins, along with Murashov and Filip Larsson, who is under contract through the end of the 2025-26 season.

Penguins Sign Anthony Mantha To One-Year DealThe Pittsburgh Penguins have added another forward to their lineup for the 2025-26 season.

McDonough, 25, captained the Northeastern University Huskies from 2019-23 and recorded 66 goals and 124 points in 124 games. A former seventh-round pick (195th overall) of the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward appeared in six NHL games for the Canucks in 2022-23, registering one point.

He spent the last two seasons in the AHL, first with the Abbotsford Canucks and next with the Charlotte Checkers. Last season for the Checkers, he recorded 10 goals and 16 points in just 16 games, as a broken leg resulting from a fight kept him out for most of the season. 

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Feature image credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights have a lot of young talent at this year's development camp, with another standout being this year's second-round draft pick, Jakob Ihs-Wozniak.  

It’s been a crazy few days for the right-winger. Drafted one moment, on a plane to Vegas the next, and now he’s diving into his first development camp in a city he’s never been to before. Ihs-Wozniak touched on his thoughts and emotions from draft day.

“Super happy,” Ihs-Wozniak expressed. “I mean, it was a relief, like this is, that's the day you've been waiting for. When they traded up and picked me, it was super fun. I landed in a super great spot.” 

The second-round pick is coming off a season of growth after a rocky showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he admitted his performance “wasn’t good enough.” According to Golden Knights’ assistant director of player personnel Bob Lowes, that tournament became a turning point. 

“He even said the more I engage, the better I play,” Lowes noted. “The skill is all there, the size, the ability. He just needed to add that edge to his game. I think with our development, physical development, I think we can get him to be a good-sized power element with his game, as well as the offensive skill.”

The motivation is there for him, and he’s using this time on the ice to channel it. With the draft behind him and a clear path ahead, Ihs-Wozniak has the opportunity to turn potential into performance. 

“It's super fun that they traded up to me, that's super fun,” Ihs-Wozniak said, “But of course, it's just after the draft. It's just to keep working and when you get drafted, it's just the start. So you just have to keep going.”

Ihs-Wozniak’s improvement over the year has put him firmly in the conversation for Sweden’s U20 World Junior roster, and the Knights are excited to be a part of his development.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added to their forward depth.

The Penguins have announced that they have signed forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard to a one-year, two-way contract. At the NHL level, he will carry a $775,000 cap hit. 

The Penguins have signed forwards Anthony Mantha and Rafael Harvey-Pinard to one-year contracts as well as defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year contract.

Details: https://t.co/Ksf6zVO3Jlpic.twitter.com/WxNiAbdmlh

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 2, 2025

Harvey-Pinard played in one game this past season with the Montreal Canadiens, where he posted zero points and one hit. He spent the rest of the year in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, recording five goals, 19 points, and a plus-2 rating in 40 games.

Harvey-Pinard has played in 84 career NHL games over four seasons, where he posted 17 goals, 14 assists, 31 points, 117 hits, and a plus-3 rating. His best season was in 2022-23 with the Canadiens, posting 14 goals, 20 points, and a plus-7 rating. 

Overall, this is a low-risk move for the Penguins. If he regains some of his previous scoring touch, he could make a case for himself to play on Pittsburgh's roster in 2025-26. 

NHL News: Penguins Sign Big Former Oilers DefensemanThe Pittsburgh Penguins are adding more size to their defensive depth. 

Photo Credit:  © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- In light of trading for a young defenseman on Tuesday when the St. Louis Blues acquired 22-year-old Logan Mailloux from the Montreal Canadiens for forward Zack Bolduc, the team has begun the process of reshaping what has been a veteran group on the blue line.

Reports have surfaced that the Blues have placed veteran defenseman Nick Leddy on waivers.

The 34-year-old has one year remaining on a four-year, $16 million contract ($4 million average annual value). 

With Mailloux's addition, it gave the Blues eight ready defensemen in their lineup, and when asked on Tuesday about the makeup of it with the addition of Mailloux, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said, "We'll look at it."

There's the potential at some point this becomes a Brandon Saad situation, where the Blues put the forward on waivers last season, he wasn't claimed, the team was prepared to send him to Springfield of the American Hockey League but instead terminated the remaining year and a half of his four-year, $22.5 million contract and became a free agent and signed with the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's tough to envision Leddy willing to go to the AHL at this point in his career and is less than likely to get claimed on waivers, but that would be the perfect case scenario, and there are teams that need to get to the cap floor that may be willing to take a flier on him.

But Leddy has a 16-team no-trade list and a team needing to get to the cap floor may be on his list of teams he'd be unwilling to go to. And Leddy, who has spent the past three-plus seasons in St. Louis after being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings, has $3 million in actual salary left on his contract.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- There's no question that New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche wants to field a competitive NHL roster. 

But, based on the terms given out to his free agents on Monday and the words the first-time GM shared with us, there's a clear focus on having openings in a few seasons for when the young prospects are ready. 

It shouldn't be a new phenomenon, but for the Islanders organization, it surely is. 

It was only a few years ago when former general manager Lou Lamoriello inked Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield to a seven-year extension to get the AAV down to a manageable $3 million and $3.5 million, respectively.  

Even Anthony Duclair's four-year deal worth $4.5 million annually was a tad too long, the longest contract of the vets career. 

While there are times for longer-term deals, such as defenseman Alexander Romanov signing an eight-year extension worth $6.25 million annually, we saw Darche opt for a short-term approach with Simon Holmstrom's extension, a two-year deal worth $3.625 million annually. 

Darche told me that he believes Holmstrom could be a top-six forward, but essentially wants him to prove it — he can't get complacent on a short-term deal. 

1-on-1 With GM Mathieu Darche: Draft Recap, Updates & 2025-26 Roster OutlookFollowing the conclusion of the 2025 NHL Draft, I had the chance to speak with New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche about his picks and more.

"You have to stay disciplined in what you do," Darche said during his free agency media availability on Tuesday evening. "Just because you have the cap space, you don't have to spend it all if you don't feel it's an appropriate way to spend your money. Whenever I sign guys, I look at the cap. I'm always looking two to three years ahead, also, to make sure that we don't...Sometimes I might feel I have great cap space one year, and then you have three guys the next year coming out of entry-level deals, and their salaries go up. And then, maybe you don't care about this year, but next year, you handcuff yourself. So there's a little planning like that we have to do. 

"I didn't go into the big term.. A lot of the term guys actually re-signed with their team. You've noticed the last few days. So, just like we did with Alexander Romanov, we're really excited to have a 25-year-old signing an eight-year deal with us. So we're getting his prime years of his career with us. I think you saw a lot of teams do that with their players. Sometimes, at this time of year, when there's more cap space than teams have been accustomed to in the last few years, people might want to push for a higher cap number on some players. That's where you have to stay disciplined, and that's when you have to make sure that you do your research, you know what the value of the player is, and make sure you don't overpay, because one contract might not hurt you now, but might hurt you later."

Exhibit A of the Darche Plan was the Jonathan Drouin deal. 

The $4 million AAV cap hit seems like a tad too much, right? But the fact that it is only a two-year deal allows for Darche to evaluate the player after a short-term deal. It gives him flexibility, for example, for a player like Cole Eiserman to take a spot once he's ready. 

On the blue line, Tony DeAngelo may have been able to get a multi-year deal, but instead, he re-signed with the Islanders on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. Again, the AAV is a tad bit high, but it's a one-year deal, so that does open the door for Darche to go younger on that side ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Darche's way of thinking is a complete 180 from the way Lamoriello did business. 

Now, Lamoriello was thinking about winning at the NHL level, sacrificing the future to make that a reality. Ultimately, that didn't happen, and, well, there's a reason he's no longer employed. 

Darche understands his NHL roster. He understood what holes needed to be filled with what kind of players to allow them to be competitive now, while also keeping a close eye on the future, which is looking more and more exciting by the day.

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PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets have handed out one-year, two-way contracts to Isaac Poulter, Kale Clague, Phillip Di Giuseppe, Walker Duehr and Samuel Fagemo.

Poulter, a 23-year-old goaltender, has been bouncing between the New Jersey Devils' AHL and ECHL affiliate for the past three seasons. The 2024-25 campaign was spent entirely in the AHL for Poulter, posting an .898 SP and a 2.86 GAA in 36 games. 

The hometown Winnipeg, MB, native will return home and battle for the starting goalie spot in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. 

Clague was once a second-round pick (51st overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, but his career hasn't gone in the direction he and many others thought it would. The 26-year-old has played 94 NHL games in his career, but has played just three in the previous two seasons.

Clague put up strong offensive numbers with a stacked Rochester Americans team and should provide some offence from the blue line, replacing Simon Lundmark, who has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a two-year, two-way deal. 

Di Giuseppe is the most experienced player of the five, skating in 302 career NHL games. Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, consistency in the big leagues has been his issue, and it's why he's never played more than 51 games in a season.

Di Giuseppe also joins the Moose roster with the experience of winning a Calder Cup, as the left-winger played a vital role on the Abbotsford Canucks' 2024-25 Calder Cup trophy win. 

PHILLIP DI GIUSEPPE FROM ARTŪRS ŠILOVS 🚨
We got a goalie assist in the Calder Cup Finals!
(also what a shot from PDG!)@abbycanucks | @Canucks | @CanucksArmy#AHL#CalderCup#ProudlyAbbotsford#Canuckspic.twitter.com/LkUH3V1lfs

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) June 18, 2025

Duehr is a 27-year-old, 6'3 right-winger whose production in the AHL is great, but has struggled to transition it to the NHL. With 92 games of NHL experience, Duehr has scored 11 goals and 21 points. 

Like Di Giuseppe, Duehr will be relied upon in the AHL but could serve as a bottom-six replacement in the NHL if the team runs into injury issues at any point in the season.

We have signed five players to two-way contracts:

✍️ G Isaac Poulter
✍️ D Kale Clague
✍️ F Phil Di Giuseppe
✍️ F Walker Duehr
✍️ F Samuel Fagemo pic.twitter.com/P4S0qUB2Fj

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 2, 2025

Fagemo, the final player of the five, is a former second-round pick (50th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft with slick hands and a great shot. Fagemo dominated the 2020 World Juniors, which increased his expectations that he hasn't been able to live up to. 

His opportunities in the NHL have been scarce, playing just 21 games despite impressive AHL numbers. In 2023-24, the 25-year-old scored 43 goals and 62 points in 50 games. 

The Jets needed to shore up their AHL depth, and with these signings, they've done just that. 

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Everyone loves free agency.

Detroit Red Wings fans are like every other hockey fan; they love the sight of new players joining the organization.

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To kick off the first day, the Red Wings brought in Ian Mitchell, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and James van Riemsdyk. After taking care of a good chunk of their expiring contracts yesterday, the Red Wings seemed poised to make a big move.

Trending Red Wings Stories

Red Wings Give Promising Forward Another Big ShotIt’s the day for deals (apparently).

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Red Wings Announce Full Development Camp Details: Schedule, Rosters, and Top Prospects to Watch Including Carter Bear

Detroit Brings in Veteran James van Riemsdyk On One-Year Deal

Should Red Wings Try To Add Penguins' Karlsson?Red Wings could target Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson as blueline add with contract retention on the table.

While that big move is still on its way (maybe), a Red Wings goaltender has found a new team to play for.

Alex Lyon has signed a new contract with the Buffalo Sabres. The two parties agreed to a two-year, $1.5 million deal.

The Sabres will be Lyon’s fifth NHL organization after the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Red Wings. Over the past two seasons, he played 74 games combined. 

We have signed goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.

Details → https://t.co/V7aBtrdhCc#LetsGoBuffalo | @NorthtownAutopic.twitter.com/avnrT1rz65

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 1, 2025

Unfortunately for Lyon, the writing has been on the wall for a long time – originally when the organization acquired Petr Mrazek at the trade deadline, and then just a few days ago when they traded Mrazek for the Anaheim Ducks goalie, John Gibson.

Last year, Lyon had a record of 14-9-1, a 2.81 goals against average, a .896 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout.

We will see what else transpires for the Red Wings.

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The IIHF, NHL and NHLPA all signed an agreement to officially allow NHL players to participate in the 2026 Olympics – and potentially the 2030 edition.

Representatives of the three parties, including NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and IIHF president Luc Tardif, met on Wednesday at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, to finalize the agreement.

The NHL and NHLPA previously agreed with the IIHF on major principles allowing NHL players to participate in February 2024. At the time, details still needed to be figured out, but the deal's now done for the first NHL participation in the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

“This is a tremendous day for international ice hockey and for fans across the globe,” Tardif said in a statement. “At the initiative of the IIHF, we have worked collaboratively with NHL and NHLPA in close collaboration with the IOC and Milano Cortina Organizing Committee to make this a reality. Bringing the best players in the world back to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is a major step forward for our sport.”

Men's hockey games will take place on NHL-sized ice on two rinks in Milan from Feb. 11, 2026, to Feb. 22. The 12 national men's teams announced the first six players joining the roster in June.

The IIHF also noted this agreement opens the door for NHL participation in the 2030 Olympic Winter Games in the French Alps.

The NHL and NHLPA already announced a 2028 World Cup of Hockey, meaning we could see best-on-best men's hockey action every two years for the foreseeable future. It would be a big change from the past decade, which only featured the 2016 World Cup and then 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Graeme Roustan Show: Luc TardifThe IIHF’s president talks about working through difficult situations, the hardships in Ukraine and his relationship with the NHL.

“Best-on-best international tournaments like the Olympics provide the opportunity to create extraordinary moments for our players and fans alike,” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, said in a statement. “The return to the Olympics marks a monumental moment for hockey and we thank our partners – the NHL, IOC and IIHF – for this collaborative process. The skill and passion on display in Milano Cortina will build off the excitement of the 4 Nations Face-Off and continue our game’s global growth.”

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another forward to their lineup for the 2025-26 season.

The Penguins have signed Anthony Mantha to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The deal also includes $2 million in performance bonuses. 

Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports was first with the financials on Wednesday.

PuckPedia reports that Mantha will get $250,000 for every 10 games played and will get the $2 million bonus if he plays in 80 games. 

Mantha was limited to only 13 games during the 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL in November. He recorded four goals and seven points before the injury cut his season short. 

The Penguins will look for him to fill a top-nine role this season, similar to Anthony Beauvillier's role last season before they traded him to the Washington Capitals for a second-round pick. They signed Beauvillier in free agency last July, and he compiled 13 goals and 20 points in 63 games until he was flipped. 

The Penguins have signed forwards Anthony Mantha and Rafael Harvey-Pinard to one-year contracts as well as defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year contract.

Details: https://t.co/Ksf6zVO3Jlpic.twitter.com/WxNiAbdmlh

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 2, 2025

Mantha will have every opportunity to play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, depending on what head coach Dan Muse wants to do with his line combinations.

Before the 2024-25 season, Mantha split the 2023-24 season with the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights, finishing with 23 goals and 44 points in 74 games. Mantha is a 10-year veteran and has compiled 146 goals and 303 points in 507 career games. 

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Feature Image Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The 2025 version of the Columbus Blue Jackets is starting to come into focus. Day one of the NHL's "UFA Day" has come and gone, and Blue Jackets fans and those who follow the team are split on the results.

Based on what most teams did, it sure seems like most teams did what they had to do, while others did absolutely nothing. This summer could get very interesting. 

Let's review who they signed and who left for other teams.

Additions 

Dante Fabbro - Defense - 4 Year - $4.125 million per season - Fabbro publicly stated, as did the team, that they wanted a deal to get done to bring back the young defender. As time crept on, it was starting to look like a deal wouldn't get done, but reports started trickling out last week that the team and Fabbro's camp were making progress on a new deal. Fabbro's new deal is both player and team-friendly with the term and money he got. Fabbro will be 31 when he becomes a UFA, and as the cap continues to rise, that $4 million per season contract will keep looking better and better, especially if Fabbro keeps playing like he did last season. 

Ivan Provorov - Defense - 7 Years - $8.5 million per season - Provorov was the big fish that both sides wanted to get done. After Don Waddell flirted with a few other right-shot defensemen in free agency, he quickly circled back and got a deal done with Provorov a day before free agency was set to start. The initial reaction from some fans and media was shock about the money, but it really isn't that bad if Provorov continues to 1. Produce, and 2. Be available for games. Provorov has played 82 games six times in his career, including the last three seasons. Many teams would pay that simply for a player being able to stay healthy and play all 82 games. Provorov is a good player and a confident one as well. Being able to play both sides is also a plus. In yesterday's press conference, he stated that while there are players who can play the right side, not too many can play better than him, even as a leftie. And if we're being honest, he's probably right. 

Isac Lundeström - Forward - 2 Years - $1.3 million per season - Lundeström is an excellent center with 337 NHL games under his belt at 25 years old. One scout said the following: "Powerful skater.. ability to carry the puck deep using good puck protection on both sides to then put dangerous pucks in front from down low." Adding Lundeström should give Dean Evason the choice of moving both Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger to the wing, should he choose. The Blue Jackets look really solid down the middle, which includes skill guys and grinders. But don't mistake Lundeström for just a grinder; he can also score and be a playmaker. 

Owen Sillinger - Forward - 1 Year/2-way - Sillinger, the older brother of Cole, played one game for Columbus last year. Sillinger has appeared in 202 career games for Cleveland and has amassed 114 points. Many believe Owen could likely serve a fourth-line role in the NHL, and it would be great to see him and Cole play together. In the one game he played last year, Cole was out sick, so they couldn't play together. Sillinger currently ranks 8th all-time in points for the Monsters with 114. If he stays healthy and plays in as many games as possible, he could realistically move as high as third and pass Jake Christiansen, who has 140. But I'm sure Owen hopes he doesn't get the chance to move up because that would mean he’d be playing games in Columbus. 

Christián Jaroš - Defense - 1 Year/2-way - Jaroš hasn't played in the NHL since he was with the New Jersey Devils during the 21-22 season. He spent the last three years playing in the KHL and had some solid seasons. Jaroš also fits the profile of a typical Don Waddell defenseman - big. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, he can handle physical play if needed. One scout said about Jaroš: "Defensman with good physical plays who has good timing for his hits and solid skating for his size. He has very good defensive skills and has the potential to be a rather good offensive defenseman, but he has to use his shot more often." The Blue Jackets could use more defensemen who like to shoot from the point. Ultimately, though, Jaroš will more than likely play in Cleveland with the Monsters, as they could use some depth right now after losing so many guys.

Subtractions

The Blue Jackets also lost a few guys to free agency. Forwards Justin Danforth(Buffalo), James van Reimsdyk(Detroit), Sean Kuraly(Boston), and Jordan Harris(Boston) are among the players who left in free agency who played every day for Columbus.

The Jackets could still very well add some guys for depth, especially in Cleveland, so be on the look out for more. 

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Former Blue Jackets Forward Lands New Job In Atlantic DivisionFormer Blue Jacket and Monster forward Carson Meyer has signed with the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced today. The deal will be for two years and will carry a $775,000 cap hit.  Blue Jackets Sign Center Isac Lundeström The Columbus Blue Jackets are signing center Isac Lundeström to a two-year contract. The contract will be worth $1.3 million per season.  Blue Jackets Lose Justin DanforthBob McKenzie has reported that forward Justin Danforth has signed with the Buffalo Sabres on a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.8 million. Columbus Brings Back Owen Sillinger On A One-Year DealColumbus has brought back Owen Sillinger, signing him today to a one-year, two-wat contract. Blue Jackets Sign Defenseman Christián Jaroš The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Christián Jaroš to a one-year, two-way contract today.  Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Jordan Harris Signs With BostonFormer Blue Jackets defenseman Jordan Harris will sign with the Boston Bruins per Elliotte Friedman.

Even after a quiet free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't closing the door on bringing Max Pacioretty back.

Toronto got a lot of their business done before the market opened by re-upping forwards John Tavares (four-year, $17.55 million), Matthew Knies (six-year, $46.5 million), and hometown kid Steven Lorentz (three-year, $4.05 million) earlier this week. This was in addition to the sign-and-trade that saw Mitch Marner go to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy.

In between all that, the Maple Leafs acquired skilled playmaker Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. It's a buy-low gamble on a young forward who scored 57 points (17 goals and 40 assists) in 82 games before tallying just 18 points last year. 

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving's last bit of business on July 1 was signing depth players, Michael Pezzetta and Benoit-Olivier Groulx, plus defenseman Dakota Mermis, to two-year deals with an annual average value of $812,500. Toronto also added former Maple Leaf Travis Boyd on a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

After several re-signings and trades, the Maple Leafs have just shy of $5 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. Could part of that money go into bringing back Max Pacioretty, who was reportedly leaning toward a return to Toronto a few weeks back?

"I think we talked about it the other day, we wanted to get through the first part of free agency here and see where it went, but I certainly haven't closed the door on Max," Treliving said on Tuesday, following day one of free agency. "But I haven't spoken to Allan (Walsh) here today on that."

Pacioretty joined Toronto on a one-year, $873,770 contract after arriving at training camp on a professional tryout last fall. After scoring five goals and eight assists in 37 games in the regular season, Pacioretty provided some much-needed playoff experience in the depth of Toronto's lineup.

Why The Maple Leafs Didn’t Qualify Pontus Holmberg As Player Signs With Lightning Pontus Holmberg is moving on from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The veteran forward scored the series-winner against the Ottawa Senators in round one, plus the insurance marker in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers. Pacioretty had eight points through 11 playoff games, which was the fourth-most on the team, behind Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

It wouldn't hurt to have him back again for another playoff run in Toronto, especially with what he gave the Maple Leafs this past spring.

"Certainly came here to win the ultimate prize, and while it's one game that gets you to move on, but clearly not satisfied with that game at all," Pacioretty said in his end-of-season media availability.  That part is very disappointing, but you live and you learn and thankful I got an opportunity to chase my dream."

(Top photo of Pacioretty: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)

The opening day of NHL free agency is always an exciting time for hockey fans, as teams retool their rosters with fresh talent and strategic additions. But obviously, with the standard roster, contract and cap limitations, they can't just stockpile talent, so every addition eventually requires a subtraction.

On July 1, the Ottawa Senators officially parted ways with six unrestricted free agents, all of whom saw varying levels of NHL time with the club in 2024-25.

As they scattered to the wind, here's where they signed on Tuesday:

Adam Gaudette

Gaudette was one of the best storylines of the Senators’ 2024–25 season. Out of the NHL for nearly two years, he signed a two-way deal with Ottawa, reuniting with his former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green, who had just gotten the Sens job. Gaudette made the team out of camp and responded with a strong season, scoring 19 goals.

Never having had a serious NHL payday, Gaudette took full advantage of free agency, signing a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks worth $2 million annually. Ottawa seemed fully ready for his departure on Tuesday, bringing in veteran Lars Eller, who is expected to take over Gaudette’s spot as the fourth-line center.

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Anton Forsberg

Goaltender Anton Forsberg signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $2.2 million per season. He’ll reunite with former Senators head coach D.J. Smith, now an assistant in L.A., on a team that allowed the second-fewest goals in the league last season.

Forsberg’s best campaign in Ottawa came in 2021–22, when he posted a 2.82 GAA and a .917 save percentage over 46 games. Throughout the rebuild, he could sometimes be a stabilizing presence, despite a leaky defense in front of him. But there were nights of inconsistency as well. With the emergence of the less expensive Leevi Meriläinen, the Senators were ready to move on.

Ottawa Senators Clarify Their Goaltending Picture for Next SeasonOttawa Senators general manager Steve Staios officially provided some clarity on the organization’s 2025-26 goaltending depth chart on Tuesday afternoon. The dominoes started to fall on Monday with Leevi Meriläinen signing a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million for next season.

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Matthew Highmore

Highmore played 41 NHL games last season with Ottawa, recording just six points. Though well-regarded for his work ethic, the 29-year-old didn’t do enough to earn a new deal. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders.

In his NHL career, Highmore has tallied 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 187 games. He’s also been productive at the AHL level, with 166 points (61G, 105A) in 231 games.

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Angus Crookshank

Crookshank became a bit of a cult favorite in Ottawa—thanks in part to his memorable name and underdog appeal. After playing 13 NHL games at the end of the 2023–24 season, he seemed poised to break through.

But with new management prioritizing size and adding multiple free agent forwards last summer, Crookshank’s path became crowded. He lacked the high-end skill to crack the top six and didn’t have the size or physical edge for a bottom-six role.

Still, he found a new opportunity with the New Jersey Devils, signing a two-year deal worth $5 million. The first year is a two-way contract, but it becomes a one-way deal in 2026–27.

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Dennis Gilbert

Gilbert arrived in Ottawa as part of a trade deadline deal with the Buffalo Sabres, a move that sent Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens and Gilbert. While Cozens was the main piece for Ottawa, Gilbert appeared in just four games.

Gilbert has since signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, Bernard-Docker was not tendered a qualifying offer by Buffalo and has signed with the Detroit Red Wings.

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Cole Reinhardt

A former teammate of Ridly Greig with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Reinhardt was drafted by the Senators as a 20-year-old and spent five seasons in the organization. Known as an excellent skater and hardworking winger, he recorded just two points in 17 games with Ottawa last season.

Now 25, Reinhardt qualified for Group 6 unrestricted free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed.

So there it is. The end of the line for half a dozen Ottawa Senators. With a tip of the cap, we wish them success in their next hockey chapters.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa
Image credit: Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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Senators Sign Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen To New One-Way Contract
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