Nico Daws' Contract With New Jersey Devils Gives Them Options In Net

On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils continued the first day of the Free Agent Frenzy with a contract extension for goaltender Nico Daws. 

Daws earned himself a two-year deal with an average annual value of $1.1 million. He will make $925 thousand in 2026-27 and $1.225 million in 2027-28. 

This deal comes after the Devils traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. This opens the door for Daws to get some playing time with Jake Allen, but there is still the potential for a big move in net. 

Daws is 25 years old, and he has been developing in the Devils system for the last five years. Going back and forth between the NHL and AHL has been his assignment to begin his career. 

In 82 NHL games played (75 of them starts), Daws is 24-24-1 with a 2.96 goals against average, a .898 save percentage, and a shutout. Only 3 of those games, all of them started, came in 2025-26. He went 2-1-0 in those games with a 2.62 goals against and a .908 save percentage. 

The career moment for Daws to date is the 6-3 win he had as the starter in the 2024 NHL Stadium Series. This is also the first and only outdoor win in the history of the New Jersey Devils. He faced 48 shots in the win, which is the most a goalie has ever faced in an outdoor game. 

There are rumors surrounding Winnipeg Jets superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and there are other goalies out there that New Jersey could consider. However, having Daws locked in is important for them as an option for themselves and the Utica Comets. 

The future of the crease in New Jersey is cloudy, with a lot of parts that may still be moving, but Daws will remain someone who is an option for them at this time.

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Penguins Ink Former LA King To One-Year Deal

Even if the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't about to hand out any overpays in NHL free agency, that never meant they would avoid signings that could help the team in the short-term and in the long-term.

And they made another move on Day One of free agency that definitely addresses the short-term.

On Wednesday, the Penguins inked winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal. Kuzmenko, 30, was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline in 2025 and stayed there through the end of the 2025-26 season, recording 18 goals and 42 points in 74 games during that time. 

Report: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals DefensemanReport: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals DefensemanPer NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Penguins are bringing in ex-Capitals veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.

The undrafted Russian forward has yet to repeat his standout rookie campaign with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022-23, when he put up an impressive 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games. Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of placement have inhibited him from reaching higher potential, and the latest in the injury saga came last season when he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. 

Still, even at 30, there is some upside potential to Kuzmenko if he can remain healthy. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward is a threat to score goals and is a nice power play piece, giving the Penguins options in their middle-six. He is also capable of playing both wings, but the left-shot has preferred the right wing throughout his career. 

3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free Agency3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free AgencyThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas figure to be one of the more interesting teams heading into free agency on Jul. 1.

The situation isn't too much different from winger Anthony Mantha, who had season-ending ACL surgery in 2024-25 with the Calgary Flames and enjoyed a career year in Pittsburgh last season with 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games. 

The addition of Kuzmenko adds to an already-crowded crop of forwards, as the Penguins also added restricted free agents Hendrix Lapierre and Nicholas Robertson. According to Puckpedia, without the three RFAs in Lapierre, Robertson, and Chinakhov, the Penguins already have 13 forward listed on their NHL roster, which includes Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty.

With young forwards like Hayes and McGroarty pushing for roster spots from the AHL, it will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh decides to move on from one or more veterans on their NHL roster.

Penguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple LeafsPenguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple LeafsThe Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Panthers Sign Forward Cole Schwindt, Defenseman Alexander Petrovic To Two-Year Contracts

The Florida Panthers signed a pair of familiar players to a new contracts on Wednesday.

Despite not qualifying him as a restricted free agent, the Panthers announced they have signed forward Cole Schwindt to a new two-year deal.

Florida originally drafted Schwindt in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

He was included in the summer 2022 trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers. Florida than claimed him off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights in October of last year.

Schwindt played 29 games with the Panthers last season, logging five goals and seven points.

He’ll likely be viewed as a candidate to center Florida’s fourth line next season after taking a career high 115 draws last year, winning 44.2% of them.

“Cole has developed into a well-rounded two-way forward who fits seamlessly with our team,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He competes hard every night and we are pleased to have him back as a part of our strong forward group for the next two seasons.”

Florida also announced a new, two-year deal with former Cats defenseman Alexander Petrovic.

The veteran blueliner has played 10 seasons in the NHL after being selected by Florida in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

He played parts of seven seasons with the Panthers before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December of 2018 in exchange for Chris Weidman and a third-round pick.

In the eight years since the trade, Petrovic has played 60 games in the NHL and another 341 in the AHL.

Of those 60 NHL games, 54 came last season with the Dallas Stars.

“Alex is a stalwart shutdown defenseman who brings size and depth to our blueline,” Zito said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him back to our organization.”

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Panthers Acquiring Goaltender Jacob Markstrom From The Devils

Photo caption: Nov 13, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Cole Schwindt (79) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Devils Sign Goaltender Nico Daws To Two-Year Deal

On Wednesday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils re-signed goaltender Nico Daws to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,100,000. The contract details are as follows: 2026-27: $975,000 and 2027-28: $1,225,000.

Daws was a restricted free agent who received a qualifying offer from the team on June 29. 

The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the Devils organization, appearing in 55 games in the NHL and 142 in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. Last season, he played three games for New Jersey, posting a 2-1-0 record and a 2.62 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

Daws made his NHL debut on Oct. 23, 2021, a 2-1 win against the Buffalo Sabers, where he made 24 saves. Per Devils PR, he became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win their NHL debut. New Jersey selected the 6’4”, 205lbs. goaltender in the third round (84th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The Devils traded veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday along with forward Angus Crookshank for  Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves.

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Red Wings Add Goaltending Depth, Sign Daniil Tarasov

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Not long after the Detroit Red Wings signed veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract, they addressed their goaltending depth. 

GM Steve Yzerman has signed goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who played last season with the Florida Panthers, to a one-year contract. He'll carry a salary cap hit of $2 million.

Not only does this mean that veteran Cam Talbot will not be back with the club next season, but that the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins will feature competition between Michal Postava and 2023 second-round pick Trey Augustine for the starting position. 

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Tarasov, who split time in his native Russia between the KHL and VHL, was selected with the 86th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

He would make his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets during the 2021-22 season, and would split his time between Columbus and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson On the opening day of the NHL free-agency period, the Detroit Red Wings are adding some veteran talent up front with the signing of Viktor Arvidsson.

In late June of last year, he was traded to the Panthers, with whom he'd sign a one-year contract to back up Sergei Bobrovsky. In his first and only year in Florida, Tarasov amassed a record of 13-15-3 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. 

Overall, he's 32-49-9 with a 3.30 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage, and one shutout in 98 career NHL games between the Blue Jackets and Panthers. 

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Predators get a jump on free agency by acquiring Mavrik Bourque in a trade with the Stars

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild

Apr 30, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque (22) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

A weak free-agent pool has NHL teams turning to the trade route to improve their rosters this summer, a development that became evident Wednesday before the market opened.

Nashville acquired pending restricted free agent forward Mavrik Bourque from Dallas. The Predators sent a 2027 second- and a 2028 third-round pick to the Stars for Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.

“Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” general manager Chris 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.”

Dallas clearing salary cap space could allow the team to sign Jason Robertson, another restricted free agent who’s ticketed for a long-term, lucrative contract. Robertson turns 27 this month and led the Stars in scoring with 96 points on 45 goals and 51 assists last season.

In other moves, Ottawa re-signed pesky forward Nick Cousins to a two-year contract worth $3.18 million.

“Nick has proven his value to our hockey club over the past two seasons,” Senators GM Steve Staois said. “He brings Stanley Cup winning experience and is an important player inside our dressing room.”

Cousins won the Cup in 2024 with Florida, which is expected to see goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky depart in free agency. Toronto, Edmonton and Pittsburgh are among the most likely suitors.

The Panthers have been active this week, trading for goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid and sending A.J. Greer’s rights to Anaheim to bring back rugged defenseman Radko Gudas. His six-year deal is worth $1.5 million annually for a total of $9 million.

“I have good news: I’m coming back to Florida and I’m bringing my dad with me,” Gudas’ daughter, Tynka, said in a video announcing the move. The 36-year-old Gudas played there for three seasons from 2020-23.

Gudas is the second player who was a captain this past season to join Florida in recent weeks. Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s brother, was traded to the Panthers last month after wearing the “C” in Ottawa.

Blues Sign Dillon Dube To One-Year, $850,000 Contract

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues liked enough of what they saw with Dillon Dube with Springfield of the American Hockey League last season, they decided to bring him back.

The team announced on Wednesday they signed the 27-year-old to a one-year, one-way contract for $850,000.

Dube originally joined the organization on an AHL professional tryout with the Thunderbirds on Dec. 10, 2025 and played in 46 regular-season games last season, sharing second on the team with 20 goals and ranking fourth with 37 points.

"We've gotten to know him a lot better throughout that time frame," Blues general manager Alex Steen said. "He and his teammates built a foundation and a compete level that kept pushing each other and pushing forward, and at the end of the year, it built up a strong foundation to really push some big teams out of the playoffs. Those guys are himself, (Zach) Dean, (Aleksanteri) Kaskimaki, (Dylan) Peterson, they're showing that that gap is starting to close more and more. 

"What we're trying to accomplish that I mentioned to a few of you yesterday is we're big, big believers in that internal competition and I think we're raising the bar on that and I think we're creating a lot more of that with these moves today and we're happy where the team is positioned and excited to move forward."

Dude also had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 12 Calder Cup playoff games for Springfield, helping lead the team to the Atlantic Division Final. 

Dube (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) has played in 325 career NHL regular-season games with the Calgary Flames and had 127 points (57 goals, 70 assists).

The second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft is trying to earn his way back into the NHL after he and four other former Canadian World Junior hockey players were acquitted of sexual assault charges by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia on July 24, 2025.

The Blues are not overlooking what happened with Dube in the past and have done their due diligence on the situation and feel the player made a positive impact in Springfield in his time there.

"We're well aware of that," Steen said. "The thing that's impressed us with Dillon is his openness towards it. We brought him in December, so we've had opportunity to get to know him. Obviously the coaching staff and his teammates have shared what their experiences with him are. He wants to be a positive influence, he's had a positive influence on that team or a positive impact. He approaches it with sincerity and humility.

"Since I got here in St. Louis, the organization's always been a second-chance organization and it's an opportunity and we feel confident giving it to him to fight for a spot on our team next year.

"He's open about things that he's gone through. His attitude, his humility towards it. When you get to know him more and more, his interactions with his teammates and his players, he wants to bring out the best version of himself on a daily basis and he actively tries to bring out the best version of his teammates as well."

There has already been opinions wavering on both sides on the matter, including those that don't approve considering the past allegations.

"I appreciate everyone's perspective on the decision," Steen said. "I obviously respect that not everybody's going to agree with it, but we've gotten to know Dillon over the course of the last nine months. He's been a part of the organization down in Springfield since December. Since I've been here, the organization has been a second-chance organization and in our opinion, we're confident in giving him this opportunity."

Blues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million ContractBlues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million ContractForward brings grit, toughness to bottom lineup of forwards Berggren Re-Signs With BluesBerggren Re-Signs With BluesForward, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings last season, gets a one-year, $2 million contractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractForward had one year remaining on a two-year, $8 million contract signed with Islanders; was acquired on March 6 in Brayden Schenn trade; Blues owe $1.33 million against cap in each of next two seasonsBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesTkachuk, recently named to Hockey Hall of Fame, was previously director of recruitment; Thorburn was development coach; Bortuzzo hired to be pro scoutSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningFormer NHLer of 15 years, including last 12 seasons in St. Louis, takes over for Doug Armstrong, who keeps role as president of hockey operations after taking over as GM in 2010Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Blues top line center excited by recent acquisitions, affirms his commitment to St. Louis with no desire to be moved
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Former Senators Goalie Traded To Rangers As Sens Continue To Pick Up Part Of His Tab

It's never a badge of honour when an NHL team has to pay a man to play for the enemy.

That's how it's been for the Senators, who've been paying Joonas Korpisalo $1 million a year to play for the Boston Bruins the past two seasons. But after his trade to the New York Rangers on Wednesday, at least he's out of the Atlantic Division now.

Boston dealt the veteran goalie to the Blueshirts for their 2028 fourth-round draft pick and forward Kalle Vaisanen. Korpisalo still has two years and $8 million left on his deal, #2 million of which will be paid by the Senators.

Steve Staios discusses while his goalie experts like Samuel Ersson as a trade target (Senators).

How did this retained salary come to be for the Sens?

In 2023, GM Pierre Dorion signed Korpisalo to a five-year contract worth $20 million. Korpisalo lasted just one season, and new GM Steve Staios shipped him to Boston in the Linus Ullmark trade. As part of the deal, the Senators would retain 25 percent of Korpisalo's salary.

He appeared in 31 games for the Bruins this season, posting a 14-9-6 record, a 3.15 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. His seasonal highlight came in Milan, representing Team Finland and earning a bronze medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Korpisalo has played in 334 career NHL games for the Bruins, Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets. In his one season with the Sens, he did something Linus Ullmark has never done and that's play in more than 50 games (55).

He's also the holder of the NHL record for most saves (85) in a single playoff game. That performance came during a 3-2, five-overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020.

Korpisalo was originally selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 62nd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

He's not the only player still earning money to not play for the Senators. Former first-rounder Colin White also has two years to go at $875,000 as part of his buyout. He played full-time for San Jose's farm club, where he was teammates with Sens newcomer Kasper Halttunen.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators check out one of the latest headlines below:

Free Agency: Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
The Senators May Have Just Chosen Burakovsky Over Giroux
Senators Walk Away From AHL's Top Goal Scorer
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

Islanders sign Vitek Vanecek to add needed goalie depth in NHL free agency

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A hockey goalie in a black jersey with a mammoth logo and light blue and white stripes looks forward while holding his helmet in one hand, Image 2 shows Hockey goalie in a black and light blue uniform during a playoffs game
Islanders goalie signing

The Islanders have their goaltending plan set — just in case Semyon Varlamov isn’t ready to return.

While general manager Mathieu Darche said Saturday they plan on having Varlamov back up Ilya Sorokin if healthy, the Islanders still signed Vitek Vanecek to a one-year deal worth $1 million, according to TSN.

Vanecek, who won 33 games with the Devils in 2022-23 and then won a ring with the Panthers in 2025 as a backup, spent last year with the Mammoth — where he finished with a 5-13-3 record, a .883 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average.

Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Utah Mammoth skates back to the net after a stoppage during the third period of their game against the Washington Capitals at the Delta Center on March 26, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Getty Images

Vanecek will essentially fill the role of David Rittich, who the Islanders relied on for 28 starts last year with Varlamov out.

Varlamov has undergone two knee replacement surgeries and last appeared in an NHL game in November 2024, though he appeared in two games with AHL Bridgeport on a conditioning loan late last season.

“We’re obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves,” Darche said of Varlamov on Saturday. “Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He’s under contract, he feels great. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be our backup next year.

“He’s been training, no medication, no anything. He’s been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It’s very encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”

Wild Sign Veteran Goaltender Calvin Pickard On A One-Year Deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have found their backup goaltender, signing veteran netminder Calvin Pickard in free agency.

With Filip Gustavsson expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season, Pickard gives Minnesota an experienced option to share the crease with Jesper Wallstedt early in the year.

The 34-year-old is coming off three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, where he emerged as a dependable backup and made key playoff appearances during the club's consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

Pickard appeared in 36 regular-season games in 2024-25, posting a 22-10-1 record while providing steady play behind Edmonton's starter. 

Last season, he started 13 games and went 5-6-2 with a 3.68 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage. He is 74-77-14 in his NHL career with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage with five shutouts.

He has played in 191 career games across 11 seasons with six different teams. The Wild will be his seventh team in his 12th season.

A veteran of more than a decade in professional hockey, Pickard brings valuable NHL experience to a Wild team that needed a reliable backup while Gustavsson recovers.

His addition also allows Minnesota to avoid rushing Wallstedt into a heavier workload than planned to begin the season.

The signing addresses one of the Wild's biggest needs on the opening day of free agency and gives the club stability in net heading into training camp.

Pickard's deal is a one-year, $1 million.

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Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram agrees to a 6-year, $75 million extension

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins

Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) skates against Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during the second period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram has agreed to a 6-year, $75 million extension with his new team.

The deal was announced Wednesday, the first day that Byram was eligible to sign an extension. It runs through the 2032-33 season.

The 25-year-old Byram was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on June 23. The Blackhawks sent the No. 4 and No. 45 selections in the NHL draft and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Sabres for Byram and forward Jordan Greenway.

It has been a very busy summer for Byram, who got married last weekend in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The Blackhawks are counting on Byram to take over as their No. 1 defenseman — and they paid him accordingly.

“We’re going to provide the opportunity to become one of the top defensemen around the league and we feel 100% wholeheartedly that he can be that guy and he will be that guy,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said after the trade was completed. “So, when you take it like that, a top-pair defenseman and we feel a potential No. 1 defenseman, there aren’t many pieces around the league that are more valuable than that.”

Byram, who has never been the top defenseman on his NHL team, thinks he is ready for the job.

“I’ve just got to come in and prove what I can do,” he said after the trade. “I know that I’m confident in myself. You know I feel that, after this move, the Blackhawks are confident in me, so it’s a great feeling to have a team believing in you.”

Byram’s father, Shawn, played for Chicago on Nov. 3, 1991, in the last of his five NHL games. The Blackhawks had a chance to take Bowen Byram in the 2019 draft, but they opted for Kirby Dach at No. 3, and Byram went to Colorado at No. 4.

Byram had 23 goals and 40 assists in 146 games over three-plus seasons with Colorado before he was traded to Buffalo in March 2024 for Casey Mittelstadt. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Byram had 11 goals and a career-high 42 points last season. He was part of a strong group of defensemen who helped the Sabres to the Atlantic Division title and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 season.

Blackhawks make Bowen Byram highest-paid defenseman with 6-year extension

EDITOR'S NOTE: Follow our NHL live free agency tracker.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year extension that, for now, will make him the highest-paid defenseman in NHL history.

The July 1 deal will average $12.5 million and kick in during the 2027-28 season. The top cap hit next season among defensemen is Erik Karlsson at $11.5 million, followed by Rasmus Dahlin and Drew Doughty at $11 million.

Byram, 25, has been in a second-pairing role in his career because Colorado's Cale Makar and Buffalo's Dahlin were ahead of him, but he will be the Blackhawks' top defenseman. His top season was 42 points in 2025-26.

The Blackhawks sent the fourth-overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres to land Byram and Jordan Greenway.

Byram's status as top-paid defenseman should end soon because former Norris Trophy winners Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are eligible to receive contract extensions.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blackhawks make Bowen Byram highest-paid defenseman with 6-year extension

Report: Penguins sign Andrei Kuzmenko to one-year contract

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 09: Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko (96) waits for play to begin during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings on November 9, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins keep adding, the latest is the report that winger Andrei Kuzmenko is joining the team for one year and $5.0 million.

Kuzmenko has been among the NHL’s slowest skaters, but has the hands and scoring ability to cover up that deficiency. Curiously, his salary is right in the price range of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust – two players often in the trade rumor mill. Could this signing be a precursor to a move to come? The Penguins are definitely loading up on talent coming in the door, it’s just a matter of time before action starts heading in the other direction for players heading out.

Kuzmenko, 30 has had mostly abbreviated seasons, far from his impressive NHL rookie campaign of 39 goals and 74 points for Vancouver back in 2022-23, as seen below in his hockeydb card. He has played for three different teams since the start of the 2024-25 season, and in some ways could be seen as a replacement option for the role than Anthony Mantha filled last season for the Pens.

It’s been a very active day for the Pens in free agency, this $5 million signing is their biggest move of the period yet. Despite that, CapWages shows Pittsburgh with still over $33 million in space under the salary cap (with restricted free agents like Egor Chinakhov and Arturs Silovs to take from).

New Jersey Devils Sign Defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok to One Year Deal

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Vladislav Kolyachonok #44 of the Dallas Stars defends Cody Glass #12 of the New Jersey Devils during the game on December 3, 2025 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

After a quiet first couple hours of free agency, Sunny Mehta finally made a signing. Vladislav Kolachonok, a depth defenseman who has spent time with the Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, and Boston Bruins in his five-year NHL career. In 87 games, the 25-year old Kolyachonok has five goals and 12 assists with 22 penalty minutes while averaging 13:58 of ice time per game. He has also been credited for 88 blocks and 77 hits with 23 takeaways. Player agent Dan Milstein broke the news on Twitter.

It is a league minimum deal at one year and $850,000, which will be paid out the same regardless of whether Kolyachonok plays in the NHL or AHL. In 184 career AHL games, he has 14 goals and 43 assists. Born in Minsk, Belarus, Kolyachonok is listed at 6’2” and 195 pounds by the AHL (198 pounds by the NHL) and was drafted 52nd overall in the 2019 Draft by the Florida Panthers. When he does get into NHL games, though, the profile is very good from an analytical standpoint. This is from HockeyViz:

In addition to Declan Chisholm, the Devils now have five left-handed defenseman under one-way contracts. If Sunny Mehta is looking to shed salary in the near future, I would think that Brenden Dillon ($4 million, one year) or Jonas Siegenthaler ($3.4 million, two years) may be trade pieces, allowing one of Chisholm or Kolyachonok (or maybe even Topias Vilen or Ethan Edwards) to earn playing time on the third pairing in 2026-27. However, considering Siegenthaler’s relationship with Nico Hischier, I have a hard time seeing him get moved.

We will see. For now, this is the first free agent signing of Sunny Mehta’s GM tenure with the New Jersey Devils, and it fits his bill perfectly: Kolyachonok is a no-risk, low-cost defenseman who has a plus analytical profile in limited usage who may prove to be something more if a team gets him on the ice with more regularity.

What do you think of the deal? What do you think is next? Leave your comments here or in the Free Agency Frenzy open post, and thanks for reading.

Penguins Sign Upside Forward Prospect To Entry-Level Contract

Amongst all of the chaos surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins with the dawn of 2026 NHL free agency, they made a smaller move today to reward an upside prospect for his growth over the last two seasons.

On Wednesday, the Penguins signed forward prospect Atley Calvert to a two-year, entry level contract. The contract comes in at an average annual value of $930,000 and kicks in for the 2026-27 season, and it also comes with a $55,000 signing bonus.

Undrafted, the 22-year-old center was signed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins on an AHL deal two seasons ago after a few standout years with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL - which happens to be his hometown team - posting 16 goals and 38 points in 70 games to go along with a plus-19 last season. In two seasons between WBS and the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, Calvert has amassed 38 goals and 88 points in 134 games.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward has shown a penchant for goal-scoring over the last couple of seasons - including his last two seasons with Moose Jaw, when he scored 40 and 47 in back-to-back years - but the bread and butter of his game is still in his playmaking ability. He has shown ability around the net-front, in high-danger areas, and off the rush, and his hockey IQ is a defining aspect of his game. 

With Calvert, the Penguins now have 39 of their 50 NHL contract slots filled.

3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free Agency3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free AgencyThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas figure to be one of the more interesting teams heading into free agency on Jul. 1.

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