The opening days of NHL free agency provided a reminder of just how many players have passed through the Senators organization.

Over the past three days, a long list of former Senators have signed contracts with new or existing clubs. Some will fill full-time NHL roles next season on one-way contracts, while others will head to training camp on two-way deals looking to earn a roster spot. 

Former Senators Signing One-Way NHL Contracts

Nick Jensen – Anaheim Ducks

Nick Jensen's tenure in Ottawa officially came to an end after he signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $2.2 million per season.

Jensen spent two seasons with the Senators after arriving from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024 as part of the Jacob Chychrun trade. Ottawa's objective in acquiring the veteran right-shot defenceman was to rebalance its blue line, and for much of his first season he provided exactly that before injuries began to take their toll.

Mathieu Joseph – Edmonton Oilers

Mathieu Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Edmonton Oilers.

Joseph spent parts of three seasons with Ottawa after arriving from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 trade that sent Nick Paul to Tampa Bay. His best offensive season in Ottawa came in 2023-24 when he produced 35 points in 72 games, but that didn't impress Steve Staios, who had just taken over as GM.

With the Senators looking to create flexibility, Joseph was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2024. The Sens even had to throw in a third-round pick to convince the Blues to do the deal. Ottawa went on to sign several other forwards in free agency.

Lars Eller – Florida Panthers

After spending one season with Ottawa, Lars Eller signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The veteran centre got off to an impressive start with the Senators, recording six points in his first 12 games. His production slowed considerably after that, and with centre Stephen Halliday pushing for a full-time NHL opportunity, Ottawa opted to move in a younger direction.

Erik Gudbranson – Columbus Blue Jackets

Erik Gudbranson will remain in Columbus for a fifth season after signing a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Gudbranson just wants to stay healthy after injuries limited him to just 53 games total over the past two seasons.

The Ottawa native spent the 2020-21 season with his hometown Senators, appearing in 36 games before being traded to Nashville for Brandon Fortunato and a 7th rounder.

Ian Cole – Chicago Blackhawks

Ian Cole signed a one-year contract that will pay him $4 million.

Cole's stint as a Senator barely lasted long enough to unpack. Ottawa acquired him from Pittsburgh in the 2018 Derick Brassard trade that also brought goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson to the organization.

Just three days later, the Senators flipped Cole to Columbus for a third-round draft pick. Eight years later, the veteran defenceman is still cashing sizeable NHL paycheques. Chicago will be his 8th team since his drive-thru experience with Ottawa.

Nick Foligno – Minnesota Wild

Nick Foligno keeps rolling.

At 38, the former Senators captain signed another one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $900,000. Foligno joined Minnesota last season to play alongside his brother Marcus and will return for another campaign.

Foligno was traded by Ottawa 14 years ago for Columbus defenseman Marc Methot.

Dennis Gilbert – Buffalo Sabres

Defenceman Dennis Gilbert landed a one-year, one-way NHL contract back with Buffalo worth $850,000.

Gilbert did two recent tours of duty with the Sens. He arrived in 2025 in the Josh Norris deal but then left in free agency last summer. He came back this season in exchange for Max Guenette before heading to free agency again this summer. The Sens can't seem to quit him, so maybe we'll see Gilbert again soon.

So there it is, your list of old faces in new places. Next up, we'll tackle the list of former Senators who signed two-way deals with new organizations this week.

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:

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Beckett Hamilton’s first experience inside the Colorado Avalanche organization offered an early look at the habits, pace, and standards that come with being an NHL prospect.

The jump to the Avalanche system comes after a year where he built momentum in the WHL and added international experience with Team Canada at the U-18 level, giving him a broader look at high-end competition before turning pro.

Hamilton was also the highest-drafted player Colorado selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, taken 74th overall after spending draft day in Buffalo with his parents as his name was called.

“It was a special day I’ll cherish forever with my family,” Hamilton said. “To get picked by this type of team is unbelievable.”

Hamilton said the early stages of his pro path have been about understanding what an NHL environment actually looks like and absorbing as much as possible from it.

“You come into an NHL environment,” Hamilton said. “And you just see how things are run, how they do stuff and how you get treated. So, bring that with me and try to share that back with my team in the WHL and just learn as much as I can from the guys around me.”

As for his identity on the ice, he pointed to a blend of competitiveness and skill, with an emphasis on playing through contact and getting to the net.

“I’m not the biggest guy,” Hamilton said. “But I play bigger than I may seem, and I like to score goals and I like to be around the net.”

That style is part of what the Avalanche saw when they selected him, and what he’s now beginning to refine as he adjusts to the pace and detail of a professional environment.

That connection also included growing up watching Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who is coming off his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and has long been one of Hamilton’s favorites, now serving as a direct example of the standard inside the organization.

Beyond that Avalanche connection, Hamilton also pointed to players he’s tried to model parts of his game after, including Brayden Point and Jonathan Toews, who have combined for five Stanley Cup championships for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hamilton said the opportunity to join Colorado is something he’s eager to build on as he continues his development.

“You see the success they’ve had over the last couple of years and the players they bring in,” Hamilton said. “It’s unreal. And I can’t wait to get started with them.”

One contract doesn’t usually shift a league’s center of gravity — but every so often, it sparks the same question everywhere it lands.

So when the Philadelphia Flyers handed Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million deal on Friday, it didn’t take long for that question to surface in Colorado: what does this mean for Cale Makar?

The answer, in short, is nothing. But the conversation says more about how the NHL thinks than the contract itself.

Carlsson’s deal simply reset another layer of the market for young stars, but it doesn’t change the trajectory of what’s already been building toward Makar’s next contract in Colorado.

Makar is currently in the final year of his six-year, $54 million deal that carries a $9 million average annual value. He became eligible for an extension on July 1, and while no agreement has been announced, there is no urgency from either side. The new deal wouldn’t even begin until the 2027–28 season.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has consistently expressed confidence that Makar will remain in Colorado long term. The real work now isn’t about if a deal gets done — it’s about timing, structure, and landing on the right number for both sides.

That timing conversation also includes the NHL’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which takes effect on Sept. 16, 2026. One key change reduces maximum contract length from eight years to seven on re-signs, meaning Colorado and Makar would have a short window to qualify for the longer term if they finalize an extension before the new rules kick in.

It adds a layer of urgency to the calendar — but not necessarily to the negotiation itself.

Because once you zoom out from Carlsson’s deal, the real question becomes familiar: how far will the top of the market actually go?

Makar is already a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner, and one of the defining defensemen of his generation. In almost any salary structure, he’s the obvious candidate to reset the defense market — and potentially push toward the long-discussed $20 million threshold.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently floated that possibility, suggesting Makar could become the league’s first $20 million player. Others around the league expect the number to land lower, projecting a range between $15 million and $16.5 million depending on term and structure, with some believing $17 million is the realistic ceiling.

On paper, a contract like Carlsson’s only fuels the idea that the next wave of stars will continue pushing the salary cap upward.

But the reality in professional sports is that the highest-paid player doesn’t always define the culture of a franchise — or the priorities of its stars.

Across sports, there are long-standing examples of elite athletes choosing structure, stability, or winning over maximizing every last dollar.

Tom Brady spent much of his career with the New England Patriots on team-friendly deals, repeatedly restructuring contracts to give the franchise flexibility and help sustain a roster capable of winning six Super Bowl championships.

In the NHL, Sidney Crosby has long been the standard for this type of approach, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit for years despite being one of the most dominant players of his era, all while helping the Pittsburgh Penguins capture three Stanley Cups.

The Avalanche already have their own version of that philosophy sitting in the locker room.

Nathan MacKinnon is currently signed through 2031 at a $12.6 million cap hit — a number widely viewed as below-market for a player of his production level. Back in 2019, when he was still on his previous contract, he explained his mindset to Forbes’ Jordan Horrobin:

“We have guys that we wouldn't (otherwise) be able to bring in. On my next deal, I'll take less again. Because I want to win with this group.”

MacKinnon later clarified that his previous contract wasn’t a discount at the time it was signed, but the sentiment has remained consistent: winning has always been the priority.

That mindset has helped define Colorado’s modern era, and it inevitably becomes part of any conversation about Makar’s future.

None of that guarantees a hometown discount — and it shouldn’t be interpreted as one. Makar is too valuable, too important, and too accomplished for that kind of assumption.

But it does complicate the idea that a contract like Carlsson’s automatically resets expectations in Colorado.

Yes, Makar could become the NHL’s first $20 million defenseman. Yes, he will set a new benchmark at his position. And yes, he will be paid among the very top players in the league.

The more important question is where that number lands within the range — and what matters more when the deal is actually signed.

Because if there’s one thing the Avalanche have consistently shown over the last decade, it’s that they’re willing to prioritize long-term contention over short-term money.

And in that equation, Cale Makar’s next contract was never going to be dictated by Leo Carlsson — or anyone else resetting the market.

The Calgary Flames have completed a single trade on the American Independence Day holiday, swapping future Hall of Fame defensemen on July 4, 1994. 

In arguably one of the biggest blockbuster trades of the decade, the Flames dealt former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Al MacInnis to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Phil Housley, who is the highest scoring American-born defender of all-time. 

Here's a deep dive into one of the trades to alter the trajectories of both franchises.

MacInnis Led Calgary to the Stanley Cup in 1989

As the 15th overall pick in the 1981 Draft, MacInnis debuted in the 1981-82 campaign and, by 1983, was an NHL regular. By 1986, he was getting votes for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman, finishing third in 1989 and was runner-up in 1990 and 1991. 

Soon, MacInnis, who had a fierce slap shot that often clocked in at 90 to 100 mph, became a 20-goal scorer and routinely collected over 70 points a year starting in 1986. That was also the same year Calgary reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. He finished as the playoff leader with 15 assists, while collecting 19 points in 21 games and a plus-10 rating, although the Flames lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. 

When the two met again in a rematch in the 1989 Stanley Cup Final, MacInnis led all players with 24 assists and 31 points to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP. 

Two years later, in 1990-91, MacInnis put together his greatest statistical season, with 28 goals, 75 assists, and 103 points, although he finished third in Norris Trophy voting. Immediately following that amazing campaign, he dipped down to 77 points, and in his final season with the Flames, he had 28 goals and 82 points in 74 games. 

In 1994, the Blues signed MacInnis to an offer sheet for an extra million dollars more than the Flames had offered him. Considering Calgary hadn't advanced past the first round since their championship victory, it was time for a change, which led to MacInnis departing the club, where he remains the highest scoring defenseman with 822 points in 803 games.

Housley Quietly Builds Hall of Fame Career

Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Housley was the club's top pick in the 1982 Draft, getting selected sixth overall. He'd debut later that season, and unlike MacInnis, would make an immediate impact, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting, while earning All-Rookie Honors. In his second season, 1983-84, he scored a career-high 31 goals in 75 games. 

Over eight years with the Sabres, Housley collected 558 points in 608 games thanks to 178 goals and 380 assists. He was a top-10 finalist for the Norris Trophy five times. On June 16, 1990, Buffalo acquired future Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Housley, Scott Arniel, and Jeff Parker. Moreover, the two draft picks included in the deal would turn into Keith Tkachuk (Winnipeg) and Brad May (Buffalo).

Housley would play three seasons in Winnipeg, collecting another 64 goals and 259 points in just 232 games. In 1992-93, he recorded a career-high 97 points in 80 games, with a personal best 79 assists. 

Shortly after a great campaign, the Jets traded Housley to the Blues for Nelson Emerson and Stephane Quintal. Unfortunately, his only season in St. Louis was cut short because of a back injury, as he finished with just 22 points in 26 games. When MacInnis signed his offer sheet, Housley came to Calgary.

On Their Way to the Hockey Hall of Fame

From 1994 until he retired in 2004, MacInnis patrolled the blueline in St. Louis, finally winning the Norris Trophy in 1999. In addition, he helped the Blues qualify for the playoffs in nine seasons, just missing the cut in his final year, 2003-04. Despite never skating in the Stanley Cup Final again, MacInnis came close in 1997, losing to the eventual champion, the Detroit Red Wings, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final.

In 613 games, he would score 127 goals and 452 points to finish his legendary career with 1,274 points in 1,416 games. MacInnis played in 12 All-Star Games and named to the NHL's post-season All-Star teams on seven occasions. As a member of the league's 100th Anniversary Team, he would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.

Meanwhile, Housley's path to hockey immortality took many detours. He played a season and a half with the Flames before a deal sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26, 1996. He stayed there for 22 games before signing with the Washington Capitals and eventually playing in the 1998 Stanley Cup Final, which the Red Wings swept. 

Following that defeat, Housley came back to Calgary as a waiver pickup, where he played from 1998 to 2001 before the Chicago Blackhawks picked him up on waivers. Two years later, they would deal him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he dressed for one regular-season game and three playoff games before retiring. 

When Housley hung up his skates, he was the highest-scoring American-born player of all time with 1,232 points in 1,495 games, thanks to 338 goals and 894 assists. Since his retirement, his totals have been surpassed only by Patrick Kane (1,400), Brett Hull (1,391), and Mike Modano (1,374). 

What About the Draft Picks?

The deal between the Flames and Blues included two draft picks, a second-round pick in 1996 and 1997, which Calgary used to select Steve Begin and John Tripp. As the 40th overall pick, Begin would have a 13-year NHL career, including six with the Flames, who tallied 56 goals and 108 points in 524 games. 

Initially drafted by the Colorado Avalanche at the 1995 Draft, Tripp re-entered the draft, where the Flames took him 42nd overall in 1997. He never dressed for the club; instead, he made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers and later suited up for the Los Angeles Kings. In 43 games, he scored two goals and nine points.

Historical Perspective

It goes without saying that the MacInnis for Housley trade is one of the most memorable trades in both franchises' history. Although Housley didn't have the same impact in Calgary as MacInnis did, it goes without saying that his two stints with the Flames had a significant impact on his path to the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, MacInnis carved out an untouched legacy that led to his jersey retirement in 2006.

After Gavin McKenna admitted that he probably didn't expect to wear his preferred No. 72 in the NHL next season because of the addition of Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender confirmed on Friday in his introductory media availability. 

Bobrovsky said he and McKenna spoke on Thursday about the number.

"He gave that number to me, we had a little chat," Bobrovsky said. "He's a bright guy. He's got really positive energy. And I'm excited to watch him develop into the big superstar, honestly."

Now that it's confirmed, Bobrovsky will keep the No. 72 that he's worn with the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. 

In the meantime, McKenna can't even use the two fallback options as his number, because No. 27 and No. 9 are both in the rafters. So, what number will McKenna wear for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL next season? Here are three suggestions.

Why Sergei Bobrovsky Thought He’d Stay With Florida Panthers Until A Trade Changed Everything, And How Gavin McKenna Handed Over No. 72The two-time Stanley Cup champion details the sudden trade that altered his future, his excitement to reunite with championship teammates in Toronto, and the respectful phone call with top pick Gavin McKenna that settled his iconic jersey number.

No. 12

There are a couple of reasons why McKenna could wear the No. 12 for the Maple Leafs in the upcoming campaign.

The No. 12 is the closest McKenna can get to wearing No. 72 in terms of the numbers looking similar. 

But the more meaningful reason behind wearing No. 12 is in relation to how the Maple Leafs landed the 2026 first overall pick in the first place.

At the NHL's draft lottery, Toronto had an 8.5 percent chance of winning the first pick. The first three lottery balls were Nos. 7, 2 and 11. And to officially win the NHL draft lottery, out came the ping-pong ball that was labelled with the No. 12. Without that number on the ball, McKenna's life would've played out differently.

The last player on the Maple Leafs to wear this number was Zach Aston-Reese in 2022-23.

From Doom And Gloom To A 'Fortuitous Bounce' As Maple Leafs React To Winning 2026 NHL Draft LotteryA "fortuitous bounce" in Secaucus has transformed Toronto’s outlook, handing the Maple Leafs the first overall pick and a franchise-altering opportunity just days into a new management era.

No. 16

It would certainly generate plenty of reactions from hockey fans, but what if McKenna decided to wear No. 16, previously worn by Mitch Marner? 

Marner wore No. 16 throughout his entire tenure with the Maple Leafs from 2016-17 to 2024-25, scoring 741 points in the process, putting him sixth among all-time leaders in franchise history. He was known for his playmaking and chemistry on the ice, regularly setting up Auston Matthews.

In a sense, McKenna has similarities to Marner in his game, particularly in his ability to see the ice, his vision, and his playmaking. Also, the 18-year-old may get a spot on the top line with Matthews, just like Marner did for a chunk of his career.

It would be a bold choice to wear No. 16, but McKenna has shown he is a confident individual.

Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna Doesn't Expect To Wear No. 72 Next Season Amid Sergei Bobrovsky AcquisitionWith the dilemma of Gavin McKenna and Sergei Bobrovsky both preferring to wear the No. 72 on their jersey, the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2026 first overall pick says the two-time Stanley Cup champion can have it.

No. 86

In the build-up to the NHL draft and even around the time of the 2026 World Junior Championship, McKenna has said that he has modelled his game and shares a similar playing style to Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov. And of course, Kucherov wears No. 86.

Marner is an example of a player choosing a number to match an idol. Though he wore No. 16 with the Leafs, he wore No. 93 with the London Knights, and now for the Vegas Golden Knights because of his hockey hero, Doug Gilmour.

McKenna has also revealed another hockey hero of his to be Patrick Kane, but his famous No. 88 is already taken by William Nylander.

Therefore, it wouldn't be completely out of the ordinary if McKenna went on to choose No. 86. In fact, he'd become the first player to ever wear that number in franchise history.

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Saw this graphic online and figured it would make for a fun summer weekend exercise. What if the Penguins had to face the team that lost the Western Conference final in the years that Pittsburgh made the SCF? How might history have played out if the results of the other conference were flipped? Here are the hypothetical near-miss opponents that failed to advance in reality to the Cup finals each year that Pittsburgh made it.

By 1991 the Oilers were a shell of their dynasty years. They were the defending Stanley Cup champions from 1990 (the one Cup they won post-Wayne Gretzky) but by 1990-91, their leading regular season scorer only had 69 points. That’s a far cry from the team they once were. All of Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri were long gone by ‘91, so too was Grant Fuhr out as their top goalie. The Oilers had some remnants of their glory days, this would be Mark Messier’s last season with the Oil and Esa Tikkanen and Glenn Anderson were in the lineup, though far from their primes. The Penguins probably still roll to the Cup at this point, but at least they would have done it against an opponent with a marquee name and the defending champ, instead of beating the Minnesota North Stars and the 27-39-5 regular season record they somehow carried into playoff success.

In 1992, it’s even more amazing that Edmonton was hanging on and making it to the Conference Finals. A potential alt-world Stanley Cup PIT/EDM rematch in ‘92 would have been a lot of fun given that Edmonton was able to reload quite a bit by 1992 to look better than they did in ’91. By this point they were almost completely reshaped with players like Vincent Damphousse, Bernie Nichols, Scott Melanby and Bill Ranford taking over for the departed former Gretzky/Messier/Fuhr core. Edmonton would hardly be confused from the dominant team of Hall of Famers that they were 5-10 years earlier, but it would have made a nice story. On the other side, the Penguins were peaking to 11 straight playoff wins, they still would have absolutely crushed anyone that came out of the other conference so it wouldn’t have mattered on the ice. Out of any alt-world hypothetical, this is the one to (by far) feel the most confidence in what would have happened. No team existing in 1992 was going to stop the Penguins from winning the Cup that year.

Would Sidney Crosby have four Stanley Cups if he had gotten to play against Dallas in 2008 instead of the loaded Detroit team? It sounds like a very real possibility. The Stars had a quality team back in ‘08, but the Pens (who went 12-2 in the East portion of the playoffs and had Marc-Andre Fleury arguably at his absolute most locked in) would have stacked up very well in a potential matchup against the Stars. Dallas, like the Pens, won two playoff games against the Red Wings, though it came after falling in an 0-3 hole for the Stars. Of course, in reality, there’s no reason to suspect Detroit ever would have been losing to Dallas, but if somehow they did, Pittsburgh’s second run of Stanley Cups likely starts one year earlier.

Much like it’s a shame the generation before that we never got a Gretzky/Lemieux Stanley Cup Final, it’s unfortunate that the two best teams of the 2010’s never made the SCF in the same year to see the Crosby/Malkin/Letang/Fleury core battle against Chicago’s group with Kane/Toews/Keith/Crawford. Between PIT/CHI, they won six out of the nine Cups between 2009-17, yet never played each other. There was this near miss in 2009, as well as 2013 when Pittsburgh was eliminated in the ECF and the Blackhawks won the Cup. The 2009 season was Chicago’s playoff breakout in the way that 2008 was for the Pens, the Hawks would have been younger and less experienced for the Stanley Cup moment at that point in history. That could give Pittsburgh the edge in this hypothetical battle, but of all the matchups I think this one could be considered the most up in the air to where Chicago might have made the series result a question. The Blackhawks would go onto make 2010 their version of Pittsburgh’s 2009 by winning the Cup the following season, they were well on their way to future glory. It would have been amazing to see those two young cores compete directly for the Cup, but it wasn’t meant to be since the Red Wings were still giving their last gasps of contention. The Pens probably still had enough talent with their experience boost to beat Chicago but it would have been one heck of a series. (Can’t be too mad since the real ‘09 SCF was one for the history books).

The 2016 Blues team was built around goaltending, tight checking and defense. They may have presented a challenge for the Penguins to punch through and earn a win, but St. Louis didn’t have enough offensive firepower to make the SCF that year and give little reason to believe they would beat the ‘16 Pens in a series. Given the balance and strength of the Pens this year, the result of this alternate reality ends up probably the same as it did in the real world where Pittsburgh eventually overpowers the Western representative that year in somewhat convincing fashion.

A 2017 Pens/Ducks SCF would have been fun. Anaheim had an older core (Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry) complimented by emerging young players (Rickard Rakell, Cam Fowler, Shea Theodore). Overall the Pens would have matched up well against the Ducks, though the way John Gibson was playing might have given them more problems that year than Pekka Rinne did in reality. This would have been a fairly even battle, but at this point the Pens were battle-tested and always managed to find a way to come out on top. It’s not hard to believe they likely would have done the same against the WC runner-up just as they did against the team that defeated Anaheim.

–

What matchup would you have liked to seen actually played out? It’s 2009 against Chicago for me, though several of the old Penguin players still talk about the bitterness they received from the outside over a perceived ‘easy path’ in 1991. Seeing them beat even a depleted version of Edmonton (who were defending champs) would have given a lot more street cred than they got, which is a shame since teams can only play whoever it is that they get matched up against. In the widest hypothetical possible, it would have been some of the most legendary hockey of all-time had Gretzky+Messier stayed with the Oilers a little deeper into the 1990’s to compete against Lemieux, but that window ended up not meant to be.

With things picking up on the offer sheet front and in the RFA market in the days following NHL free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins have some bigger rumors swirling about them.

It may not be a very high-profile RFA move like some want, but they did make an RFA-related signing on Friday.

The Penguins came to terms on a two-year deal with RFA forward Hendrix Lapierre, who was extended a qualifying offer on Jun. 30. The contract is worth $1.3 million annually.

Lapierre, 24, had his RFA rights traded to the Penguins by the Washington Capitals on Jun. 25 for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

Penguins Acquire Forward Hendrix Lapierre From CapitalsIf Pittsburgh Penguins' fans are hoping for GM and POHO Kyle Dubas to be active leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday, it appears the first domino may have fallen.

The former first round pick (22nd overall in 2020) never quite fully found his footing in parts of four seasons with Washington, amassing just 13 goals and 47 points in 158 NHL games with the Capitals. The 6-foot, 190-pound center has played in a bottom-six role to start his career, and he joins what currently looks like a crowded forward group.

Already having 14 forwards listed on their NHL roster, the Penguins will have some decisions to make. With rumors about the Penguins being involved in some trade discussions - most notably, pertaining to RFA superstar forward Jason Robertson - going around, it's possible that the number of forwards on their NHL roster will decrease by the time training camp rolls around.

As of Friday, Pittsburgh has yet to sign RFA forwards Egor Chinakhov and the newly acquired Nicholas Robertson, and they also figure to come to terms with RFA goaltender Arturs Silovs. 

Jason Robertson And The Pittsburgh Penguins Might Make More Sense Than You ThinkThe Dallas Stars and Jason Robertson appear to be on the verge of a potential breakup - and the Pittsburgh Penguins may actually make a great deal of sense as trade partners.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

The writing had been on the wall for Mads Sogaard for a while now.

After seven years in the Senators organization, the 25-year-old goaltender officially left the club on Wednesday, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With so many big NHL headlines flying around on July 1st, Sogaard's exit flew under the radar a little, but his departure wasn't exactly a surprise.

Over the past two weeks, the Senators acquired Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs and then committed to restricted free agent Leevi Merilainen on a one-year contract extension.

With Linus Ullmark entrenched as the starter, there simply wasn't a path forward for Sogaard in Ottawa, nor had he earned one. The Sens also have to start getting better looks at goalies like Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler.

The Great Dane's exit marks the end of another goalie graveyard story in Ottawa.

The Senators believed enough in Sogaard back in 2019 that they traded up to select him 37th overall in the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-7, he immediately became one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in hockey. You can't teach size, as they say, and combined with his .921 save percentage in his draft year with Medicine Hat (WHL) he was hard to resist.

Among goalies, Sogaard went second overall in that draft behind only Spencer Knight.

There was always a sense that if everything came together, Ottawa might have found its goalie of the future. But injuries became the ongoing theme. Every time Sogaard appeared ready to build some momentum, another setback seemed to interrupt his progress.

In his six years as a pro, thanks to injuries, Sogaard has only appeared in 162 professional games. 

Last season was another difficult one. Sogaard played 27 games for Belleville, posting a 7-13-4 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage. He also made two appearances with Ottawa.

One of those games turned out to be one of the best performances of his NHL career.

On January 25, Sogaard stopped 20 of 21 shots in a stunning 7-1 victory over the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Vegas Golden Knights. Afterward, he spoke emotionally about everything it had taken just to get back to the NHL after another injury setback. It felt like a breakthrough moment, and perhaps the beginning of another opportunity.

Instead, it proved to be one final NHL highlight before the Senators moved in a different direction.

Sogaard became a Group 6 unrestricted free agent, and Tampa Bay will now see if there's still an NHL goalie in there waiting to emerge. 

Søgaard remains tied for the distinction of being the tallest goaltender ever to appear in an NHL game at 6-foot-7, sharing the record with, among others, former Lightning star Ben Bishop. Tampa also acquired Bishop from Ottawa in 2013, and he went on to have four outstanding seasons.

Tampa would love to see Lightning strike twice.

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:

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The Flyers are making a bold swing for one of the best young players in hockey. 

Philadelphia announced Friday that it tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Ducks center Leo Carlsson, putting Anaheim on the clock and risking four first-round picks in the process.

The offer carries an $18 million average annual value, which would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the NHL, topping Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV and even the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million mark he’s set to make next season.

But the draft-pick compensation may be the bigger part of the gamble.

If Anaheim declines to match, the Flyers would land a star center yet to enter the prime of his career — but only after surrendering their first-round picks in each of the next four drafts. 

If the Ducks match, Philadelphia will have at least forced Anaheim into a massive contract for its 21-year-old franchise cornerstone.

The Ducks have seven days to decide whether to match the Flyers’ offer or accept the picks.

Ducks reporter Zach Cavanagh wrote that “four other teams” gave an offer sheet to Carlsson and added that Anaheim isn’t expecting to make a decision Friday. 

It’s a stunning move for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, who is attempting to accelerate Philadelphia’s timeline.

The Flyers made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 last season, the first under head coach Rick Tocchet, before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes in the second round. 

Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 141 points in 201 career games, including 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular-season games last season. 

He also added 11 points in 12 playoff games during Anaheim’s postseason run.

The Penguins reached an agreement with one of their restricted free agents on Friday getting Hendrix Lapierre to ink a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.3 million.

From the team:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Hendrix Lapierre to a two-year contract, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.

His contract runs through the 2027-28 season and carries an average annual value of $1.3 million.

Lapierre, 24, spent the 2025-26 season with the Capitals, skating in 74 games and tallying four goals, 12 assists and 16 points. Lapierre has spent the past five seasons in the Capitals organization, splitting time between Washington and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears. In 158 career NHL games, the 6-foot, 195-pound forward has recorded 13 goals, 34 assists and 47 points and tallied career highs during the 2023-24 season when he registered eight goals, 14 assists and 22 points in 51 games.

The two-time Calder Cup Champion (2023, ’24) has played in 113 career AHL games, recording 27 goals, 52 assists and 79 points, while adding 31 points (10G-21A) in 48 postseason games. During the Bears’ run to the 2024 Calder Cup, with Penguins’ Assistant Coach Todd Nelson as the bench boss, Lapierre was named the Playoffs MVP while recording a postseason-high 22 points (7G-15A).

Lapierre was originally drafted in the first round (22^nd overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft by Washington.

Pittsburgh traded third and fifth round picks to Washington last week to acquire Lapierre. The Pens still have six more restricted free agents to go, including Egor Chinakhov, Arturs Silovs, Nick Robertson and others who finished the previous season in the minor leagues, with about $27 million in cap space that will be more than enough to sign that group and still have some flexibility for future moves.

Pavel Dorofeyev had spent plenty of time in the Tri-State Area before he put pen to paper on a seven-year, $77 million deal with the Rangers last month. 

Since beginning his transition into a full-time NHL role in 2022, the Russian wing has trained with Ben Prentiss in Stamford, Conn., alongside many other NHLers and a multitude of Rangers.

The familiarity he already has not only with Manhattan, but also with some of his new Blueshirts teammates, should help Dorofeyev settle into his new team after experiencing his first ever trade from Vegas. 

To also have his lucrative contract signed and sealed, Dorofeyev is free to focus entirely on hockey as he begins this new chapter of his young career. 

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a great thing,” he said about his new deal in his first interview as a Ranger on a Zoom call from Russia Friday morning. “But I’ve been around the area for the past year. It’s great to be a Ranger. I’m thankful for the whole organization that they believed in me and they traded for me.” 

Crediting his agent, Rick Komarow, for setting him with Prentiss, Dorofeyev reveled in the fact that he ended up signing a long-term contract around the same area he was spending his offseasons training in. 

For some 25-year-old’s in the league, the jump to a new team, a new state and a new market can be overwhelming.

But Dorofeyev’s seemed unfazed by the acclimation process he is sure to go through as training camp inches closer. 

Coming off a career season (37 goals, 27 assists in 82 games) and a strong playoff showing (12 goals, 16 points in 22 games), Dorofeyev will be at least partially charged with replacing the lost production of perennial leading scorer Artemi Panarin. 

“Obviously, it feels great, but I don’t plan to stop,” Dorofeyev said of where his game is at. “I still have time to get better at certain points of my game, and usually I’m just focused on the game, not trying to beat myself.” 

The expectation is that Dorofeyev will slot into the top six and onto one of the two power play units.

Setting career highs with 20 power-play goals and 30 power-play points, Dorofeyev can certainly bolster what was already a top-five power play in the NHL last season. 

Asked if he felt any pressure to help lead the Rangers through this retool, Dorofeyev reveled in that, too. 

“I think pressure is kind of a privilege,” he said. “I’ve been dealing with pressure all my life. I’m just looking forward to join the team and do my best helping any way I can.”

With just one day before July 4, the Philadelphia Flyers chose violence. On Friday the team signed Anaheim Ducks mega-star restricted free agent Leo Carlsson to a staggering five-year, $18M AAV offer sheet, which would make him the highest-paid player in the NHL by yearly earnings and do it by a substantial margin.

The figure for Carlsson eclipses that of Kirill Kaprizov, who the Minnesota Wild signed to a $17M AAV contract last year, which was the previous highest mark. Swelling NHL contracts are a sign of the times, with the sport’s popularity meaning increasing TV deals, growth in the salary cap, and whispers of expansion on the wind.

Carlsson is one of the brightest young stars in the NHL. The 21-year-old just completed his third season in league since being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, and has shown exponential growth. In 2025-26 he finished with 67 points in 70 games, and the record-breaking money being offered by Philadelphia proves that they believe he can quickly become an elite, 100-point player.

Two questions now remain:

Firstly, will the Ducks match the offer sheet? The team has seven days to decide if they want to match the Flyers’ offer and retain their RFA. The Ducks have more than enough cap space to make it work, currently sitting $35M under the salary cap for the 2026-27 season.

Secondly, is Carlsson worth it? While there are so many reasons to be hopeful about the 21-year-old’s future, this offer doesn’t come without mammoth risk for whichever side ends up with him. An $18M AAV deal means he absolutely needs to become a Top 10 player in the NHL within the next season or two, or this would be a colossal bust. The tea leaves are certainly there to say Carlsson can become that guy, but ultimately you’re still projecting how a very young player will grow moving forward.

If the Ducks chose not to match the offer sheet and relinquish Carlsson to the Flyers, they will get colossal draft compensation. Draft picks are based off the money being spent on the player, and the $18M AAV deal means that Philadelphia will give up their first-round pick for the next four years if they are able to land the star.

Now begins the gamesmanship. Do the Ducks believe that Carlsson can make Philadelphia so much better than those four draft picks will be largely meaningless? Can they envision a future without their young star? Are they prepared to sink that much money of their cap into him moving forward? Those questions will be answered in the next week.

Either way, Leo Carlsson is now the highest-paid player in NHL history.

July 1 may have passed, but there are still some interesting players who remain unrestricted free agents. Interestingly, a handful of the top remaining UFAs played are former Blackhawks.

This is because Patrick Kane, Matt Grzelcyk, Philipp Kurashev, and David Kampf all remain unsigned.

Out of these four former Blackhawks, Kane is, of course, the most notable player. The Blackhawks legend is still an impactful top-six winger at this stage of his career, posting 57 points in 67 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings. The idea of him returning to Chicago is a fun thought but also very unlikely. He will likely head to a contender if he does not re-sign with Detroit. 

After posting 12 assists in 69 games last season with the Blackhawks, Grzelcyk is still unsigned. The 5-foot-10 defenseman had to earn a contract through a PTO from Chicago last year after posting 40 points in 82 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024-25. Will he get a contract from another NHL club more quickly this summer? 

After not receiving a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks last summer, Kurashev signed with the San Jose Sharks and had a decent 2025-26 campaign. In 43 games, the 6-foot forward had seven goals and 20 points. Teams looking for more secondary offensive production could consider signing the 26-year-old. 

As for Kampf, the 31-year-old center posted two goals and six points in 40 games last season split between the Vancouver Canucsks and Washington Capitals. He doesn't offer a lot of offense, but he works well in a bottom-six role because of his strong defensive play and thrives at the faceoff dot. 

The NHL will have a new highest-paid player, and it's happening via the offer sheet route.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Friday, July 3, that they have tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to the Anaheim Ducks' Leo Carlsson. The $18 million average will move Carlsson, 21, past the Minnesota Wild's Kirill Kaprizov, who's averaging $17 million starting this season.

The Ducks have seven days to decide whether to match the offer. If they don't, they will receive four first-round draft picks from the Flyers.

Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft, had 29 goals, 38 assists for 67 points in 70 regular season games last season with the Ducks. He added 11 points in 12 playoff games to help lead Anaheim to the second round.

The Philadelphia Flyers have just put the entire NHL notice, signing Leo Carlsson to the boldest offer sheet we have seen in a long time.

Carlsson, 21, signed the Flyers' offer sheet Friday, a five-year pact that carries a monstrous $18 million AAV, which would make him the highest-paid center in the NHL on a $90 million deal.

Within the rules of the NHL's compensation bracket, the Flyers would be required to give up their next four first-round picks to the Anaheim Ducks if they choose not to match.

The Ducks will have seven days to match.

Carlsson, the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, erupted for 29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points in 70 games with the Ducks this season, then added another four goals and 11 assists in 12 playoff games.

Report: Flyers Expecting Claude Giroux Reunion on 1-Year DealA potential reunion between the Philadelphia Flyers and Claude Giroux is gaining major steam.

This move is the Flyers calling the Ducks' bluff, as the Ducks have made it clear they intent to match any and every offer sheet Carlsson receives.

Now, general manager Danny Briere and the Flyers have asked the Ducks to prove it.

It is worth noting that, at the time of this writing, the Ducks have $35 million in cap space, but they still need to re-sign ex-Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier, who is also a restricted free agent, as well as defensemen Tyson Hinds and Pavel Mintyukov.

Additionally, the entirety of the right side of the Ducks' defense has departed in free agency, with Jacob Trouba (San Jose), Radko Gudas (Florida), and John Carlson (Tampa Bay) all moving on to new teams.

If the Flyers are successful in their offer sheet and the Ducks do not match, they will be left with $11 million in cap space, still needing to re-sign Trevor Zegras, Nikita Grebenkin, and Jamie Drysdale.