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.
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.
The Major League Baseball Players Association is seeking to expand major league rosters by 60 players to open the regular season in their latest proposal with MLB on Wednesday, with teams rosters increasing from 26 players to 28 players for the first 15 days of the regular season.
It was one of several proposals designed to increase roster size that also included the ability for players to be placed on the 60-day injured list before clubs are required to submit 40-man rosters, enabling clubs to protect more players.
The union is also seeking to reduce the number of times a player can be optioned to the minor leagues in a season from five times to three.
It also wants to reduce the amount of time a team can protect minor league players from being subjected to the Rule 5 draft beginning in November before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026.
Teams would also be prohibited from optioning pitchers to the minor leagues immediately after games and during the All-Star break if they meet certain thresholds to help reduce roster manipulation.
Pitchers who record at least nine outs or throw at least 50 pitches in a game and is optioned afterwards would be credited with four days of major-league salary and service. If pitchers reach that criteria within seven days of the All-Star break, pitchers would receive salary and service time up to four games after the All-Star break.
The union is also asking that clubs share their non-proprietary performance data and video with all of their players.
The union said their proposals are “designed to improve the game, protect players’ health and safety, strengthen the free market, and provide meaningful support to our full fraternity."
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets showered with sunflower seeds by Teoscar Hernandez #37 after Ohtani hit a three-run home run against the Athletics in the top of the six inning at Sutter Health Park on June 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When they started this road trip, the Dodgers already had one of the better road records in all of baseball, but in one fell swoop, they’ve taken that into unserious territory. Winners of seven of their last eight games away from home, the Dodgers now have a 30-16 record on the road, with the latest of these 30 wins representing the number 1.000 of Dave Roberts’ career.
To claim that the offense has been outstanding in this road trip might not do it justice; it has averaged seven runs per game throughout these eight duels, scoring nine in each of the first two games against the Athletics in West Sacramento. Between these two matchups, a total of five different hitters have left the yard: Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and Miguel Rojas. Definitely looking to join in on the fun for this series finale will be Mookie Betts, the leader in home runs on this road trip with three. A’s starter J.T. Ginn has been the team’s ace this season, but having handled Gage Jump with relative ease, the Dodgers offense will likely be unfazed by the best the A’s have to offer.
On their pitching side of things, the Dodgers will most likely go with a bullpen game, having pushed Shohei Ohtani back a couple of days. Roki Sasaki will take the ball on Thursday night against the Padres when the Dodgers return home, while Ohtani pitches on Friday.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the acquisition of Miles Bridges, the Phoenix Suns opened one roster spot. After sending both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to Charlotte, the organization needed to replace the shooting it lost. That became the priority, and the Suns addressed it by signing veteran sniper Luke Kennard to a two-year, $13 million contract with a player option for the second season.
On paper, it appears to be exactly what Phoenix needed. But how much does it ultimately improve the roster? Does Kennard adequately replace the shooting the Suns lost? And how should this signing be viewed in the context of the entire Miles Bridges transaction?
So what grade do the Suns deserve for adding Luke Kennard? Let’s talk it out.
Player Grade: B
Luke Kennard isn’t going to wow you with a complete basketball skill set. He’s a sharpshooter. That’s what he does, and that’s why he’s here. He’s not going to grab a bunch of rebounds, he’s an average playmaker, and he’s a below-average defender. When you look at his overall report card from Basketball Index, the holes in his game are easy to spot.
But when you’re truly elite at one skill, and it’s the exact skill your team needs, you begin to understand why his overall grade comes in at a B. The Suns aren’t asking him to rebound. They aren’t asking him to be a stopper defensively. They’ll surround him with players on the second unit who can help cover those deficiencies while allowing him to operate where he’s most comfortable.
There will absolutely be nights when he frustrates you. He’ll miss a defensive assignment. He won’t have the lateral quickness to keep someone in front of him, and opposing guards will get downhill. The hope is that Phoenix’s interior defense is improved enough to compensate for those shortcomings. That’s why fit matters when evaluating Kennard. I can easily see him playing 20 minutes a night and knocking down 3 to 4 three pointers. That kind of production would be incredibly valuable for the second unit.
He’s your stand in the corner and let it fly guy. And over the course of his career, he’s proven to be one of the best in the league at doing exactly that.
Acquisition Grade: A+
When you looked at the list of available free agents whose primary skill was shooting, I thought Kennard would simply be out of Phoenix’s price range. The Suns ended up using their full mid-level exception to sign him, but it’s not like they were the only team interested. He had other options, and some of those teams are viewed as much stronger championship contenders. He also could have stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that clearly valued what he brought during its postseason run.
The fact that the Suns were able to bring him to Phoenix despite those alternatives continues to reinforce something we’ve seen throughout this offseason. Phoenix is still a desirable destination. It’s still a place that attracts free agents.
Knowing Kennard and Grayson Allen were teammates at Duke, I’m sure the two had conversations about what it was like to play in Phoenix. While Grayson’s first couple of seasons were spent in a locker room dealing with plenty of turmoil, the organization looks much different today. You can see the direction the franchise is headed. You can see the way it’s operating. And that’s something players want to be a part of. Clearly, Kennard does.
Overall Grade: A-
This was a great acquisition for Phoenix. It’s refreshing not to spend free agency digging through the veteran minimum market, hoping one of those signings can outperform expectations. Instead, the Suns identified a player who fills a clear need and used one of the few meaningful tools at their disposal to acquire him.
Kennard is going to be part of the rotation. He’s going to play meaningful minutes, and he’ll provide much-needed offense for the second unit through efficient three-point shooting. That’s exactly what this roster lacked after the Miles Bridges trade, and it’s exactly what the Suns addressed.
It’s an impressive signing, and about as close to a best-case scenario as Phoenix could have hoped for. Once again, it showcases the Suns’ ability to operate effectively on the margins, maximizing the limited flexibility they have while continuing to add quality talent to the roster.
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.
Andrei Kuzmenko, signed 1x$5M by PIT, is a middle six scoring winger who makes up for near league-worst skating and physicality through sheer craftiness. Great hands in tight and efficient finishing – a career 20% shooter. pic.twitter.com/saRTe7IJjq
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).
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 8: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the game against the New York Knicks during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
And there goes the other unrestricted free agent.
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Kelly Oubre Jr. will be signing a two-year, $17 million dollar deal with the Pacers, ending his tenure in Philadelphia after three seasons.
Free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to a two-year, nearly $17 million deal to sign with the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qzUyLGX7DP
Given their financial restraints, it always felt likely the Sixers could only retain one of Oubre or Quentin Grimes. That only got trickier when Grimes scored a contract that will pay him $15 million per year from the Lakers.
Oubre though went for a much more reasonable number, one the Sixers could have spent while staying under the first apron.
In his three years in Philadelphia, Oubre started 150 games, averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 45.7%/32%/75.4% shooting splits. In the 2025-26 campaign, he posted the highest three-point percentage of his career at 36% on 4.8 attempts per game.
Oubre was a productive wing in his time here, especially when his shot was falling. He was put through the Sixers injury ringer more than most role players. He missed 32 games this past season with various ligament injuries in his elbow and knee. He got off to a torrid start his first season as a Sixer, averaging 16 points per game in his first eight games before being struck by a car while riding a bicycle.
In the two seasons the Sixers made the playoffs with Oubre, he’d been given some of the toughest defensive assignments ranging from Jalen Brunson to Jaylen Brown.
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.
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 #GoPensGo signed undrafted 22 y/o F Atley Calvert to a 2 year ELC
$930K Cap hit/AAV
Yr 1: $850K NHL, $55K Signing Bonus, $85K Minors Yr 2: $900K/$55K/$85K
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.
The New York Rangers have reportedly signed center Joe Veleno to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
Veleno spent the 2025-26 season with the Montreal Canadiens, recording two goals, three assists, and five points in 61 games.
The 2018 first-round pick took on a two-way role with the Canadiens, earning a spot on the penalty kill, while averaging 12:05 minutes per game.
During Mike Sullivan’s exit interview, he emphasized the Rangers’ need to add some depth to their bottom-six forward unit, specifically looking for a player who has the ability to contribute on the penalty kill.
“I think there might be some opportunities to improve our bottom six at the forward position, where players might be able to play certain roles that could allow us to take some of our core players out of situations,” Sullivan said. “For example, the penalty kill, if we could take Mika and J.T. [Miller], [Vincent Trocheck] and these guys out of some of those situations.
“I mean, obviously, they’re very good at it, so we’re not trying to remove that element of their game completely. But it gives us the ability to manage their minutes, which I think gives them the ability to sustain performance game in, game out.”
Veleno, a 26-year-old forward, could fill in the fourth-line center role for the Rangers, previously vacated by Sam Carrick, who was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in March.
Former Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has signed a three-year, $7 million AAV contract with their Atlantic Division rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bobrovsky played seven seasons with the Panthers, guiding the team to two Stanley Cup victories and another finals appearance. With the Panthers, Bobrovsky recorded a .903 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average in 349 regular-season games.
In his playoff career, Bobrovsky recorded a .909 SP and a 2.55 GAA in 83 games.
His time with Florida wasn’t always perfect, as he got off to a very slow start following the massive seven-year, $10 million AAV contract he signed as a UFA in 2019. But once he found his game, the Panthers were rejuvenated and became the team to beat in the NHL.
Throughout the process leading to Bobrovsky signing with the Maple Leafs, there were many reports about what he wanted from the Panthers, and what the Panthers were willing to offer.
Several reports stated that Bobrovsky was seeking a six- or seven-year contract, but in the end, he settled for a three-year deal that will carry him into age 40.
Ultimately, the Panthers went with Jacob Markstrom, who is a year younger, $1 million cheaper, and has one fewer season on his contract.
Bobrovsky will now be reunited with Anthony Stolarz in Toronto, as the pair were dominant for the Panthers in the 2023-24 season.
The Bobrovsky era in Florida is truly over, and there is now a high chance the two sides will meet again in the playoffs.
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Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has made another acquisition of a player who can play the center position in the NHL.
After inking Jack Roslovic and Colton Sissons to two-year contracts, the Maple Leafs have acquired center Teddy Blueger, offering him the same term as the other two additions. Across Blueger's two years, he'll earn $2.5 million per season, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Blueger's last contract was with the Vancouver Canucks, when he earned $1.8 million per season on a two-year deal.
This past year, the 31-year-old recorded nine goals and 17 points in 35 appearances for Vancouver. He missed over three months to start the campaign with an injury.
In a full 82-game season in 2024-25, Blueger scored eight goals and 27 points, which is around the range of offensive production that should be expected from the Latvian.
It's worth mentioning that Blueger is a former Stanley Cup champion as he hoisted the Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23. He was a trade deadline pickup, scoring six points and averaged 13:16 of ice time in the regular season.
He wasn't utilized much more when it came to that post-season, racking up just two points in six appearances, playing 10:30 of ice time per game.
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Free agency for the NHL opened today and moves are already being made. One of those belongs to Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz concluded his five-year, 5.5 million dollar contract with Seattle and entered unrestricted free agency. Colorado was quick to snatch him up.
The 34-year-old veteran had eleven goals (twenty-six points) in fifty games played with the Kraken in 2025-26. He has battled injuries over the past two seasons, but when on the ice is a clear difference maker. Schwartz will make the move to Colorado with 861 career NHL games across fifteen seasons.
Schwartz celebrates with Shane Wright, Vince Dunn, and fellow UFA Eeli Tolvanen, photo boy Candace Kludt | The Hockey News
The Avalanche and Schwartz have agreed to a three-year, $3.25 million AAV deal, which ends after the 2028-29 season. At that time, Schwartz will be 37 years old.
There are three remaining UFAs under the Kraken umbrella: Eeli Tolvanen, Jamie Oleksiak, and Matt Murray. It is unlikely that the Kraken will make an attempt to keep Murray, and rumors indicate no offer had been extended to Tolvanen as recently as a week ago.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 24: Sergio de Larrea of Valencia Basket in action during the Spanish League, Liga ACB Endesa, basketball Final Game 4 match played between FC Barcelona and Valencia Basket at Palau Blaugrana on June 24, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
After being selected 25th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2026 draft, it wasn’t yet known whether or not the 20-year-old rookie was going to continue to play for his Spanish club, Valencia, with whom he just won the Spanish ACB League championship, or head for the States and an NBA contract.
On Wednesday, Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz said, “We are still working through all of that with Sergio,” when asked if he would be with the Mavs this summer. Now, it looks like we have our answer.
A report from the Spanish-language site Encestando.es has said de Larrea is, in fact, bound for Dallas, where he intends to sign a four-year contract. In fact, Valencia has apparently already signed a replacement player for de Larrea’s roster spot, so it seems highly likely de Larrea will be spending the season with the Mavericks.
Now, Marc Stein confirms that de Larrea is indeed expected to play for Dallas, at least for the Summer League. The plans for de Larrea beyond that, though, are still up in the air.
Mavericks first-round pick Sergio De Larrea, I’m told, is now indeed expected to play in summer league next week … while the broader topic of plans for next season continue to be worked through.
Initially, de Larrea was selected by the New York Knicks before being traded to Dallas. Had he stayed with New York, the impression was that he would be a “draft and stash” candidate, staying in Spain to continue to develop. It’s something New York has leaned on more heavily recently, and seemed especially interested in now, as it would mean a one-year reprieve from having to pay his salary while they’re trying to keep their NBA Championship team core intact this offseason.
The situation is much different for the Mavs, a team in the midst of developing Cooper Flagg, and that is in desperate need of minutes at the guard position, the return of Kyrie Irving notwithstanding.
Whether de Larrea will be a part of Dallas’ Summer League team, having just finished his Championship run with Valencia, is unclear, as are the plans for fellow international rookie Vsevolod Ishchenko, but Dallas seems like a team that is interested in bringing over their prospects sooner rather than later.
On what was expected to be a mostly quiet day of free agency for the Islanders, they signed Matias Maccelli to a one-year deal with an average annual value of $2.25 million, according to TSN.
Maccelli, a 25-year-old winger with a left-handed shot, spent last season with the Maple Leafs, with whom he collected 14 goals and 39 points before not receiving a $4.1 million qualifying offer.
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matias MacCelli (63) is greeted by his teammates on the bench after he scores a goal in the first 13 seconds of the first period. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
He received an opportunity to skate on the right side of Auston Matthews early in the season, according to The Athletic, but Maccelli was also a healthy scratch at times, too.
He’ll become another forward for the Islanders, who are potentially in need of one with captain Anders Lee testing the market as a free agent.
Matthew Kessel #51 of the St. Louis Blues skates with the puck in the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 06, 2026 in San Jose, California. Getty Images
A fourth-round pick in 2019, Maccelli has also skated in games for the Coyotes and Mammoth, and in 2023-24, he recorded career-bests in goals (17) and points (57).
The Islanders also signed right-handed defenseman Matthew Kessel, who has spent his entire career with the Blues, to a one-year deal worth $850,000, according to Elliotte Friedman.
No team leaned harder into the "hack-a-Mitch" strategy to get Mitchell Robinson off the court last season than Joe Mazzulla's Boston Celtics. Robinson always brushed the strategy off, such as during the NBA Finals when the Spurs used it, and he said it was because they saw him as a "threat." He said repeatedly that the strategy was a sign of respect from opponents trying to get him off the court.
Boston respected him enough to sign him away from the Knicks.
In a move that is a gut-punch to still-celebrating Knicks fans, Robinson has agreed to join the rival Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million deal to join the Boston Celtics, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Boston is bringing the veteran center in using the mid-level exception, which will start at $15 million next season.
While New York talked about wanting to bring him and the entire championship roster back, it had become increasingly clear it was not going to be possible to do that and stay below the second apron of the luxury tax — and that was a line in the sand owner James Dolan had drawn publicly. With the Knicks re-signing Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara, Robinson could not return without taking a significant pay cut — and he had earned a raise with his play last season.
Look for New York to lean into a cheaper, veteran center to add to the roster, with one league source telling NBC Sports to look for them to sign Kevon Looney.
Robinson brings toughness and athleticism that the Boston frontcourt needed — in the playoffs, once Joel Embiid entered the mix, the 76ers pushed the Boston front line around with little resistance. It's why Boston fell in the first round, and Robinson helps answer that question (and if Mazzulla starts him, it's harder to do the hack-a-Mitch strategy because the team isn't in the bonus).
Boston's bet is on Robinson staying healthy. Last season with the Knicks, Robinson was largely (and relatively) healthy, playing in 60 games but averaging just under 20 minutes a night. He had played in just 48 games total across the previous two seasons, as chronic ankle issues and other injuries kept him sidelined.
Boston is going to have to limit his minutes and lean on other big men such as Neemias Queta. It's going to be center by committee again.
This is still a great signing by Boston at a reasonable price for a high-level center. The fact that it pains Knicks fans to lose him is icing on the cake for Celtics fans.
