Connor Bedard Inks $75 Million Deal as Patrick Kane Returns to Chicago

NHL free agency opened with Connor Bedard signing a five-year, $15 million AAV contract and Jason Robertson securing a $12 million deal with Dallas.

The 2026 NHL free agency period opened with massive financial commitments, headlined by the Chicago Blackhawks signing restricted free agent Connor Bedard to a five-year contract worth $15 million annually. This July 17 signing followed the Dallas Stars securing Jason Robertson on July 21 with a one-year, $12 million agreement. In a major homecoming, franchise legend Patrick Kane returned to the Blackhawks on July 23, agreeing to a two-year deal carrying an $8 million average annual value (AAV). These moves come on the heels of the Carolina Hurricanes winning their first Stanley Cup since 2006 and the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick in a draft that saw 224 players selected.

High-Value Extensions and Offer Sheets

Restricted free agents dominated the early July market. The Philadelphia Flyers signed Trevor Zegras to a four-year, $9.13 million AAV contract on July 15, while also matching a five-year, $18 million AAV offer sheet for Leo Carlsson on July 9. Defenseman Jacob Trouba moved to the San Jose Sharks on a four-year, $8.25 million AAV deal. In Vancouver, the Canucks signed Jamie Oleksiak to a two-year, $5 million AAV contract and brought back Luke Schenn on a one-year, $2.25 million deal. The Utah Mammoth matched a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet for Barrett Hayton on July 8 and signed former Islanders captain Anders Lee to a three-year, $5.4 million AAV pact on July 1.

Goaltending Shifts and Veteran Moves

The Toronto Maple Leafs significantly altered their crease by signing two-time Stanley Cup champion Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year, $7 million AAV contract. The Edmonton Oilers were active in the goalie market, signing Frederik Andersen to a one-year, $2.8 million deal and adding Stuart Skinner on a two-year, $3.75 million AAV contract. On July 24, the Florida Panthers secured Akira Schmid for two years at a $2 million AAV. The Columbus Blue Jackets avoided arbitration with Jet Greaves, inking the netminder to a three-year, $5 million AAV deal on July 23, while also signing Pheonix Copley to a one-year contract.

Defensive Market and RFA Signings

Defensemen commanded significant terms throughout the month. The Calgary Flames signed Simon Nemec to a five-year, $7.25 million AAV contract on July 6. Pavel Mintyukov stayed with the Ducks on a five-year, $7.2 million AAV deal, and Jamie Drysdale signed with the Flyers for four years at $6.5 million AAV. The Winnipeg Jets solidified their blue line by adding Mario Ferraro for three years at $4 million AAV. In Washington, the Capitals signed Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $4.2 million AAV contract and brought back Alex Ovechkin on a one-year, $4.25 million deal. The Capitals also added veteran Boone Jenner for four years at $5.75 million AAV.

Depth Additions and Short-Term Pacts

Several teams focused on middle-six forward depth. The Tampa Bay Lightning signed John Carlson to a two-year, $8.5 million AAV deal and Jeffrey Viel to a five-year, $2.5 million AAV contract. The Pittsburgh Penguins added Andrei Kuzmenko on a one-year, $5 million deal and Egor Chinakhov for three years at $6.5 million AAV. On July 7, Claude Giroux returned to the Ottawa Senators on a one-year, $5 million contract. The New York Rangers added Oliver Bjorkstrand for one year at $4.5 million and Joe Veleno for $1.2 million. Other notable July signings include Cole Perfetti staying with the Jets for five years at $6 million AAV and Kirby Dach remaining in Montreal on a one-year, $3.6 million contract.