The National Hockey League’s free agency period delivered massive contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars to some of hockey’s biggest stars. While fewer marquee names hit the market compared to recent years, teams still made significant investments in players they believe can help deliver a Stanley Cup championship.
These signings reshape the competitive landscape across the league, with several franchises making bold moves to address key roster needs and lock up core talent for years to come.
Blockbuster Signings Lead Free Agency Frenzy
Mitch Marner emerged as the most coveted player available, particularly after the Edmonton Oilers’ latest playoff disappointment. The star forward was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights before signing an eight-year, $96 million deal with a $12 million cap hit – the largest contract of the NHL Free Agency period so far.
Meanwhile, Evan Bouchard chose to remain with the Oilers despite their postseason struggles. The veteran defenseman, who helped Edmonton reach consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, secured a four-year, $42 million contract with a $10.5 million cap hit. This makes Bouchard the highest-paid defenseman on the Oilers roster.
The Montreal Canadiens made a significant splash by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. After returning to the playoffs this season following three consecutive years on the outside, Montreal locked up the defenseman with an eight-year, $76 million contract worth $9.5 million annually.
Nikolaj Ehlers left the Winnipeg Jets after spending his entire NHL career there, including helping the team capture their first President’s Trophy this season. The forward joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a six-year deal worth $51 million, earning $8.5 million per season.
Sam Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, had opportunities to earn more money elsewhere but chose loyalty over dollars. The forward re-signed with the Florida Panthers for eight years and $64 million, nearly doubling his previous salary to $8 million annually as he aims to help Florida build a dynasty.
Young Stars and Strategic Acquisitions Round Out Major Moves
The Toronto Maple Leafs secured one of their rising stars by re-signing Matthew Knies to a six-year, $46.5 million contract. The deal, worth $7.75 million per season, prevents other teams from making offer sheet attempts for the promising young forward.
JJ Peterka’s move to the Utah Mammoth signals the franchise’s serious playoff ambitions in their new market. After acquiring Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres, Utah locked him up with a five-year extension worth $38.5 million, paying him $7.7 million annually as they pursue their first postseason appearance since relocating from Arizona.
Carolina continued their aggressive approach by acquiring K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers in a major trade. Despite falling in the Eastern Conference Final, the Hurricanes believe Miller can help sustain their championship window. They signed the defenseman to an eight-year, $60 million contract with a $7.5 million cap hit.
Brock Boeser ultimately decided to stay home after speculation suggested he would leave Vancouver. The forward re-signed with the Canucks for seven years and $50.75 million, earning $7.25 million per season to remain with the only NHL organization he has known.
Mikael Granlund attracted multiple suitors following a strong postseason performance. The veteran forward chose to return to the West Coast, signing with the Anaheim Ducks for three years and $21 million.
The Ducks, who previously acquired Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers, will pay Granlund $7 million annually as they continue building their roster.
The start of the National Hockey League’s free agency period began with a bang, as multiple contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars were handed out to some of the highest-profile figures in the game today.
While the overall selection of notable names in free agency was less than in recent years, there were still several high-profile deals handed out by clubs hoping to take the next step towards competing for the Stanley Cup.
Mitch Marner – Vegas Golden Knights – $96 Million With A $12 Million Cap Hit
He was arguably the most notable name in free agency, especially after the latest collapse in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers.
Marner was officially traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, but not before signing an eight-year, $96 million deal with a $12 million cap hit, the largest contract of the NHL Free Agency period so far.
Evan Bouchard – Edmonton Oilers – $42 Million With A $10.5 Million Cap Hit
The veteran Oilers defenseman, who has helped the Oilers secure consecutive berths in the Stanley Cup Final despite ultimately falling short, is sticking around Edmonton with a new four-year contract.
He’s now the highest-paid defenseman for the Oilers with a $10.5 million cap hit.
Noah Dobson – Montreal Canadiens – $76 Million With A $9.5 Million Cap Hit
The Canadiens, who returned to the playoffs this season after having previously missed in each of the last three seasons, secured a major new part of their blue line with the acquisition of Dobson from the New York Islanders.
They then locked him up with a massive new contract, paying him $9.5 million annually over the next eight years.
Nikolaj Ehlers – Carolina Hurricanes – $51 Million With A $8.5 Million Cap Hit
After having played his entire NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets and helping them to the President’s Trophy this season for the first time, Ehlers is off to a new challenge.
He joined the Carolina Hurricanes and will be paid $8.5 million over each of the next six seasons.
Sam Bennett – Florida Panthers – $64 Million With a $8 Million Cap Hit
The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner had the chance to earn more money on the open market, but chose to re-sign with the Panthers instead.
He nearly doubled his previous salary, and will now be making $8 million over the next eight seasons while he tries to help Florida continue their dynasty.
Matthew Knies – Toronto Maple Leafs – $46.5 Million With A $7.75 Million Cap Hit
Having emerged as one of the top young players on the Maple Leafs, they managed to re-sign him to a new deal and avoid his receiving of an offer sheet from another team.
Knies will now make $7.75 million per season over the next six season in a Maple Leafs uniform.
JJ Peterka – Utah Mammoth – $38.5 Million With A $7.7 Million Cap Hit
The Utah Mammoth are signaling that they are serious about making what would be their first postseason run since relocating from Arizona to Salt Lake City.
They not only acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres, but locked him up to an extension that will pay him $7.7 million over the next five seasons.
K’Andre Miller – Carolina Hurricanes – $60 Million With A $7 Million Cap Hit
Despite losing in the Eastern Conference Final, the Hurricanes picked up a defensemen they believe can help keep them in contention for deep postseason runs for years to come.
They acquired Miller from the New York Rangers in a major trade and then locked him up for the night eight seasons.
Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks – $50.75 Million With A $7.25 Million Cap Hit
Boeser ultimately chose to return to the Canucks after all indications pointed toward him leaving in free agency.
He’ll be paid $7.25 million over the next seven seasons after deciding that he wasn’t able to leave the only NHL team he’s played for.
Mikael Granlund – Anaheim Ducks – $21 Million With A $7 Million Cap Hit
Following a strong showing in the postseason, Granlund had multiple suitors bidding for him, but ultimately chose to return to the West Coast and sign with the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks, who already previously acquired Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers, will be paid $7 million a season over the next three years.