Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Brendan Gallagher Traded to Vancouver After 14 Seasons in Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens traded right wing Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday for future considerations. Gallagher, born in Edmonton and raised in Delta, British Columbia, called the deal the best-case scenario, returning home to a team undergoing a major rebuild under new general manager Ryan Johnson and coach Manny Malhotra. Over 14 seasons and 911 games, Gallagher recorded 487 points (246 goals, 241 assists) for Montreal. The 34-year-old has one year remaining on his contract at a $6.5 million annual average value. Vancouver went 25-49-8 last season, finishing last in the NHL.
Vegas Golden Knights Trade Goalie Akira Schmid to Florida Panthers
The Vegas Golden Knights traded 26-year-old goalie Akira Schmid to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Schmid went 16-10-6 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .893 save percentage, and two shutouts in 34 regular-season games this season. He was originally selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. In 10 career playoff games, Schmid posted a 4-4 record, a 2.26 GAA, a .924 save percentage, and two shutouts. Vegas issued Schmid a qualifying offer earlier the same day before completing the trade.
Veteran Defenseman Radko Gudas Returns to Florida Panthers
Veteran defenseman Radko Gudas is returning to Florida after the Anaheim Ducks traded his rights to the Panthers on Monday for forward A.J. Greer. Gudas, 36, had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 56 games for Anaheim this season and served as Ducks captain since September 2024. He previously played three seasons for Florida from 2020 to 2023, helping the team advance to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Florida holds exclusive negotiating rights with Gudas until he can become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said Anaheim hopes to sign Greer to a contract as well.
Bedard, Robertson, Zegras Among RFAs Secured as Qualifying Offer Deadline Passes
NHL teams extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents before Monday's 5 p.m. ET deadline, preserving their rights heading into July 1 free agency. Chicago qualified Connor Bedard, who posted 75 points in 69 games this season, along with Kevin Korchinski, Drew Commesso, and Ethan Del Mastro. Dallas secured Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque, while Philadelphia qualified Trevor Zegras. Carolina issued offers to seven players including Noah Gunler, Ronan Seeley, and Alexander Nikishin. Columbus secured Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger. Teams that extended no offers include Detroit, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Washington, and Tampa Bay.
Malenstyn Signs Six-Year Deal; Pre-Free-Agency Signings Continue Across the NHL
The pre-free-agency signing rush produced several notable deals Monday. Beck Malenstyn agreed to a six-year, $17.5 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres, while Michael Kesselring signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with the San Jose Sharks. Kailer Yamamoto inked a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Utah Mammoth, and Troy Stecher signed a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The signings arrive as teams finalize rosters ahead of Wednesday's unrestricted free-agent market opening at noon ET on July 1. With the salary cap rising to $104 million next season, clubs are positioning themselves strategically before the market opens.
NHL Free Agency Opens July 1: Bobrovsky, Carlson, Kane Lead the UFA Market
NHL free agency opens at noon ET Wednesday, July 1, with the salary cap rising to $104 million — up $8.5 million from this season. The unrestricted free-agent class features defensemen Rasmus Andersson and John Carlson among the top available blueliners. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, 37, is the marquee netminder on the market. On the forward side, Patrick Kane, 37, had 57 points in 67 games for Detroit this season, while Claude Giroux, 38, posted 49 points in 82 games for Ottawa. Among restricted free agents, Connor Bedard, Jason Robertson, and Trevor Zegras headline a group entering significant first contract negotiations.
Nils Hoglander Traded to Nashville Predators as Vancouver Commits to Rebuild
The Vancouver Canucks traded forward Nils Hoglander to the Nashville Predators on Monday for a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, the same day they acquired veteran winger Brendan Gallagher from Montreal. The trades are part of Vancouver's sweeping offseason overhaul under new general manager Ryan Johnson and coach Manny Malhotra, who selected his son Caleb Malhotra third overall at last week's NHL Draft. The Canucks went 25-49-8 last season, finishing last in the NHL. Hoglander, originally selected by Vancouver in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, spent five seasons with the club before the trade.
Matthew Schaefer Reflects on Record-Breaking Calder Trophy Season with Islanders
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, 18, capped a historic NHL rookie season as the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since Teemu Selanne in 1992–93. Selected first overall by New York at the 2025 NHL Draft, the Hamilton, Ontario native set NHL records for goals (23) and points (59) by an 18-year-old defenseman. Speaking in Toronto, Schaefer credited his teammates and a step-by-step approach for the breakthrough. Entering his second season under new coach Pete DeBoer, Schaefer said the Islanders have one expectation: make the playoffs after narrowly missing the postseason this year. He does not turn 19 until September 5.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
Conference Semifinals
Carolina Hurricanes advance
Eastern Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Montréal Canadiens — 4–1
Western Conference
Conference Semifinals (Second Round)
Vegas Golden Knights def. Anaheim Ducks — 4–2
Western Conference Final
Vegas Golden Knights def. Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Final
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights — 4–2 (Clinched June 14, 2026)
Conn Smythe Trophy: Jordan Staal — 12 pts (8G, 4A) in 19 playoff games
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.