Samwise Hockey Newsletter
Monday, July 6, 2026 · Six stories · Free agency edition
Alex Ovechkin Returns for a 22nd NHL Season
Alex Ovechkin is returning to the Washington Capitals for a 22nd NHL season. The Capitals on Thursday announced the left wing signed a one-year contract with an average annual value of $4.25 million — comprising a $1 million base salary, a $3.25 million signing bonus, and a $4.75 million games-played bonus triggered after 10 games. Ovechkin, who turns 41 in September, led the Capitals with 32 goals last season, increasing his NHL-record career total to 929, and added 64 points without missing a regular-season game. His previous five-year, $47.5 million deal expired July 1. Ovechkin declared “I’m back!” upon announcing his return.
Sergei Bobrovsky Signs Three-Year Deal with Toronto Maple Leafs
Sergei Bobrovsky signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, bolstering their netminding as the franchise undergoes a major offseason rebuild. The 37-year-old goaltender posted a 27-23-1 record with a 3.07 goals-against average, .877 save percentage, and four shutouts in 52 games for the Florida Panthers last season. Bobrovsky won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025, going 32-15 with a 2.26 GAA and .910 save percentage in 47 playoff games during that span. With 456 career regular-season wins, he ranks seventh all-time in NHL history. Toronto general manager John Chayka called Bobrovsky “a real game-changer” who brings championship pedigree.
No. 1 Pick Gavin McKenna Signs Entry-Level Deal with Toronto
Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The 18-year-old left wing from Whitehorse, Yukon, recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games at Penn State last season, tying for fifth in the NCAA and ranking second with 1.46 points per game. McKenna was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He previously won CHL Player of the Year honours in 2024-25 with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games for Medicine Hat of the WHL. McKenna took the ice with Maple Leafs prospects at development camp Thursday.
Jason Robertson Files for Salary Arbitration with Dallas Stars
Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars was one of 15 players to file for salary arbitration Sunday, according to the NHL Players’ Association. The 26-year-old forward recorded 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) in 82 games last season and is a restricted free agent after his four-year, $31 million contract expired. Arbitration hearings are scheduled from July 20 through August 1. Other notable filers include Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kirby Dach of the Montreal Canadiens. A player may sign with his current team at any point before his scheduled hearing. Robertson turns 27 on July 22.
Mavrik Bourque Signs Six-Year, $33M Deal with Nashville Predators
Mavrik Bourque signed a six-year, $33 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) with the Nashville Predators on Saturday. A restricted free agent, Bourque was acquired by Nashville from the Dallas Stars along with defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection. General manager Chris MacFarland described the 24-year-old as “a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build.” Bourque, a 2020 first-round pick (No. 30) by Dallas, recorded 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 82 regular-season games and one goal in six playoff games for the Stars last season.
Pavel Mintyukov Signs Five-Year Extension with Anaheim Ducks
Pavel Mintyukov signed a five-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday to resolve his restricted free agent status. Financial terms were not disclosed. The 22-year-old defenseman recorded 22 points — including a career-high eight goals — in 73 regular-season games last season and did not record a point in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Selected by Anaheim with the No. 10 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Mintyukov has totalled 69 points (17 goals, 52 assists) in 204 regular-season games. His signing came two days after restricted free agent forward Leo Carlsson received a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers.
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Samwise Hockey Newsletter · samwise.agency
Sources: NHL.com · Offseason Edition · July 6, 2026