Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Ovechkin Returns on a Mission: Prove He Can Still Help Washington Win
Alex Ovechkin isn't coming back to Washington for a farewell tour. The 40-year-old — who raised his NHL all-time regular-season goals record to 929 last season — signed a one-year contract worth $4.25 million AAV and says his sole focus is winning another Stanley Cup. Owner Ted Leonsis praised offseason additions of Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch, Boone Jenner, and Vincent Desharnais, calling the roster “probably our biggest or strongest” since Ovechkin joined the organization. Ovechkin drew comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo thriving in their 40s at the World Cup. “I have to be better,” he said. “Show that I'm still a good player.”
Andersen Signs With Oilers, Hoping to Help Edmonton ‘Get Over the Hump’
Frederik Andersen is chasing another Stanley Cup — this time with Edmonton. Fresh off helping Carolina win the 2026 championship after going 13-2 with a 1.89 GAA through the first three playoff rounds, the 36-year-old signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Oilers. He joins a three-goalie rotation with Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry in a city that knows near-misses well — Edmonton was eliminated in the First Round last season by Anaheim in six games. “Edmonton has been knocking on the door for a while now,” Andersen said. “It would be awesome to help them get over the hump.”
Foerster Locks In With Philadelphia: 8 Years, $56.8 Million
The Philadelphia Flyers secured their top young scorer for the long haul. Tyson Foerster, 24, signed an eight-year, $56.8 million extension ($7.1 million AAV) beginning in 2027-28 — a deal he called a “no-brainer.” Foerster missed four months after arm surgery on Dec. 15 but returned to score the shootout goal against Carolina on April 13 that clinched Philadelphia's first playoff berth since 2020. He has 100 points (61 goals, 39 assists) across 195 NHL regular-season games. “We believe he's a big piece and part of our future,” said GM Daniel Briere. The Flyers also signed goalie Dan Vladar to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
Panthers ‘Really Happy’ After Swift 11-Day Roster Overhaul
Florida's back-to-back Cup champions rebuilt fast. In just 11 days the Panthers acquired forward Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa, landed a new goalie tandem — Jacob Markstrom (from New Jersey) and Akira Schmid (from Vegas) — and added veterans Lars Eller and Alexander Petrovic in free agency. They also re-signed defenseman Radko Gudas (six years) and locked up Eetu Luostarinen (eight years). The catalyst: departing starter Sergei Bobrovsky, who signed a three-year deal with Toronto. “We feel really happy with the players we have been able to acquire to fill the needs that we have,” said GM Bill Zito.
Bruins Prospect Letourneau Rebounds With 39-Point Sophomore Season at Boston College
One blank season, one breakthrough. Boston Bruins prospect Dean Letourneau staged one of the more dramatic college hockey reversals in recent memory. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward, selected No. 25 by Boston in the 2024 NHL Draft, went goalless through 36 freshman games at Boston College before exploding for 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games as a sophomore — second on the team. At Boston's development camp last week, Letourneau credited increased strength and comfort. “I have that confidence back,” he said. BC coach Greg Brown called it “a huge summer” of physical development. An NHL debut looks increasingly close.
Hurricanes Cheer ‘Huge Caniac’ Haaland’s World Cup Brace vs. Brazil
Carolina Hurricanes fans had extra reason to cheer at the FIFA World Cup on July 5. Striker Erling Haaland — whom the Hurricanes called a “huge Caniac” — scored two goals in Norway's 2-1 victory over Brazil at MetLife Stadium in the Round of 16, eliminating the perennial South American power. Carolina's social media noted Haaland had scored seven World Cup goals since becoming a Hurricanes fan, tying Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi for the tournament lead. Haaland attended Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 11 and posted “Morro med NHL” — Norwegian for “Fun with NHL” — afterward.
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Season Complete
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights — Carolina win 4–2
Off-Season
Free agency, trades & development camps underway. Next puck drop: October 2026.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency