Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Makar and Hughes Contracts Expected to Reset NHL Defenseman Market to $15–$20M
Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are each entering the final year of their contracts — Hughes at $7.85 million with Minnesota after a December trade, Makar at $9 million with Colorado — and agents expect their next deals to dramatically reset the pay scale for defensemen. Four agents told ESPN the going price will likely fall between $15 and $20 million annually. The 2026-27 salary cap rises to $104 million, creating room for the leap. Chicago’s six-year, $12.5 million AAV deal for Bowen Byram this offseason already moved the market. Agents expect a broad trickle-down, pushing contracts higher at every level of the defensive spectrum.
Larkin Adds Dallas Stars as Fourth Trade Destination With No Deal Imminent
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has added the Dallas Stars as a fourth potential trade destination, TSN reported. The Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights had been his previously identified preferred teams. In discussions with Dallas, Detroit has focused on forward Wyatt Johnston as a key return piece, though talks have not produced an agreement. Florida has since stepped back after acquiring Matthew Tkachuk in a trade, and Vegas remains limited by the salary cap. Larkin is without a new contract and no deal appears imminent as the NHL offseason continues.
Ducks Cap Crunch After Carlsson Match: Vatrano, Killorn, Kreider Named Trade Candidates
After matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ $18 million offer sheet on Leo Carlsson, the Anaheim Ducks are left with roughly $9 million in cap space. The Hockey News identifies three likely trade candidates to create financial room: Ryan Vatrano (32, $4.57 million, two years remaining, just 5 goals in 50 games, with $9 million in deferred salary complicating any deal), Alex Killorn (36, $6.25 million, final contract year, 33 points last season), and Chris Kreider (35, $6.5 million, 22 goals). Pending restricted free agent Troy Gauthier, who is not offer-sheet eligible, adds further urgency to Anaheim’s cap situation.
Sources: The Hockey News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Islanders Launch NHL’s First-Ever Fan-Driven Jersey Design Contest for 2027-28
The New York Islanders have launched the NHL’s first-ever fan-driven jersey design contest, giving supporters the chance to create the club’s official 2027-28 third jersey. Fans can submit designs through July 24 using a digital tool that features official Islanders fonts and logos. Five finalists will be selected from all submissions and put to a public vote in early August. The winning design will debut as the team’s official third jersey for the 2027-28 season, with the creator receiving a signed jersey and tickets to its debut game. More than 37,000 submissions have already been received since the contest launched.
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes — Stanley Cup Champions
Western Conference
Vegas Golden Knights — eliminated in Stanley Cup Final
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights — 4–2 🏆 Jordan Staal (Conn Smythe) · Coach: Rod Brind’Amour
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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