Samwise Hockey Newsletter
July 23, 2026
Robertson Stays in Dallas on $12 Million Deal
The Dallas Stars and restricted free agent Jason Robertson reached agreement Wednesday on a one-year contract worth $12 million, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for July 25. Robertson, 26, led Dallas in scoring last season with 96 points — 45 goals and 51 assists in 82 games — with his 45 goals tying for fourth in the NHL and marking his third 40-goal campaign. The Stars had extended a $9.3 million qualifying offer before both sides settled on $12 million. Robertson will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, though he becomes eligible to negotiate a long-term extension with Dallas beginning January 1, 2027.
Greaves and Blue Jackets Head to Arbitration
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves enters a salary arbitration hearing in Toronto on Thursday after the two sides failed to reach a contract agreement. The Blue Jackets and the 25-year-old netminder remain $4.7 million apart, with Columbus filing for a one-year award at $2.8 million and Greaves countering at $7.5 million. Columbus selected the one-year term available to the arbitrator. In his first full NHL season in 2025-26, Greaves posted a 26-19-9 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.60 goals-against average, building on a breakthrough stretch the prior year when he went 7-2-2 with a .938 save percentage and 1.91 GAA.
Larkin, Rielly Dominate NHL Trade Talk
The NHL summer trade market continues to swirl around two major names: Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that Rielly’s agent submitted a list of four Western Conference teams he would accept as trade destinations, though Leafs general manager John Chayka said he does not anticipate a trade happening. Larkin, who requested a trade during the Stanley Cup Final, has added the Dallas Stars to his list of approved destinations, joining Minnesota, Florida and Vegas. Detroit’s reported asking price of Wyatt Johnston was turned down by Dallas, and both situations remain unresolved.
Sources: The Hockey News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kane, Tarasenko Lead Dwindling UFA Pool
Three weeks into the NHL free agency period, Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko remain the most prominent unsigned unrestricted free agents. Kane, 37, posted 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season and has drawn interest from the Chicago Blackhawks — where Connor Bedard has publicly expressed hope for a reunion — as well as his hometown Buffalo Sabres. Tarasenko scored 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games for Minnesota in 2025-26 before the Wild’s salary cap situation forced him to the open market. Both veteran forwards remain without deals as teams manage cap space ahead of training camp.
Blue Jackets Sign Heinen as Offseason Moves Continue
The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Danton Heinen to a one-year, two-way contract Thursday, announced by general manager Don Waddell. Waddell described Heinen as a competitive and versatile two-way forward who earned increased responsibility after arriving via trade last season. The signing adds veteran depth to a club navigating a busy offseason that also includes Thursday’s salary arbitration hearing for goaltender Jet Greaves. Columbus carries significant cap space and continues work toward extensions for restricted free agents Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, making Heinen’s straightforward deal one of the simpler transactions in a summer full of complexity.
🏆 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes — Eastern Conference Champions
Western Conference
Vegas Golden Knights — Western Conference Champions
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights, 4–2
Game 6 (June 14, 2026): Carolina 3, Vegas 0 • Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy
📅 Next season: 2026–27 NHL season opens September 29, 2026 • Salary cap: $104M • 84-game schedule
Curated by JD · samwise.agency · All editions
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