Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Monday, July 27, 2026
Patrick Kane Returns to Chicago Blackhawks on Two-Year, $16 Million Deal
Patrick Kane is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks, signing a two-year, $16 million contract announced Thursday. The 37-year-old forward, who played the first 16 of his 19 NHL seasons with Chicago, recorded 57 points in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. The deal carries an $8 million average annual value and includes a full no-move clause. Kane is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, having lifted the Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015, and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2013. He spent the last three seasons with other NHL clubs before agreeing to return.
Sources: NHL.com
Sillinger Avoids Arbitration, Signs Three-Year, $13.875M Deal With Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free agent Cole Sillinger agreed to a three-year contract extension on Saturday, avoiding an arbitration hearing. The deal is worth $13.875 million total at an average annual value of $4.625 million through the 2028-29 season. Sillinger, 23, recorded 33 points in 81 games for Columbus last season. The agreement leaves the Blue Jackets with roughly $14.5 million in cap space, most of which is earmarked for star center Adam Fantilli, who remains unsigned and whose contract talks are on a short pause while he vacations in Italy.
Sources: NHL.com
Sharks Acquire Forward Oskar Olausson from Colorado in Change-of-Scenery Deal
The San Jose Sharks acquired forward Oskar Olausson from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Danil Gushchin on Saturday in a change-of-scenery deal for two young prospects. Olausson, Colorado’s 28th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, spent the previous season primarily with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League, recording 26 points in 61 games while appearing twice with the Avalanche. Gushchin, taken by San Jose 35th overall in 2020, heads to Colorado as part of the exchange. San Jose’s official announcement confirmed the deal on July 25.
Sources: NHL.com/Sharks
Tortorella, 68, Says He Wants to Coach Again After Brief Golden Knights Tenure Ends
John Tortorella says he hopes to continue coaching in the NHL despite his short-lived tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights ending in June. Tortorella replaced fired coach Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season and guided Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final before the team lost in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes. General manager Kelly McCrimmon then chose to promote minor-league coach Ryan Craig rather than rehire Tortorella. The 68-year-old told reporters he respects the decision but acknowledged uncertainty about whether he will find future coaching opportunities at his age.
Sources: Las Vegas Sun News
Larkin’s Trade Standoff With Detroit Shows No Resolution as Offseason Winds Down
Dylan Larkin’s trade request from the Detroit Red Wings remains unresolved, with a shrinking market and Larkin’s limited destination list keeping the situation in limbo. Larkin has approved only four potential destinations — the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars — and holds a no-trade clause that gives him significant control over where he goes. In discussions with Dallas, Detroit reportedly asked for forward Wyatt Johnston in return; the Stars declined. The situation was further complicated when general manager Steve Yzerman announced he was stepping away from his role on July 15.
Sources: Pro Hockey Rumors
Marner’s Agent Blasts Maple Leafs, Says Toronto ‘Never Protected’ His Client
Mitch Marner’s longtime agent Darren Ferris publicly criticized the Toronto Maple Leafs over what he described as years of mishandling his client, revisiting grievances from the winger’s nine-year tenure in Toronto. Speaking on the PuckPedia Hockey Show, Ferris said Marner was “scrutinized for every game” and that his family received threats on social media after losses. Ferris also disputed reports of a Carolina trade proposal, saying no deal was ever formally in place. Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2025 via a sign-and-trade that earned him an eight-year, $96 million contract.
Sources: The Hockey News
Ducks’ First-Round Pick Klepov Signs Entry-Level Contract as 2026 Class Settles In
The Anaheim Ducks signed 2026 first-round draft pick Nikita Klepov to an entry-level contract on Friday, formally welcoming the right wing, who had been playing for the Saginaw Spirit, into the organization. Klepov, selected by Anaheim in the first round of the June draft held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, joins a growing list of 2026 draftees to complete entry-level deals this summer. Other first-round picks to sign ELCs this month include Viggo Bjorck with the Winnipeg Jets on July 13 and Elton Hermansson with the Los Angeles Kings on July 15.
Sources: NHL.com
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference
First Round
Carolina vs Ottawa — Hurricanes win 4–0
Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh — Flyers win
Montreal vs Tampa Bay — Canadiens win 4–3
Buffalo vs Boston — Sabres win 4–2
Conference Semifinals
Carolina vs Philadelphia — Hurricanes win 4–0
Montreal vs Buffalo — Canadiens win
Conference Finals
Carolina vs Montreal — Hurricanes win 4–1
Western Conference
First Round
Colorado vs Los Angeles — Avalanche win 4–0
Minnesota vs Dallas — Wild win 4–2
Anaheim vs Edmonton — Ducks win 4–2
Vegas Golden Knights — advanced
Conference Semifinals
Colorado vs Minnesota — Avalanche win 4–1
Vegas vs Anaheim — Golden Knights win 4–2
Conference Finals
Vegas vs Colorado — Golden Knights win 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
🏈 Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 — 2026 Stanley Cup Champions
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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