Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Monday, July 13, 2026
Ducks Retain Carlsson at Record $18M After Matching Flyers' Offer Sheet
The Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, $90 million offer sheet for centre Leo Carlsson on Thursday, July 9, retaining the Swedish forward at an $18 million average annual value — the highest in NHL history. The Flyers submitted the offer sheet the previous Friday in an effort to pry Carlsson from Anaheim. Carlsson’s $18 million AAV consumes 17.3 percent of the Ducks’ $104 million salary cap for 2026‑27, leaving the club with limited room to re-sign restricted free-agent winger Cutter Gauthier, who recorded 41 goals and 69 points last season and is ineligible for an offer sheet.
Sources: The Hockey News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bedard Set for Four-Month Recovery After Left Shoulder Surgery
Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard underwent surgery on his left shoulder and is expected to miss approximately four months of the 2026‑27 season, according to a July 9 report. The recovery timeline puts Bedard on track to return around November 2026, sidelining the franchise centre for training camp and a significant portion of the early regular season. Bedard remains a restricted free agent and has not yet signed a new contract with Chicago. The injury also reduces incentive for rival teams to pursue an offer sheet, as any signing club would inherit a player unavailable until midseason.
Sources: The Hockey Writers Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Larkin Adds Dallas Stars to Trade Destination List as Rumours Build
Detroit Red Wings centre Dylan Larkin has added the Dallas Stars to his preferred trade destinations, according to a July 10 Spectors Hockey report. Larkin’s prime preferred destination remains the Minnesota Wild. The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers are also on his list, though both clubs reportedly lack the tradeable assets to complete a deal. The Flyers were discussed as a possible landing spot, but Larkin has not added Philadelphia. Dallas’s addition provides a new dimension to one of the offseason’s most closely watched trade situations, as the Stars also navigate restricted free agent Jason Robertson’s unsigned status.
Sources: Spectors Hockey Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Kane, Laine and Mantha Headline Unsigned Veterans Still Available in Free Agency
Veterans Patrick Kane, Patrik Laine and Anthony Mantha remained unsigned in NHL free agency heading into mid-July, according to a July 12 Spectors Hockey roundup. All three forwards were still available on the open market more than 10 days after free agency opened July 1. Kane and Laine have both dealt with significant injury issues in recent seasons, contributing to an extended search for a new club at acceptable contract terms. Several other notable forwards also remain without contracts. Teams carrying remaining salary-cap space and roster needs continue to monitor the pool of available veterans as the offseason progresses.
Sources: Spectors Hockey Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Robertson RFA Standoff Puts Dallas Stars in a Difficult Position
Dallas Stars restricted free agent Jason Robertson remains unsigned as arbitration hearings approach, placing the franchise in a difficult position under the $104 million salary cap, according to July 12 reporting from Spectors Hockey. A one-year arbitration award could make Robertson an unrestricted free agent in summer 2027, leaving the Stars with three options: sign Robertson to a long-term extension before the hearing date, accept a one-year arbitration result, or investigate a trade to recoup assets before Robertson potentially walks as a UFA. The Stars are simultaneously monitoring the trade market for Red Wings centre Dylan Larkin, further complicating their cap management heading into 2026‑27.
Sources: Spectors Hockey Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Prospect Bjoerck Freed from SHL Contract, Set to Join Winnipeg Jets
Swedish defenceman Viggo Björck has received an early release from Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League, clearing the way for him to join the Winnipeg Jets organization in North America this season, according to a July 11 report from Pro Hockey Rumors. Björck was selected by the Jets in the 2025 NHL Draft. European prospects typically must honour their existing club contracts before reporting to NHL organizations, making early releases a notable offseason development for a drafting team’s prospect pipeline. The Jets are expected to place Björck in North America for 2026‑27, though his assignment between the NHL roster and the AHL affiliate has not yet been determined.
Sources: Pro Hockey Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Podkolzin Opens Up on Oilers' Leadership Void and Babcock's Demands
Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin has spoken publicly about the leadership changes and coaching expectations reshaping the franchise following a summer of significant turnover, according to a July 12 report from The Hockey Writers. Podkolzin addressed the departure of former coach Dave Knoblauch and the subsequent arrival of Mike Babcock, describing specific demands Babcock has placed on the roster. The forward also discussed the team’s adjustment to Babcock’s system. The Oilers are preparing for the 2026‑27 season under a revamped coaching structure after a Stanley Cup Final run that ended with the club eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round.
Sources: The Hockey Writers Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Results
Eastern Conference
First Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators — 4–0
Philadelphia Flyers def. Pittsburgh Penguins — 4–2
Montreal Canadiens def. Tampa Bay Lightning
Buffalo Sabres def. Boston Bruins
Second Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Philadelphia Flyers — 4–0
Montreal Canadiens def. Buffalo Sabres
Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Montreal Canadiens — 4–1
Western Conference
First Round
Vegas Golden Knights def. Utah Hockey Club
Colorado Avalanche def. Los Angeles Kings — 4–0
Minnesota Wild def. Dallas Stars — 4–2
Anaheim Ducks def. Edmonton Oilers
Second Round
Vegas Golden Knights def. Anaheim Ducks — 4–2
Colorado Avalanche def. Minnesota Wild
Conference Final
Vegas Golden Knights def. Colorado Avalanche — 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights — 4–2
Jordan Staal, Conn Smythe Trophy winner
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.