Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Friday, July 17, 2026
NHL Releases Expanded 84-Game Schedule for 2026-27 Season, Opening Night Set for September 29
The NHL released its full 2026-27 regular-season schedule on Thursday, July 16, with the campaign expanded to 84 games — the first 84-game slate since 1993-94. The season opens September 29 with five games, led by the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers for the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup banner-raising at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Three other nationally televised matchups round out opening night: Toronto–Montreal on Sportsnet, Rangers–Bruins on ESPN, and Edmonton–Vancouver on Sportsnet. The 32-team schedule includes more divisional games under the new collective bargaining agreement, with the regular season running through April 10.
Steve Yzerman Steps Down as Detroit Red Wings GM After Seven Seasons, Team Begins Search for Successor
Steve Yzerman stepped down as Detroit Red Wings general manager on July 15, 2026, ending a seven-year tenure that did not return the franchise to playoff contention. The Red Wings announced the Hall of Fame player will transition to a senior adviser role reporting to governor and CEO Chris Ilitch, while the organization begins a search for a new head of hockey operations. Yzerman returned to Detroit in 2019 as GM. The team’s postseason absence now stands at 10 consecutive seasons — the longest active playoff drought in the NHL.
Sources: Detroit News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Flyers Lock Up Trevor Zegras on Four-Year, $36.5 Million Extension, Avoiding Arbitration
The Philadelphia Flyers signed restricted free agent forward Trevor Zegras to a four-year, $36.5 million contract extension on July 15, with an average annual value of $9.125 million. The deal keeps the 25-year-old under contract through the 2029-30 season and avoids salary arbitration. Zegras posted career highs of 26 goals and 67 points in his first season with Philadelphia after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in June 2025. According to reporting, the Flyers’ offer sheet for Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson earlier this month reset the restricted free agent market and gave Zegras’s camp significant leverage in negotiations.
Sources: Philadelphia Inquirer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Blues Sign Connor McMichael to Six-Year, $40.5 Million Extension After Kyrou Trade
The St. Louis Blues locked up restricted free agent center Connor McMichael to a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension on July 16, 2026, with an annual average value of $6.75 million, avoiding salary arbitration. McMichael, 25, arrived in St. Louis this summer from the Washington Capitals in a trade that sent high-scoring winger Jordan Kyrou to Washington; the Capitals also included prospect Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round draft pick in the deal. McMichael posted 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) across 78 games for Washington during the 2025-26 season. Seven arbitration-eligible players remain unsigned ahead of hearings beginning July 20.
Jets Sign Cole Perfetti to Five-Year, $30 Million Deal, Avoiding Salary Arbitration
The Winnipeg Jets signed restricted free agent forward Cole Perfetti to a five-year, $30 million contract extension on July 15, 2026, at an annual average value of $6 million per season. The deal allows both sides to avoid salary arbitration. Perfetti, 24, was selected by Winnipeg 10th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and recorded 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 68 games during the 2025-26 season. The signing came as several restricted free agents around the league settled contracts ahead of NHL salary arbitration hearings, which are scheduled to begin July 20 and run through August 1.
Canadiens Re-Sign Kirby Dach to One-Year, $3.6 Million Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
The Montreal Canadiens re-signed restricted free agent forward Kirby Dach to a one-year, $3.6 million contract on July 16, 2026, allowing both sides to avoid salary arbitration. Dach, 25, posted eight goals and 15 points in 37 games last season for Montreal before missing 31 games with a fractured foot. A salary arbitration hearing had been scheduled for July 30, but that proceeding was rendered unnecessary by the agreement. The one-way nature of the new contract was a key element in negotiations. Dach will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.
2025-26 Season Results
Stanley Cup Champion
🏆 Carolina Hurricanes — 2nd Cup title
2026-27 Salary Cap
$104 million — up $8.5M from 2025-26
Season Expanded
84 games — first 84-game season since 1993-94
Key Off-Season Dates
Arbitration Hearings
July 20 – August 1, 2026
Opening Night
September 29, 2026 — 5-game slate
Banner Raising
Carolina vs. Florida — Lenovo Center, Raleigh
Curated by JD · samwise.agency