Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Robertson avoids arbitration, signs 1-year, $12M deal with Dallas
Jason Robertson has avoided a salary arbitration hearing, signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old winger led Dallas with 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) in 82 games last season — his fourth straight 40-goal campaign — cementing his place as one of the NHL’s elite scorers. Robertson had filed for arbitration July 5 but reached a deal before a hearing was required. The bridge deal keeps the Stars’ cap structure flexible heading into 2027 free agency, when Robertson will again be a restricted free agent. GM Jim Nill called Robertson “a cornerstone of our franchise since he was drafted in 2017.”
Sharks overhaul blue line, land Nurse and Trouba in blockbuster summer
San Jose overhauled its blue line this summer, acquiring Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers (for Shakir Mukhamadullin) while also signing Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million deal. Nurse, 31, averaged 20-plus minutes a night in Edmonton, adding 167 blocked shots and 137 hits while chipping in 24 points. Trouba, 32, brings a physical presence after a 35-point season with Anaheim. The Sharks also added forward Mason Marchment (five-year, $33.75M) and No. 2 overall pick Ivar Stenberg. The core remains Macklin Celebrini, who paced the team with 115 points last season. GM Mike Grier believes the additions make San Jose a legitimate playoff contender.
Rangers add Dorofeyev in bid to end playoff drought
After missing the playoffs in 2025–26 with a 34–39–9 record, the New York Rangers overhauled their roster. The centerpiece: acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights, with the 25-year-old forward immediately signing a seven-year, $77 million extension ($11M AAV). Dorofeyev had 37 goals and 64 points in the regular season, then added 12 goals in 22 playoff games. New York also picked up defensemen Erik Durzi and Tobias Pettersson. Heading out: center Nick Trocheck, defenseman Ben Borgen, and veteran goalie Jonathan Quick, who retired. GM Chris Drury described Dorofeyev as a player who can elevate the Rangers back into playoff contention.
Nashville’s new GM reshapes Predators with Bourque, Colton and Drury
Nashville missed the playoffs again in 2025–26 (38–34–10), but new GM Chris MacFarland, hired June 2 from Colorado, wasted no time reshaping the forward group. The Predators acquired Mavrik Bourque from Dallas on a six-year deal (20 goals last season), Ross Colton from Colorado, Jack Drury from Colorado (five-year deal), Nils Hoglander from Vancouver, and Adam Edstrom from the Rangers. MacFarland brought his Avalanche championship experience to Nashville, targeting competitive depth. The Predators still need a true first-line center, but with promising young pieces and an influx of affordable veterans, Nashville looks positioned to push back into playoff relevance in 2026–27.
Marino locks in 8-year deal with Utah Mammoth
Defenseman John Marino has agreed to an eight-year, $54 million contract ($6.75M AAV) with the Utah Mammoth, set to begin in 2027–28. The 29-year-old right-shot blueliner spent parts of four seasons with Pittsburgh and two with New Jersey before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Marino posted NHL career highs in points last season (4 goals, 32 assists, 36 points) and averaged 20:12 of ice time. Utah GM Bill Armstrong, who built the Colorado Avalanche dynasty, praised Marino as “an elite puck mover.” The long-term deal signals the Mammoth’s ambition to build around a stable two-way defensive core in their young franchise.
Fantilli headlines unsigned RFAs as arbitration window approaches
With the NHL’s July 1 free agency frenzy mostly settled, several high-profile restricted free agents remain unsigned — and at least one could receive an offer sheet. Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets — who posted a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season — is eligible for an offer sheet, potentially from teams with deep draft capital. Cutter Gauthier of Anaheim (41 goals, 69 points) and defenseman Simon Edvinsson of Detroit are also without new contracts. On the goalie side, Columbus’s Jet Greaves (26–19–9, 2.60 GAA) and Florida’s Akira Schmid have filed for salary arbitration. Hearings and resolutions are expected by early August.
🏆 2025–26 Stanley Cup Champions
The 2026–27 NHL regular season begins September 29. The $104M salary cap (up $8.5M from last season) took effect July 1.
NHL Daily • samwise.agency/newsletters/hockey
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