As the NHL free-agent market opened on Wednesday, teams are shifting their strategies due to a lackluster selection of available players. This trend has driven general managers to emphasize trade opportunities and focus on securing long-term deals with their existing stars.
The New Jersey Devils made headlines by ensuring their captain’s presence in the team’s future. Nico Hischier, the Swiss center indispensable to the Devils’ core, committed to a five-year extension valued at $58.5 million. This new contract will impact their cap hit by $11.7 million annually from 2027 through 2032.
Sunny Mehta, the recently appointed general manager of the Devils, expressed his enthusiasm for retaining Hischier. “When I took this job, I knew that Nico was one of the core pieces I definitely wanted as part of our future,” Mehta commented. “His gameplay, leadership, and selflessness are qualities highly valued by our team. We are all looking forward to him leading this franchise both on and off the ice for many years to come.”
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens made a big move by re-signing forward Ivan Demidov, who impressed by topping all NHL rookies last season with 62 points, including 19 goals and 43 assists. The young Russian talent inked an eight-year deal worth $73 million.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings took advantage of the free-agency pool by recruiting forwards Erik Haula and Mats Zuccarello. A source familiar with the dealings reported that Haula secured a two-year contract valued at $7.2 million. Zuccarello’s signing, confirmed by another informed insider, yields a base salary of $1 million plus additional bonuses.
Chicago is signing veteran defenseman Ian Cole for next season at $4.75 million, according to a third person, also with knowledge of the deal. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contracts had not been announced.
On the trade front, Pittsburgh acquired 24-year-old forward Nick Robertson from Toronto for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. Robertson has six seasons of NHL experience and had career-highs with 16 goals and 32 points in 78 games last season.
Nashville acquired pending restricted free agent forward Mavrik Bourque from Dallas. The Predators sent a 2027 second- and a 2028 third-round pick to the Stars for Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.
“Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” general manager Chris MacFarland said. “At just 24 years old, his age and style of play fits in with the type of players we are looking to bring in to help make us better. In addition, Ilya Lyubushkin is a veteran defenseman with significant experience who can log minutes and be a physical presence in our own end.”
Dallas clearing salary cap space could allow the team to sign Jason Robertson, another restricted free agent who’s ticketed for a long-term, lucrative contract. Robertson turns 27 this month and led the Stars in scoring with 96 points on 45 goals and 51 assists last season.
The Florida Panthers have been active this week, trading for goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid and sending A.J. Greer’s rights to Anaheim to bring back rugged defenseman Radko Gudas. He signed six-year deal worth $1.5 million annually for a total of $9 million.
“I have good news: I’m coming back to Florida and I’m bringing my dad with me,” Gudas’ daughter, Tynka, said in a video announcing the move. The 36-year-old Gudas played there for three seasons from 2020-23.
Gudas is the second player who was a captain this past season to join Florida in recent weeks. Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s brother, was traded to the Panthers last month after wearing the “C” in Ottawa.
In other moves:
— Philadelphia rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar for his breakout season by signing him to a five-year extension worth $27.5 million. The $5.5 million average salary kicks in for the 2027-28 season and through 2031-32.
— The Buffalo Sabres signed newly acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9.3 million contract. Zellweger was a pending restricted free agent and acquired in a trade with Anaheim.
— Ottawa re-signed pesky forward Nick Cousins to a two-year contract worth $3.18 million.
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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.
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