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Bobrovsky, Marchment, Trouba, Hischier Sign Big 2026 Deals

7/2/2026

Summary

Bobrovsky Signs

Sergei Bobrovsky signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2026.
San Jose Sharks added Mason Marchment (five-year, $33.75 million) and Jacob Trouba (four-year, $33 million) on July 1, 2026.
New Jersey Devils locked up Nico Hischier with a five-year, $58.5 million contract ($11.7 million AAV) on July 1, 2026.
Philadelphia Flyers extended goaltender Dan Vladar five years at $5.5 million AAV on July 1, 2026.
Pittsburgh Penguins traded Parker Wotherspoon to Vegas for Kaeden Korczak, retaining $500,000, on July 1, 2026.

Summary

Ovechkin Contract

The NHL salary cap rose from $95.5 million in 2025-26 to $104 million for 2026-27.
The 2026 free-agent class is labeled underwhelming, leading teams to secure stars before the cap increase.
Alexander Ovechkin’s five-year, $47.5 million deal expired at 11:59 pm on July 1, 2026, after he logged 32 goals and 64 points this season.
Capitals GM Chris Patrick expects Ovechkin’s July 1 decision and says negotiations will be brief, noting championship odds will influence his next contract.

Summary

Marchment Signs

Mason Marchment signed a five-year, $7 million-per-year contract with the San Jose Sharks and will wear number 27 to honor his father Bryan Marchment.
Viktor Arvidsson agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings after posting 21 even-strength goals last season.
Dallas traded Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lybushkin for a 2027 second-round and a 2028 third-round pick to preserve flexibility amid RFA talks for Jason Robertson and Bourque.

Summary

Tkachuk Teams

Brady Tkachuk teams with brother Matthew and Aleksander Barkov while Markstrom returns after 18 years, posting a .900 save percentage and a 2.65 GAA over 55 games.
Jordan Kyrou joins Washington’s top-six and secures a power-play role while Pavel Dorofeyev partners with Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox on the Rangers’ power-play for 70 points.
Mason McTavish will center St. Louis’ second line, aiming for 60 points and 25 goals.

History

Historical Context

After the 2004-05 lockout ended with a July 13, 2005 agreement that set a hard $39 million salary cap, the NHL has raised the ceiling each season, reaching $95.5 million for 2025-26 (with a $70.6 million floor). Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHLPA’s deal reshaped contract strategy, influencing today’s 2026 free-agent market and teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks.

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Bobrovsky Signs

Sergei Bobrovsky signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2026.
San Jose Sharks added Mason Marchment (five-year, $33.75 million) and Jacob Trouba (four-year, $33 million) on July 1, 2026.
New Jersey Devils locked up Nico Hischier with a five-year, $58.5 million contract ($11.7 million AAV) on July 1, 2026.
Philadelphia Flyers extended goaltender Dan Vladar five years at $5.5 million AAV on July 1, 2026.
Pittsburgh Penguins traded Parker Wotherspoon to Vegas for Kaeden Korczak, retaining $500,000, on July 1, 2026.

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