NHL free agency opened at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1, and a lot more could go on than just unrestricted free agents changing teams.

The unrestricted free agent pool includes two-time Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky and defensemen John Carlson and Rasmus Andersson.

Players whose contracts run out in 2027 are free to sign extensions. Key players in that group are reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.

Big-name restricted free agents such as Jason Robertson, Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier also need new contracts for next season.

Trades might be the best way for a team to improve, with Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski, Connor Hellebuyck, Darnell Nurse and others reportedly in play.

Follow along for live updates and breaking news as NHL free agency opens:

Canucks sign Luke Schenn

He gets a one-year, $2 25 million contract. This is his third stint with the team and he'll add a veteran presence.

Blues sign Ross Johnston for three years

The rugged winger will average $2 million in the deal. He topped 100 penalty minutes in two of the last three seasons and had 192 hits last season.

Red Wings sign Viktor Arvidsson

He'll get two years with a $5 million cap hit. He bounced back from two subpar seasons to score 25 goals and 54 points with the Bruins last season.

Jets sign Stuart Skinner to two-year deal

He'll average $3.75 million over two years. The question is whether he's a backup or is the No. 1. The Jets are listening to offers on Connor Hellebuyck. By signing Skinner, who has been a No. 1 goalie (albeit up and down), the Jets don't need to get back a goalie if they trade the former Vezina Trophy winner and U.S. Olympian. Skinner went to the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton twice and was traded to Pittsburgh last season.

Golden Knights re-sign Rasmus Andersson

He'll average $8.5 million in the seven-year deal, per reports. Andersson was acquired from the Flames during the season and reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Panthers extend Eetu Luostarinen for eight years

He'll average $5 million in the deal, per reports. He played a key role in the Panthers' two Stanley Cups and also played for Finland at the 2026 Olympics, winning bronze.

Flyers extend Tyson Foerster for eight years

The forward will average $7.1 million in the deal.

Senators sign Samuel Ersson for two years

He will average $2.2 million in the two-year deal. Ersson struggled in Philadelphia last season and was traded to Toronto and then Ottawa. He'll back up fellow Swedish goalie Linus Ullmark in Ottawa.

Rangers acquire Joonas Korpisalo from Bruins

Korpisalo will take over the backup goalie role from retired Jonathan Quick. The Bruins receive minor league forward Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round pick. Korpisalo has one year left on his contract.

Mason Marchment could be headed to Sharks

He could get five years with a $7 million average, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Marchment's late father, Bryan, played six seasons with the Sharks.

Kings sign free agents Mats Zuccarello, Erik Haula

Zuccarello is getting a one-year deal with bonuses, according to multiple reports. Haula's deal is two years at $3.6 million a season. per reports. Haula adds to the Kings' center depth after Anze Kopitar's retirement. Zuccarello will help the Kings' power play. NHL insider Frank Seravalli also said the Kings are signing Corey Perry, who started last season in Los Angeles.

Kraken's Mackie Samoskevich gets three-year deal

The Kraken, who acquired Samoskevich from the Panthers, signed the restricted free agent to a three-year deal with a $3.85 million cap hit.

Sabres' Olen Zellweger gets three-year deal

He'll average $3.1 million, the team said. The Sabres acquired him from the Ducks last week.

Devils' Nico Hischier agrees to five-year extension

The Devils captain will average $11,700,000 in the deal, making the team's highest-paid player when it kicks in during the 2027-28 season.

Flyers' Dan Vladar signs five-year extension

Vladar, who helped the Flyers get back to the playoffs and won a round, will average $5.5 million in the extension.

Canadiens' Ivan Demidov gets eight-year extension

He'll average $9.125 million in the extension, which kicks in during 2027-28, according to his agent, Dan Milstein. He finished second in Calder Trophy voting with 62 points in 82 games.

Demidov extension breakdown:
27-28, $11.5 M SB, $1 M salary
28-29, $11.5 M SB, $1 M salary
29-30, $9.5 M SB, $1 M salary
30-31, $6.7 M SB, $1 M salary
31-32, $6.3 M SB, $1.2 M salary
32-33, $6.3 M SB, $1.2 M salary
33-34, $5.8 M SB, $1.7 M salary
34-35, $7.5 M salary

$57.6 M…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2026

What time does NHL free agency open?

NHL free agency officially opened at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1.

Radko Gudas signs with Panthers

He'll average $1.5 million in his six-year deal, per reports, to help with the Panthers' cap hit. Gudas' rights were acquired this week. He had won the Stanley Cup in 2024 before leaving for the Ducks.

Penguins acquire Nick Robertson from Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs will get a 2028 fourth-round pick. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas had drafted Robertson when he was in Toronto.

Predators acquire Mavrik Bourque from Stars

Bourque, a forward, and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin are headed to Nashville for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick. Bourque had 20 goals and 41 points last season. The Predators continue to load up on scoring depth after earlier adding Jack Drury, Ross Colton and Nils Hoglander. The Stars gain cap room with restricted free agent Jason Robertson still to sign.

Latest buzz on Dylan Larkin

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reports that GM Steve Yzerman would like a top-six center and a winger in return for Larkin, who has five years left on his deal. Yzerman said after the draft that he would act in the best interest of the Red Wings and "I cannot make any guarantees or did not make any guarantees that that request could or would be met."

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