Key NHL Free Agents Still Available as 2026 Season Approaches

WHO:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Trevor Van Riemsdyk, who turns 35 next month, to a two-year deal with a $4 million cap hit.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins acquired Nick Robertson from Toronto.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Ian Cole signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with Chicago.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Ryan Shea signed a five-year deal worth $20 million with Edmonton.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Vincent Desharnais signed a four-year deal with a $4.2 million AAV with the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Teddy Blueger signed a two-year deal worth $5 million with Toronto.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Zach Aston-Reese signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, with the first year worth $850,000 and the second year becoming a two-way deal.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Sam Poulin signed a one-year deal worth $850,000 with the Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Colorado Avalanche signed Vinnie Hinostroza.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Jagger Joshua signed a two-year, $1.75 million two-way contract with Minnesota.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to a two-year deal with a $5 million AAV.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Philip Tomasino signed a one-year deal with Ottawa.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Trevor Van Riemsdyk.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Former Pittsburgh Penguins players include Ryan Shea, Stuart Skinner, Teddy Blueger, Conor Sheary, Ian Cole, Noel Acciari, Luke Schenn, Connor Clifton, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Vincent Desharnais, Sam Poulin, Jagger Joshua, Jamie Oleksiak, Zach Aston-Reese, and Kasperi Kapanen.

Daily Faceoff - Notable remaining unrestricted free agents include Alex Ovechkin, Anthony Mantha, Patrick Kane, Claude Giroux, Patrik Laine, Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, Eeli Tolvanen, Cam Talbot, John Klingberg, Andrew Peeke, Nick Blankenburg, James van Riemsdyk, Jamie Benn, Connor Ingram, and David Perron.

WHAT:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins added seven forwards, four defensemen, and one goalie to their organization for the 2026-27 season.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins used the second-round pick acquired from Winnipeg to select Markus Ruck in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Philadelphia Flyers signed Zach Aston-Reese to a two-year deal, with the first year worth $850,000 and the second year becoming a two-way deal ($700k/$900k).

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Edmonton Oilers signed Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year deal worth $2.6 million.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Jamie Oleksiak's contract with the Canucks is worth $5 million AAV over two years.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Jagger Joshua's contract with Minnesota is a two-year, $1.75 million two-way deal.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Vinnie Hinostroza signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Trevor Van Riemsdyk signed a two-year deal with a $4 million cap hit.

Daily Faceoff - NHL teams committed over $862 million in salary on the first day of free agency, not counting entry-level or minor-league contracts.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Ian Cole signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with Chicago.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Stuart Skinner signed a two-year deal worth $3.75 million per season with the Winnipeg Jets.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Noel Acciari signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers with an average annual value of $2.8 million.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Luke Schenn signed a one-year deal worth $2.25 million with the Canucks.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Connor Clifton signed a two-year deal with Boston worth $2.25 million AAV.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Vladislav Kolyachonok signed a one-year deal worth $850,000 with the Devils.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Teddy Blueger signed a two-year deal worth $5 million with Toronto.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Vincent Desharnais signed a four-year deal with a $4.2 million AAV with the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Conor Sheary signed a one-year deal worth $850,000 with Buffalo.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Sam Poulin signed a one-year deal worth $850,000 with the Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Ryan Shea signed a five-year deal worth $20 million with Edmonton.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Zach Aston-Reese signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, with the first year worth $850,000 and the second year becoming a two-way deal.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Kasperi Kapanen signed a one-year deal worth $2.6 million with the Edmonton Oilers.

Daily Faceoff - 145 contracts have been signed totaling $911,088,330 during the first day of free agency.

WHERE:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Jamie Oleksiak signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Philip Tomasino signed with Ottawa.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Van Riemsdyk spent the past six seasons with the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Ian Cole signed with Chicago, Stuart Skinner with the Winnipeg Jets, Noel Acciari with the Philadelphia Flyers, Luke Schenn with the Canucks, Connor Clifton with Boston, Vladislav Kolyachonok with the Devils, Teddy Blueger with Toronto, Vincent Desharnais with the Washington Capitals, Conor Sheary with Buffalo, Sam Poulin with the Montreal Canadiens, Ryan Shea with Edmonton, Zach Aston-Reese with the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kasperi Kapanen with the Edmonton Oilers.

Daily Faceoff - The NHL salary cap rose from $95.5 million to $104 million for the 2026-27 season.

WHEN:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The contracts for Ian Cole, Ryan Shea, Vincent Desharnais, Teddy Blueger, Zach Aston-Reese, and Sam Poulin were signed on the first day of NHL free agency.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The contracts for Vinnie Hinostroza, Jagger Joshua, and Jamie Oleksiak were signed on the first day of NHL free agency.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Van Riemsdyk's signing occurred on the first day of NHL free agency.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The NHL free agency period began on July 1.

Daily Faceoff - The contracts were signed on the first day of free agency.

WHY:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins are pursuing a franchise-changing star as part of their strategy to improve the team.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins added Van Riemsdyk to bolster their right-hand defenseman options.

Daily Faceoff - The increase in the salary cap allowed NHL teams to spend more during free agency.

HOW:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now - The Penguins are currently at 39 contracts, with the potential to reach 47 by accounting for restricted free agents.

Daily Faceoff - NHL teams were prohibited from negotiating with unrestricted free agents before noon ET on July 1, but contracts were signed immediately after the market opened.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Trevor Van Riemsdyk to a two-year deal with a $4 million cap hit and acquired Nick Robertson from Toronto as part of their roster changes. For the upcoming season, the Penguins have added seven forwards, four defensemen, and one goalie, while also selecting Markus Ruck with a second-round pick from Winnipeg in the 2026 NHL Draft. Currently holding 39 contracts, the Penguins have the potential to reach 47 by including restricted free agents as they pursue a franchise-changing star to enhance their team.