NHL Free Agency Day 2: Patrick Kane and Other Stars Still Searching for Teams

The second day of NHL free agency brought a flurry of activity, but several high-profile players remain without contracts, including three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane. Now 37, Kane has spent the last three years with Detroit and carries with him invaluable playoff MVP experience and three championship rings, despite last winning the Hart Trophy as MVP a decade ago.

Joining Kane on the free-agent market are notable wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, who boasts two Stanley Cup victories, and Anthony Mantha, fresh off a career year. Claude Giroux, still in pursuit of another championship at 38, is also seeking a new team.

The first 11-plus hours of free agency saw more than 55 players shifting teams, with contracts totaling over $360 million. Among the significant moves was Bowen Byram, who emerged as the highest-paid defenseman with an average salary of $12.5 million starting in 2027 after being traded to Chicago from Buffalo. However, Byram’s reign may be short-lived if Colorado finalizes a deal with two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, whose new contract would also kick in during the 2027-28 season.

The recent increase in the salary cap to a record $104 million facilitated several lucrative contracts but also diminished the pool of available talent, as teams prioritized re-signing their key players. New Jersey extended captain Nico Hischier, Florida retained center Eetu Luostarinen, and Philadelphia rewarded goaltender Dan Vladar with a long-term deal.

New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche anticipated a quieter period following the busy draft and free agency, yet he’s remained vigilant. “We’ll have probably over $40 million of cap space next summer,” Darche noted. “I’m still going to be working the rest of the summer, especially the next couple weeks. A lot of GMs, I won’t lie to you, they go on vacation and it goes pretty silent on the GM chat. But if I have opportunities to improve the team, I will. Every single day, it’s a relentless pursuit of trying to get better.”

Late Wednesday, Hischier’s Devils made headlines by extending an offer sheet for Utah center Barrett Hayton at $4.775 million. The Mammoth, who recently acquired Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers, have a week to match the offer or risk losing Hayton for a second-round pick as compensation.

Meanwhile, the possibility of an offer sheet looms over Dallas winger Jason Robertson, who rejected a trade to Seattle last week and is also in need of a new contract. The Stars bolstered their roster by signing forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal after he recorded nine points in 51 games with Colorado last season.

Amidst the trade talks, reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski reaffirmed his commitment to Columbus, dispelling rumors about a potential move to Dallas as he enters the final two years of his contract.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.