The free-agent shuffle kept moving on July 2, with a batch of familiar names landing new deals as clubs continue filling out depth charts and stocking their AHL affiliates.
San Jose was among the busiest teams of the day. The Sharks announced four more signings, bringing in goaltender Kyle Keyser, forwards Brett Leason and Tye Felhaber, and forward Alex Barré-Boulet. Keyser, Leason and Felhaber each signed one-year, two-way contracts, while Barré-Boulet agreed to a two-year, two-way deal.
Vancouver also added to its organizational depth, signing Matthew Stienburg to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. Stienburg missed much of the 2025-26 campaign and finished with two goals and three points in eight games for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.
Toronto made a more notable commitment on the back end, with PuckPedia confirming the Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Cole McWard to a two-year, $1.75MM contract. The deal is one-way in both seasons. McWard spent last year with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders and put up six goals and 27 points in 63 games, along with a -11 rating.
The Rangers also got in on the action, landing former first-round pick Dennis Cholowski on a two-year, $1.75MM contract, according to PuckPedia. Cholowski has played 173 NHL games, recording 13 goals and 42 points with a -60 rating while averaging 16:30 of ice time. New York also announced a separate signing, bringing in forward Glenn Gawdin on a two-year, two-way contract.
Anaheim continued building out its defensive depth by signing Travis Mitchell to a one-year, two-way contract. Mitchell made his NHL debut and otherwise spent most of last season with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, where he had one goal and 17 points in 58 games with a +3 rating.
Buffalo added another forward option in Aidan McDonough, who signed a one-year, two-way deal. McDonough is coming off his best pro season, finishing with 23 goals and 44 points in 63 games for the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Florida announced a one-year, two-way contract for defenseman Casey Fitzgerald for the 2026-27 season. Fitzgerald previously spent time in the Panthers organization two years ago, when he scored four goals and 21 points in 69 games for the Charlotte Checkers and posted a +22 rating.
Winnipeg signed Henry Thrun to a one-year, two-way contract. Thrun played most of last season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, where he had five goals and 23 points in 55 games with a -1 rating. He then added two goals and nine points in 24 playoff games as the Marlies won the Calder Cup.
New Jersey also kept a depth piece in the fold, re-signing Group Six UFA Xavier Parent to a one-year, two-way deal, per PuckPedia. Parent appeared in five games for the Devils last season and contributed 20 goals and 19 assists in 63 games for AHL Utica.
In Other News...
Ducks Are Taking No Chances With A Cornerstone Of Their Future
The Ducks have spent much of their summer acting like a team that knows exactly where its future lives. Anaheim has kept its free-agent moves restrained and made clear to other clubs that it intends to protect its young core, with Leo Carlsson at the center of that plan. Coming off his best season yet, the center has become the kind of player a rebuilding team can build around, and the Ducks are treating his next contract like a priority rather than a possibility.
That caution fits the broader picture around Anaheims roster, where rivals have already shown interest in other pieces of the young group. The Flames tried to pry Mason McTavish loose, only to be outbid by St. Louis in a deal built around draft capital, a reminder that the Ducks talent is drawing attention even before the next wave of decisions arrives. For now, though, the real focus is on keeping enough room available to make sure Carlsson stays in Anaheim for the long haul. [Read more 🡒]
Former Ducks Veteran Already Found His Next NHL Home
John Carlsons time in Anaheim was brief, but the veteran defenseman still left the Ducks with a reminder of why teams keep betting on him. After arriving from Washington at the trade deadline and finishing last season in Orange County, the 36-year-old brought the kind of steady production and experience that can still matter on a blue line, even as his career has already spanned well over 1,100 games.
Now Carlson has a new landing spot, and it comes with real commitment from a contender. Tampa Bay signed the unrestricted free agent to a two-year deal worth $17 million, a sign the Lightning see him as more than a depth addition as they try to keep their roster in win-now shape. For Anaheim, it is another quick reminder of how fast veteran rentals can move on once the season ends. [Read more 🡒]