The NHL’s summer news cycle finally gave fans something to chew on yesterday, and a good chunk of it centered on contract talk.
In Boston, the spotlight is on Fraser Minten. He became eligible for an extension on July 1, and Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged then that his “discussions now turn to whether or not Fraser is ready for his extension,” though he also said no progress had been made. The Bruins do not have to force the issue right away, but the clock is real: if they want to lock Minten into an eight-year deal, they have until September 16, 2026.
Minten isn’t the only Bruins center with an uncertain future. Pavel Zacha is also extension-eligible this summer, and Sweeney said it was his goal to keep the 29-year-old in Boston.
Elliotte Friedman added that it was “one of the most fascinating things that’s going to happen this offseason.” That conversation dates back to July 6, but it remains part of the picture as the Bruins sort through their next moves.
Around the league, more extension chatter is building fast. In Minnesota, Michael Russo reported that Wild GM Bill Guerin is set to meet with Quinn Hughes this week in Michigan to talk about Hughes’ future.
Hughes’ contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, and he is eligible for a new deal this summer. Russo also noted that Minnesota wants to go five to eight years, with a seven-year max term after September 16 under the new CBA, while a three-year extension still makes the most sense for Hughes so he can line up with Jack’s deal in New Jersey.
Tampa Bay is in the same boat with one of its stars. Nikita Kucherov is eligible for a new deal, and an extension is expected.
His eight-year contract worth $76 million, with a $9.5 million AAV, expires after this season. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois focused on adding to the roster on July 1, but he has also been in contact with agent Dan Milstein about a new agreement.
Ottawa may be staring at a major payday of its own. Bruce Garrioch reported that Drake Batherson, who is an unrestricted free agent next summer, could be in line for an eight-figure AAV after a career-best 71-point season, including 33 goals and 38 assists. Batherson’s current cap hit is $4.95 million.
There was also a fresh look at the league’s young talent. Sonny Sachdeva ranked the top five under-25 cores in the NHL, and Bruins fans may not love the team sitting at No.
- No. 4, meanwhile, comes from the division.
Elsewhere, the offseason notebook had plenty more to sort through. Bob Duff wrote that Alex DeBrincat is unlikely to leave Detroit after 2026-27 as long as the Red Wings take care of him.
In New York, Jim Cerny laid out three reasons Will Cuylle could earn a top-six role with the Rangers this season. In New Jersey, Sunny Mehta discussed his confidence in the Devils’ blue line and talked about Dougie Hamilton, whose name had been in trade rumors before Mehta arrived.
In Philadelphia, Will James finished his prospect rankings, with the No. 1 spot tied to the 2025 draft and an intriguing goalie prospect in Russia also drawing attention.
On the business side, there was a new 12-year broadcast rights deal in Canada between Prime Video and Rogers. Prime will move to Wednesday night regular-season games in English and French, and it will also carry two first-round series and one second-round series. Eddie Olczyk is also leaving the Kraken broadcast team.
And if you’re wondering how much players actually keep, Vince Comunale took a deep dive into taxes and the take-home pay for an NHL player making $8 million a year.
There are exactly two months until the regular season starts.
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