The NHL’s CBA deadline turned into a sprint for several teams, and the money tells the story. A handful of clubs moved quickly to get major deals done before new rules changed how much of a contract could be paid out in signing bonuses.
That rush included the Anaheim Ducks, who signed Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract with a $13.5 million annual average value. According to Elliotte Friedman, about $69.5 million of that money will come through signing bonuses, a setup that would no longer be allowed once the new CBA kicked in.
The Washington Capitals also beat the clock on Justin Sourdif, finalizing an eight-year, $50.8 million extension with a $6.35 million AAV. His deal also carries substantial signing bonuses in the first three seasons. Sourdif put up 15 goals and 35 points in 78 games last season, with 26 of those points coming in his final 40 games, and Washington is clearly banking on that late-season surge carrying forward.
Carolina followed a similar path with captain Jordan Staal, who landed a one-year, $10 million extension. The contract includes a $900,000 base salary, a $4 million signing bonus and $5.1 million in performance bonuses. Staal will be 39 when the deal ends and is heading into his 22nd NHL season, including 16 years with the Hurricanes.
New Jersey got in on the action as well, locking up newly acquired forward Luke Evangelista on a five-year, $36.25 million extension just weeks after bringing him over from the Nashville Predators. Roughly 77% of the total value is tied to signing bonuses, which makes the timing especially notable with the new CBA setting a 60% limit on those bonuses.
Elsewhere, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin gave a calm update on the club’s contract talks with defenseman Quinn Hughes. He said, “I’ve been very comfortable with where we are at with Quinn for a long time,” Guerin said. “These things take time, and different things are important to different players.”
That situation remains one to watch, with plenty of people wondering whether an extension gets done or if a trade becomes unavoidable. For now, Guerin’s comments point to a process that is still moving, even if there’s no sign a deal is close.
The Capitals also found themselves dealing with a different kind of spotlight after Alexander Ovechkin appeared in a campaign video for Russia’s United Russia party alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The appearance drew criticism because United Russia is backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and came during Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Washington said Ovechkin, a Russian citizen who spends his offseason in Moscow, was asked by his country to take part while he was there. The team added that its focus is on the upcoming season and Ovechkin’s continued impact in Washington.
Ovechkin has previously supported Putin publicly and, after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, said he hoped the war would end and noted that he’s an athlete and not a politician. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that the Capitals asked Ovechkin to remove the Instagram post and deactivate his account, but he is reluctant to do that because of concern for his family’s safety.
In Other News...
Jordan Staal's Next Hurricanes Deal Says A Lot About Carolina's Timing
Jordan Staal isnt going anywhere soon, and the Hurricanes made sure of it before the calendar turned to the next phase of contract rules. The veteran center has signed a one-year extension for the 2026-27 season, giving Carolina continued stability in the middle of its lineup and another season of a player whose role has long gone beyond points and power-play minutes.
The timing matters as much as the term. Carolina got the deal done before the new collective bargaining agreement deadline altered how signing bonuses can be structured, and the extension reflects the clubs knack for staying ahead of the curve on roster planning. For a team that leans on continuity and experience, keeping Staal in place says plenty about where the Hurricanes see themselves headed. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Staal Just Gave Hurricanes Fans Another Reason To Believe
Jordan Staal is sticking around for another season beyond the one already on the books, giving Carolina another dose of continuity from the player who has long been the face of the room. The captain remains one of the organizations most important voices, and the new deal keeps a veteran center tied to a team that has leaned on his steadiness through a championship era.
The move also says plenty about how the Hurricanes value what Staal brings beyond the box score. He was a major part of their 2026 Stanley Cup run, and this extension ensures the club can keep building around that kind of experience while the rest of the roster continues to evolve. For a team with big ambitions, retaining a captain like this is the sort of business that tends to matter well beyond one season. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Just Made A Captain Decision That Says Everything
Jordan Staals latest deal keeps one of the Hurricanes most familiar faces right where he has been for most of the last two decades, anchoring the middle of the lineup and the room alike. Carolina rewarded its captain with a new extension after a career season in which he added a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy to a long list of reasons the team has trusted him for 16 seasons.
The move says plenty about where the Hurricanes see themselves headed, with Staal still valued for the steady, physical game that has made him such a constant in Raleigh. It also leaves a bigger question hanging over the near future, because this contract could end up marking the final chapter of his NHL career as he approaches 39. [Read more 🡒]