The biggest headline out of the NHL’s latest wave of moves came in Detroit, where Steve Yzerman is stepping out of the general manager chair.
Frank Seravalli reported that the Red Wings announced this morning that Yzerman is moving into an advisor role and will no longer serve as their GM. Owner Chris Illitch will now look both inside and outside the organization for the next person to run the hockey operations side.
New Jersey also made a notable move, locking up Anthony Mantha on a two-year deal with a $4.75 million cap hit. Jim Biringer reported the signing, and Mantha’s production last season helps explain the interest: 33 goals and 31 assists. Puck Pedia laid out the salary structure as well, with Mantha set to earn $1 million in salary and a $4.4 million signing bonus in 2026-27, followed by $1 million in salary and a $3.1 million signing bonus in 2027-28.
The Devils’ roster picture still comes with a familiar warning sign, though: New Jersey needs Jack Hughes to stay healthy.
Pittsburgh also got in on the action by re-signing Nicholas Robertson. Puck Pedia reported the Penguins gave the restricted free agent forward a two-year contract carrying a $3.25 million cap hit.
Robertson will make $3.25 million in each season of the deal, and he’ll remain an RFA when it expires, with one year left before UFA status. His qualifying offer will be $3.25 million.
A few teams continued to move quickly on their 2026 draft picks. Winnipeg signed 2026 first-rounder Viggo Bjorck, taken eighth overall, to a three-year entry-level contract.
Puck Pedia reported the deal carries a $1.075 million cap hit and a $2.075 million AAV. The breakdown includes NHL salary, signing bonus, A’ performance bonuses, and minor-league money in each year of the contract.
The Islanders followed by signing their own 2026 first-round pick, defenseman Malte Gustafsson, who went 13th overall. Washington then announced a three-year entry-level deal for 2026 first-round pick Oliver Suvanto, the 18th overall selection. The Capitals said he is expected to be loaned to Tappara of Liiga (Finland-1) for next season, and the contract carries a $1.075 AAV with $85,000 in the AHL.
Minnesota added another young player to the fold as well, signing 2026 fifth-round pick Filip Ruzicka, a goaltender taken 137th overall, to a three-year entry-level deal. Puck Pedia reported the contract comes with a $987,500 cap hit and AAV, along with yearly salary and signing-bonus figures that rise over the life of the deal.
There’s still arbitration business to sort out across the league, too. Puck Pedia noted that 15 players filed for salary arbitration, with four already re-signing. The remaining dates on the calendar include Jamie Drysdale and Cole Perfetti on Monday, July 20; Trevor Zegras on Wednesday, July 22; Jet Greaves on Thursday, July 23; Connor McMichael and Jason Robertson on Saturday, July 25; Cole Sillinger on Monday, July 27; Ronan Seeley on Wednesday, July 29; Alex Jefferies and Kirby Dach on Thursday, July 30; and Akira Schmid on Saturday, August 1.
In Other News...
Penguins Could Have Another Ducks Deal Fans Will Definitely Debate
The Penguins have made a habit of turning salary-cap room into future assets, and that approach has become one of the more recognizable parts of Kyle Dubas roster-building playbook. Instead of sitting on unused space, Pittsburgh has been willing to help other clubs solve their cap problems if it means adding draft capital, even when the deal is more about bookkeeping than immediate help on the ice.
Anaheim now looks like the kind of team that could fit that pattern, with enough pressure on its books to at least make the idea worth discussing. If the Ducks decide they need relief, Pittsburgh could be the kind of partner that takes on a contract and asks for a sweetener in return, and the debate for Penguins fans would be whether another future pick is worth absorbing that kind of money. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins May Have Found A Goalie Prospect Worth Watching Closely
The Penguins added a goalie prospect worth a closer look in Matvei Nikonovich, the Minsk-born netminder they took in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. At 160th overall, he was not the kind of pick that turns heads immediately, but his recent work in the Rus-MHL with Tolyatti Ladia gave the organization a reason to pay attention.
Nikonovichs numbers last season were strong enough to stand out, and his development now comes with a layer of uncertainty because of what happens next in Russia. He could remain overseas for a while before the Penguins even begin thinking about bringing him to their North American pipeline, which makes him one of those late-round goalie bets that can take patience before the payoff comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins May Have Found A Trade Fit For Life After Crosby And Malkin
As the Penguins keep sorting out what life will look like after Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, one recent trade idea points them toward a younger center with some offensive upside. A Daily Faceoff piece from Mike Gould named Pittsburgh as a possible destination for a Seattle forward who could help bridge that gap, the kind of move that would fit a team trying to stay competitive while also thinking a step ahead.
The appeal is obvious enough: the Penguins need more long-term help down the middle, and this player has already shown he can contribute at the NHL level. He put up 12 goals and 27 points in 74 games last season, and after a stronger scoring year before that, he looks like the sort of upside swing that could make sense for a club trying to balance the present with whatever comes next. [Read more 🡒]