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...
Jets Just Made A Major Cole Perfetti Decision
Cole Perfettis long-term future in Winnipeg is now settled, and it comes after the young forward put together the best season of his NHL career. The 24-year-old has spent five seasons with the Jets, and his growth was on display in 2024-25 as he reached new personal highs in points and assists while handling a bigger role than before.
For the Jets, the move keeps a homegrown skill player in the fold at a time when theyve been looking to build around their emerging core. Perfetti has already shown he can contribute on a bigger stage, too, adding to his rsum with international success for Canada, and Winnipeg is betting that his next chapter will bring even more production and responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Goalie Chase Just Took A Twist Fans Wont Ignore
The Jets locked up Cole Perfetti on a five-year deal and avoided arbitration, a tidy piece of business for a club that has spent plenty of time this summer dealing with bigger-picture uncertainty. Perfetti gives Winnipeg a young core piece to build around, and the move at least settles one important roster question while the rest of the offseason chatter keeps swirling.
Ryan McLeods name has surfaced in the ongoing speculation around Connor Hellebuyck, adding another layer to a situation that already has plenty of moving parts. For Jets fans, the interesting wrinkle is that Perfetti and McLeod know each other well from their days together with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, which makes the rumor mill feel a little more connected than usual even as the larger question remains unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Added A Right Shot Defender Fans Should Watch Closely
Jack St. Ivany is the latest right-shot defenseman to land on Winnipegs radar, and the move gives the Jets another young option to sort through as training camp approaches. He arrived with some offensive promise after splitting last season between Pittsburgh and its AHL affiliate, which is enough to make him worth a closer look for a club that is always weighing depth and fit on the back end.
The catch is that nothing is being handed to him. St. Ivany will have to earn his place on the right side, where a third-pairing job or even the seventh-defenseman role is up for grabs, and the Jets will want to see steady play from him before they commit. His camp performance will matter, because the path to the roster depends on consistency as much as upside. [Read more 🡒]