Big Stars, Big Headlines: The NHL Offseason Moves That Are Reshaping the League

Between record-setting offer sheets, franchise-altering extensions, and a legend's latest comeback, the 2026 NHL offseason delivered no shortage of headlines heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

The Offer Sheet That Shook Anaheim

On July 3, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Ducks center Leo Carlsson to a five-year offer sheet worth $18 million average annual value. Anaheim matched on July 9, but the move left them with just $9.03 million in cap space — and complicated their efforts to re-sign winger Cutter Gauthier, who led the team with 41 goals and 69 points last season. Gauthier reportedly turned down a four-year, $13 million AAV offer before ultimately signing a six-year, $81 million extension on September 16, worth an average of $13.5 million per year.

Patrick Kane Is Back in Chicago

One of the most nostalgic storylines of camp: Patrick Kane made his preseason debut for the Blackhawks against St. Louis in his second stint with the Original Six franchise, after signing a two-year, $16 million contract back on July 23. Chicago is reportedly eyeing a special home-debut moment for Kane on October 6, also against St. Louis.

Big Ink for Rising Names

Extensions have been flying around the league all month. Washington locked up Justin Sourdif on an eight-year, $50.8 million deal, Dallas re-signed Sam Steel for four years and $14.8 million, and Montreal made a major statement by signing head coach Martin St. Louis to a long-term extension through the 2029-30 season as the Canadiens continue building out of their rebuild.

A Reduced Preseason, By Design

Perhaps the biggest structural story of the offseason isn't about any one player — it's the new NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which shortened the preseason to make room for an expanded 84-game regular season, the first time the league has played that many games since 1993-94. It's a fundamental shift in the league calendar, and it's already changing how teams approach training camp.

As the final roster decisions get made this week, expect even more news before the opening night tripleheader on September 29.