Leafs sign Bobrovsky as NHL free agency opens

Sergei Bobrovsky twice broke the hearts of his new staff.

The Maple Leafs are hoping the veteran goaltender will now assist get their tortured franchise again on monitor.

Toronto signed the two-time Stanley Cup winner to a three-year contract value a reported US$21 million as NHL free company opened Wednesday.

“Sergei’s an actual game-changer for us by way of the soundness, the consistency, the sturdiness,” Maple Leafs common supervisor John Chayka mentioned of the two-time Vezina Trophy winner because the league’s prime netminder on a video convention name with reporters. “The resume speaks for itself — probably finally ends up being the most effective in that place of all time.

“We really feel prefer it was the precise participant on the proper time, not simply on the ice, however actually off the ice. The mentorship, the professionalism, the championship pedigree. We thought of it in any respect totally different angles.”

Bobrovsky, who eradicated the Maple Leafs from the 2023 and 2025 playoffs as a member of the Panthers, however is coming off a down season statistically, hit the open market at 12 p.m. ET. He’ll accomplice with Anthony Stolarz after the pair hoisted hockey’s holy grail in tandem with Florida two years in the past.

House owners of the league’s longest title drought, Toronto missed the post-season for the primary time in a decade to cap a depressing 2025-26, however beat the draft lottery odds and chosen winger Gavin McKenna with the primary total choose.

The Maple Leafs then added Bobrovsky — together with 4 depth forwards in Colton Sissons (two years for a reported $8.5 million), Jack Roslovic (two years for a reported $8 million), Teddy Blueger (two years for a reported $5 million) and Zack MacEwen (two years for a reported $1.75 million) — through free company on Canada Day.

Chayka, who was employed in Could, continued his roster renovation by dealing Dennis Hildeby from a crowded crease together with third- and fourth-round picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning for centre Nick Paul after transport winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-rounder.

“A participant of Sergei Bobrovsky’s calibre sends a message that we’re critical about shifting this staff forward and getting again on monitor and making an attempt to take it to a different stage,” mentioned Chayka, who trumpeted all of the day’s strikes after additionally just lately bringing defenceman Darren Raddysh into the fold. “In case you take a look at the total image, we’re a way more dynamic staff in the present day than we have been 24 hours in the past.”

Shortly earlier than the 37-year-old Bobrovsky pivoted to a brand new chapter in Toronto alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander, a fellow Russian dedicated long-term to a different Authentic Six franchise.

The Canadiens inked 20-year-old ahead Ivan Demidov to a $73.2-million contract extension via 2034-35 that kicks in after subsequent season as Montreal locked up one other key piece of its peach-fuzzed core.

“I’m blissful to be right here,” Demidov advised reporters in Brossard, Que. “I can’t wait to play extra video games for this jersey.”

Edmonton freed up a boatload of cash by buying and selling Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks for fellow blueliners Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp in a swap that didn’t embody any greenback retention.

Oilers GM Stan Bowman used that flexibility to signal three new gamers: goaltender Frederik Andersen, defenceman Ryan Shea and ahead Mathieu Joseph to enhance Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s supporting forged.

Andersen, recent off of a Stanley Cup victory with the Carolina Hurricanes, agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal. Shea signed a five-year, $20-million contract and Joseph inked a one-year, $1 million deal.

Edmonton additionally re-signed winger Kasperi Kapanen for one 12 months at $2.6 million.

The Sharks constructed on a terrific draft by getting larger in free company by including blueliner Jacob Trouba (4 years, $33 million) and ahead Mason Marchment (5 years, $33.75 million).

The Vegas Golden Knights re-signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Rasmus Andersson to a reported seven-year, $59.5-million contract.

The Utah Mammoth acquired centre Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers for blueliner Sean Durzi, prospect Cole Beaudoin and a third-round choose.

The Rangers then acquired defenceman Marcus Petterson from Vancouver for a conditional first-rounder.

The Canucks additionally introduced again defenceman Luke Schenn (one 12 months, $2.25 million) and grabbed ahead Paul Cotter (one 12 months, $2.15 million). The Ottawa Senators re-signed pending UFA ahead Nick Cousins (two years, $3.175 million) and goaltender Samuel Ersson (two years, $4.4 million).

The Winnipeg Jets acquired goaltender Stuart Skinner on a two-year, $7.5-million pact with the way forward for Connor Hellebuyck up within the air. Later Wednesday, Winnipeg signed defenceman Mario Ferraro on a three-year contract with a median annual worth of $4 million.

Gamers eligible to signal extensions July 1 — like Demidov in Montreal — additionally cashed in.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenceman Bowen Byram to a contract value $75 million over six years that begins in 2027-28 after a current commerce with the Buffalo Sabres.

The New Jersey Devils agreed to a five-year, $58.5-million cope with captain Nico Hischier and the Panthers inked ahead Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year deal value a reported $40 million. The Philadelphia Flyers, in the meantime, locked up ahead Tyson Foerster (eight years, $56.8 million) and goaltender Dan Vladar (5 years, $27.5-million).

The Washington Capitals signed UFA centre Boone Jenner (4 years, $23 million) and defenceman Vincent Desharnais (4 years, $16.8 million).

The Dallas Stars traded restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque and blueliner Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators for second- and third-round picks.

The Los Angeles Kings signed ahead Erik Haula (two years, $7.2 million), the Lightning added winger Ilya Mikheyev (4 years, $15.5 million) and the Seattle Kraken saved RFA ahead Mackie Samoskevich (three years, $11.55 million).

The St. Louis Blues got here to phrases on a one-year, $850,000 contract with Dillon Dube after he performed for the membership’s American Hockey League affiliate in 2025-26. The centre was amongst 5 members of Canada’s 2018 world junior staff acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault trial final summer season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed July 1, 2026.