Devils Free Agency 2026 Live Blog
Welcome to the New Jersey Devils 2026 Free Agency live blog. We’ll track every signing and major move in real time with analysis. All times ET. Refresh for latest updates.
What We Know So Far
Arseny Gritsyuk Extension: The Devils signed restricted free agent winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a 3-year, $9.75 million bridge deal (AAV $3.25M). Salaries: $2.25M (2026-27), $2.75M (2027-28), $4.75M (2028-29).
Jacob Markstrom Trade: New Jersey traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom and winger Angus Crookshank to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Evan Rodrigues ($3.075M AAV, 1 year left), Jesper Boqvist ($1.5M AAV, 1 year left), and prospect Ben Steeves. No salary retained on Markstrom.
July 1, 2026 – 12:00 PM ET
Free Agency window opens
The 2026 NHL Free Agency window officially opens at noon. The Devils are expected to be active today.
11:13 AM ET
Nico Hischier Extension: Devils captain signed a 5-year contract extension with an AAV of $11.7 million. The new deal begins July 1, 2027. Hischier has one year remaining on his current contract ($7.25M cap hit for 2026-27).
1:21 PM ET
Paul Cotter Signs in Vancouver: The Canucks ink ex-Devils forward Paul Cotter to a one-year deal worth $2.15 million.
2:11 PM ET
Vladislav Kolyachonok Signs with Devils: 25-year-old puck-moving defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok signs a one-year contract with an $850K cap hit. It’s a one-way contract.
2:52 PM ET
Riley Tufte Signs with Devils: 28-year-old winger and former first round selection by the Dallas Stars, Riley Tufte, signs a one-year contract with an $850K cap hit. It’s a one-way contract. Tufte scored 32 goals, 56 points in 64 games for Providence Bruins last season.
3:00 PM ET
Nico Daws Resigns a Multi-Year Extension: Nico Daws signs a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,100,000. $975,000 in 2026-27 & $1,225,000 in 2027-28.
4:31 PM ET
Marc McLoughlin & Xavier Parent Re-Sign: Marc McLaughlin extends with the Devils on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850K at the NHL level and $350K at the AHL level. Xavier Parent similarly extends on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850K at the NHL level and $175K at the AHL level.
6:37 PM ET
Devils Offer Sheet Barrett Hayton: The Devils have tendered an offer sheet to Barrett Hayton, a center with the Utah Mammoth. The one-year offer comes in at $4,775,000. The Mammoth have seven days to match the offer or take New Jersey’s second round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
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