The NHL offseason is moving away from the fireworks and big names and settling into extension talks and refreshed trade boards. 

For the Bruins, Pavel Zacha is one of the players due for an extension. His contract expires at the end of this coming season, and he has been eligible for a new deal since July 1. Don Sweeney wants to keep him in Boston. He has taken calls on Zacha but reiterated how important the Czech center is to the team. 

Also happening in Boston… well, now Boston. The Fleet are moving to BU.

Elsewhere around the NHL, Simon Nemec signed a long-term deal in Calgary, and Claude Giroux is re-upping in Ottawa. The Flyers might have to turn to an old friend (foe) to help them sign Leo Carlsson, and trade boards continue to shift. 

Zacha is not the only one in extension talks; other teams are working on their own. Chicago has to extend Connor Bedard, and Joe Sakic is getting to work on new deals for two of his key players. 

Happy Tuesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

ZACHA: Elliotte Friedman called Pavel Zacha’s extension “one of the most fascinating things that’s going to happen this offseason.” Teams have checked in, but Don Sweeney said his goal is to extend the 29-year-old. With the limited market, that may be the Bruins’ best bet.

He’s not the 1C Cam Neely is looking for, but he is the Bruins’ best option down the middle.

Boston Fleet

Lydia Murray (via 𝕏): The Boston Fleet are reportedly moving to Boston. They are moving out of Tsongas Center and packing their bags for Agganis Arena on Commonwealth Ave. 

Hearing from multiple sources that the Boston Fleet will be switching primary venues next season, leaving Lowell’s Tsongas Center for Boston University’s Agganis Arena.

The Fleet have played six games at Agganis over the past two seasons, selling out 4 of the 6.

— Lydia Murray (@lydia_murray12) July 7, 2026

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Simon Nemec inked a five-year deal with the Calgary Flames yesterday. His contract will carry a $7.25 million cap hit. The Flames acquired the 22-year-old for two conditional firsts, a second, and a prospect. 

Sportsnet: Claude Giroux is returning to Ottawa. The 38-year-old center has spent the last four seasons close to home, and he is staying there for Year 5. He finished last season with 49 points (14-35–49) and a plus-20 rating. 

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers have always loved Cutter Gauthier, right? Well, he may be the reason they land Leo Carlsson. The Flyers pinched the Ducks for cap space with the offer sheet, and after the Mintyukov extension, they have just under $10 million in cap space and need to sign Gauthier. Will James has more on how the Philly fan-favorite can help the Flyers land their 1C. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The landscape is changing, and a lot of trade boards are being reset, including Pittsburgh’s. Dan Kingerski dove into which names may be on the Penguins’ radar, from stars to last-chance rescues. 

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche are working on a Cale Makar extension, but they are also looking to keep Artturi Lehkonen on board. They cleared salary this summer, but moving Nichushkin out made it clear where Lehkonen stands in their future plans. Aarif Deen has more on Colorado’s looming extension. 

Chicago Hockey Now: There is no update on Connor Bedard’s shoulder injury, but he also has not signed a deal with Chicago and is eligible to accept an offer sheet. Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli are also due for new deals this summer, and whichever signs first was set to shape the market. Jack Bushman has more on the impact that Carlsson’s offer sheet has on Bedard and Chicago.  

Detroit Hockey Now: Patrick Kane still has not signed anywhere, but neither have most of the Red Wings’ UFAs. Max Smith looks at which Red Wings, most on the back nine of their careers, have not signed with a new team. 

PuckPedia: For the full list of available free agents, click here. 

Bruins Offseason Schedule

Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA

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