We have news, notes, interviews and much more on NHL Free Agency Day 2026
Today is NHL Free Agency Day. Check back regularly as we will have updates throughout the day with any potential Devils signings or trades.
New Signings from Other Teams
F Riley Tufte – Signed, 1 year, $850K
D Vladislav Kolyachonok – Signed, 1 year, $850K
Devils Internal Signings
F Arseny Gritsyuk – Signed, 3 years, $3.25M AAV
C Nico Hischier – Signed, 5 years, $11.7M AAV
G Nico Daws – Signed, 2 years, $1.1M AAV
F Marc McLaughlin – Signed, 1 year, two-way
F Xavier Parent – Signed, 1 year, two-way
Group 2 / Restricted Free Agents
F Amadeus Lombardi
G Jakub Malek
F Ben Steeves
D Topias Vilen
Not Qualified / Unrestricted Free Agents
D Calen Addison
G Tyler Brennan
F Paul Cotter – Signed with Vancouver
F Dylan Wendt
Group 3 / Unrestricted Free Agents
D Dennis Cholowski
F Evgenii Dadonov
F Mike Hardman
F Brian Halonen
F Zack MacEwen – Signed with Toronto
F Ryan Schmelzer
D Colton White
Group 6 / Unrestricted Free Agents
F Jonathan Gruden
F Nathan Légaré
READ MORE
Nico Hischier has always made it clear that New Jersey means more to him than just the place he plays.
Now, the Devils captain has committed to keeping it that way.
The New Jersey Devils announced Tuesday that Hischier has agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension worth $58.5 million, carrying an average annual value of $11.7 million. The deal begins with the 2027-28 season and keeps one of the franchise’s foundational players in New Jersey long term.
“Jersey’s been home for me,” Hischier said after the deal was announced. “I’m super excited that we got to an agreement here, and now we’ll get back to work.”
Hischier, 27, is coming off another strong season with the Devils. He appeared in all 82 games, recording 66 points with 28 goals and 38 assists. His 28 goals led New Jersey, while his 1,008 faceoff wins led the NHL and set a Devils franchise record for most faceoff wins in a single season.
Devils captain Nico Hischier talks about signing a new five-year contract extension.
But for Hischier, the decision to stay was about more than numbers. Since being drafted first overall by the Devils in 2017, he has become one of the faces of the franchise and, since 2021, its captain.
“I was always interested in coming back,” Hischier said. “I want to be part of the solution and not a runaway. That was very important for me.”
That message was consistent throughout Hischier’s media availability. He spoke about his belief in the organization, the importance of showing his teammates he wants to be in New Jersey, and the unfinished business he feels remains.
“It was important to show my teammates that I want to be a New Jersey Devil,” Hischier said. “I want to turn the ship around here and I don’t want to leave.”
Hischier already ranks among the top players in Devils history, entering the 2026-27 season with 199 career goals and 488 career points. His 199 goals rank fifth in franchise history, while his 488 points rank sixth.
Still, his focus remains on what comes next.
“My biggest goal is winning a Cup with New Jersey, and that hasn’t changed,” Hischier said. “My biggest goal was always winning a Cup with the team that drafts me.”
Nico Hischier goes 1-on-1 with Amanda Stein after agreeing to terms on a five-year extension.
The Devils made one of the more interesting moves of free agency, signing Utah restricted free agent Barrett Hayton to a one-year offer sheet.
Now, the decision shifts to Utah.
Hayton signed a one-year deal worth $4.775 million, putting Utah in position to either match the contract and keep him, or decline and receive draft-pick compensation from New Jersey. They have seven days to match.
For the Devils, it’s a calculated swing at a player who fits a clear need. Hayton is 26 years old, can play center or wing, and gives New Jersey another forward with size, versatility and experience. He was originally selected fifth overall by Arizona in the 2018 NHL Draft and has spent his entire NHL career with the Coyotes/Utah.
Hayton’s best offensive season came in 2024-25, when he scored 20 goals and finished with 46 points. Last season, he had 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games.
The one-year term is what makes this especially interesting. It gives the Devils a chance to add a useful middle-six forward without a long-term commitment, while also putting Utah in a position where they can’t trade the player for a year due to the offer sheet, potentially walking him to unrestricted free agency next summer.
Evan Rodrigues speaks to the media after being acquired by the Devils in a trade.
Evan Rodrigues didn’t need much time to see the opportunity in New Jersey.
The veteran forward was acquired by the Devils on Monday as part of the trade that sent Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank to the Florida Panthers, with New Jersey receiving Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves in return. Rodrigues joins the Devils after two Stanley Cup-winning seasons in Florida and brings a blend of experience, versatility and playoff-tested habits to New Jersey’s forward group.
“I think it was excitement,” Rodrigues said of learning he had been traded to New Jersey. “This is a group that has a lot of guys right in their prime and a group that could be very dangerous and very scary for opponents to play against.”
Rodrigues, 32, posted 31 points with 11 goals and 20 assists in 69 games for Florida last season. He has played 616 career regular-season NHL games with Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Colorado and Florida, totaling 270 points, and has added 41 points in 61 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
What he hopes to bring to New Jersey is straightforward.
“Just a guy who brings it every night and can play anywhere in the lineup and can play power play and penalty kill,” Rodrigues said. “I just hope to bring that work ethic, that leadership to this group and just contribute in any way I can.”
That championship experience could be particularly valuable for a Devils team looking to take a step forward. Rodrigues said the biggest lessons from Florida centered on consistency, buy-in and daily habits.
“When everyone’s on the same page and buying into the plan, it’s easy to get things rolling and keep things rolling,” he said. “There can’t be any days off.”
Rodrigues also believes his game should fit well with the Devils’ identity.
“They play a fast, up-tempo style of game,” he said. “It’s quick. It’s in your face, and it’s something that can put teams on their heels and really wear teams down.”
Rodrigues has familiarity with new Devils GM Sunny Mehta from their time in Florida, and said that relationship should help ease the transition. He also has existing connections in the Devils room, including Dougie Hamilton, Connor Brown and Stefan Noesen whom he all played with or against growing up.
“When Sunny called, he mentioned that he wanted me and wanted me to be part of this team,” Rodrigues said. “It’s always a nice feeling as a player when somebody wants you and goes out of their way to get you. So, I’ll look to prove him right and show this city what I can do.”
Newly acquired Devils player Evan Rodrigues goes one-on-one with NJD.TV reporter Amanda Stein.
Jesper Boqvist is back where his NHL career began, and he is bringing something new with him.
The New Jersey Devils acquired Boqvist from the Florida Panthers on Monday, along with Evan Rodrigues and Ben Steeves, in exchange for Jacob Markstrom and Angus Crookshank. Boqvist returns to New Jersey after spending the past two seasons in Florida, where he was part of the Panthers’ 2025 Stanley Cup championship team.
“Obviously, happy it was Jersey,” Boqvist said of learning he had been traded. “Excited to be back.”
Boqvist, 27, was originally selected by the Devils in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. He played four seasons with New Jersey from 2019-20 through 2022-23, recording 55 points with 28 goals and 27 assists in 189 regular-season games. He has played 387 career NHL games, totaling 105 points.
His time away from New Jersey, however, helped round out his game. Boqvist said fans may notice “a little bit of everything” has improved, especially after playing in Florida’s heavier, championship-style environment.
Jesper Boqvist speaks to the media after being traded back to the Devils.
“Playing in Florida for two years, a little bit more physical game than I’ve been playing before,” Boqvist said. “Maybe that’s something extra that I will bring with me.”
The experience of playing deep into the playoffs is also something Boqvist believes he can carry back into the Devils’ locker room.
“Playing those big, high-pressure games, you learn a lot from that,” he said. “Keep that patience in the game, trust what you do, trust what you can do.”
Boqvist returns to a Devils team that still includes familiar faces, including Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes and several others from his first stint with the organization. From afar, he said he saw a group that continued to grow.
“They’ve been growing a lot and how they can dominate games,” Boqvist said. “They’re so hard to play against, and so I’m happy to be back on the same side as them.”
He was especially happy to see Hischier commit long term to New Jersey with his new contract extension.
“So happy for him,” Boqvist said. “Couldn’t have happened to a better person, for sure.”
Boqvist also comes back alongside Rodrigues, his former Panthers teammate. He described Rodrigues as a smart, versatile player who can fit almost anywhere in a lineup.
“He could play with anyone,” Boqvist said. “He was such an important piece in Florida, and I’m sure he will be that in Jersey as well.”
For Boqvist, the return is both familiar and different. He knows the organization, knows many of the people, and now knows what it takes to win.
“Winning is hard,” Boqvist said. “It’s a grind, and you have to stick with it and work through it.”
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