NHL Free Agency 2026: Sharks Lead a Wild Day 1

Sport

By lines

July 2, 2026

NHL free agency 2026 opened July 1 with a spending frenzy. The San Jose Sharks made the loudest noise on Day 1. San Jose added two defensemen and a top-six forward within hours. The Sharks reshaped their blue line in a single afternoon.

San Jose Sharks Reshape Their Roster in Hours

The San Jose Sharks signed Jacob Trouba to a 4-year, $33 million contract. Trouba left the Anaheim Ducks after two seasons with Anaheim. The Trouba deal carries an $8.25 million average annual value. San Jose also acquired defenseman Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers. The Sharks then signed forward Mason Marchment to a 5-year contract.

Darnell Nurse carries a $9.25 million average annual value through four more seasons. The Edmonton Oilers retained no salary in the Nurse trade to San Jose. Trouba and Nurse will cost the Sharks $17.5 million combined per season. Mason Marchment signed for $6.75 million annually across five seasons. San Jose committed over $66 million in new free-agent contracts.

Goaltending drove the rest of NHL free agency on July 1. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Sergei Bobrovsky to a 3-year, $21 million contract. Bobrovsky owns two Stanley Cups and two Vezina Trophies at age 37. The Bobrovsky deal pays a $7 million average annual value. The Edmonton Oilers added goalie Frederik Andersen on a 1-year, $2.8 million deal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goalie Dennis Hildeby and two picks to Tampa Bay. Toronto received forward Nick Paul in the Tampa Bay Lightning deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning also signed defenseman John Carlson in free agency. Frederik Andersen’s Edmonton contract includes performance bonuses. Andersen reached the Stanley Cup Final with Carolina last season.

The San Jose Sharks entered NHL free agency with ample salary-cap space. San Jose used that room to add three veterans on Day 1. Trouba and Nurse give the Sharks a physical, experienced defense corps. Mason Marchment adds scoring depth to the San Jose forward group. The Marchment signing reunites him with the franchise his late father served.

The San Jose Sharks now build around a $17.5 million defense pairing. Jacob Trouba brings former New York Rangers captaincy and physical play to San Jose. The Toronto Maple Leafs will lean on Bobrovsky’s two-Vezina pedigree in 2026-27. Sergei Bobrovsky gives Toronto a proven playoff goalie. NHL free agency continues as teams chase remaining salary-cap space.