Signing - Hockey Wiretap

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini becomes eligible to sign a contract extension July 1, and the expectation is the franchise will move without delay if both sides are aligned on terms, making it one of the most significant negotiations in club history.

Celebrini finished his second NHL season with 45 goals and 70 assists, solidifying his place as one of the best young stars in the league.

The timing of the extension carries added weight because this is the final offseason before a new collective bargaining agreement alters maximum extension lengths. Celebrini can sign an eight-year deal if it is registered before September 15. With NHL contracts capped at 20% of the salary cap, San Jose could offer eight years at $20.8 million annually, totaling $166.4 million, which would surpass Kirill Kaprizov's $136 million deal signed last offseason. Additional incentives such as a maximum signing bonus structure and a no-movement clause are also available tools.

Celebrini wearing a captain's "C" next season is considered a near certainty.

Whether San Jose pursues the maximum figure, and whether Celebrini is willing to commit to that length as a 20-year-old in a rapidly shifting salary cap environment, remains an open question for both sides to work through.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed franchise cornerstone Evgeni Malkin to a one-year contract carrying a $5.5 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season, the team announced Tuesday, ensuring the veteran forward will spend his entire NHL career in Pittsburgh.

The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and $2.5 million in base salary, with performance bonuses that could push the total value to $9 million. Incentives include $500,000 for a games-played threshold, $1 million for a playoff berth, and $500,000 per postseason round won. The contract also carries a full no-movement clause.

Malkin's return follows a strong bounce-back campaign in which he recorded 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games while shifting from center to right wing. The resurgence reversed the position of general manager Kyle Dubas, who had previously shown no interest in retaining Malkin entering last season.

The 2026-27 campaign will mark Malkin's 21st season with Pittsburgh, trailing only Sidney Crosby's 22 years with the franchise. Malkin, who turns 40 on July 31, developed notable chemistry with 25-year-old Russian forward Egor Chinakhov and helped guide Pittsburgh back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Crosby had openly pushed for Malkin's return throughout the offseason.

"I think everybody knows how I feel about Geno," said Crosby.

Teammate Jordan Staal echoed that sentiment.

"You never know the way the game is going to work out and you never forget that it's a business," said Staal. "But, to be honest with you, I can't really imagine Geno not being a member of the Penguins. It just wouldn't feel right."

Malkin ranks among the club's elite all-time players alongside Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Crosby. Across 20 NHL seasons, he has accumulated 533 goals and 1,407 points, three Stanley Cup championships, and the 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy.

The Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million.

General manager Chris Patrick announced the deal Wednesday. Liljegren will count $3.25 million against the salary cap next season and in 2027-28.

Invigorated after transforming the Sabres into contenders in his second coaching stint in Buffalo, Lindy Ruff sees no reason why he'd stop now.

With the full backing of team management, and his wife Gaye's blessing, the 66-year-old Ruff is staying put after signing a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Ruff's only regret was addressing reporters during a season-ending news conference rather than preparing for the Eastern Conference Finals. Buffalo was eliminated Monday, with a 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal in Game 7 of a second-round series.

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed veteran center Charlie Coyle to a six-year, $36 million contract Tuesday, securing one of their primary offseason targets before he could reach unrestricted free agency July 1. The deal carries a $6 million annual cap hit.

Coyle, 34, will be 40 when the contract expires. The agreement includes a full no-move clause for the first four seasons. Despite his age, durability has not been a concern, as Coyle has not missed a game in more than five seasons.

In 82 games with Columbus last season, Coyle recorded 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points, posting a plus-3 rating with just 14 penalty minutes while regularly facing opposing top lines.

"Charlie made a tremendous impact on and off the ice for us last season and keeping him in Columbus was a priority," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He is the definition of a true pro, and a durable, reliable, productive right-shot center whose leadership, character and consistency are extremely valuable in this league."

Columbus acquired Coyle last summer via trade with the Colorado Avalanche. His retention strengthens a center corps that now includes Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger, giving the Blue Jackets their deepest group of pivots in franchise history.

The New Jersey Devils have hired Braden Birch as an assistant general manager, the first front-office addition by Sunny Mehta since taking over as the team's head of hockey operations.

Mehta, who was named GM last month, announced the hire Monday. He and Birch worked together with the Florida Panthers and were part of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year extension worth an average annual value of $1.85 million through the 2027-28 season.

The Hurricanes announced the deal Monday, two days after they became the first team to sweep through the first two rounds of the NHL playoffs since the league went to best-of-seven series in all four rounds in 1987. 

The St. Louis Blues secured one of their top young forwards Friday, agreeing to a five-year contract extension with Dylan Holloway worth $38.75 million, according to a team source who spoke with The Athletic. The deal carries an average annual value of $7.75 million and begins with the 2026-27 season.

Holloway, 24, was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and held arbitration rights. The extension keeps him off the open market and anchors a Blues roster undergoing a broader retool.

In 59 games last season, Holloway recorded 22 goals and 51 points. Since arriving from the Edmonton Oilers via offer sheet, he has posted 48 goals and 114 points in 136 games. He was originally selected 14th overall by Edmonton in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Holloway's strongest stretch came after the Olympics, when he tallied 14 goals and 34 points in the final 25 games alongside Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud. He finished that span as an NHL-best plus-26.

Injury durability remains a consideration. Holloway missed significant time over the past two seasons with a torn oblique and a high-ankle sprain. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong acknowledged the health concern at his end-of-season media availability.

At $7.75 million annually, the deal is considered favorable for St. Louis. Holloway's projected market value based on on-ice metrics runs closer to $12.4 million per year. His expiring salary stood at $2.29 million.

With Holloway's extension complete, the Blues will shift focus toward potential trades ahead of the June 26-27 NHL Draft and July 1 free agency period. Players who could be available include Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Binnington, and Colton Parayko.

Forward Vitali Pinchuk, who was third in the KHL in goals, has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators for the 2026-27 season.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced the signing Monday. Pinchuk, 24, had 31 goals and 66 points for Dinamo Minsk in the KHL.

General manager Pat Verbeek has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks.

Mike Stapleton has also received a promotion to senior vice president and associate general manager, the Ducks announced Friday.