Anthony Mantha lands with Devils as NHL free agency rolls on
ESPN’s tracker lists Anthony Mantha’s Devils deal as the latest move in a busy 2026 NHL offseason.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Anthony Mantha is headed to New Jersey on a two-year contract carrying a $4.75 million average annual value, according to ESPN’s 2026 NHL free agency tracker.
The veteran right wing’s agreement with the Devils was listed July 15, making it the latest entry in a signing rush that has stretched across the league after the Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup since 2006.
ESPN reported that the offseason has already featured a run of trades, with more movement discussed around the league. The 2026 NHL draft also put 224 players with teams, including No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna landing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to ESPN.
Restricted free agents cash in
Several restricted free agents have been locked up in recent days. ESPN listed winger Nicholas Robertson as signing a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins worth $3.25 million per year on July 14.
A day earlier, the New York Rangers reached a one-year, $5.5 million agreement with defenseman Braden Schneider, while the Buffalo Sabres settled their arbitration case with forward Peyton Krebs on a four-year pact at $4.5 million annually, according to ESPN.
The Edmonton Oilers also kept forward Colton Dach on a two-year deal worth $1.2 million per year, and later added restricted free agent defenseman Owen Michaels on a two-year, $900,000 annual deal, ESPN reported.
Offer sheets get snuffed out
Two offer-sheet swings have failed so far this offseason, according to ESPN. The Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, which carried an $18 million average annual value.
The Utah Mammoth also matched the offer sheet Barrett Hayton signed with the Devils. ESPN listed Hayton’s contract with Utah as a one-year deal worth $4.775 million.
Anaheim made another notable move by signing defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a five-year contract with a $7.2 million average annual value, according to ESPN.
Veterans stick around
Alex Ovechkin will return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year, $4.25 million contract, ESPN reported. The deal sets up another season in Washington for the Capitals star.
Claude Giroux is also staying put. ESPN listed the veteran forward as agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Ottawa Senators.
Dallas captain Jamie Benn is returning for another season with the Stars on a one-year contract with an $850,000 base salary and incentives that can take the deal up to $2 million, according to ESPN.
Other veteran moves listed by ESPN include Oskar Sundqvist signing a one-year, $850,000 contract with the St. Louis Blues, Jacob MacDonald joining the Capitals for one year at $850,000, and Christian Wolanin signing a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
More moves from the board
- Simon Nemec signed a five-year, $7.25 million average annual value contract with the Calgary Flames after being acquired in a trade, according to ESPN.
- Mavrik Bourque signed a six-year deal with the Nashville Predators at $5.5 million per year after being acquired in a trade, ESPN reported.
- Jakub Dobes re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens for three years at $5.36 million annually, according to ESPN.
- The Maple Leafs announced McKenna’s first NHL deal and also signed Samuel Hlavaj, Henrik Rybinski, Vinni Lettieri and Cole McWard, ESPN reported.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.