The latest NHL news for July 7, 2026, is being driven by one confirmed long-term contract, one important veteran signing and a looming decision that could reshape the Anaheim Ducks.
The Calgary Flames have officially committed to Simon Nemec with a five-year, $36.25 million contract carrying a $7.25 million average annual value. Meanwhile, Claude Giroux has decided to remain with the Ottawa Senators after exploring the open market and being linked to a possible reunion with the Philadelphia Flyers.
However, the biggest unresolved story remains Anaheim’s response to the five-year, $90 million offer sheet Leo Carlsson signed with Philadelphia. The Ducks have until July 10 to match the $18 million annual cap hit or accept four first-round draft picks as compensation. Matching would keep their franchise center, but it could create an immediate salary-cap problem involving 41-goal restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
NHL News: Flames Make Simon Nemec a Core Piece
Calgary’s contract with Nemec is more than a routine restricted-free-agent signing. It is a clear indication that the Flames view the 22-year-old as a foundational piece of their blue line.
The Flames acquired Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils for two conditional first-round selections, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive prospect Etienne Morin. Both first-round picks are top-10 protected. That was already an aggressive acquisition price, and the new contract confirms Calgary did not make the trade with a short-term experiment in mind.
Nemec produced career highs with 11 goals, 15 assists and 26 points in 68 games during the 2025-26 season. He told the Flames’ website that he was “really happy and really excited for the next five years” after finalizing the agreement.
From my perspective, this is a worthwhile gamble for Calgary. Nemec’s $7.25 million cap hit represents approximately seven percent of the NHL’s $104 million salary ceiling. That is a manageable percentage for a young, right-shot defenseman who could eventually play more than 22 minutes per game and quarterback a power-play unit.
The risk is that Calgary has paid for Nemec’s projected ceiling rather than his current production. The upside is that this contract could become strong value before it expires if he develops into a legitimate No. 1 defenseman.
Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson Decision Could Reshape the Ducks
The Ducks face the most consequential decision of the offseason after Carlsson accepted Philadelphia’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet. Anaheim can match and retain him, or take four Flyers first-round picks and lose its franchise center.
Carlsson recorded 29 goals and 67 points in 70 regular-season games before adding 11 points in 12 playoff appearances. Those are excellent numbers for a 21-year-old, but an $18 million cap hit would consume approximately 17.3 percent of the $104 million salary cap.
The decision becomes more complicated because Gauthier remains unsigned after scoring 41 goals and 69 points. A report summarized by Spector’s Hockey indicated that Anaheim could have less than $10 million in cap space if it matches Carlsson’s offer sheet. Gauthier lacks arbitration rights and cannot sign an offer sheet, but his goal production gives his representatives a compelling argument for a major contract.
Anaheim could create room by trading a veteran, with Frank Vatrano identified as one possible candidate. His contract and deferred salary structure could make that difficult, while Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn have partial no-trade protection.
My read is that Anaheim should match Carlsson and solve the cap problem afterward. True first-line centers entering their prime are rarely available, and four uncertain first-round selections do not guarantee a replacement. But matching means general manager Pat Verbeek must quickly demonstrate that he can retain both Carlsson and Gauthier without stripping away the depth that helped Anaheim reach the playoffs.
Claude Giroux Chooses Ottawa Over a Flyers Reunion
Giroux is returning to the Senators on a one-year agreement worth $2 million in base value, according to Sportsnet. The 38-year-old recorded 14 goals and 49 points in 82 games last season.
This also provides an important update to an earlier report. Giroux had been linked to a return to Philadelphia, but his representatives pushed back on suggestions that a final decision had been made. That reported Flyers reunion did not materialize, and Giroux’s confirmed destination is Ottawa.
Giroux is no longer expected to carry a first line, but his faceoff ability, hockey intelligence and leadership should remain valuable to a Senators roster that traded former captain Brady Tkachuk earlier this offseason. Ottawa has also added William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky to its forward group.
Frederik Andersen Provides an Encouraging Injury Update
New Edmonton Oilers goaltender Frederik Andersen also addressed the knee injury that affected him during Carolina’s Stanley Cup run.
Andersen said medical testing showed that he only required rest and did not need surgery or another medical intervention. He expects to be ready for the beginning of the season and acknowledged that Edmonton’s three-goalie rotation with Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi should help manage his workload.
That is encouraging NHL news for Edmonton, but the Oilers are still taking a calculated risk. Andersen can provide composed, technically sound goaltending when healthy. His availability, rather than his talent, will be the central question throughout the season.
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