The biggest NHL News development on August 1, 2026, may not involve a trade or free-agent signing. Instead, it concerns where the league could be headed next.
Fresh comments from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly indicate that Houston has moved to the front of the league’s Texas expansion discussion, although Austin remains under consideration. That update strengthens an earlier NHL announcement confirming a six-month evaluation process with the Friedkin family to determine whether Houston or Austin should become the league’s 33rd market.
Away from expansion, the San Jose Sharks secured emerging two-way forward Collin Graf on a three-year contract, while the Pittsburgh Penguins made a longer-term commitment to dependable forward Tommy Novak. Meanwhile, speculation continues to connect the Montreal Canadiens with Columbus Blue Jackets forwards Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson, but neither player should be considered available based on the information currently in the public domain.
Here is what is confirmed, what remains a rumor, and what each development could mean.
Houston Moves Ahead in the NHL Expansion Race
Daly reportedly said that the league and its owners are “primarily interested” in Houston, while still acknowledging Austin as a developing sports market. He also reiterated that Quebec City remains of interest but lacks a prospective owner prepared to operate a franchise there for the long term.
This is an important update because it confirms that the Texas expansion study announced in June was more than a speculative exercise. The NHL formally entered a six-month evaluation period with the Friedkin family, with the potential ownership group expected to invest approximately $3.5 billion when the expansion fee and construction of a new arena are combined. The league said at the time that Houston and Austin would both require new buildings.
My read is that Houston has always been the more natural NHL destination. It offers a massive corporate market, an established major-league sports culture and a potential geographic rivalry with the Dallas Stars. Austin is growing rapidly, but Houston provides the scale and commercial foundation the league usually prioritizes.
That does not mean an announcement is imminent. Arena financing, ownership approval and a vote by the NHL Board of Governors still have to be resolved. However, the earlier report that Houston and Austin were under serious evaluation has now proved accurate, with Houston seemingly holding the advantage.
Collin Graf and Tommy Novak Sign Important Contracts
San Jose re-signed Graf to a three-year, $12.75-million contract carrying a $4.25-million annual cap hit. The 23-year-old produced career highs of 21 goals, 25 assists and 46 points in 81 games last season. General manager Mike Grier also highlighted Graf’s penalty-killing work and ability to move throughout the lineup.
This looks like sensible business for the Sharks. Graf is not being paid like a first-line star, but his combination of secondary scoring, defensive responsibility and age gives San Jose a strong chance of receiving surplus value from the contract.
Pittsburgh signed Novak to a three-year, $13.95-million extension that begins in 2027-28 and runs through 2029-30. Novak registered 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points while appearing in all 82 games last season. The deal carries a $4.65-million annual cap hit.
The timing is particularly interesting. Pittsburgh is preparing for an eventual transition beyond the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang era. Novak is not the player around whom a rebuild will be constructed, but he can remain a useful middle-six forward as the roster changes around him.
| NHL News Item | Status | Key Numbers | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas expansion study | Confirmed | Approx. $3.5B total investment | Houston appears to hold the advantage over Austin. |
| Collin Graf contract | Confirmed | 3 years, $4.25M AAV; 46 points | A calculated bet on a versatile, improving forward. |
| Tommy Novak extension | Confirmed | 3 years, $4.65M AAV; 42 points | Pittsburgh retains a useful piece for its coming transition. |
| Canadiens–Marchenko speculation | Unconfirmed rumor | Prospects and a first-round pick discussed | The hockey fit is logical, but there is no confirmed active negotiation. |
Canadiens Trade Rumors Still Lack Confirmation
Montreal’s search for another top-six forward continues to generate speculation. Montreal Gazette columnist Stu Cowan recently suggested that the Canadiens may have presented Columbus with an offer for Marchenko resembling their reported proposal for Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies.
The hypothetical package was said to include prospect Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect and a first-round selection. Marco D’Amico also addressed the possibility of Montreal pursuing Johnson if Marchenko were unavailable. However, D’Amico questioned whether Johnson would fill a legitimate need rather than becoming another reclamation project.
The distinction between speculation and reporting matters. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell previously disputed the idea that he was working to trade Marchenko, while the player’s agent also dismissed the chatter.
From Montreal’s perspective, Marchenko makes considerably more sense than Johnson. Marchenko would provide proven goal production and size on the wing. Johnson remains talented, but his NHL résumé does not yet support the assumption that he could reliably solve Montreal’s second-line centre question.
Kent Hughes has the draft capital and prospect depth to make a significant offer. The Canadiens can also afford to wait. Giving up premium assets simply because a player’s name has entered the rumor cycle would run against the patient approach that has helped Montreal assemble one of the NHL’s stronger young foundations.
The most accurate conclusion today is that Montreal continues to explore offensive upgrades, but there is no confirmation that either Marchenko or Johnson is actively being traded.
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