The opening day of the 2026 NHL free-agent market saw its usual frenzy of signings despite the limited number of notable stars available.

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (Hart), Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (Lindsay), Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (Vezina) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (Norris) -- are among the six players voted to this season's NHL First All-Star Team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers have made significant changes to their goaltending situations. Toronto signed Sergei Bobrovsky to a 3-year contract, while Frederick Andersen joined Edmonton.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is returning for an 18th season with the only team he has ever played for in the NHL. The Stars announced Friday, two weeks before Benn's 37th birthday, that he has signed a one-year deal for the 2026-27 season.

The Detroit Red Wings went with a family reunion in the second round of the draft, picking Victor Plante at No. 47 overall. Plante is the brother of Red Wings prospect Max Plante, who was drafted in 2024.

The 2026 NHL Draft opened a new chapter for every NHL franchise as teams invested in the next generation of talent. The two-day event began on Friday, June 26, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

Zach Werenski will likely be leaving the Blue Jackets, and it now seems he will not be heading to the Dallas Stars.

The NHL Draft is the best place for teams to restock their cupboards for the future and hopefully draft a generational talent that will change their franchise forever. Especially if that pick comes at the top of the draft in the coveted No. 1 overall spot.