The 2025 version of the Columbus Blue Jackets is starting to come into focus. Day one of the NHL's "UFA Day" has come and gone, and Blue Jackets fans and those who follow the team are split on the results.

Based on what most teams did, it sure seems like most teams did what they had to do, while others did absolutely nothing. This summer could get very interesting. 

Let's review who they signed and who left for other teams.

Additions 

Dante Fabbro - Defense - 4 Year - $4.125 million per season - Fabbro publicly stated, as did the team, that they wanted a deal to get done to bring back the young defender. As time crept on, it was starting to look like a deal wouldn't get done, but reports started trickling out last week that the team and Fabbro's camp were making progress on a new deal. Fabbro's new deal is both player and team-friendly with the term and money he got. Fabbro will be 31 when he becomes a UFA, and as the cap continues to rise, that $4 million per season contract will keep looking better and better, especially if Fabbro keeps playing like he did last season. 

Ivan Provorov - Defense - 7 Years - $8.5 million per season - Provorov was the big fish that both sides wanted to get done. After Don Waddell flirted with a few other right-shot defensemen in free agency, he quickly circled back and got a deal done with Provorov a day before free agency was set to start. The initial reaction from some fans and media was shock about the money, but it really isn't that bad if Provorov continues to 1. Produce, and 2. Be available for games. Provorov has played 82 games six times in his career, including the last three seasons. Many teams would pay that simply for a player being able to stay healthy and play all 82 games. Provorov is a good player and a confident one as well. Being able to play both sides is also a plus. In yesterday's press conference, he stated that while there are players who can play the right side, not too many can play better than him, even as a leftie. And if we're being honest, he's probably right. 

Isac Lundeström - Forward - 2 Years - $1.3 million per season - Lundeström is an excellent center with 337 NHL games under his belt at 25 years old. One scout said the following: "Powerful skater.. ability to carry the puck deep using good puck protection on both sides to then put dangerous pucks in front from down low." Adding Lundeström should give Dean Evason the choice of moving both Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger to the wing, should he choose. The Blue Jackets look really solid down the middle, which includes skill guys and grinders. But don't mistake Lundeström for just a grinder; he can also score and be a playmaker. 

Owen Sillinger - Forward - 1 Year/2-way - Sillinger, the older brother of Cole, played one game for Columbus last year. Sillinger has appeared in 202 career games for Cleveland and has amassed 114 points. Many believe Owen could likely serve a fourth-line role in the NHL, and it would be great to see him and Cole play together. In the one game he played last year, Cole was out sick, so they couldn't play together. Sillinger currently ranks 8th all-time in points for the Monsters with 114. If he stays healthy and plays in as many games as possible, he could realistically move as high as third and pass Jake Christiansen, who has 140. But I'm sure Owen hopes he doesn't get the chance to move up because that would mean he’d be playing games in Columbus. 

Christián Jaroš - Defense - 1 Year/2-way - Jaroš hasn't played in the NHL since he was with the New Jersey Devils during the 21-22 season. He spent the last three years playing in the KHL and had some solid seasons. Jaroš also fits the profile of a typical Don Waddell defenseman - big. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, he can handle physical play if needed. One scout said about Jaroš: "Defensman with good physical plays who has good timing for his hits and solid skating for his size. He has very good defensive skills and has the potential to be a rather good offensive defenseman, but he has to use his shot more often." The Blue Jackets could use more defensemen who like to shoot from the point. Ultimately, though, Jaroš will more than likely play in Cleveland with the Monsters, as they could use some depth right now after losing so many guys.

Subtractions

The Blue Jackets also lost a few guys to free agency. Forwards Justin Danforth(Buffalo), James van Reimsdyk(Detroit), Sean Kuraly(Boston), and Jordan Harris(Boston) are among the players who left in free agency who played every day for Columbus.

The Jackets could still very well add some guys for depth, especially in Cleveland, so be on the look out for more. 

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Former Blue Jackets Forward Lands New Job In Atlantic DivisionFormer Blue Jacket and Monster forward Carson Meyer has signed with the Buffalo Sabres, the team announced today. The deal will be for two years and will carry a $775,000 cap hit. 

Blue Jackets Sign Center Isac Lundeström The Columbus Blue Jackets are signing center Isac Lundeström to a two-year contract. The contract will be worth $1.3 million per season. 

Blue Jackets Lose Justin DanforthBob McKenzie has reported that forward Justin Danforth has signed with the Buffalo Sabres on a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.8 million.

Columbus Brings Back Owen Sillinger On A One-Year DealColumbus has brought back Owen Sillinger, signing him today to a one-year, two-wat contract.

Blue Jackets Sign Defenseman Christián Jaroš The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Christián Jaroš to a one-year, two-way contract today. 

Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Jordan Harris Signs With BostonFormer Blue Jackets defenseman Jordan Harris will sign with the Boston Bruins per Elliotte Friedman.

Even after a quiet free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs aren't closing the door on bringing Max Pacioretty back.

Toronto got a lot of their business done before the market opened by re-upping forwards John Tavares (four-year, $17.55 million), Matthew Knies (six-year, $46.5 million), and hometown kid Steven Lorentz (three-year, $4.05 million) earlier this week. This was in addition to the sign-and-trade that saw Mitch Marner go to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy.

In between all that, the Maple Leafs acquired skilled playmaker Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. It's a buy-low gamble on a young forward who scored 57 points (17 goals and 40 assists) in 82 games before tallying just 18 points last year. 

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving's last bit of business on July 1 was signing depth players, Michael Pezzetta and Benoit-Olivier Groulx, plus defenseman Dakota Mermis, to two-year deals with an annual average value of $812,500. Toronto also added former Maple Leaf Travis Boyd on a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.

After several re-signings and trades, the Maple Leafs have just shy of $5 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. Could part of that money go into bringing back Max Pacioretty, who was reportedly leaning toward a return to Toronto a few weeks back?

"I think we talked about it the other day, we wanted to get through the first part of free agency here and see where it went, but I certainly haven't closed the door on Max," Treliving said on Tuesday, following day one of free agency. "But I haven't spoken to Allan (Walsh) here today on that."

Pacioretty joined Toronto on a one-year, $873,770 contract after arriving at training camp on a professional tryout last fall. After scoring five goals and eight assists in 37 games in the regular season, Pacioretty provided some much-needed playoff experience in the depth of Toronto's lineup.

Why The Maple Leafs Didn’t Qualify Pontus Holmberg As Player Signs With Lightning Pontus Holmberg is moving on from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The veteran forward scored the series-winner against the Ottawa Senators in round one, plus the insurance marker in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers. Pacioretty had eight points through 11 playoff games, which was the fourth-most on the team, behind Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

It wouldn't hurt to have him back again for another playoff run in Toronto, especially with what he gave the Maple Leafs this past spring.

"Certainly came here to win the ultimate prize, and while it's one game that gets you to move on, but clearly not satisfied with that game at all," Pacioretty said in his end-of-season media availability.  That part is very disappointing, but you live and you learn and thankful I got an opportunity to chase my dream."

(Top photo of Pacioretty: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)

The opening day of NHL free agency is always an exciting time for hockey fans, as teams retool their rosters with fresh talent and strategic additions. But obviously, with the standard roster, contract and cap limitations, they can't just stockpile talent, so every addition eventually requires a subtraction.

On July 1, the Ottawa Senators officially parted ways with six unrestricted free agents, all of whom saw varying levels of NHL time with the club in 2024-25.

As they scattered to the wind, here's where they signed on Tuesday:

Adam Gaudette

Gaudette was one of the best storylines of the Senators’ 2024–25 season. Out of the NHL for nearly two years, he signed a two-way deal with Ottawa, reuniting with his former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green, who had just gotten the Sens job. Gaudette made the team out of camp and responded with a strong season, scoring 19 goals.

Never having had a serious NHL payday, Gaudette took full advantage of free agency, signing a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks worth $2 million annually. Ottawa seemed fully ready for his departure on Tuesday, bringing in veteran Lars Eller, who is expected to take over Gaudette’s spot as the fourth-line center.

Anton Forsberg

Goaltender Anton Forsberg signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $2.2 million per season. He’ll reunite with former Senators head coach D.J. Smith, now an assistant in L.A., on a team that allowed the second-fewest goals in the league last season.

Forsberg’s best campaign in Ottawa came in 2021–22, when he posted a 2.82 GAA and a .917 save percentage over 46 games. Throughout the rebuild, he could sometimes be a stabilizing presence, despite a leaky defense in front of him. But there were nights of inconsistency as well. With the emergence of the less expensive Leevi Meriläinen, the Senators were ready to move on.

Ottawa Senators Clarify Their Goaltending Picture for Next SeasonOttawa Senators general manager Steve Staios officially provided some clarity on the organization’s 2025-26 goaltending depth chart on Tuesday afternoon. The dominoes started to fall on Monday with Leevi Meriläinen signing a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million for next season.

Matthew Highmore

Highmore played 41 NHL games last season with Ottawa, recording just six points. Though well-regarded for his work ethic, the 29-year-old didn’t do enough to earn a new deal. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders.

In his NHL career, Highmore has tallied 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 187 games. He’s also been productive at the AHL level, with 166 points (61G, 105A) in 231 games.

Angus Crookshank

Crookshank became a bit of a cult favorite in Ottawa—thanks in part to his memorable name and underdog appeal. After playing 13 NHL games at the end of the 2023–24 season, he seemed poised to break through.

But with new management prioritizing size and adding multiple free agent forwards last summer, Crookshank’s path became crowded. He lacked the high-end skill to crack the top six and didn’t have the size or physical edge for a bottom-six role.

Still, he found a new opportunity with the New Jersey Devils, signing a two-year deal worth $5 million. The first year is a two-way contract, but it becomes a one-way deal in 2026–27.

Dennis Gilbert

Gilbert arrived in Ottawa as part of a trade deadline deal with the Buffalo Sabres, a move that sent Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker to Buffalo in exchange for Dylan Cozens and Gilbert. While Cozens was the main piece for Ottawa, Gilbert appeared in just four games.

Gilbert has since signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, Bernard-Docker was not tendered a qualifying offer by Buffalo and has signed with the Detroit Red Wings.

Cole Reinhardt

A former teammate of Ridly Greig with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Reinhardt was drafted by the Senators as a 20-year-old and spent five seasons in the organization. Known as an excellent skater and hardworking winger, he recorded just two points in 17 games with Ottawa last season.

Now 25, Reinhardt qualified for Group 6 unrestricted free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed.

So there it is. The end of the line for half a dozen Ottawa Senators. With a tip of the cap, we wish them success in their next hockey chapters.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News/Ottawa
Image credit: Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

More Sens Headlines:

Senators Clarify Their Goaltending Picture for Next Season
Senators Sign Lars Eller, Offseason NHL Additions Are Now 'Most Likely' Complete
Detroit Trades Former Ottawa Senators Winger Vladimir Tarasenko
Senators Sign Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen To New One-Way Contract
Sens First-Round Selection Says He Models His Game After Jake Sanderson
Senators Acquire Defenseman Jordan Spence From Los Angeles

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Noah Dobson, many believed it meant the end of Mike Matheson in Montreal. With sophomore sensation Lane Hutson also on board, the Habs now have three puck-moving defensemen on hand.

With that kind of depth, one could have thought that Kent Hughes was readying himself to train the 31-year-old blueliner to fix another area of need. After all, Matheson is a minute muncher and could be very useful to any team.

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During his press conference on July 1, the GM was asked: Many linked Noah Dobson’s arrival with a potential Mike Matheson departure. From your perspective, do you see yourself moving forward with him?

Hughes didn’t even have to think before answering a simple yes, which signified he didn’t want to discuss the matter further. At the scouting combine in Buffalo, Matheson met with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes to discuss a potential contract extension since he’s now entering the last year of the eight-year contract he signed with the Florida Panthers in 2018.

With a $4,875,000 AAV, the deal provided excellent value for the Canadiens in the last few years as Matheson’s production increased when he arrived in Montreal and was given the driver’s seat on the power play and a first pairing spot. His points total jumped from 34 in 2022-23 to 62 in 2023-24. Of course, it regressed to only 31 points this past season, but that was to be expected since he lost his spot on the first power-play unit and played more minutes on the penalty kill.

While fans may only notice the decreased production and become less tolerant of the turnovers committed, the Canadiens’ GM considers the possibility of having a puck-moving defenseman on each of his pairings. To him, that’s an enticing possibility. Just how enticing, though? That is the question.

Hughes also mentioned in the same press availability that Joel Armia wanted to stay in Montreal, but the Canadiens were not willing to match the offer the Los Angeles Kings made him. I assume the situation will be similar; Hughes will have to set the price he’s willing to pay and make his pitch to Matheson. If the veteran defenseman is willing to accept the GM’s assessment, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him stick around, but that would probably mean leaving some money on the table. Will Matheson believe enough in what the Canadiens are building to settle for less money in the hope of winning in his hometown? That’s the question.

The GM has already proven he’s a shrewd negotiator, getting Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky to commit long-term for less money than his captain Nick Suzuki and getting newly acquired defenseman Noah Dobson to accept a cap hit that was lower than his rumoured asking price. Usually, the players are buying what Hughes is selling, but will Matheson? Time will tell…

Photo credit:  Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are adding more size to their defensive depth. 

According to PuckPedia, the Penguins have signed defenseman Phil Kemp to a two-year, two-way contract. 

The #LetsGoPens signed 26 y/o Group 6 UFA Phil Kemp

Year 1: NHL 775K, minors 350K, 375K guaranteed
Year 2 775/350/400

Rep’d by Neumann/Bazos @EdgeSportsMngmthttps://t.co/alg9JrKVPT

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 2, 2025

Kemp, 26, hit the market as a Group 6 unrestricted free agent (UFA) after spending each of the last five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. In 56 games with the AHL squad this campaign, he recorded seven goals, 12 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a plus-5 rating. 

Kemp has played in one career NHL game, which was with the Oilers during the 2023-24 season. During it, he had 2:03 of ice time. 

Overall, with this move, the Penguins have brought in an experienced AHL defenseman, which is never a bad thing. The 6-foot-3 defenseman could also be a call-up candidate for Pittsburgh when injuries arise. 

Penguins Potential Star Trade Target Is Off The BoardA potential trade target for the

Photo Credit: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images