Following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, NHL teams are now directing their attention to the upcoming offseason, which includes both the NHL Draft and the start of free agency.
Veteran forward Jonathan Toews, who took a two-year break from the NHL, is set to join the Winnipeg Jets. Toews` last season was 2022-23; his career stats include 883 points (372 goals, 511 assists) over 1,067 regular-season games.
Originally from Winnipeg, the skilled center will have the opportunity to play for his hometown franchise.
Meanwhile, after losing in the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season, the Stars are making early moves. Dallas has signed forward Matt Duchene to a four-year contract extension worth $18 million ($4.5 million AAV). Duchene was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Duchene has played the last two seasons in Dallas after signing with the team in the 2023 offseason.
NHL free agency officially begins on July 1 at noon ET, but many teams will work to extend current players and complete trades before that date.
Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner is expected to be one of the top players available on the open market this summer. Other notable players in the deep free agent class include Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser, and Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
Jonathan Toews Signs with Jets
Jonathan Toews is making his anticipated return to the NHL after two seasons away. The Jets announced that Toews will sign with the team when free agency opens on July 1.
Toews has accumulated 883 points (372 goals, 511 assists) in 1,067 career regular-season games. He ranks fifth in games played, sixth in points, sixth in goals, eighth in assists, and third in game-winning goals (69) in Chicago Blackhawks history. In his last active season (2022-23), the former Blackhawks captain scored 15 goals and added 16 assists in 53 games. Toews` extensive list of achievements includes winning three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010.
Matt Duchene Stays with Stars
The Stars are bringing back a key veteran. Dallas has re-signed forward Matt Duchene to a four-year extension valued at $4.5 million per season. Duchene was set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Duchene led the Stars in scoring during the 2024-25 season, recording 30 goals and 52 assists in 82 regular-season games. His 52 assists were a career high, and his 82 points marked the second-highest scoring season of his 16-year career. Duchene also contributed six points (one goal, five assists) in 18 playoff games. He is expected to continue being a productive member of the team`s top six forwards as they aim for a Stanley Cup run next season.
Avalanche Extend Brock Nelson
The Avalanche are keeping arguably their top pending free agent. The team has signed forward Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.5 million. Nelson was slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Nelson was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the New York Islanders, tallying 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in 19 regular-season games with Colorado. He recorded a combined 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) between the Avalanche and Islanders this past season. In the playoffs, he added four assists in the team`s first-round series loss to the Dallas Stars. Nelson is likely to continue centering the Avalanche`s second line, potentially alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.
Nelson will turn 34 years old around the start of the 2025-26 season this fall.
