Canadiens sign Demidov to eight-year extension; Jets add Skinner in free agency

“It was easy because they wanted me to be here. I want to stay long-term here. And we just signed it so quickly.”

Demidov led all rookies with 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) last season and finished second in Calder Trophy voting.

The 20-year-old winger — selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL draft — added nine points in 19 playoff games during Montreal’s run to the Eastern Conference final.

The extension kicks in after next season and keeps him under contract through the 2034-35 campaign. He joins Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson, among others, as key members of Montreal’s nucleus locked in through at least 2030.

“It’s always easier when you can settle something sooner rather than later,” Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said. “Ivan knows that we have a certain salary structure here, and like our other players, he’s a team player.

“He’s someone who wants to be part of something, instead of being the something.”

Demidov agreed to the extension before Sept. 15, when the maximum contract length for re-signing players drops to seven years under the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement.

Defenceman Noah Dobson, signed at $9.5 million annually through 2033, remains the team’s highest-paid player with the salary cap set to rise significantly over the next few seasons.

Hughes credited the Canadiens’ team-first culture — rather than his own work as GM — for the trend of long-term commitments.

“The years that I spent talking to players, the one thing that always amazed me is once they had that little taste of success, they chased it forever,” said Hughes, a former player agent.

“And the earlier the group figures that out, then I think the more committed they are to doing that, and that’s what’s going on here more than anything.”

In Toronto, veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is joining the Maple Leafs on a three-year contract worth a reported $21-million after winning two Stanley Cups over seven seasons with the Florida Panthers.

The 37-year-old former Vézina Trophy winner is coming off a down year, posting a .877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average as the Panthers missed the playoffs.

The swing for Bobrovsky was one of several Canada Day moves as the Maple Leafs look to rebound from a disappointing season.

Toronto GM John Chayka, who was hired in May, also signed depth forwards Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen.

Chayka also acquired forward Nick Paul from the Lightning, shipping goalie Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection to Tampa Bay.

Earlier Wednesday, Toronto traded pending restricted free agent Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round pick in 2028.

The Edmonton Oilers parted with longtime defenceman Darnell Nurse, sending him to the San Jose Sharks for blueliner Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp in a deal that didn’t include any salary retention.

The Oilers then quickly made use of the freed up space from Nurse’s $9.25 million salary, signing free-agent defenceman Ryan Shea to a five-year, $20-million pact.

“We’re certainly trading away a very good player in Darnell who ate up a lot of minutes,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman said. “We’ve got two defencemen now coming in that are going to be able to bring different elements to the table, but I think all in all it’s going to be a big boost for our defence.”

Bowman also added in the crease, signing Frederik Andersen, fresh off of a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes. Andersen agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal.

The Oilers also swung a deal with the Buffalo Sabres, getting goalie Devon Levi and a 2028 seventh-round pick for a 2028 third-rounder.

The Winnipeg Jets, meanwhile, signed former Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year, $7.5-million contract amid rumours that Hart Trophy-winning netminder Connor Hellebuyck could be on the move.

Skinner reached the Stanley Cup final with the Oilers in 2024 and 2025 before being traded to the Penguins last season. The 27-year-old posted a .888 save percentage and a 2.92 goals-against average in 50 games split between the two teams.

“Playing against Winnipeg, I always felt like it was a really hard building to play in,” Skinner said. “The fans are amazing there. They’re always cheering on their Jets. They’re very passionate and that’s extremely exciting for me.”

In Vancouver, the Canucks traded defenceman Marcus Pettersson to the New York Rangers for a conditional first-round pick in the 2030 draft.

The Canucks also brought back journeyman defenceman Luke Schenn for the third time on a one-year, $2.25-million deal and added fellow blueliner Jamie Oleksiak on a two-year pact for $5 million.

Elsewhere, the Ottawa Senators signed goalie Samuel Ersson to a two-year, $4.4-million deal and extended Nick Cousins on a two-year contract worth $3.175 million.

Other notable deals:

— The Oilers re-signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

— Longtime Winnipeg backup Eric Comrie signed a two-year, $2.3-million contract with the San Jose Sharks.

— The Canucks added forward Paul Cotter for one year at $2.15 million.

— Defenceman Nick Jensen exits Ottawa on a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks for $4.5 million.

— Forward Joe Veleno signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers after spending last season with the Canadiens.

— Former Leafs winger Matias Maccelli signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders.

— Former Senators centre Lars Eller inked a one-year contract with the Panthers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Canadiens sign Demidov to eight-year extension; Jets add Skinner in free agency

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