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This content was machine-translated from the French version.
16 July 2026 will go down as a landmark date in the NHL’s signing calendar. In the space of a few hours, three talented young forwards signed contracts that are reshaping the salary landscape and the ambitions of their respective franchises. From Philadelphia to Montreal via St Louis, here’s a round-up of a day that kept general managers’ calculators busy.
Zegras, a winning bet for Philadelphia
Zegras, who was coming off the back of two lacklustre seasons in Anaheim, has relaunched his career in spectacular fashion in the orange and black jersey.
Trevor Zegras has found his home. The 25-year-old forward, who arrived at the Flyers in a trade that raised a few eyebrows, signed a four-year extension on Wednesday evening worth a total of $36.5 million, representing an average annual salary of $9.125 million. He becomes the highest-paid player in the squad.
It’s a win-win for both parties. Zegras, who was coming off the back of two lacklustre seasons in Anaheim, has relaunched his career in spectacular fashion in the orange and black jersey. His creative play and ability to break down opposing defences have made him a key figure in the Flyers’ resurgence. “He’s a player we can build around,” commented general manager Daniel Brière matter-of-factly. The contract runs until 2030 and places Zegras among the top 20 highest-paid wingers in the league.
McMichael: long-term security in St. Louis
A few hours later, the St. Louis Blues also broke the bank. Connor McMichael, recently acquired from the Washington Capitals, has signed a six-year contract worth $40.5 million (6.75 million per season), thereby avoiding an arbitration hearing scheduled for 25 July.
At 25, the former first-round draft pick (25th overall in 2019) is coming off a solid season and embodies the Blues’ management’s commitment to youth. General Manager Doug Armstrong praised him as “an intelligent player, responsible at both ends of the rink, who fits perfectly into our plans”. The contract, which runs until 2032, secures McMichael’s long-term future in Missouri.
Dach: one year to prove himself in Montreal
Over in Montreal, Kirby Dach has avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract worth $3.6 million. The 25-year-old forward, who was limited to 37 games last season due to a broken foot, will have the chance to prove he deserves better. Eight goals and fifteen points in 2025–2026: a respectable tally, but below expectations for the third overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Canadiens, who have already secured several young talents this summer, are banking on a full season from Dach to take their rebuild to the next level. The arbitration hearing was scheduled for 30 July; both sides preferred to reach an agreement quickly.
A momentous Thursday
In total, these three signings represent commitments worth over 80 million dollars. They illustrate a strong trend in the 2026 off-season: NHL franchises are no longer hesitating to invest heavily in 25–26-year-old players, even if it means offering them long-term contracts at figures previously reserved for established stars. The expected surge in the salary cap over the coming seasons is a key factor in this trend.