2025 Free Agency | NOTEBOOK

The first order of business of the 2025-26 NHL season is upon us!

Free Agency began at noon ET on July 1, setting the stage for a lot of player movement across the National Hockey League.

Stay tuned to the Devils Free Agency Notebook for all the latest surrounding the Devils' upcoming moves as the roster takes shape for the 2025-26 NHL season!

July 2

GM Tom Fitzgerald Meets the Media

On signing goaltender Jake Allen to a new contract:

"It’s exciting to have Jake back and his family back in New Jersey, where they wanted to be and where we wanted them. I give Jake and Shannon a lot of credit for helping us through this process cap-wise. It just shows you that we’re building something here where people want to stay. It says a lot about Jake and his family, and we’re just so excited to bring him back."

On the additions of Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov:

We just wanted to add to the middle of our lineup, try to add some depth scoring ability. Connor Brown’s a guy who can move around your lineup. He gives you speed, a fantastic penalty killer. He’s a guy that Sheldon will use at the end of games as well. Kind of like a Swiss jackknife. I’m sure he had offers to go somewhere else. It’s nice when you get handpicked and you can start a conversation, and you sense the excitement of a player, not even knowing about

New Jersey other than knowing we have a good team, but wanting to be here. So that was great. Dadonov—same thing. We were trying to fit pieces into the puzzle. It just made so much sense on a performance-based contract where he could fit in and earn some more money. Another guy that gives us flexibility, versatility throughout the lineup."

Devils Add Proven Scorer and Playoff Veteran Evgenii Dadonov

The Devils have added a proven offensive weapon and seasoned playoff performer to their roster, agreeing to terms with forward Evgenii Dadonov on a one-year contract worth $1 million with performance bonuses.

Dadonov, 36, brings nearly 650 games of NHL experience and an established scoring pedigree. He tallied 40 points (20g-20a) in 80 games for the Dallas Stars last season, ranking sixth on the team in scoring while contributing on the power play and in key moments—netting five power-play goals and two game-winners. Even at age 36, Dadonov continues to show he can impact games offensively and bring reliability to a team’s top nine.

Throughout his NHL career, Dadonov has suited up for five teams—Florida, Ottawa, Vegas, Montreal, and Dallas—amassing 361 career points (163g-198a). His most productive years came with the Florida Panthers, including a 70-point campaign in 2018–19 that featured a career-high 28 goals. His 91 goals and 111 assists in a Panthers uniform place him among the franchise’s all-time top 25 in multiple offensive categories.

Perhaps most importantly for a Devils team with postseason aspirations, Dadonov brings valuable playoff experience. He’s appeared in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff games—most recently three consecutive deep runs with Dallas—and chipped in 22 points along the way. He’s a player who’s been through battles, understands playoff hockey, and knows what it takes to win in the spring.

Smart, skilled, and versatile, Dadonov arrives in Newark with the tools to contribute right away. Whether slotting in on the wing in a middle-six role, helping mentor younger forwards, or adding secondary scoring, he gives the Devils a dependable, high-character addition to their forward group.

Brown Joins Devils

The Devils agreed to terms with forward Connor Brown on a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

Brown, 31, is a proven, high-energy winger known for his speed, defensive responsibility, and offensive touch. Last season with the Edmonton Oilers, he suited up for all 82 regular-season games, tallying 13 goals and 17 assists, and added five goals and four assists in 20 games during their run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Originally a sixth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2012, Brown has carved out a reliable NHL career across stints with Toronto, Ottawa, Washington, and Edmonton. His career totals include 258 points (107 goals, 151 assists) in 601 NHL games, plus a combined 20 post-season points. He adds dependable depth and versatility to New Jersey’s forward group with his bottom-six presence and penalty-killing prowess

This signing provides the Devils with a tenacious competitor who can elevate the energy and defensive structure of their bottom-six lineup. With a strong two-way game and the ability to chip in offensively, Brown fits the mold of what the organization has been targeting.

Devils Re-Sign Jake Allen

The Devils have re-signed goaltender Jake Allen to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million.

Allen, 34, joined the Devils in March 2024 and quickly established himself as a steady and dependable presence in net. He appeared in 31 games last season, posting a 13–16–1 record with a 2.66 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, and four shutouts—his highest single-season shutout total since 2017–18.

The veteran netminder brought experience and poise to the Devils crease during a pivotal stretch of the season when Markstrom was hurt. His performance not only provided stability but also proved instrumental in helping guide a young roster through key moments.

With Allen under contract, the Devils continue to build a strong foundation in goal. He joins a group that includes newly acquired Jacob Markstrom and rising prospect Nico Daws, giving New Jersey both veteran leadership and depth in net moving forward.

Angus Crookshank Brings Depth to Devils Forward Group

The Devils have signed forward Angus Crookshank to a two-year deal, adding a productive, high-motor winger to the organization. The 25-year-old spent the past five seasons with the Ottawa Senators system and posted 40 points (22g-18a) in 62 games with AHL Belleville last season, leading the team in goals and power-play markers.

Crookshank made his NHL debut in 2023 and scored his first goal in just his second career game. With 149 points in 202 AHL games and a proven scoring touch on the man advantage, he’ll bring offensive depth and energy to the Devils’ forward mix. His contract includes a two-way structure in Year 1 and a one-way deal in Year 2.

Devils Re-Sign Dennis Cholowski to One-Year Deal

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski is returning to New Jersey on a one-year, one-way contract. Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Islanders, Cholowski appeared in six regular-season games and two playoff contests with the Devils, bringing mobility and NHL experience to the blue line.

The 27-year-old former first-round pick (20th overall, 2016) has suited up for five NHL teams across 156 career games. He brings offensive instincts, steady puck movement, and a reliable presence to the organization’s defensive depth heading into the 2025–26 season.

Devils Sign Calen Addison to Bolster Blueline Depth

New Jersey has signed defenseman Calen Addison to a one-year, two-way contract. The 25-year-old blueliner spent last season with Henderson and Springfield in the AHL, totaling 36 points (5g-31a) across 62 games. A skilled puck-mover, Addison has logged 152 career NHL games with Minnesota and San Jose, including a career-high 60 appearances in 2023–24.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh, Addison was part of the 2020 trade to Minnesota involving Jason Zucker. Known for his offensive upside, power-play vision, and international experience—including a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 World Juniors—Addison brings valuable depth and creativity to the Devils’ defensive ranks.

Marc McLaughlin Returns on Two-Way Deal

Forward Marc McLaughlin is back with the Devils on a one-year, two-way contract after joining the organization via trade from Boston in March. The 25-year-old center played in 16 games with Utica (6 assists, +5) and skated in two NHL contests with New Jersey, notching an assist in his debut against his former club.

McLaughlin has played in 26 NHL games overall and brings a responsible, two-way style honed over four seasons at Boston College, where he captained the Eagles.

Mitch on the Move

Mitch Marner was poised to become the most coveted free agent on the market but that is no longer to be as the elite forward moves from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal.

Marner heads to Vegas with a new eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $12 million in exchange for forward Nic Roy.

Heading into his 10th NHL season, Marner has played 657 regular-season games, scoring 221 goals and 520 assists for a total of 741 points.

Roy has 369 NHL games played, scoring 68 goals and adding 98 assists for a total of 166 points and heads to Toronto with Stanley Cup experience and a Stanley Cup win, having won with Vegas in 2023.

Quick Hits

• Brock Boeser remains with the Vancouver Canucks on a seven-year deal worth $7.25 million AAV.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs signed restricted free agent Matthew Knies to a six-year extension with an average annual value of $7.75M.
• Sam Lafferty is back with the Chicago Blackhawks, traded from the Buffalo Sabres to Chicago for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

• The Montreal Canadiens traded defenceman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Zack Bolduc.

• Forward Viktor Arvidsson was traded to the Boston Bruins from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.

• Tanner Jeannot joins the Boston Bruins on a five-year deal worth $3.4 million AAV.

• The L.A. Kings signed forwards Joel Armia and Corey Perry to deals. Armia signs for two years, Perry for one.

• The Utah Mammoth signed Brandon Tanev to a three-year deal worth $2.5 million.

• Colin White re-signed with the San Jose Sharks on a two-way deal.

• St. Louis Blues added forward Nick Bjugstad to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

• Defenseman Martin Fehervary re-signs with the Capitals on a seven-year, $42 million contract extension.

Banking on Brad

Fresh off of winning the second Stanley Cup of his career and first with the Florida Panthers, veteran forward Brad Marchand is sticking around with his new team. Marchand was traded to the Panthers from the Bruins at the trade deadline and went on to win a Cup late last month and has now signed a six-year extension with Florida.

The deal is worth $31.5 million and carries an average annual value of $5.25 million. Marchand was a key force in the Panthers Cup run, contributing 10 goals.