Canes 2025 Free Agency Live Blog

RALEIGH, N.C. - Stay tuned to this page to remain up to speed on who is signing where as the 2025 NHL Free Agency period opens.

Transactions will be added throughout the day on July 1 as the respective NHL clubs officially announce them.

July 3: 3:00 p.m.

The Canes got their guy! Forward Nikolaj Ehlers is coming to Raleigh, agreeing to terms on a six-year deal that carries an AAV of $8.5M.

One of the best free agents available in this year’s class, the Danish winger has put up 520 points in 674 games over 10 seasons.

Including 60+ point totals over the last two seasons, he is a massive addition to the roster.

July 3: 12:30 p.m.

Another long-rumored, but now official move, Spencer Martin is off to Russia.

Committing to a two-year deal, the backstop played 15 games with the Canes after being claimed off waivers from Columbus in January 2024.

He made an immediate impact in a major time of need for Carolina, going 4-0-1 with a .922 save percentage during his first five games last season, keeping the Canes afloat while they battled injuries in the crease.

July 3: 11:55 a.m.

Another defenseman who patrolled the Canes' blue line for the past few seasons has moved on to a new destination.

Two years after he was the most coveted defenseman on the free agency market, Dmitry Orlov has inked a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.

July 2: 9:45 p.m.

The Brent Burns era in Raleigh has come to an end.

With the Canes adding K'Andre Miller and Mike Reilly, and Alexander Nikishin seemingly ready to make the jump to being a full-time NHL player, the situation on the blue line got crowded, and there was no room left for the man vying to become the NHL's all-time leader in consecutive games played.

The now 40-year-old played in 246 regular-season tilts (and 41 playoff contests) over three years in Raleigh, leading the team with an average time on ice of 21:53 per game during that timeframe.

July 2: 1:55 p.m.

Our first transaction of Day 2 is the Canes bringing Tyson Jost back for another year.

Coming back on a two-way contract, giving him the flexibility to be moved freely between Raleigh and Chicago (AHL), players willing to take contracts like that are usually a good indicator that they’re big fans of the organization.

After starting last year with the Wolves, the forward got in 39 games with the team, and Rod Brind’Amour was always quick to comment on how much he appreciated Jost’s consistently positive attitude.

July 2: 10 a.m.

Former Hurricanes Dmitry Orlov and Jack Roslovic enter the second day of free agency as two of the best players remaining available.

It is worth pointing out that at his press conference last night, General Manager Eric Tulsky said that he does not anticipate either Orlov or Brent Burns being back with the team, but that "could change with one phone call."

July 1: 7:20 p.m.

Acquired on Monday night from Montreal, the Canes have now locked up goaltender Cayden Primeau on a one-year deal for the 2025-26 season.

After having to sign in-season help last year, Carolina is making no mistake as they go into this campaign, giving themself ample goaltending depth off the bat.

When Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov are healthy, Primeau and Amir Miftakhov are a really strong AHL duo.

July 1: 6:50 p.m.

With a plethora of cap space and an additional first-round pick next season, the Canes went into this summer with weapons to use in an effort to make their team better now.

Welcome, K’Andre Miller.

Acquired from the New York Rangers and signed to an eight-year, $7.5M AAV contract, the 2018 first-round pick bolsters an already strong blue line in Raleigh.

“K'Andre is a defenseman who we feel is a very strong fit for the way we play," Eric Tulsky said. "He is just approaching his prime and we are confident that he will excel in a Hurricanes sweater.”

July 1: 6:35 p.m.

Our first departure of the day sees Riley Stillman ink a two-year, two-way deal with the Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers.

The former Jr. Hurricane played a depth role for the team this past season, getting in just five games, but he was a valued presence within the locker room when here.

July 1: 6:05 p.m.

Y'all still with us?

The Canes already have a solid crew on the blue line next season, but as we’ve seen in the past, you can never have too much depth.

Enter veteran defenseman Mike Reilly.

The left-handed shot is 31 years old and brings 441 games of NHL experience, most recently with the New York Islanders. He showed tremendous adversity last season, returning after undergoing surgery for a previously undiagnosed heart condition in November.

July 1: 2:00 p.m.

Long rumored, but now official, the Canes have officially signed goaltender Amir Miftakhov to a one-year, two-way contract.

Originally a Tampa Bay draft pick, Miftakhov turned in an impressive .927 SV% in the KHL last season.

25 years young, the addition gives Carolina six goalies under contract for the 2025-26 season. They'll have really solid options at the NHL, AHL, and ECHL levels.

• Frederik Andersen, Pyotr Kochetkov
• Amir Miftakhov, Cayden Primeau
• Ruslan Khazheyev, Nikita Quapp

July 1: 11:00 a.m.

An hour before unrestricted free agents are eligible to sign contracts, the Canes locked in another key piece to the future for the long haul.

Forward Logan Stankoven, acquired from the Dallas Stars in March ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, and the team have agreed to terms on an eight-year, $48M ($6M AAV) extension.

Set to go into the final year of his entry-level contract next season, "Stanky" recorded nine points (5g, 4a) in 19 regular-season games with Carolina and added eight points (5g, 3a) in 15 Stanley Cup playoff appearances with the club.

Stankoven now joins Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Jaccob Slavin as members of the roster signed through (at least) the 2031-32 season.

VIEW: Canes Contract Tracker