National Hockey League free agency began on Canada Day. Here are 14 Canadians who switched teams.
Eric Comrie
The goaltender from Edmonton, Alberta signed a two year deal worth $2.3 million with the San Jose Sharks. Comrie has played six seasons in three separate stints with the Winnipeg Jets, two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, and one season each with the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils. In 2025-26 with the Jets, Comrie had a record of 12 wins, 11 regulation losses and one loss in extra time with a goals against average of 3.13 and a save percentage of .890.
Mario Ferraro
The defenseman from Toronto, Ontario signed a three-year contract worth $12 million with the Jets. Ferraro spent the last seven seasons with the Sharks. In 2025-26, Ferraro had seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points.
Barret Hayton
The centre from Peterborough, Ontario signed a one-year deal worth $4.8 million with the Devils. Hayton played the last seven seasons with the Arizona Coyotes and Utah Mammoth. In 2025-26, Hayton had 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points.
Boone Jenner
The centre from Dorchester, Ontario signed a four-year deal worth $23 million with the Washington Capitals. Jenner played the last 13 seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and was an All-Star in 2023-24. He had 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in 2025-26.
Ross Johnston
The left winger from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island signed a three-year deal worth $6 million with the St. Louis Blues. Johnston played seven seasons with the New York Islanders and the last three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. In 2025-26 with the Ducks, Johnston had three goals and 11 assists for 14 points.
Matthieu Joseph
The right winger from Laval, Quebec signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million with the Edmonton Oilers. Joseph has played four seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, three seasons with the Ottawa Senators, two seasons with the St. Louis Blues and one season with the Los Angeles Kings. Last season with the Blues and Kings, Joseph had two goals and nine assists for 11 points. With the Lightning, Joseph won the 2021 Stanley Cup.
Noah Juulsen
The defenseman from Surrey, British Columbia signed a two-year deal worth $2.2 million with the Colorado Avalanche. Juulsen has played with four teams in the past. They were the Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers. In 2025-26 with the Flyers, Juulsen had one goal and nine assists for 10 points.
Alexander Kerfoot
The centre from Vancouver, British Columbia signed a two-year deal worth $7 million with the Nashville Predators. Kerfoot has played for four teams in the past. They were the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Arizona Coyotes and Utah Mammoth. In 2025-26, Kerfoot had seven goals and six assists for 13 points with Utah.
Mason Marchment
The left winger from Uxbridge, Ontario signed a five-year deal worth $33.8 million with the San Jose Sharks. Marchment has played for five teams in the past. They were the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2025-26, Marchment had 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points with the Kraken and Blue Jackets.
Jamie Oleksiak
The defenseman from Toronto, Ontario signed a two-year deal worth $10 million with the Vancouver Canucks. Oleksiak has played for three teams in the past. They were the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken. In 2025-26 with the Kraken, Oleksiak had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points.
Jaden Schwartz
The centre from Wilcox, Saskatchewan signed a three-year deal worth $9.8 million with the Colorado Avalanche. Schwartz has previously played for two teams in the past. They were the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken. In 2025-26 with the Kraken, he had 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points.
Colton Sissons
The centre from North Vancouver, British Columbia signed a two-year deal worth $8.5 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sissons has previously played for the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights. In 2025-26 with the Golden Knights, he had six goals and five assists for 11 points.
Stuart Skinner
The goaltender from Edmonton, Alberta signed a two-year deal worth $7.5 million with the Winnipeg Jets. Skinner has previously played with the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2025-26 with the Oilers and Penguins, Skinner had a record of 23 wins, 17 regulation losses and nine losses in extra time, two shutouts, a goals against average of 2.92 and a save percentage of .888.
Jeffrey Viel
The left winger from Rimouski, Quebec signed a five-year contract worth $12.5 million wth the Tampa Bay Lightning. Viel has played with three teams in the past. They were the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks. Viel had three goals and seven assists for 10 points with the Bruins and Ducks last season.
