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NHL free agency spills into Day 2 with Patrick Kane still available; Ovechkin returns to Capitals
By Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
NHL free agency spilled into Thursday with some high-profile players still on the open market, including Stanley Cup champions Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. Alex Ovechkin is staying put in Washington.With a social media post picturing Ovechkin and the words, “It's so not O-ver,” the Capita...
Key takeaway With a social media post picturing Ovechkin and the words, “It's so not O-ver,” the Capitals ended months of speculation Thursday regarding the 40-year-old's future and whether he might head home to compete in Russia.
Why this matters in Tomball News
For hockey fans in the Tomball area, the ongoing NHL free agency period may have implications for the local team's chances in the upcoming season. With high-profile players like Patrick Kane still available, it's possible that the team could make a move to bolster their roster. The recent signings and extensions in the league have already seen over $360 million worth of contracts, which could impact the team's own negotiations with free agents. As the salary cap increases to $104 million, teams like the ones in nearby Houston may have more room to maneuver and make competitive offers to top players. Local fans will be watching to see if any of these big-name players end up in the Houston area, and how the team's offseason moves will shape their chances in the upcoming season. The next few days of free agency will be crucial in determining the team's prospects.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NHL free agency spilled into Thursday with some high-profile players still on the open market, including Stanley Cup champions Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. Alex Ovechkin is staying put in Washington.With a social media post picturing Ovechkin and the words, “It's so not O-ver,” the Capita...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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