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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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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 The San Antonio
The flurry of NHL free agency activity has significant implications for San Antonio hockey fans, who may be watching to see if any of these high-profile signings or trades impact the local minor league affiliate. With over $360 million in contracts already handed out, the financial landscape of the league is shifting, and this could have a ripple effect on the availability of talent for teams in the AHL or other developmental leagues. As local fans consider the potential for roster moves, they may be wondering if any of the unsigned players, such as Patrick Kane or Vladimir Tarasenko, could potentially end up in San Antonio, even if only for a short stint. The increased salary cap and big-money deals may also influence the types of players that are assigned to or signed by the local team, making the upcoming season an interesting one to watch.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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