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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) — San Antonio
· 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 Terrell Hills News
The flurry of NHL free agency activity has significant implications for San Antonio hockey fans, who have been eager to see how their favorite teams shape up for the upcoming season. With high-profile players like Patrick Kane still on the market, local fans are watching closely to see if he might join a Western Conference team, potentially impacting the competitive landscape for teams like the Dallas Stars, a regional rival. The substantial contracts being signed, including the record-breaking deal for Bowen Byram, also underscore the financial commitments teams are making to attract and retain top talent, which could influence the player personnel decisions made by teams in the region. As the free agency period continues, San Antonio fans will be keeping a close eye on how these moves might affect the teams they follow, and what it might mean for the chances of their favorite players and teams in the upcoming season.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
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) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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