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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 The Piney Point
As NHL free agency continues, local hockey fans in Piney Point Village may be keeping a close eye on the movements of high-profile players like Patrick Kane. With the salary cap increasing to $104 million, teams have more room to maneuver and make big signings, which could impact the competitive balance of the league. For fans in the Houston area, the question is whether any of these free agent signings will have a ripple effect on the local hockey landscape. While there are no NHL teams in Piney Point Village, the city's proximity to Houston means that many residents likely follow the sport and may be interested in seeing how these signings play out. As the offseason continues to unfold, it will be worth watching to see if any of these new signings lead to changes in the way local hockey teams and leagues operate, or if they inspire new interest in the sport among residents of Piney Point Village.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point 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 The Piney Point 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 The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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