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NHL free agency spills into Day 2 with Patrick Kane still available; Ovechkin returns to Capitals
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 2, 2026
· 1 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 Capit...
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 [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
For McAllen hockey fans, the ongoing NHL free agency period brings a mix of excitement and curiosity, particularly with a player like Patrick Kane still on the market. As a three-time Stanley Cup champion, Kane's availability is a significant storyline, even if his playing style and accomplishments may not directly impact the local sports landscape. However, his potential signing could have a ripple effect on the league, influencing the competitive balance and potentially altering the fortunes of teams that hockey enthusiasts in the Rio Grande Valley follow. With Kane's advanced age and past accolades, including the Hart Trophy, his next move will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, sparking discussions about his legacy and the evolving nature of the NHL.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen 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 ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 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 Capit...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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