All articles tagged with #nhl free agency
The NHL released a comprehensive list of free agent signings and available players across various teams, detailing restricted and unrestricted free agents, recent signings, and players who did not receive offers, highlighting the ongoing player movement during the free agency period.
Mitch Marner, after nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, has joined the Vegas Golden Knights on an eight-year, $93 million contract, aiming to help the team win its first Stanley Cup, while reflecting on his past tenure and the new opportunities ahead.
The Philadelphia Flyers strengthened their roster by signing center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million deal, adding depth at the position after trading for Trevor Zegras and making other offseason moves to improve their team while maintaining flexibility for future seasons.
The article provides an updated NHL free-agent big board, highlighting key players still available after top targets like Marner, Marchand, Ekblad, and Provorov have been signed, emphasizing the high demand and strategic value of remaining free agents across various positions.
The NHL is set to open free agency with a significant $7.5 million salary cap increase, leading to high activity as teams seek to improve their rosters. Key storylines include Mitch Marner's potential move to Vegas, Florida's efforts to re-sign key players, the challenge for the Maple Leafs to replace Marner, the Rangers' roster rebuild, and the market for top defensemen and goalies. The upcoming free agency promises a busy and strategic offseason for NHL teams.
The Vegas Golden Knights are considering trading for the rights to Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner before he becomes a free agent, which could significantly impact their roster and salary cap, especially if they sign him to a large extension. The deal involves trade assets like Nicolas Roy and raises questions about cap management and roster depth, with the potential to strengthen Vegas's offensive firepower but also complicate their salary structure.
Sam Bennett signed an eight-year, $8 million per season contract with the Florida Panthers, likely securing his long-term stay in South Florida and impacting the team's cap space and free agency plans. The Panthers aim to re-sign key players like Ekblad and Marchand, but cap constraints and potential injuries could influence their roster moves ahead of the upcoming season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and pending UFA center John Tavares are not close to a new contract, with Tavares seeking over $5 million annually and the team considering other options if he leaves. Tavares, who has expressed a desire to stay in Toronto, is a key player in a limited free-agent center market, and the Leafs have about $25.7 million in cap space, but face uncertainty with other pending free agents like Mitch Marner.
Sam Bennett, after being traded from Calgary to the Florida Panthers in 2021, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and helped the Panthers secure back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Despite his success, he faces a crucial decision on whether to re-sign with the Panthers or explore free agency, with speculation about his future and potential departure. Bennett's journey highlights the impact of strategic trades and player development in building championship teams.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made several signings in NHL free agency, including defenseman Ryan Graves and goalie Tristan Jarry. Graves' six-year contract is seen as a good deal for the team, while Jarry's five-year deal carries more risk. The Penguins also added forwards Noel Acciari, Lars Eller, and Matt Nieto to improve their bottom-six depth. Despite President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas stating that the roster is mostly set, there are rumors of a potential move for defenseman Erik Karlsson. The Penguins have a solid top-four defense and an unsettled backup goalie situation, but keeping Jarry sets their course for now.
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci played a role in Milan Lucic's decision to return to the Boston Bruins, as the veteran forward signed a one-year, $1 million deal. Lucic sought advice from his former teammates and received positive feedback about reuniting with the team and the city. While Lucic's return won't singlehandedly elevate the Bruins, his veteran leadership and experience will be valuable to the team.
Buffalo Sabres' GM Kevyn Adams quickly addressed the team's defensive needs in the first hour of NHL free agency by signing defensemen Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton. Johnson, a former Stanley Cup winner, brings leadership and mentorship to the young defense corps, which includes Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power. Clifton adds physicality and penalty-killing skills. With a crowded defense roster, Adams may make further moves before the season begins.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were unable to retain their top unrestricted free agent, Alex Killorn, due to salary cap constraints. Killorn signed a four-year, $25 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks. However, the Lightning made moves to retool their forward lines by signing Conor Sheary, Luke Glendening, and Josh Archibald to value deals. They also signed goaltender Jonas Johansson and forward Logan Brown. Sheary signed a three-year deal, Glendening signed a two-year deal, and Archibald signed a two-year deal. Killorn had spent 11 seasons with the Lightning and was coming off a career-high 27-goal season.
The New Jersey Devils are expected to be active in NHL free agency, with general manager Tom Fitzgerald already making several moves leading up to July 1. Fitzgerald extended contracts for Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt, traded away Damon Severson, Yegor Sharangovich, Reilly Walsh, and Mackenzie Blackwood, and acquired Tyler Toffoli from the Flames. The Devils' free agency tracker will provide live updates and instant analysis for each signing.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced their official roster for their upcoming development camp, which won't include on-ice work but is a step towards Connor Bedard's debut with the team. Bedard, the first overall pick, received congratulations from Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby. Oliver Moore, considered a steal at the 19th overall pick, will be roommates with Blackhawks prospect Sam Rinzel. NHL Free Agency begins today, and the NBA's free agency period started with the Bulls making a well-received move.