Free agents in the NHL | July 1 in five moments

On this opening day of the free agent market in the NHL, there were good moves and not so good moves. There were also surprises. Overview.

Killorn goes to the bank

We all hope to one day wake up with millions in the bank, and that’s exactly what happened to Alex Killorn. The Montreal forward said yes to a huge contract from the Anaheim Ducks, who kindly offered him a four-year pact, at an annual average of 6.25 million US. It seems very expensive paid for this proud veteran, who has just concluded the best season of his life, collecting 64 points in 82 games during the last season with the Lightning. Killorn had also only known the city of Tampa as a hockey home, having been the Lightning’s third-round pick in the 2007 draft. The Ducks, in fact, felt in the holiday spirit in the middle of summer , because they also chose to make another gift, this time to defender Radko Gudas, who couldn’t believe his luck in receiving this three-year contract for a nice average of 4 million dollars per season.

Guardians come and go

We can’t say it enough, but the Golden Knights have just won with a goalie who was basically the club’s fourth goalie last summer. So why fight for a keeper? That’s a great question, but that reality hasn’t stopped NHL clubs from splurging on mitts and face masks. Thus, the Ottawa Senators hired Joonas Korpisalo with a big 5-year contract, for 4 million dollars a year. It’s expensive to pay, but hey, it’s their money. Then, we note that several other goalies took advantage of the day of the move (in Quebec in any case) to move too, in particular Laurent Brossoit (1 year and 1.75 million with the Jets), Jonathan Quick (1 year and 825 $000 with the Rangers), MacKenzie Blackwood (2 years and 4.7 million in total with the Sharks) and James Reimer (1 year at 1.5 million with the Red Wings). All that to say that we are already counting the minutes before the management of the Senators begins to regret the contract granted to Korpisalo on 1^er July 2023.

O’Reilly is moving (again)

Since it is a question of removals, here is one who is used to it. Ryan O’Reilly, a free agent in his state, chose to pack his things and go to Nashville, a beautiful life decision that we can all understand. The veteran striker said yes to the Predators, to the extent of a new four-year agreement, amounting to an annual salary of 4.5 million on average. If we count correctly, and we believe we can do it, that’s O’Reilly’s fifth team since he started skating in this league, in 2009-2010. Thus, over time, the big forward donned the jersey of the Colorado Avalanche, the Buffalo Sabers, the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he scored 9 points in 11 games. The 32-year-old may have had his best moments in St. Louis, especially in the spring of 2019, when he won the Stanley Cup and the Conn-Smythe Trophy with the Blues. The Predators will now hope he still has some magic left.

Big day for the Hurricanes

Last spring must have been fabulous for the Carolina Hurricanes. It didn’t, and obviously the Hurricanes still have a bitter taste for it, because they chose to drown their sorrows by spending, as we all do. Thus, the Hurricanes granted new contracts to three of their own players on this crazy day, in addition to bringing in two others, starting with Dmitry Orlov, who will land in this corner of the country with a new two-year contract. , and an average of 7.75 million per season. Former Maple Leafs rookie of the year finalist Michael Bunting also accepted a three-year, $13.5 million offer. Moreover, the Hurricanes chose to bring back goalkeepers Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, as well as striker Jesper Fast, who was undoubtedly quick to say yes to this proposal. A few days ago, the Hurricanes also chose to bring Jordan Staal back for four more seasons.

The Islanders distribute contracts!

All this happened at the end of the day, when we were no longer expecting it. But it did happen, and the Islanders announced no less than four spectacular contract extensions at the end of the day, and not the least. The first to jump for joy is undoubtedly Pierre Engvall, who obtained a 7-year contract extension, at an average of 3 million per season. Then, defender Scott Mayfield also got a 7-year contract extension, and goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin got a very nice contract extension too, but even better, over 8 years, for the modest sum of 66 million. . The club’s other goalkeeper, Semyon Varlamov, has been granted a four-year contract extension for $11 million.

in bulk

• Tristan Jarry is going nowhere. The Pittsburgh Penguins have decided to offer him the keys to the city in the form of a 5-year, $26.88 million contract. Jarry had his fair share of injuries last season, which ironically may have proven his worth. He was 24-13-7 with a 2.90 GAA and .909 save percentage. “At his age (28), and looking at the market, it was the best decision for the team,” said GM Kyle Dubas.

• The New York Rangers have added experience to their roster, signing forward Blake Wheeler. Wheeler had his contract bought out by the Winnipeg Jets earlier last week. He will receive a salary of $800,000, with an additional $300,000 available as bonuses.

• The Capitals have signed forward Max Pacioretty on a one-year contract for two million, to which another two million could be added if the American reaches his performance bonuses.

• The Dallas Stars have signed Matt Duchene to a one-year deal for $3 million. Duchene’s contract was bought out Friday by the Nashville Predators.

With the Associated Press

A few other signings

Lightning – Conor Sheary, winger (3 years 6m total)
Flyers – Ryan Poehling, center (1 year 1.4m)
Red Wings – Justin Holl, defenseman (3 years 10.2m total)
Red Wings – Daniel Sprong, winger (1 year 2m)
Red Wings – JT Compher, center (5 years old 25.5m overall)
Red Wings – Shayne Gostisbehere, defenseman (1 year 4.13m)
Bruins – Morgan Geekie, center (2 years old 4m)
Bruins – Milan Lucic, winger (1 year 1m)
Bruins – Kevin Shattenkirk, defenseman (1 yr 1m)
Bruins-Anthony Richard, center (1 year old 0775m)
Sabers – Connor Clifton, defenseman (3 years old 9.99m overall)
Sabers – Erik Johnson, defenseman (1 year 3.25m)
Sharks – MacKenzie Blackwood, goaltender (2 years 4.7m overall)
Kings – Cam Talbot, keeper (1 year 1m +1m bonus)
Panthers – Oliver Ekman-Larsson, defenseman (1 year 2.25m)
Penguins-Noel Acciari, center (3 years old 6m overall)
Penguins-Ryan Graves, defenseman (6 years 27m total)
Penguins – Alex Nedjelkovic, goalkeeper (1 year 1.5m)
Penguins – Lars Eller, center (2 years old 4.9m overall)
Predators – Luke Schenn, defenseman (3 years old 8.25m overall)
Predators – Gustav Nyquist, center (2 years old 6.37m overall)
Predators – Cody Glass, center (2 years 5m total)
Maple Leafs – Ryan Reaves, winger (3 years old 4.05m overall)
Maple Leafs – John Klingberg, defenseman (1 year 4.15m)
Oilers – Connor Brown, winger (1 year 4m)
Avalanche – Miles Woods, winger (6 years old 15m overall)
Canucks – Carson Soucy, defenseman (3 years old 9.75m overall)
Coyotes – Jason Zucker, winger (1 year 5.3m)
Coyotes – Nick Bjugstad, center (2 years old 4.2m overall)
Coyotes – Alex Kerfoot, winger (2 yrs 7m overall)
Kraken – Brian Dumoulin, defender (2 years old 6.3m overall)