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2025 Free Agency

Two Teams Remain In The Running To Sign Evgeny Kuznetsov

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After making his intention to return to North America known, it was expected that free agent center Evgeny Kuznetsov would be snapped up relatively quickly in a UFA market that wasn’t exactly deep this summer.  But instead, his market has been slow-played as he remains unsigned.

However, it appears that he may not be without a contract for much longer.  His agent Shumi Babaev told Sports Daily’s Mikhail Nyukhin that his client has now identified two NHL teams that he’ll sign with; he didn’t specify who they were, however.  Both of those teams are now in the process of trying to open up salary cap space to sign Kuznetsov.  When asked about him signing a minimum-salary contract worth $775K, Babaev indicated that there have been no talks about that.

Last summer, the 33-year-old signed a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL which strongly suggested that his days of playing in the NHL had come to an end.  But after a solid season that saw him record 12 goals and 25 assists in 39 games, the final three seasons of the agreement were terminated back in April but instead of looking for another team in Russia to sign with, he set his sights on returning to North America.

Kuznetsov last played in the NHL in 2023-24, starting that year with Washington, the only NHL team he had known after they drafted him in the first round in 2010.  However, he re-entered the Player Assistance Program in February of that season and upon being cleared to return, the Capitals subsequently waived him.  After he cleared (an unsurprising outcome given his $7.8MM cap charge), he was dealt with 50% retention to Carolina for a third-round pick.

Kuznetsov went on to pick up seven points in 20 games with the Hurricanes before tallying six more in 10 playoff outings, looking as if he could be a useful secondary contributor for them.   However, he requested and was granted the termination of the final year of that contract to allow him to return to Russia; one year later, the opposite has happened.

In his prime, Kuznetsov was a legitimate number one center, allowing him to amass 173 goals and 402 assists in 743 games at the top level.  But toward the end of that time, his production was starting to slow down and it’s fair to question how much of an impact he’ll have on a lineup now.  However, it appears that there was enough of a market for him to be at least a little selective on where he’ll play at a salary higher than the minimum.  It looks as if we’ll know somewhat soon where Kuznetsov will be suiting up in 2025-26.

Big Names Stay Patient As Extension Talks Loom

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As the extension market heats up, several big-name forwards are staying patient while the landscape continues to reset, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast.

Several key players have one year remaining on their deals, making now an opportunity for extensions to be handed out. But with the new season quickly approaching, players like Jack Eichel, Alex Tuch, and Kyle Connor are expected to wait and see how the market develops.

In Eichel’s case, Friedman said he would be “shocked” if the forward doesn’t remain with the Vegas Golden Knights long-term. However, that isn’t stopping the 28-year-old from trying to maximize the value of his next extension. Coming off a career-high 94-point season, Eichel is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $10 million AAV — a number that’s likely to rise with any future extension.

Friedman believes players like Tuch and Connor are in similar situations. Both are coming off what could be considered the best seasons of their careers, and both have one year remaining on their current contracts. Tuch matched a career high with 36 goals last season for the Sabres, while Connor finished just three points shy of 100 with the Jets.

“I think this whole group of players, they’re all feeling it out,” Friedman said. “Everyone is feeling it out to see how the market resets.”

Friedman feels the extension market will start to pick up after a relatively slow summer and believes Frank Nazar’s recent seven-year extension with the Blackhawks will help speed things along. While Nazar’s situation differs from that of established veterans — the 21-year-old has played just 56 career NHL games — his lengthy extension still offers a useful benchmark for veterans during negotiations.

“And that Nazar one, one of the reasons we found out about that one before the Blackhawks announced it was because there was some talk here about how this was a big deal. This is a precedent-setting deal,” Friedman said.

Scheifele Excited To Add Toews To Mix

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Count Winnipeg Jets alternate captain and first-line center Mark Scheifele among those excited about the addition of longtime NHL captain Jonathan Toews. Calling Toews’ signing with the Jets “the perfect storm,” Scheifele expressed excitement about adding the three-time Stanley Cup champion and Winnipeg native, per NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest.

“Coming back to Winnipeg, coming back from not playing for a couple of years, I thought it all made so much sense. I was obviously hoping that we were the front-runner and we’re very excited to have him,” said Scheifele.

Toews signed a one-year deal with Jets on June 20, marking his return to the NHL after being sidelined since April 2023 after being diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). After a trip to India to seek additional healing practices, Toews announced in May that he intended to make a comeback, and ultimately chose to play for his hometown team.

While it’s difficult to predict how Toews will perform after such a long layoff, he’s expected to slot into a top-nine role and could provide the defending Presidents’ Trophy winners with a dependable two-way presence, which was a hallmark of his game during his time with the Blackhawks. Toews, along with fellow recent signees Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, and Cole Koepke, will look to pick up the offensive slack left behind by Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this offseason.

Scheifele acknowledged that losing Ehlers is a challenge, but believes the team can take the next step in their success after being eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs.

“I think the biggest thing for us is to take those expectations and use it as motivation. You want to be just as good as last year, but at the same time, it’s about winning a Stanley Cup and that’s the end goal. We didn’t get that done last year and that at the end of the day, is our biggest goal,” he said.

Jani Hakanpaa Fully Cleared From Knee Injury, Has Had NHL Interest This Summer

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Despite seeing very little game action, last season was an eventful one for free agent defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.  He agreed to terms with Toronto on the opening day of free agency on a multi-year deal before his physical revealed concerns over his recovery from knee surgery.  Eventually, a revised one-year pact was agreed upon with the hope that he’d be able to return at some point in the season.

However, that return only lasted two games in November before he was sidelined once again, landing right back on LTIR.  But there was a chance he could have suited up in the playoffs as the 33-year-old told Ilta-Sanomat’s Ville Touru earlier this month that he had been cleared by team doctors to suit up if he was needed.  Now, he says he has been fully cleared and is looking to sign with an NHL team for the upcoming season.

When healthy, Hakanpaa has been an effective third-pairing blueliner while bringing plenty of physicality to the table.  Over his 290 career NHL appearances, he has 899 hits along with 45 points in 18 minutes a night of playing time.  As a big right-shot player, there would be a decent market for his services if teams feel he can legitimately step up and contribute.

Hakanpaa noted that he has had some calls this summer from NHL teams but that he wanted to wait a little to see how the market shook out first.  Whether that’s a sign that the offers weren’t to his liking or that he wanted to get a sense of where he might best fit remains to be seen.

Speculatively, given the injury trouble, he’s someone who stands out as a viable PTO candidate.  He isn’t eligible for a one-year deal with performance incentives as while he meets the requirement of being on IR for 100 days last season, he doesn’t meet the games played criterion of 400 NHL appearances.  But with Hakanpaa being healthy (or as healthy as he’s going to be following the surgery), he could be an intriguing pickup over the coming weeks.

League Notes: Berglund, Brazeau, Gorges

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In an effort to strengthen the team’s depth chart and offer lineup flexibility for new head coach Dan Muse, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas signed forward Justin Brazeau to a low-key, two-year, $3MM contract this offseason. Brazeau, in turn, is looking to build on the confidence he’s developed over the past few seasons, per team reporter Michelle Crechiolo.

Brazeau, 27, made the most of his first full NHL season last year. In 57 games for the Boston Bruins, the 6’6″, 220-pound winger averaged 12:58 of ice time per night and produced 10 goals and 20 points. He was then flipped to the Minnesota Wild in March, but couldn’t find similar offensive production, posting just two points in 19 games. Still, he finished the season with career highs across the board, including games played (76), goals (11), points (22), hits (123), and blocked shots (38). After bouncing around the ECHL and AHL for much of his pro career, Brazeau is looking to continue to build on his growth from last season.

“With every game, every day in the NHL, I think my confidence has kind of started to build and grow, getting adjusted to the speed of the game and the timings and stuff like that,” Brazeau said. “So, I don’t think it’s any one thing in particular. I think it’s just kind of that confidence and knowing that you belong in this league and you can be a good player.”

Brazeau, whom Dubas originally signed to his first pro contract during their time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, seems to fit the type of player the Penguins targeted this offseason. While it’s still unclear what head coach Dan Muse’s system will emphasize, the organization has clearly prioritized adding size and physicality to the lineup. Alongside Brazeau, Pittsburgh also brought in physically imposing players like forward Anthony Mantha and defensemen Connor Clifton and Alexander Alexeyev. The team also re-signed depth forward Bokondji Imama, who racked up 45 hits and 30 penalty minutes in just 16 games last season.

Elsewhere around the league:

  • The World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS) recently wrapped up, and several prospects impressed on the international stage, including Philadelphia Flyers 2024 second-round pick Jack Berglund. As team reporter Bill Meltzer outlines, the 19-year-old native of Sweden produced seven points in five WJSS games, which included two even-strength goals and two power-play goals. Berglund, who already stands at 6’2″, 210 pounds, also showcased a physical brand of hockey and mixed it up several times against Team USA and Team Finland. A center with strong defensive grades, Berglund spent most of last season playing with Färjestad BK of the SHL, Sweden’s top professional league. He posted just three points in 17 games, but served as one of the youngest members of the team. With a solid showing at the WJSS and his North American pro debut on the horizon, Berglund will be a player to watch for the Flyers.
  • NHL veteran and alum Josh Gorges has been added to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets coaching staff, per a team release. Gorges, 40, appeared in 783 games over 13 NHL seasons, and most recently laced it up with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2017-18 season. The rugged defender produced over 1,500 blocked shots and 1,000 hits during his career, which included stops in San Jose, Montreal, and Buffalo. In the late 2000s, Gorges was a staple in the Habs lineup, appearing in 80 or more games on three different occasions. The announcement is a bit of a homecoming for Gorges, as he played four seasons with Kelowna from 2000-2004.

Snapshots: Bichsel, Brett Murray, Bakersfield Deals

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With the Dallas Stars parting ways with veterans Cody Ceci, Mathew Dumba and Brendan Smith, the door is fully open for 21-year-old defender Lian Bichsel to make a full impact on the blue line this season, per NHL.com’s Mike Heika.

Last season, during his rookie year, Bichsel, the Stars’ first-round pick in the 2022 draft (18th overall), appeared in 38 games, recording nine points, 23 blocked shots, and a team-leading 155 hits. The hulking 6’7″, 230-pound defenseman also suited up for 18 playoff games, contributing one assist and adding 75 more hits. His 16.4 hits per 60 minutes last season was nearly 10 higher than the second-place finisher (Colin Blackwell with 6.9).

A native of Switzerland, Bichsel appeared in the Swedish Hockey League for three seasons before coming over to North America, and worked his way into Dallas’ lineup in short order. And as Heika notes, Bichsel could slot into a variety of pairings on the Stars’ third defensive unit, but skating alongside veteran Alexander Petrovic would give him a steady, experienced presence. The two also have experience playing as a pairing in the AHL.

Elsewhere around the league:

  • After spending the past six seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization, primarily with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, winger Brett Murray is on the move, per Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat. Despite posting a career-high 27 goals for Rochester last season, the Sabres are set to part ways with one of their key AHL leaders. A fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Murray played two seasons at Penn State before making the jump to the pro ranks. He went on to appear in 26 NHL games for Buffalo, recording two goals and six points.

  • The Edmonton Oilers’ top affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, signed four players to AHL deals, per a team announcement. The team signed forwards Matt Brown and Trevor Janicke and defensemen Mats Lindgren and Luke Prokop. Of note, Propkop was a third-round selection of the Nashville Predators in the 2020 draft, while Lindgren was a fourth-round selection of the Sabres in the 2022 draft.

Metro Notes: Ovechkin, Flyers Goaltending, Wotherspoon

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While Alex Ovechkin broke arguably the NHL’s most iconic record last season by scoring his 895th career goal, the Russian sharpshooter still has more milestones to chase in the coming year, Sports Illustrated’s Nick Horwat outlines.

In what could be his final season, Ovechkin will easily become the first player in NHL history to hit the 900-goal plateau. Just three goals away, a fast start should put that record in the rear-view mirror and could kick-start another pursuit in Ovechkin’s age-40 season. Currently, Gordie Howe holds the record for most goals by a 40-year-old player with the 44 he put up during the 1968-69 season with the Detroit Red Wings. It’s a lofty mark that remains unmatched 50-plus years later for a reason, but it’s a reasonable expectation for Ovechkin, who is coming off a 44-goal season while playing just 65 games.

Ovechkin is also just 18 points shy of cracking the NHL’s top 10 all-time scoring list, three goals away from entering the top 10 in playoff goals, and 192 hits short of becoming second all-time in that category.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division:

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have been on a bit of a goaltending carousel over the years, due to a variety of circumstances. As Haley Taylor Simon of Philly Sports Network details, the situation may have hit rock bottom during the 2018-19 season when the team utilized an NHL-record eight goaltenders. Still, the Flyers haven’t exactly fortified the position since. However, Simon wonders if recently signed Dan Vladar could be the answer between the pipes. Still just 27, Vladar is coming off a solid showing with the Calgary Flames last season, appearing in 30 games and securing a .898 save percentage, a 2.80 GAA, and a career-high .586 quality start percentage. On the opening day of free agency, Vladar signed a to a two-year, $6.7MM deal and is expected to compete with Samuel Ersson, who appeared in 47 games for the Flyers last season and finished with a .883 save percentage and 3.14 GAA.
  • Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed a desire to improve both the depth and overall performance of his left-side defensemen, which led to a series of free-agent signings aimed at finding the right fit. Among the players he signed, physical defenseman Parker Wotherspoon — who inked a two-year, $2 million deal with Pittsburgh — may have the inside track on a roster spot. Wotherspoon, 27, has appeared in 108 regular-season games in the NHL across three seasons, including a career-high 55 games for the Boston Bruins last season. On the year, he averaged 18:02 of ice time per night and registered seven points, 75 hits, and 66 blocked shots. He joins recently signed Caleb Jones and Alexander Alexeyev, as well as veteran Ryan Graves, and promising youngster Owen Pickering in Pittsburgh’s depth chart. Per Justin Guerriero of Triblive.com, Wotherspoon believes Pittsburgh gives him the best opportunity to play. “They seemed interested, we seemed interested and we thought it’d be a good fit with some opportunity to play. … An opportunity to get back in the playoffs is all I wanted to do. Everything just kind of lined up really well,” he said.

Caleb Jones Eyeing Roster Spot With Penguins

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The Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas have made a number of acquisitions since the start of free agency, but one under-the-radar move may prove impactful. On the opening day of free agency, the team agreed to terms with left-handed defenseman Caleb Jones on a two-year, $1.8 million deal. While the signing didn’t generate much buzz, Jones could quietly become a meaningful contributor in Pittsburgh as he sets his sights on earning a spot on the team’s opening night roster.

As Justin Guerriero of TribLive.com outlines, Jones is joining a franchise in the midst of a significant transition — not only will the team be adapting to new head coach Dan Muse’s philosophies, but the names on the blue line have changed considerably as well. He joins newly signed defenders Parker Wotherspoon, Alexander Alexeyev, and a host of other options on the left side vying for a spot in the lineup.

The organization is particularly thin on the left side of the blue line, with embattled veteran Ryan Graves likely the only lock for the opening night roster. Competing for spots behind him are promising prospect Owen Pickering and journeymen Ryan Shea and Sebastian Aho. While Jones admitted to not knowing much about Muse or his preferred style of play, he is confident his performance can make an impact at the NHL level.

“I just felt like the opportunity to come to Pittsburgh and kind of be a regular guy every night and really fully be established was something too good to pass up,” he said. “I had a lot of communication with management and the coaches, and I just felt really good about the opportunity I was going to have. I’m really excited. I think we’ll have a good team, and I think it’s going to be a great chance for me to come in, show what I can do and really earn a spot.”

Jones, 28, has 248 games at the NHL level under his belt across seven seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and LA Kings. He appeared in six games with the Kings last season, but spent the majority of the year in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. His most extended look in the NHL came during the 2022-23 season, when he registered career highs in games played (73), points (16), penalty minutes (40), blocked shots (118), and hits (116).

Jack Roslovic Still Undecided On Next Team

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Though forward Jack Roslovic remains unsigned more than a month into free agency, it’s not for a lack of interest. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the 20-goal scorer has multiple suitors, with over five teams reportedly vying for his services, and Roslovic is currently taking his time to evaluate his options.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed Roslovic to a one-year, $2.8 million deal for the 2024-25 season, and he delivered by tying his career-high of 22 goals—more than any other remaining free agent. However, Roslovic’s career has been marked by inconsistency, as evidenced by his slump in the second half of the season, where he managed just five goals.

Friedman believes that some remaining free agents are hesitant to sign contracts that could soon be viewed as too much of a bargain, and that might be where Roslovic currently stands in the process. With that said, Elliotte Friedman suggests there are upwards of six teams interested in him, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“He’s the best available player remaining. And, obviously, he hasn’t found anything he 100 percent likes. But there are definitely a few teams poking around there. I’ve heard five or six teams. So, he needs to get to something he feels comfortable with,” Friedman said.

A two-time 20-goal scorer, Roslovic is still just 28 years old and could provide valuable third-line production in the right system. In 526 career games across nine seasons, the forward has produced 260 points across stops with the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Hurricanes. Before the start of free agency, ProHockeyRumors had Roslovic as the 20th-best option on the free agent market, with a projected three-year, $10.5MM contract ($3.5MM AAV). While those numbers are unlikely to be achieved this late in the process, Friedman’s report indicates that a deal is likely to materialize soon.

Free Agent Profile: Luke Glendening

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While a 36-year-old forward coming off a seven-point season may not seem like much of an asset, veteran center Luke Glendening could still bring meaningful value in the right situation. Glendening suited up in 77 games last season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, posting just four goals and three assists while centering the team’s fourth line.

Despite limited offensive production, he remained defensively reliable, tallying 105 hits, 58 blocked shots, and a 57 percent faceoff win rate — impressively in line with his 55.8 percent career average. It marked the eighth consecutive season that Glendening posted a faceoff win rate of at least 55 percent, which could be a valuable asset for any team looking to win key draws in the defensive zone.

While he’s never been an asset in the offensive zone (as told by his 166 points in 864 games), Glendening has carved out an impressive 12-year career thanks to his grit, physicality, and defensive prowess. Over the course of his career — which began in Detroit and includes stops in Dallas and Tampa — Glendening has logged 10 seasons with at least 100 hits and 11 seasons with 50 or more blocked shots. He has also received Selke votes on three separate occasions, a testament to his defensive reliability.

2024-25: 77 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS, -9, 10 PIMS, 51 shots, 10:47 ATOI, 57.0 FO%, 38.3 CF%
Career: 864 GP, 83 G, 83 A, 166 PTS, -84, 308 PIMS, 944 shots, 13:37 ATOI, 55.8 FO%, 36.4 CF%

Potential Suitors

While many teams could benefit from a veteran fourth-line center with faceoff expertise, it appears Glendening’s most recent club isn’t one of them. Despite being a nightly fixture in the Lightning’s lineup, it was reported prior to the start of free agency that the Bolts were going to let Glendening hit the open market, where he remains today.

As mentioned earlier, Glendening could fit with a number of teams, whether it’s a contender in need of bottom-six experience or a rebuilding squad seeking veteran leadership and a few niche skills.

Projected Contract

At this stage of his career, any contract offer Glendening receives is likely to be a one-year deal in the $775,000 to $800,000 range. While his defensive reliability and faceoff expertise still offer value, his limited offensive upside and advancing age significantly narrow his market. Glendening may also have to settle for a PTO and attempt to earn a roster spot by outperforming younger competition in training camp.

Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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