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Day One Free Agent Recap: Central Division

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This year’s July 1 was a doozy, with over 150 signings taking place on the opening day of free agency. With most hockey fans still trying to work through and process their team’s signings, we’re breaking down the long list of signings by division. You can check back and see what teams in the Atlantic Division and Metropolitan Division did.

Here, you can see how Central Division teams have fared on the open market so far:

Arizona Coyotes

D Troy Stecher (one year, $1.1MM)
F Alex Galchenyuk (one year, two-way, $775K)
F Travis Barron (one year, two-way, $775K)
F Jason Zucker (one year, $5.3MM)
F Alexander Kerfoot (two years, $7MM, $3.5MM AAV)
F Nick Bjugstad (two years, $4.2MM, $2.1MM AAV)
G Matt Villalta (one year, two-way, $775K)
*D Montana Onyebuchi (two years, two-way, $1.9MM, $950K AAV)
*F John Leonard (one year, two-way, $775K)

*July 2 signings

Chicago Blackhawks

F Ryan Donato (two years, $4MM, $2MM AAV)

Colorado Avalanche

D Corey Schueneman (one year, two-way, $775K AAV)
F Andrew Cogliano (one year, $825K)
F Miles Wood (six years, $15MM, $2.5MM AAV)
D Bowen Byram (two years, $7.7MM, $3.85MM AAV)
F Jonathan Drouin (one year, $825K)
D Jack Ahcan (two years, two-way, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
G Arvid Holm (one year, two-way, $775K)
F Chris Wagner (one year, two-way, $775K)
F Riley Tufte (one year, two-way, $775K)
*G Justus Annunen (one year, two-way, $775K)
*D Jack Johnson (one year, $775K)

*July 2 signings

Dallas Stars

F Matt Duchene (one year, $3MM)
D Joel Hanley (two years, $1.575MM, $787.5K AAV)
F Craig Smith (one year, $1MM)
F Sam Steel (one year, $850K)
*D Gavin Bayreuther (one year, $775K)

*July 2 signing

Minnesota Wild

F Vinni Lettieri (two years, two-way, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
F Jake Lucchini (one year, two-way, $775K)

Nashville Predators

F Gustav Nyquist (two years, $6.37MM, $3.185MM AAV)
D Luke Schenn (three years, $8.25MM, $2.75MM AAV)
F Cody Glass (two years, $5MM, $2.5MM AAV)
F Anthony Angello (two years, two-way, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
F Ryan O’Reilly (four years, $18MM, $4.5MM AAV)
G Troy Grosenick (one year, two-way, $775K)
D Alexandre Carrier (one year, $2.5MM)

St. Louis Blues

F Mackenzie MacEachern (two years, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
D Wyatt Kalynuk (one year, two-way, $775K)
D Joshua Jacobs (one year, two-way, $775K)
G Malcolm Subban (one year, two-way, $775K)

Winnipeg Jets

G Collin Delia (one year, $775K)
F Vladislav Namestnikov (two years, $4MM, $2MM AAV)
F Jeffrey Viel (one year, $775K)
G Laurent Brossoit (one year, $1.75MM)

Contract information courtesy of CapFriendly

Detroit Red Wings Sign Nolan Stevens

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A strong showing in the minors has earned former St. Louis Blues forward prospect Nolan Stevens another NHL contract. The Detroit Red Wings have nabbed the unrestricted free agent on a one-year, two-way deal, with CapFriendly reporting it’s worth $775K in the NHL and $150K in the AHL.

The 26-year-old center scored 15 goals and 33 points in 48 games with the AHL’s Utica Comets on a minor-league contract last season, setting a career-high in both categories. The Blues cut ties with Stevens during the 2021-22 season, trading him to the Minnesota Wild in a minor-league swap for forward William Bitten. Minnesota then opted not to re-sign Stevens when he became a UFA under Group VI rules last offseason.

Now with 119 points in 237 AHL games to his name, Stevens is slated for usage with the Grand Rapids Griffins, who will be his fifth AHL squad. Detroit’s affiliate struggled last season, posting a 28-36-8 record and missing the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight season. Stevens was on pace for 50 points in a full 72 AHL games last season, which would’ve placed him second on the 2022-23 Griffins squad. Needless to say, he’ll be an important cog in helping Detroit’s farm team return to postseason play.

An NHL contract provides the 6-foot-2 center a chance at his NHL debut, something he hasn’t achieved in five seasons since turning pro. The former Northeastern University captain was selected by the Blues with the 125th overall pick in 2016.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

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The Winnipeg Jets are bringing back one of their players who hit the open market Saturday. Group VI UFA left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby is returning to the team on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $775K. Per the Jets, the deal is a two-way contract in 2023-24 and a one-way contract in 2024-25. PuckPedia adds his AHL salary this season will be $225K.

Winnipeg acquired Jonsson-Fjallby via waiver claim just before the beginning of the 2022-23 season. He went on to spend most of the season on the NHL roster, playing a career-high 50 games and recording six goals and 14 points in a fourth-line role.

Originally a 2016 fifth-round selection of the Washington Capitals, Jonsson-Fjallby’s only previous NHL experience came with them in 2021-22, scoring two goals and four points in 23 games. It came after Washington briefly lost him to the Buffalo Sabres in October 2021, also via a waiver claim, before the Capitals reclaimed him on the waiver wire a few weeks later.

The 25-year-old isn’t likely to play an everyday role in the Jets’ lineup, though, at least not this season. Winnipeg getting three NHL players back from the Los Angeles Kings in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade could push Jonsson-Fjallby down to press box status, although a potential Mark Scheifele trade later on this offseason could generate more playing opportunities for the Swedish winger.

At league minimum, he’s a perfectly fine option for the Jets in a limited role. He’s a speedy forechecker who’s also responsible defensively, and while he doesn’t have much long-term offensive upside, you don’t have to worry about him as a liability at the bottom of the lineup.

Winnipeg would risk losing him on waivers if he doesn’t make the team, although awarding him a two-year deal (with a one-way salary attached in 2024-25) significantly lowers the likelihood of a claim. There’s a bit of a jam at the bottom of Winnipeg’s forward depth chart, with Jonsson-Fjallby battling with Rasmus Kupari, Jansen Harkins, David Gustafsson, and Dominic Toninato for roster spots on the Jets’ fourth line. All five would require waivers to be assigned to the AHL.

Seattle Kraken Sign Connor Carrick

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The Seattle Kraken have brought back a familiar face. Defenseman Connor Carrick is returning for his second stint with the organization, signing a one-year, two-way deal with a $775K average annual value.

Carrick, 29, joined the Kraken a couple of months before the team played their first game, signing a one-year pact with them in free agency in August 2021. He didn’t appear in an NHL game for them, though, instead spending the entire season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, Seattle’s affiliate for their inaugural season.

This is Carrick’s third straight one-year, two-way deal as he continues his career as a high-end AHL depth piece with some significant NHL experience. He spent last season with the Boston Bruins, leading their AHL affiliate in Providence in points from defensemen with 44 in 63 games. He made one NHL appearance with the Bruins in 2022-23, registering an assist, a +3 rating, two shots on goal, and playing 16:54 in an April 9 game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Carrick, a right-shot defender, also did well in Charlotte, recording 10 goals and 32 points in 59 games. The past two seasons were Carrick’s first full-time AHL campaigns since 2015-16 with the Hershey Bears and Toronto Marlies, as he’d mainly stuck in the NHL as a seventh defenseman since then.

In his eight-season, 242-game NHL career, Carrick’s played for the Bruins, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Washington Capitals. He’s amassed 13 goals, 37 assists, 50 points, and a -19 rating.

Seattle’s NHL defense corps is filled up after signing former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin to a two-year contract on July 1. Because of that, Carrick is likely destined for another significant AHL role, this time with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Seattle’s minor-league affiliate advanced to Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final in their inaugural campaign last year, losing to Hershey in overtime. Within the Kraken organization, he replaces the role of defenseman Brogan Rafferty, who led Firebirds defensemen in regular-season scoring with 51 points in 72 games and signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Day One Free Agent Recap: Metropolitan Division

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The NHL’s Metropolitan Division did some shopping yesterday, with a few teams making big splashes on the free agent market. Bigger deals include the New York Islanders’ twin seven-year deals for Scott Mayfield and Pierre Engvall, as well as a pricey two-year pact between the Carolina Hurricanes and Dmitry Orlov.

Carolina Hurricanes

F – Michael Bunting (3-year, $13.5MM, $4.5MM AAV)

F – Jesper Fast (2-year, $4.8MM, 2.4MM AAV)

D – Dmitry Orlov (2-year, $15.5MM, $7.75MM AAV)

G – Frederik Andersen (2-year, $6.8MM, $3.4MM AAV)

G – Antti Raanta (1-year, $1.5MM)

Columbus Blue Jackets

F – Adam Fantilli (3-year entry-level contract $950k AAV)

New Jersey Devils

F – Michael McLeod (1-year, $1.4MM)

F – Nathan Bastian (2-year, $2.7MM, $1.35MM AAV)

F – Kyle Criscuolo (1-year, $775k)

F – Justin Dowling (1-year, $775k)

G – Erik Kallgren (1-year, $775k)

New York Islanders

F – Pierre Engvall (7-year, $21MM, $3MM AAV)

D – Scott Mayfield (7-year, $24.5MM, $3.5MM AAV)

G – Ilya Sorokin (8-year, $66MM, $8.25MM AAV)

G – Semyon Varlamov (4-year, $11MM, $2.75MM)

New York Rangers

F – Blake Wheeler (1-year, $800k)

F – Nick Bonino (1-year, $800k)

F – Tyler Pitlick (1-year, $787.5k)

F – Riley Nash (2-year, $1.55MM, $775k AAV)

F – Alex Belzile (2-year, $1.55MM, $775k AAV)

D – Connor Mackey (1-year, $775k)

D – Erik Gustafsson (1-year, $825k)

D – Nikolas Brouillard (1-year, $775k)

G – Jonathan Quick  (1-year, $825k)

Philadelphia Flyers

F – Garnet Hathaway (2-year, $4.75MM, $2.375MM AAV)

F – Ryan Poehling (1-year, $1.4MM)

F – Rhett Gardner (2-year, $1.55MM, $775k AAV)

Pittsburgh Penguins

F – Noel Acciari (3-year, $6MM, $2MM AAV)

F – Lars Eller (2-year, $4.9MM, $2.45MM AAV)

F – Joona Koppanen (2-year, $1.55MM, $775k AAV)

F – Matt Nieto (2-year, $1.8MM, $900k AAV)

D – Ryan Graves (6-year, $27MM, $4.5MM AAV)

D – Ryan Shea (1-year, $775k)

G – Tristan Jarry (5-year, $26.875MM, $5.375MM AAV)

G – Alex Nedeljkovic (1-year, $1.5MM)

Washington Capitals

F – Max Pacioretty (1-year, $2MM)

F – Pierrick Dube (2-year, $1.9MM, $870k AAV)

G – Hunter Shepard (2-year, $1.55MM, $775k AAV)

Day One Free Agent Recap: Atlantic Division

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The NHL’s Atlantic Division was one of the busiest yesterday, as each team (minus the Montreal Canadiens) spent quite a bit to improve their clubs. Of all 166 signings made yesterday by teams, the Atlantic Division accounted for 33.73% of that. Of the largest contracts handed out in the division, J.T. Compher’s $25.5MM contract with the Detroit Red Wings and Joonas Korpisalo’s $20MM with the Ottawa Senators tops the list.

Boston Bruins

F – Morgan Geekie (2-year, $4MM, $2MM AAV)

F – Luke Toporowski (2-year, $1.9MM, $870K AAV)

F – Patrick Brown (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)

F – Milan Lucic (1-year, $1.5MM)

D – Kevin Shattenkirk (1-year, $1.05MM)

F – James van Riemsdyk (1-year, $1MM)

F – Jayson Megna (1-year, $775K)

D – Parker Wotherspoon (1-year, $775K)

F – Anthony Richard (1-year, $775K)

Buffalo Sabres

D – Connor Clifton (3-year, $9.99MM, $3.33MM AAV)

D – Erik Johnson (1-year, $3.25MM)

F – Tyson Jost (1-year, $2MM)

F – Justin Richards (1-year, $775K)

G – Devin Cooley (1-year, $775K)

G – Dustin Tokarski (1-year, $775K)

Detroit Red Wings

F – J.T. Compher (5-year, $25.5MM, $5.1MM AAV)

D – Justin Holl (3-year, $10.2MM, $3.4MM AAV)

D – Shayne Gostisbehere (1-year, $4.125MM)

F – Klim Kostin (2-year, $4MM, $2MM AAV)

F – Daniel Sprong (1-year, $2MM)

G – Alex Lyon (2-year, $1.8MM, $900K AAV)

D – Brogan Rafferty (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)

G – James Reimer (1-year, $1.5MM)

D – Gustav Lindstrom (1-year, $950K)

F – Timothy Gettinger (1-year, $775K)

F – Matt Luff (1-year, $775K)

Florida Panthers

D – Niko Mikkola (3-year, $7.5MM, $2.5MM AAV)

D – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (1-year, $2.25MM)

F – Grigori Denisenko (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)

G – Anthony Stolarz (1-year, $1.1MM)

F – Kevin Stenlund (1-year, $1MM)

D – Dmitry Kulikov (1-year, $1MM)

D – Mike Reilly (1-year, $1MM)

D – Lucas Carlsson (1-year, $775K)

C – Alexander True (1-year, $775K)

Montreal Canadiens

D – Brady Keeper (1-year, $775K)

F – Philippe Maillet (1-year, $775K)

Ottawa Senators

G – Joonas Korpisalo (5-year, $20MM, $4MM AAV)

D – Erik Brannstrom (1-year, $2MM)

D – Jacob Bernard-Docker (2-year, $1.61MM, $805K AAV)

F – Rourke Chartier (1-year, $775K)

F – Josh Currie (1-year, $775K)

F – Matthew Highmore (1-year, $775K)

F – Bokondji Imama (1-year, $775K)

Tampa Bay Lightning

F – Conor Sheary (3-year, $6MM, $2MM AAV)

F – Luke Glendening (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)

F – Josh Archibald (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)

G – Jonas Johansson (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)

F – Mitchell Chaffee (1-year, $775K)

F – Logan Brown (1-year, $775K)

Toronto Maple Leafs

D – John Klingberg (1-year, $4.15MM)

F – Ryan Reaves (3-year, $4.05MM, $1.35MM AAV)

G – Artur Akhtiamov (3-year, $2.555MM, $852K AAV)

D – Marshall Rifai (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)

D – William Lagesson (1-year, $775K)

D – Maxime Lajoie (1-year, $775K)

Nashville Predators Re-Sign Alexandre Carrier

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Per PuckPedia, the Nashville Predators have re-signed RFA defenseman Alexandre Carrier to a one-year, $2.5MM contract for 2023-24. The deal walks him directly to unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Carrier has been a solid contributor on Nashville’s blue line, posting solid two-way numbers and succeeding as a puck-moving defender who has decent smarts. The right-shot defender did take a considerable step back on the scoresheet in 2022-23, though, posting just nine points in 43 games after a 30-point campaign the year prior. The upside he flashed, though, warranted a qualifying offer and an extension from Nashville.

The one-year contract provides an intriguing dynamic for both Carrier and the Predators. Nashville is allowing him to set himself up nicely for a payday as the cap skyrockets up next season if he has another strong campaign, although he may not get much upward mobility in the lineup to have point-producing opportunities, especially with Tyson Barrie in the fold as the team’s main secondary offensive defenseman behind Roman Josi.

Carolina Hurricanes Re-Sign Antti Raanta

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Netminder Antti Raanta is sticking around with the Carolina Hurricanes. TSN’s Darren Dreger says he’s signed a one-year, $1.5MM contract minutes before he would have hit unrestricted free agency.

Raanta, 34, has spent the last two seasons as a backup goalie with the Hurricanes. He’s played 55 games in that span and posted a .911 save percentage and 2.34 goals-against-average. Performance has never been the issue for Raanta, who has an impressive .918 career save percentage. Instead, it’s been availability that’s been his major issue.

Raanta has consistently struggled with injuries throughout his NHL career, Carolina included. As a result, Carolina has more recently preferred to carry three NHL-caliber goalies in order to insulate themselves from any Raanta injuries.

At a $1.5MM price tag with no extra term attached, the Hurricanes have taken one step towards rebuilding their three-goalie tandem, and while they certainly could opt to run with just Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov as their goalie tandem, it’s unlikely this deal locks them out of making any other goalie moves.

Matt Nieto Expected To Sign With Pittsburgh Penguins

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting a head start on free agency, reportedly getting a veteran addition to their bottom six. Winger Matt Nieto is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $900K to join the Penguins, says TSN’s Darren Dreger, who previously reported Nieto was heading to Edmonton.

Nieto, 30, is a respected bottom-six player who split last season between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. Nieto has averaged just over 14 minutes of ice time per night in his career, though he saw his ice time drop dramatically after his mid-season trade to the Avalanche. He was averaging over 15 minutes per night in San Jose, and went to under 11 minutes with the Avalanche.

A capable penalty-killer and defensive presence, Nieto chipped in 12 goals and 24 points in 81 games last season. While Nieto doesn’t offer the size or overwhelming physicality that some teams would like to see out of their bottom-six forwards, there are far worse options for a team to run in their bottom-six.

Nieto has been on a few playoff runs of significance, and that’s exactly what Pittsburgh hopes to be doing next season. An offseason priority for the Penguins has been upgrading the lower-end of their lineup, and adding Nieto will help them do just that.

West Notes: Blackwood, Reaves, Shaw

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In a somewhat surprising move, the San Jose Sharks opted not to qualify goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood today, just days after acquiring his rights from the New Jersey Devils for a 2024 sixth-round pick. According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Sharks and Blackwood were not close in their brief contract discussion prior to today’s qualifying deadline. Discussions between the two parties remain ongoing, but the 26-year-old netminder could absolutely land with another NHL team after the market opens Saturday.

The Devils moved on from Blackwood with better options available internally. He was due a rather rich qualifying offer of $3.36MM, a number he won’t come close to on the open market after his performance last season. The Sharks would surely like to keep him – after all, they do have a vacant spot in their goalie tandem with James Reimer not returning – but it doesn’t seem they’re prepared to pay over market value to keep him around and would rather have just thrown away the draft pick.

Some other Western Conference tidbits as free agency looms:

  • As expected, Minnesota Wild enforcer Ryan Reaves will hit the free agent market tomorrow, as confirmed by his agent, Kevin Epp. With essentially no cap space to speak of, Minnesota doesn’t have the luxury of spending on a player who’s main impact is felt in the locker room and before trips to the penalty box. Reaves did record a respectable five goals and 15 points last season, though, his most in three seasons. He’s expected to command some interest – namely from the Toronto Maple Leafs, says The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
  • Another player who won’t be re-signing in Minnesota, at least for now, is forward Mason Shaw, who was also not issued a qualifying offer today. Shaw suffered the fourth ACL tear of his career this season, putting his long-term playing future in extreme jeopardy, and The Athletic’s Michael Russo notes the team won’t be making the decision to re-sign him until he’s completed his rehab. The team would like to extend a contract offer to him in the meantime, but with their limited cap flexibility, it’s not a feasible gesture. He is free to sign if another NHL team comes calling before he completes his recovery.

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