NHL Free Agent Frenzy Blog: Maple Leafs showing interest in Domi
Published
Free Agent Frenzy Day is finally here as NHL teams look to bolster their rosters on the opening day of free agency.
Key Links: Trade Tracker, Signing Tracker
Here is everything going on around the league:
Domi to the Maple Leafs?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams still showing interest in forward Max Domi, according to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston.
The 28-year-old Winnipeg, Man., native closed out the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Stars after being acquired by them from the Chicago Blackhawks.
In 20 games with the Stars, Domi scored a pair of goals and recorded seven points in the regular season.
Domi also netted 13 points in 19 games during the Stars run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Domi's father, Tie Domi, played 12 of his 18 NHL seasons for the Maple Leafs.
Flyers bolster roster with Hathaway
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Garnet Hathaway to a two-year, $4.75 million contract.
The deal carries an AAV of $2.375 million.
The 31-year-old spent most of the 2022-23 season with the Washington Capitals, scoring 16 points in 59 games before being traded to the Boston Bruins.
Hurricanes pushing for Karlsson
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to push on Erik Karlsson, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
Touted as one of top free agents still available, Karlsson recently won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenceman as voted by the Professional Hockey-Writers Association.
Should the Hurricanes land the 33-year-old, it would reunited him with former San Jose Sharks teammate Brent Burns.
The Landsbro, Sweden native led all defencemen in goals, assists and points with 25 goals, 76 assists, and 101 points and became the first defenceman to crack the 100-point plateau since New York Rangers legend Brian Leetch in 1992.
Karlsson also became the eighth player since the expansion era to lead NHL defencemen in goals, assists, and points in a single season.
Gostisbehere to the Red Wings
Shayne Gostisbehere has signed a one-year, $4.125 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports.
The 30-year-old Pembroke Pines, Fla., native spent the 2022-23 season split between the Arizona Coyotes and the Carolina Hurricanes after being acquired by them at the trade deadline.
In 22 games played for the Canes, Gostisbehere scored three goals and recorded 10 points.
Drafted 78th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012, Gostisbehere played seven seasons in the City of Brotherly Love before joining the Coyotes.
Kerfoot to the 'Yotes
Alexander Kerfoot has signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the Arizona Coyotes carrying an AAV of $3.5M, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
Kerfoot, 28, played last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he recorded 10 goals and 32 points in 82 games.
He added two goals in 11 playoff games before the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in five games during the second round.
The 5-foot-11 forward played the last four seasons with the Maple Leafs after he was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, along with defenceman Tyson Barrie, in exchange for forward Nazem Kadri and defenceman Calle Rosen in July of 2019.
Drafted 150th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 draft, Kerfoot has 74 goals and 219 points in his 442-game career split between the Avalanche and Maple Leafs.
The Vancouver, B.C., native his coming off a four-year, $14 million deal he signed with the Maple Leafs in July of 2019.
Preds ink Carrier
The Nashville Predators signed defenceman Alexandre Carrier to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Carrier, 26, played in 43 games last season, scoring a pair of goals and recording nine points.
Originally drafted by Preds in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Carrier has gone on to play in 144 career games and has recorded 42 career points.
Maple Leafs land Klingberg
John Klingberg is joining the Toronto Maple Leafs on a one-year contract worth $4.15M, reports TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston.
Klingberg tallied 10 goals and 23 assists in 67 regular-season games in 2022-23, split between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. He was acquired by the Wild at the trade deadline in exchange for Andrej Sustr, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and the rights to Nikita Nesterenko. He added one goal and four points in four playoff games as the Wild were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars.
The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Ducks prior to the season.
In 619 career games with the Wild, Ducks, and Stars, the Gothenburg, Sweden, native has 81 goals and 326 assists.
He was originally selected 131st overall by the Stars in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Gustafsson to the Big Apple
Erik Gustafsson is joining the New York Rangers on a one-year contract worth $825K, according to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston.
Gustafsson, 31, skated in nine games with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired by them before the trade deadline and tallied four points.
In his 61 games prior with the Washington Capitals, the Nynashamn, Sweden, native recorded seven goals and 38 points.
Red Wings sign Compher
The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward J.T. Compher to a five-year, $25.5-million contract that carries an average-annual value of $25.5 million.
Compher, 28, has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Avalanche.
The Northbrook, IL, native had 17 goals and 35 assists in 82 games for Colorado last season.
Compher registered one goal and one assist in seven playoff games in 2022-23 as the Avalanche fell in seven games to the Seattle Kraken in the first round.
Compher is coming off a four-year, $14-million deal he signed in 2019. The contract carried an average annual value of $3.5 million.
Compher was drafted in the second round, 35th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013. He has 88 goals and 106 assists in 423 career regular-season games.
Avs extend Byram; add Wood
The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenceman Bowen Byram to a two-year, $7.7 million contract extension, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
The 22-year-old scored 10 goals and 14 assists in 42 games last season.
In 91 career games, the Cranbrook, B.C., native has 15 goals and 28 assists.
He was originally selected fourth overall by the Avs in the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Avalanche also signed forward Miles Wood to a six-year contract through the 2028-29 season.
Wood, 27, appeared in 76 games for the New Jersey Devils this past season, recording 27 points and equaling his career high in assists.
Islanders lock up Sorokin; ink Varlamov, Mayfield, Engvall long term
The New York Islanders have made a flurry of moves to open free agency on Saturday, inking goaltenders Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov to eight-and four-year contract extensions respectively, and defenceman Scott Mayfield and forward Pierre Engvall to seven-year extensions.
Sorokin's deal carries an average annual value of $8.25M, according to TSN's Chris Johnston.
The 27-year-old is on the final year of a three-year, $12 million deal with a cap hit of $4 million for the 2023-24 season.
The 6-foot-3 netminder had a career season where he registered a 31-22-7 record last season with a .924 save percentage and 2.34 goals-against average. He also had a 2-4 record with a .929 save percentage and 2.60 GAA during the Islanders’ six-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.
Sorokin represented the Islanders in his first All-Star Game appearance in 2023.
Drafted 78th overall by the Islanders in the 2014 NHL Draft, Sorokin has a career 70-46-18 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.34 GAA in 136 NHL appearances.
Varlamov, 35, made 23 appearances for the Islanders last season, posting a 11-9-2 record with a 2.70 GAA and .913 save percentage.
Mayfield, 30, skated in 82 games for the Islanders last season, scoring six goals and recording 18 points.
The 27-year-old Engvall was acquired by the Islanders in a deadline-day deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The native Swede scored nine points in 18 games for the Islanders last season.
Engvall's deal carries an AAV of $3M, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
Pens keep spending
The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with forward Matt Nieto on a two-year contract worth $1.8M and Lars Eller on a two-year contract worth $4.9M.
Nieto's deal carries an average-annual value of $900K.
Nieto, 30, split the 2022-23 campaign between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche, recording 12 goals, 12 assists, 24 points and two game-winning goals in 81 games.
Eller's deal will run through the 2024-25 campaign and carries an average annual value of $2.45M.
Eller, 34, scored 10 points during the 2022-23 season with time split between the Washington Capitals and the Colorado Avalanche.
Maple Leafs add Lagesson
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed William Lagesson, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.
The 27-year-old blueliner had one assist in three games played with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
The Gothenburg, Sweden, native played 65 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, scoring 10 goals and recording 32 points.
Drouin to join Avs
Jonathan Drouin is heading to the Colorado Avalanche, according to TSN's Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Drouin played 58 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, scoring two goals and adding 27 assists.
The 28-year-old played out the final year of a six-year, $33 million deal he signed with the Canadiens in 2017 that carried an AAV of $5.5 million.
In 485 career games with the Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Ste-Agathe, Que., native has tallied 77 goals and 204 assists for 281 points.
He was originally selected third overall by the Lightning in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Lyon headed to Motor City
The Detroit Red Wings have signed former Florida Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year contract worth $1.8M.
The deal carries an an AAV of $900K.
Lyon, 30, played 15 games for the Panthers last season, posting a 9-4 regular-season record with a 2.89 GAA and a .914 save percentage.
The native of Baudette, Minn., made three appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, going 1-2 with a 3.63 GAA and a .888 save percentage.
Kulikov going back to Sunrise
The Florida Panthers announced they have agreed to terms with defenceman Dmitry Kulikov on a one-year, one-way contract.
TSN's Chris Johnston notes the deal is worth $1M.
Kulikov, 32, appeared in 61 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2022-23 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins where he appeared in six games. He recorded 16 points (3-13-16) throughout the 2022-23 season.
Pens reach deal with Graves
Moments after announcing deals with Tristan Jarry and Noel Acciari, the Pittsburgh Penguins are bringing in defenceman Ryan Graves on a six-year, $27 million deal, it was announced Saturday.
The 27-year-old played last season with the New Jersey Devils where he recorded eight goals and 26 points in 78 games.
He also added an assist in 10 playoff games before the Devils were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games during the second round.
The 6-foot 5 defenceman was acquired by the Devils from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Mikhail Maltsev and a draft pick in July of 2021.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger notes that Graves' deal includes a limited no-trade to 12 teams in the first two years and eight teams last four years.
Pens re-up Jarry, get Acciari and Nedeljkovic
The Pittsburgh Penguins and goaltender Tristan Jarry have agreed to terms on a five-year, $26.875 million deal, it was announced Saturday.
The team is also signing forward Noel Acciari to a three-year, $6 million contract, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun. The deal carries a $2 million cap hit.
Jarry, 28, has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Surrey, B.C., native went 24-13-7 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 47 games last season.
Acciari, 31, finished last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues, along with forward Ryan O’Reilly, in exchange for forwards Mikhail Abramov, Adam Gaudette, and three draft picks.
The 5-foot-10 forward registered 14 goals and 23 points in 77 games last season split between the Blues and Maple Leafs.
The Penguins latest bolstered their goaltending depth with the signing of former Detroit Red Wing Alex Nedeljkovic who agreed to terms on on a one-year contract worth $1.5M.
Nedeljkovic, 27, spent the 2022-23 season split between the Detroit Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Nedeljkovic, suited up for 15 games with the Red Wings and went 5-7-2. With the Griffins, he went 13-9-3 with a 2.71 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and one shutout in 26 games.
Devils make the Kall
The New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Erik Kallgren on a one-year, two-way contract, it was announced Sudnay.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston notes the deal will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 at the AHL level.
Coyotes add Bjugstad
The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Nick Bjugstad to a two-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Jets add more depth
Moments after agreeing to deals with forward Vladislav Namestnikov and Laurent Brossoit, the Jets have signed goaltender Collin Delia to a one-year contract.
The 29-year-old appeared in 20 games last season with the Vancouver Cancuks.
Killorn signing with Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks and forward Alex Killorn have reached an agreement on a four-year contract worth $25 million, according to LeBrun.
The deal carries an average annual value of $6.25 million.
Killorn had 27 goals last year for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bruins, Wotherspoon reach two-way deal
The Boston Bruins and defenceman Parker Wotherspoon have reached a one-year, two-way deal, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
The deal pays him $775,000 in the NHL and $500,000 in the American Hockey League.
Bolts add Glendening, G Johansson
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Luke Glendening to a two-year deal worth $800,000 annually and goaltender Jonas Johansson to a two-year deal worth $775,000 annually.
The 33-year-old Glendening had three goals and three assists in 70 games last season for the Dallas Stars.
He spent the first eight seasons of his 10-year career with the Detroit Red Wings.
Johansson, 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, appeared in three games with the Colorado Avalanche last year, posting a 2-0-0 record with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
Namestnikov, Brossoit return to Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are bringing back forward Vladislav Namestnikov on a two-year, $4 million deal, reports Dreger.
The deal carries a cap hit of $2 million.
The Jets are also bringing back goaltender Laurent Brossoit, according to Johnston.
He spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights after playing with the Jets from 2018 to 2021.
The Jets later signed winger Jeffrey Viel to a one-year, $775,000 deal.
Donato to 'Hawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Ryan Donato to a two-year, $4 million deal, it was announced Saturday.
The deal carries a cap hit of $2 million.
Bolts add Sheary
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Conor Sheary to a three-year, $6 million deal with an AAV of $2 million, it was announced Saturday.
Sheary, 31, had 15 goals and 37 points in 82 games last season with the Washington Capitals.
An undrafted free agent, Sheary signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2015 after four years in the NCAA with UMass-Amherst. He helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.
In 531 career NHL games, the Winchester, Mass., product has 120 goals and 252 points split between the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Capitals.
The team also announced they have signed forward Luke Glendening to a two-year deal worth $800,000.
Bunting finalizing deal with Canes
The Carolina Hurricanes and forward Michael Bunting are finalizing a three-year deal worth $4.5 million per season, according to LeBrun.
Bunting, 27, played last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he recorded 23 goals and 49 points in 82 games.
He also added a goal and two points in seven playoff games before the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in five games during the second round.
The 6-foot winger had a career season in 2021-22 by registering 23 goals and 63 points in 79 games. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy that season and named to the NHL’s all-rookie team.
Drafted 117th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 draft, Bunting has 57 goals and 126 points in 187 career games split between the Coyotes and Maple Leafs.
Zucker to Arizona
Veteran forward Jason Zucker has signed a one-year, $5.3 contract with the Arizona Coyotes, according to Johnston.
Zucker played 78 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, his fourth with the club, scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists.
The 31-year-old played out the final season of a five-year, $27.5 million contract he signed with the Minnesota Wild prior to the 2018 season. He was traded to the Penguins in February of 2020 in exchange for Alex Galchenyuk, defenceman Caleb Addison and a first-round pick.
The Newport Beach, CA., native has tallied 182 goals and 338 points in 628 career games with the Penguins and Wild.
Zucker was originally selected in the second round (59th overall) by the Wild in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Poehling joins Flyers
Forward Ryan Poehling has signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, it was announced Saturday.
The 24-year-old had seven goals and seven assists in 53 games last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Duchene to Dallas
The Dallas Stars are signing forward Matt Duchene to a one-year, $3 million deal, reports Johnson.
Duchene was bought out by the Nashville Predators on Friday.
He had 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points in 71 games last season. He had 43 goals and 86 points the year before.
For his NHL career, Duchene has 316 goals and 428 assists for 744 points in 976 regular season NHL games.
The Stars later announced the signing of forward Sam Steel.
Talbot joins Kings
The Los Angeles Kings and G Cam Talbot have reached a one-year deal worth $1 million with an additional $1 million in incentives, according to LeBrun,
Shattenkirk to Bruins
Defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk is joining the Boston Bruins on a one-year deal at around $1 million, according to Johnston.
The 34-year-old appeared in 75 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals and adding 23 assists for 27 points.
Soucy heads to Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Carson Soucy to a three-year, $9.75 million contract with an AAV of $3.25 million, according to Johnston.
Soucy, 28, played last season with the Seattle Kraken where he recorded three goals and 16 points in 78 games.
He also added a goal and two points in 14 playoff games before the Kraken were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in seven games during the second round.
Caps ink Pacioretty
The Washington Capitals and veteran forward Max Pacioretty have struck a one-year deal worth $2 million in base salary with an additional $2 million available in performance-based incentives, it was announced.
Pacioretty, 34, was limited to five games in 2022-23 and was shut down for the season on Jan. 20 after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon. He registered three goals in those contests.
The New Canaan, Conn., native, was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2022.
Orlov to Carolina
The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing in defenceman Dmitry Orlov on a two-year, $15.5 million deal, according to LeBrun.
Holl to Detroit
Defenceman Justin Holl is joining the Detroit Red Wings on a three-year, $10.2 million contract, according to Johnston.
The deal carries a $3.4 million average annual value.
Lucic back to Boston
The Boston Bruins and veteran forward Milan Lucic have agreed to a contract, according to LeBrun.
The deal is for $1 million in base salary, plus performance bonuses, notes LeBrun.
Lucic began his career with the Bruins, playing in Boston from 2007 to 2015.
He had seven goals and 12 assists in 79 games last season for the Flames, his fourth in Calgary.
Sabres sign a pair
The Buffalo Sabres have signed veteran defenceman Erik Johnson and forward Tyson Jost to one-year contracts.
Johnson will carry a cap hit of $3.25 million while Jost will be paid $2 million.
The 35-year-old Johnson played 63 games with the Colorado Avalanche last season, recording eight assists. In 920 career games with the Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, he has 88 goals and 249 assists.
Jost, 25, played 59 games with the Sabres last season, scoring seven goals and adding 15 assists.
Gudas to Anaheim
Defenceman Radko Gudas and the Aneheim Ducks are in agreement on a three-year, $12 million deal, according to Dreger.
The deal carries an average annual value of $4 million.
Oilers land Brown
The Edmonton Oilers and forward Connor Brown have agreed to a one-year deal, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.
According to Johnston, Brown only needs to carry a $775,000 cap hit next season, with the $3.25M in performance bonuses available to be pushed to the following season as a cap overage.
Korpisalo picks Sens
The Ottawa Senators and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo have agreed to terms on a five-year, $20 million deal, it was announced.
The deal carries a $4 million average annual value.
Andersen returns to Canes
Goaltender Frederik Andersen and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a two-year, $6.8 million extension, reports LeBrun.
Andersen, 31, played last season with the Carolina Hurricanes where he had a 21-11-1 record with a .903 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average while sharing the net with Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov.
He also had a 5-3 record in the playoffs with a .927 save percentage and 1.83 GAA before the Hurricanes were swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Andersen is coming off a two-year, $9 million deal he signed with the Hurricanes in July of 2021.
O'Reilly joins Preds
The Nashville Predators and forward Ryan O'Reilly are in agreement on a four-year, $4.5 million deal according to LeBrun.
O’Reilly, 32, finished the 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired, along with forward Noel Acciari, from the St. Louis Blues for forward Mikhail Abramov, Adam Gaudette, and three draft picks on Feb. 17.
The 6-foot-1 centre recorded 16 goals and 30 points in 53 games last season split between the Blues and Maple Leafs.
Rangers add Wheeler, Quick, Nash
The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with veteran forward Blake Wheeler on a one-year contract, the team announced.
Johnston reports the deal is for $800,000 with an additional $300,000 available in potential bonuses.
Minutes later, LeBrun reported that goaltender Jonathan Quick and the Rangers were in agreement on a one-year, $825,000 deal.
Later on Saturday, the Rangers announced a two-year deal with forward Riley Nash.
Bruins add JvR
The Boston Bruins are bringing in veteran forward James van Riemsdyk on a one-year, $1 million deal, reports Johnston.
Van Riemsdyk played 61 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season, scoring 12 goals and 29 points.
The 34-year-old is coming off a five-year, $35 million contract ($7 million AAV) he signed with the Flyers in 2018, returning to the club for his second stint.
Reaves to Leafs
Ryan Reaves is joining the Toronto Maple Leafs on a three-year deal carrying a $1.35 million average annual value, according to Johnston.
Reaves had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 61 games last year for the Wild after coming over in a deal with the New York Rangers early in the season.
In 13 NHL seasons, Reaves has 59 goals and 70 assists for 129 points in 828 games.
Schenn to Nashville
The Nashville Predators are signing defenceman Luke Schenn to a three-year deal worth $2.75 million, according to Dreger.
Caps get Edmundson
The Washington Capitals are acquiring defenceman Joel Edmundson from the Monteal Canadiens, it was announced Saturday.
The Habs will get back a 2024 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick. Montreal will also retain 50 per cent of Edmundson's contract.
The market is open!
Free agents can officially sign with teams as NHL free agency is now underway. Keep it locked here all day for updates.
Raanta staying in Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes and goaltender Antti Raanta have reached a one-year, $1.5 million extension, according to Dreger.
Killorn headed to market
Forward Alex Killorn is headed to the UFA market Saturday afternoon as LeBrun reports he and the Tampa Bay Lightning did not come to an extension.
Killorn had 27 goals last season, tied for the lead among unrestricted free agents.
Wheeler narrowing options
Free agent forward Blake Wheeler is continuing to narrow his options, according to Dreger.
The New York Rangers appear to be a strong contender at this point.
Sharks pushing Karlsson talks
The San Jose Sharks are pushing talks for defenceman Erik Karlsson, according to LeBrun.
LeBrun believes the Sharks allowed teams to speak directly with Karlsson on Friday and the Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams interested.
LeBrun adds the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in the veteran defenceman but are not among the front-runners.
Nieto picking Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are expected to sign forward Matt Nieto to a two-year deal, Dreger reports.
Nieto had four goals and five assists in 36 games last season with the Colorado Avalanche.
Blackwood California-bound
The San Jose Sharks will sign goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood on a two-year deal, reports Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
The 26-year-old did not receive a qualifying offer from the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
The latest on DeBrincat
The Ottawa Senators will try to move forward Alex DeBrincat and there is significant interest as talks continue, according to Garrioch.
Garrioch reports that moving him out will help the club figure out its cap situation as free agency opens Saturday.
Garrioch adds he is led to believe a new team or two has entered the mix for the star winger.
Ekman-Larsson Florida bound
Dreger reports that defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will reach a one-year, $2.25 million agreement with the Florida Panthers once free agency opens.
He had the final four years of his contract bought out by the Vancouver Canucks last month.
In 54 games last season, Ekman-Larsson scored two goals and added 20 assists for 54 points.
Sens re-up Bernard-Docker
The Ottawa Senators have signed defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a two-year, $1.61 million contract extension, it was announced Saturday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $805,000.
The first year of the contract has a value of $785,000 while the second holds a value of $825,000 in the NHL.
Lucic set for Boston return?
LeBrun reports that all signs point to Milan Lucic returning to Boston once the market opens Saturday at noon.
LeBrun adds that the deal still needs to be worked out, but that is where he is likely headed.
Andersen, Dubas reunion in the works?
LeBrun reports it's likely that goaltender Frederik Andersen is headed to the open market Saturday.
While the door is not yet closed on returning to Carolina, LeBrun notes Pittsburgh could be an option for him depending on what happens with Tristan Jarry.
Andersen, 31, played last season with the Carolina Hurricanes where he had a 21-11-1 record with a .903 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average while sharing the net with Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov.
He also had a 5-3 record in the playoffs with a .927 save percentage and 1.83 GAA before the Hurricanes were swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Options for Duchene
About 10 teams have shown interest in forward Matt Duchene, according to LeBrun.
The free agent centre is going through his options with agent Pat Brisson. LeBrun notes we should get a decision on Saturday, but that is not guaranteed.
Duchene was bought out by the Preds on Friday with three years remaining on his seven-year, $56 million deal.
Sens, Brannstrom reach deal
The Ottawa Senators and defenceman Erik Brannstrom have reached a one-year, $2 million extension, it was announced.
His qualifying offer on Friday was $945,000, according to Garrioch.
The 23-year-old played in 73 games last season for the Sens, scoring two goals and adding 16 assists for 18 points.
Brannstrom has played in parts of five NHL seasons with Ottawa after coming over in a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights in February of 2019.
Leafs, Reaves set for three-year deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Ryan Reaves are heading toward a three-year deal with an average annual value of about $1.3 million, reports Dreger.
Dreger adds that the Minnesota Wild were not believed to be willing to do more than two years.
Reaves had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 61 games last year for the Wild after coming over in a deal with the New York Rangers early in the season.
In 13 NHL seasons, Reaves has 59 goals and 70 assists for 129 points in 828 games.
Kostin, Red Wings strike deal
We have our first signing of the day!
Forward Klim Kostin and the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract, it was announced Saturday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $2 million.
The 24-year-old was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Forward Kailer Yamamoto also headed to the Motor City in the deal, but the Red Wings bought him out on Friday.
Kostin had 11 goals and 10 assists in 57 games this season for the Oilers.
No reunion for Leafs, Schenn?
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports that it does not appear likely that defenceman Luke Schenn will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While there is mutual interest in continuing their relationship, it is believed the level of interest in the veteran blueliner has produced a hefty offer elsewhere.
Schenn, 33, finished last season with the Maple Leafs after he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a draft pick on Feb. 28.
The 6-foot-2 defenceman had four goals and 22 points in 70 games split between the Maple Leafs and Canucks.
He also added an assist in 11 playoff games before the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in five games during the second round.
Schenn is coming off a two-year, $1.7 million contract he signed with the Canucks in July of 2021.
O'Reilly headed to market
LeBrun reports that forward Ryan O'Reilly is headed to the free agent market.
LeBrun adds that the Maple Leafs had interest in bringing him back, but the veteran centre will test the market starting Saturday at noon.
O’Reilly, 32, finished the 2022-23 season with the Maple Leafs after being acquired, along with forward Noel Acciari, from the St. Louis Blues for forward Mikhail Abramov, Adam Gaudette, and three draft picks on Feb. 17.
The 6-foot-1 centre recorded 16 goals and 30 points in 53 games last season split between the Blues and Maple Leafs.
Devils showing restraint in goalie market?
Despite some interest in goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, it's more likely that the New Jersey Devils target a depth goalie on Saturday to play between 30 and 35 games, tweets Dreger.
Goaltending is not a weakness in New Jersey and the club is happy to run with what they have, or add a bit of depth.
Wheeler generating interest
LeBrun reports free agent forward Blake Wheeler has generated significant interest. The New Jersey Devils, Carolina Panthers and Florida Panthers are strong possibilities.
"My sense is Wheeler and his camp still have to narrow list down today but one thing's for sure, he wants to go East," LeBrun tweets.
The 36-year-old winger had one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $8.25 million. His buyout on Friday saved $5.5 million in cap space for the Jets in the upcoming season, while leaving a cap charge of $2.75 million for the 2024-25 season.
In 1,118 career NHL games played, Wheeler has 312 goals and 922 points.
Brown set for Oilers?
Dreger notes that he is among the many who see forward Connor Brown joining the Edmonton Oilers once free agency opens.
However, Dreger adds that Brown has several options with offers still to come.
Brown played just four games in 2022-23, as he sustained a torn ACL early in the season, his first with the Washington Capitals.
The 29-year-old is coming off a three-year, $10.8 million contract he signed with the Ottawa Senators in 2020. He was acquired by the Capitals in July of 2022 in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick.
In 448 career games with the Capitals, Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, Brown has scored 90 goals and added 126 assists for 216 points.
Orlov in no rush to decide
Dreger reports that free agent defenceman Dmitry Orlov could take until late in the day to make his decision.
The 31-year-old does not have an Eastern or Western Conference preference according to Dreger and will take time to sort through multiple offers coming his way on Saturday.
Orlov, 31, split the 2022-23 campaign between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins, posting seven goals, 29 assists and a plus-12 rating in 66 games between the two teams.
The Novokuznetsk, Russia, native was acquired by Boston on February 23 and tallied eight assists in seven playoff games for the Bruins who were eliminated in the first round by the Florida Panthers.
Orlov spent last season playing out the final year of a six-year, $30.6 million contract he signed in 2017. The deal carried an average annual value of $5.1 million.