Notable NHL Free Agent Signings and Trades – July 13, 2022
The following is a list of notable NHL free-agent signings and trades during the opening day of free agency. This list will be updated throughout the day as details become available. I’ll also be doing live grades of today’s biggest signings on Bleacher Report.
Columbus Blue Jackets sign Johnny Gaudreau to a seven-year, $66.5 million contract.
Seattle Kraken sign defenseman Justin Schultz to a two-year, $6 million contract.
Vegas Golden Knights trade winger Max Pacioretty and defenseman Dylan Coghlan to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations.
Ottawa Senators trade winger Connor Brown to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round pick in 2024.
San Jose Sharks sign center Nico Sturm to a three-year, $6 million contract.
Detroit Red Wings sign David Perron to a two-year, $9.5 million contract.
Detroit Red Wings sign Dominik Kubalik to a two-year, $5 million contract.
Seattle Kraken sign Andre Burakovsky to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
Detroit Red Wings sign Ben Chiarot to a four-year, $19 million contract.
Pittsburgh Penguins sign Jan Rutta to a three-year, $8.25 million contract.
Florida Panthers sign Eric and Marc Staal to identical one-year, $750K contracts.
Colorado Avalanche sign winger Artturi Lehkonen to a five-year, $22.5 million contract.
Dallas Stars sign winger Mason Marchment to a four-year, $18 million contract.
Tampa Bay Lightning sign Ian Cole to a one-year, $3 million contract.
Washington Capitals sign Charlie Lindgren to a three-year, $3.3 million contract.
Columbus Blue Jackets sign Erik Gudbranson to a four-year, $16 million contract.
Tampa Bay Lightning sign Mikhail Sergachev to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension effective 2023-24.
The Lightning signed center Anthony Cirelli to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension effective 2023-24.
The Lightning signed defenseman Erik Cernak to an eight-year, $41.6 million contract extension effective 2023-24.
Washington Capitals sign goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a five-year, $26.26 million contract.
San Jose Sharks trade defenseman Brent Burns and center Lane Pederson to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for winger Steven Lorentz, goaltender Eetu Makiniemi and a conditional 2023 third-round pick. The Sharks also retain 33 percent of Burns’ $8 million annual average value through 2024-25.
New York Rangers sign center Vincent Trocheck to a seven-year, $39.38 million contract.
Detroit Red Wings sign forward Andrew Copp to a five-year, $28.13 million contract.
Vancouver Canucks sign winger Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year, $19 million contract.
Chicago Blackhawks sign forwards Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou to one-year contracts worth $3 million apiece.
St. Louis Blues re-sign defenseman Nick Leddy to a four-year, $16 million contract.
Ottawa Senators sign forward Claude Giroux to a three-year contract with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million.
Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a five-year contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $5 million (as per TSN’s Darren Dreger).
Buffalo Sabres re-sign restricted free agent winger Victor Olofsson to a two-year contract with an annual average value of $4.75 million.
Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $1.8 million deal (as per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli).
New Jersey Devils trade winger Pavel Zacha to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Erik Haula (as per TSN’s Darren Dreger and Daily Faceoff).
Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Josh Manson to a four-year contract with an annual average value of $4.5 million (as per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun).
St. Louis Blues sign forward Robert Thomas to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension (as per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli).
All signs point to a DK deal in beantown.
Keep hearing about him and Bergeron when is something going to get done?
Good move by Boston to shore up the C depth.
I don’t mind it George and I like Haula. Hopefully Zacha is one of those big guys that take a while, and turns into a top 6 player.
I think Zacha vs Haula improves Boston now and in the future.
Pavel also plays LW
Paval Krecji Pastrnak
This could be a good Czeching line
hear Connor brown from OTT being sent to EDM
Looks that way ihatecrosby – possibly with Puljujarvi coming to Ottawa.
Interestingly, Brown was Connor McDavid’s teammate with the OHL’s Erie Otters during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
George
There you go. Giroux a sen
Wll, so much for that rumour – he’s headed to Washington for a 2024 2nd rounder – not even part of a package for that RD they’re seeking. But it does free up another $3.6 mil to that end. Looks like Mathieu Joseph will take over at RW on the 3rd line centered by Pinto with Formenton likely dropping to that 3rd line at LW now that Giroux is in the fold. Could be a very solid 3 lines with a 4th consisting of C Gambrell, RW Austin Watson and maybe rookie Ridley Greig at LW if he shows well at camp.
Wow Ottawa…..Dorion is an absolute magician. That is one stacked top 6
That’s where the puzzlement begins Taz – when you say Top 6 I look at their roster and I see
1st line – Norris centering Tkachuk (LW) and Batherson (RW)
2nd Line – Stutzle centering LW Formenton and DeBrincat (RW)
So where, exactly, does Giroux slot in? He is very versatile in that he can be a top face-off C or an effective RW – but I can’t see him as a 3rd liner, nor can I see either Batherson or DeBrincat dropping to the 3rd line – same with Norris as Stuzle as 3rd line Cs.
Something else is going to have to happen.
Umm no finish formenton moves down to the 3rd line
Good for OTT fans. Now the pressure is really on to perform.
With the additions it certainly will be playoff bound or bust level expectations.
It could wind up being a monumental leap … but as well all well know, nothing is guaranteed. They need to gel as a time and, of course, hope to avoid debilitating long-term injuries.
This past season the finished with 227 goals for and 266 against with their -39 being one of the better differentials among non-playoff teams.
Those in the playoffs were, of course, all + to varying degrees in team differentials, scoring in the 250-270 range on average. Adding DeBrincat and his potential for 40 goals and multiple 20+ goal scorer Giroux while at the same time gaining some goaltending consistency and adding Sanderson to the D will go a long way to joining that lofty company.
But as I say elsewhere, with Giroux in the fold and no way he is relegated to 3rd line duty, somebody among their top two Cs or top 2 RW either has to drop to the 3rd line – or go elsewhere. And they still need to add a top 4 RD. So, something else is cooking. Dorion is going all in.
Debrincat can play LW or RW he prefers the right. But he can be on whatever wing Giroux doesn’t go on or heck stutz can go back to the wing.
Formenton is the odd man out
To the 2 Jeffs – you could be right re Formenton and possibly Stutzle moving back to LW. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see – lol, that’s why D. J. Smith makes the bigger bucks! Good problem to have I suppose.
Man I can’t even get my name out here with out a typo. I’m hopeless hahaha
If Ottawa can upgrade their defense now…Dorian, wins the GM of the offseason.
Yeah forcing Sanderson into a huge roll is likely not wise. Having Chabot play half a game each night probably isn’t wise. The way the D is now if Chabot goes down to injury. they will be hurting
No, you’re absolutely right there on Sanderson, Jeff. He may one day elevate his overall game to become a bona fide top 4 … but to rush him into that role would be a mistake. Leafs did that with Luke Schenn a few years back and that didn’t help him any.
They have the cap to acquire a top 4 RD and if it happens it’ll likely be from a team needing to clear cap space.
Right now (2:36 EDT) things have slowed to a crawl and what that can signify is that some of the top UFAs still out there are weighing several options – $, term and not least, location. Once the Gaudreau’s, Palat’s, Kadri’s are signed then a few more trades may start to go down.
maybe justin Holl is the future consideration in that Murray deal.
Noooo thank you – they want a TOP 4 RD. That he is definitely not.
Detroit has Copp, Maatta and Chariot in the fold.
Good grab by Stevie Y
some good additions by Stevie Y today
Yerman did well.
Too many forwards on the Wings roster now. More moves to come ?
They have 12 F signed. Zadina makes 13.
Not sure how that is too many.
Love the Trocheck addition. My fellow Ranger fans seem so sad about the term. We lost no assets
Ds. I’m good with it. Keeps AAV down and like you said, gave up nothing. He’s and upgrade over Strome and Copp. Basically traded Copp for Trochek. Adding 2 backup goalies was a smart move. And dumping Nemeth while adding a D prospect who played with KAndre? Win win.
yay
@George think OTT should go out and sign Klingberg to solidify their top 4?
They’re looking for a top 4 RD who is a shut-down type – they have enough “Klingberg” types now.
George. Curious to know. What are projections for Norris and Branstrom contracts? And next year what will Stutzle and DeBrincat cost? Team that’s been well below could change wuickly
Slick62, Of their 4 RFAs still to re-up, Norris (35g 20a 55 pts -7 in 66 gp) will get the biggest jump from his expiring $925,000 deal – likely 8 years @ $7.2 mil per. Brannstrom, coming off an $863,333 ELC didn’t do a whole lot to warrant a huge increase – probably a 3-year bridge @ no more than $1.2 mil per (IF he’s not part of a trade package to bring in a Top 4 RD).
Joseph, much the same – a 3-year bridge at $1.2 over his expiring $737,500. Formenton is also coming off a $747,500 ELC and his 18g 14a 32 pts -13 over 79gp might garner him a bridge as well @ maybe $1.5 per. That’s a total of just over $11 mil – IF all are retained and not dealt.
If Dorion can move Connor Brown ($3.6 mil 1 year left) and Zaitsev ($4.5 and 2 years left) that’ll free up another $8 mil so he”d have around $12 mil in the kitty to go after that RD.
Next year their RFAs are DeBrincat, Stutzle and Gambrell, with the first two getting the big contracts – but they’ll also have UFAs Brown, Watson, Hamonic, Holden, Zub and Talbot off the books (a total of $15 mil – although I think he’ll try and extend Zub and Talbot).
The first part of that “if” is accomplished – Brown now with Washington.
As usual, Tampa Bay quietly takes care of business. Long term for Cirelli, Sergechev, Chernak. Have Hedman, Stamkos, Paul, Hegel and of Course Vasy in fold. Namesnitkov is adequate substitute for Palat who has already played up and down the Bolt’s lineup & is a versatile fill-in at a modest price, & still room for Paly if nobody makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Not the dominant team they were a couple of years ago, but still very relevant and not yet aging out of contention.
Oh yeah, and Point and Kucherov. Lots of Loooong lines on cap friendly now. Nice place to have season tickets. Nice when your biggest problem may be keeping minutes down because guys are tired from three finals in a row. Division not a calkewalk tho; can’t sleep on the Rangers, and the Leafs might get goaltending. or not.
Cirelli great deal. Sergachev 8 x 8.5? Not so sure that deal is anywhere near reality. That is an awful contract. And a contract that they will be sorry they signed very quickly.
Maybe,CO. I’m guessin’ that with a 5MM or more cap boost 4 yrs out….maybe denominated as 8 due to inflation, TB looks golden with lot of long termers between 6 & 8MM, & Sergy’s mix of skills and brain cramps is way better than league average at a fair price. Long term plaing together is worth something too, maybe?
Trivia Question
Who is the more skilled GM
1. Dubais
2. Davidson
3. Fletcher
4. Dorion
Trivia answer: the one who wins a cup
What do you mean by skilled? Should we hold a talent competition. Dorion looks like he could play the accordion. Dubais seems like one of those kids that are killer at spelling B’s.
Let’s get this going.
Drury
sackic
Sure
Let’s get this going !
Is Dubais
Is Fletcher
Is Davidson
Skilled ???
I think Dorion proved himself
I don’t think he has someone micro managing him, as per his past
He’s definitely been free wheeling
Who’s Dubais?
Sorry , I spelled it wrong
D U FA S !!!!
Do you not think Dorion would of tweaked the lineup , take them to another level
What?
Puff puff pass.
Forget about Toews, Kane & Jones, I wonder how Luke Richardson feels now about starting his head coaching career in this fashion???
kinda like Andre Tourigny did last year when he finally got a head coaching gig…. with the Arizona Coyotes. Good thing is if they don’t win no one will blame the coach.
Out the door for nothing:
-Jack Campbell
-Ilya Mykeyev
-Ondrej Kase
Retired and front seat to watch this year’s collapse:
-Jason Spezza
New:
-Matt Murray (potentially Mrazek 2.0)
-Ilya Samsonov (potentially Mrazek 3.0)
Possible free agents being considered:
-Phil Esposito
-Zamboni driver from mens league
Phil’s a statue in front of Amalie, so he’s not moving.
Richard
That was a good one…. Mrs. Pengy was wondering what I was laughing at 👍
Jagr says he’s available
Kevin weeks doing his best to make the Denis Malgin signing sound like a big deal in his tweet.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, a reject from the Flyers who could have been plucked off waivers this past season – twice – Adam Gaudette, a reject from the Senators, and now a re-run of Malgin?? And this is supposed to make their bottom 6 stronger?
Coliacovo almost choked when he heard Weeks go all ga-ga over the Malgin signing.
Now we’ll see for certain if Dubas is the “rising genius” some have described him to be, or someone completely out of his depth as an NHL GM. There will be no middle ground this time around. The end result of his moves the past couple of days will make or break him – and likely Shanahan as well. A 9-year rebuild HAS to have something more to hang one’s hat on than just padded stats over a long 82-game season.
I don’t care how loyal someone is to the franchise in terms of fans, there has to be a reckoning if the season turns out to be no better than the last batch in terms of playoff success.
Just looking at that depth chart shown on TSN by Button and you’d have to be blind not to see that they are weaker overall than this past season.
I feel for my grandson and daughter-in-law.
George thank you for your concerns…I’m sure Dubas has given you plenty to gripe about. I think you assume a lot. 1st, Kubel, like a lot of players that were on waivers weren’t picked up because of their contract, so it would be cheaper to do so now. 2nd both those ‘rejects’ can be and most likely be on the Marlies which would need new bodies to cover anyone called up.
You would be 100% right if this is all he does. So far I don’t know how much better they are in net, still weaker than last year on defense, lack a good solid bottom six player and a couple middle six. You mention 9 yrs…How did you calculate that plus it’s so much longer as a Sens fan you know that.
What’s going on in Anaheim? They’re still $14m below the cap floor. Are they just waiting out the big fish, hoping they won’t mind the Cali income tax?
Verbeek may be looking to take on a couple of bad contracts for futures. If Philly is still in on Gaudreau then they need to clear cap , JVR to Anaheim with sweetner as an example. Players under contract for 1 more year. Pacioretty from Vegas could be another.
4th line center Nico Sturm 3yrs x 2 mil per year ?? maybe I missed something.
Best signing of the day value wise IMO was Perron , 2 yrs @ 4.75 per.
Wow… Gaudreau is a Blue Jacket?!
Columbus now with $3.4m in cap space, what does this mean for Patrick Laine?
They have $6M in LTIR Caper, most prominent is Jenner.
Not sure what the issue is but must be serious as guys like McAvoy and Marchand are not as per cap friendly. Just a guess though, as I don’t know what Cap Friendly’s criteria is for listing that way.
So if season ending they have room.
Johnny G to CMB …I don’t get why he did. Is
NYU has Matt b & Nelson with legit chance for playoffs
Nj has nico and Hughes and caproom to keep building
CMB ? Who even is their top 2 centers? Roslovic and who?
Interesting choice.
Brown to WSH instead of EDM. Sound like holland didn’t want to pony up that 2nd
@George
U nailed it !
What must the Leaf players be thinking after today’s disaster .
Jeff O’Neil’, putting his hands over his face – saying , “I don’t know , I really don’t know !
I followed suit
After today , these additions are atrocious to say the least
I actually don’t mind the goaltending , most people would disagree with me , signing Campbell for 5 years would of been a mistake .
Please – Board of directors , Step in before it’s too late !!!
What a fan you are, Ken, you remind me of a guy on here who is supposedly a Boston fan.
Are you miserable all the time?
It’s summer time and the living is easy.
Have some fun for goodness sake.
BCLeaf fan
I am not miserable at all
Today was an absolute disaster , with the personal that Dubas gathered today , other than a backup goaltender .
Why don’t you put your comments George’s way
I am just agreeing with him …
General Knowledge …
Dorion absolutely “killed” it with his academy award performance this last while with his passionate player movements !
Senators have gone from pretenders to almost contenders in record braking time !!
Leafs are so, so close to be the real deal , Dubas continues to make mistakes , he is not the guy to take the Leafs to Promise land !
It’s very , very frustrating !!!
Much like draft day, nothing is won or lost today.
Nothing
Hey at least we don’t have McCrimmon as our GM…..things can be worse.
What a howler of a trade. Candidate for worst trade of all time.