List of NHL Free-Agent Signings – July 1, 2019

by | Jul 1, 2019

List of NHL Free-Agent Signings – July 1, 2019

Check out the listing of today’s notable NHL free-agent signings. This will be updated throughout the day as signings become official.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a one-year, $5-million contract. 

The New York Islanders sign left wing Anders Lee to a seven-year, $49-million contract. The Isles also signed goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a four-year contract worth $5 million per season. 

The Carolina Hurricanes sign goaltender Petr Mrazek to a two-year, $6.5-million contract. 

The Montreal Canadiens have tendered an offer sheet to Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho. The proposed contract is for five years, with an average annual value of $8.454 million. 

 

New York Rangers sign left winger Artemi Panarin to a seven-year, $81.5 million contract. The annual average value is $11.6 million.

Florida Panthers signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million deal. They also signed winger Brett Connolly to a four-year, $13-million contract, defenseman Anton Stralman to a three-year, $16.5 million contract and forward Noel Acciari to a three-year, $5-million contract. 

Artemi Panarin signs a seven-year contract with the New York Rangers (Photo via NHL Images).

The Nashville Predators sign center Matt Duchene to a seven-year, $56-million contract.

Dallas Stars sign center/winger Joe Pavelski to a three-year, $21-million contract. The Stars also signed winger Corey Perry on a one-year, bonus-laden contract worth up to $3.25 million. They also signed defenseman Andrej Sekera to a one-year contract with a $1.5 million base salary and $500K in bonuses.

Minnesota Wild sign winger Mats Zuccarello to a five-year, $30-million contract. The Wild also sign forward Ryan Hartman to a two-year contract with an annual average value of $1.9 million.

Vancouver Canucks sign defenseman Tyler Myers to a five-year, $30-million contract. The Canucks also signed blueliner Jordie Benn to a two-year, $4-million contract and rearguard Oscar Fantenberg to a one-year, $850K deal. 

Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward Brandon Tanev to a six-year contract with an AAV of $3.5 million. 

Columbus Blue Jackets sign forward Gustav Nyquist to a four-year, $22-million contract. 

Washington Capitals sign forward Richard Panik to a four-year, $10-million contract and forward Garnet Hathaway to a four-year, $6-million deal. 

Colorado Avalanche sign winger Joonas Donskoi to a three-year contract estimated at around $3.5 million per season. They also sign winger Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to a two-year, $3.6-million contract. 

Chicago Blackhawks sign center Ryan Carpenter to a three-year, $3-million contract. 

Detroit Red Wings sign center Valtteri Filppula to a two-year, $6-million contract. They also signed defenseman Patrik Nemeth to a two-year deal. 

St. Louis Blues sign forward Nathan Walker to a two-year, $1.4-million contract. 

New Jersey Devils sign winger Wayne Simmonds to a one-year, $5-million contract. 

Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Mike Smith to a one-year, $2-million contract and sign forward Markus Granlund to a one-year, $1.3-million contract. They also re-signed winger Alex Chiasson to a two-year deal worth $2.15-million per season. 

Ottawa Senators sign Ron Hainsey to a one-year, $3.5-million contract and winger Tyler Ennis to a one-year, $800K contract. 

Toronto Maple Leafs sign center Jason Spezza to a one-year, $700K contract.  

Calgary Flames sign goaltender Cam Talbot to sign a one-year. $2.75-million contract.

Montreal Canadiens sign goaltender Keith Kinkaid to a one-year, $1.75-million contract. 

Tampa Bay Lightning sign goaltender Curtis McElhinney to a two-year, $2.6-million contract. They also signed defenseman Luke Schenn to a one-year, $700K contract. 

Buffalo Sabres sign forward Curtis Lazar,  goaltender Andrew Hammond, and defenseman John Gilmour to one-year contracts each worth $700K.  The Sabres also acquire forward Jimmy Vesey from the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in 2021.

Winnipeg Jets sign defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a one-year, $1-million contract. 

Trade Alert: The New York Rangers trade Jimmy Vesey to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a third-round pick in 2021.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 25, 2019

by | Jun 25, 2019

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 25, 2019

The Hurricanes ship Calvin de Haan to the Blackhawks in a four-player trade, the Flyers re-sign Travis Sanheim and ship Ryan Hartman to Dallas, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES/NEWSOBSERVER.COM: last night reported the Carolina Hurricanes traded defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Aleksi Saarela to the Chicago Blackhawks for goaltender Anton Forsberg and defenseman Gustav Forsling.

Carolina Hurricanes trade defenseman Calvin de Haan to the Chicago Blackhawks (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE:  Having recently acquired Olli Maatta, the Blackhawks continue shoring up their defense corps with veteran players. de Haan brings a measure of “stay-at-home” defensive ability to a blueline that was missing that element this season.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, move out a third-pairing rearguard who was earning $4.55 million annually for three more years. Taking back Forsberg provides additional goaltending depth that might be needed soon. The Athletic’s Craig Custance believes Hurricanes goalie Curtis McElhinney intends to test the unrestricted free agent market on Monday. 

COURIER-POST ONLINE: The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed defenseman Travis Sanheim to a two-year contract worth $3.25 million per season. They also traded winger Ryan Hartman to the Dallas Stars in exchange for winger Tyler Pitlick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sanheim gets a cost-effective short-term bridge contract. Hartman was a restricted free agent who no longer fit into the Flyers’ plans. Pitlick has a year remaining on his contract worth $1 million. The Flyers now have around $17 million in salary-cap space for 2019-20. 

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild re-signed defenseman Brad Hunt to a two-year deal worth $1.4 million.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins will reportedly re-sign defenseman Steven Kampfer to a two-year contract extension.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues forward Robert Thomas underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his left wrist.

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 24, 2018

by | Dec 24, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 24, 2018

Game recaps, Erik Karlsson suspended, Ryan Hartman fined, plus an update on Rick Jeanneret, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes made Whalers Night a memorable one by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins 5-3. Sporting Whalers jerseys, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen each scored twice and added two assists. Ryan Donato scored twice for the Bruins. Hurricanes center Jordan Staal missed the game with an undisclosed injury. 

Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho scored twice in a 5-3 win over the Boston Bruins (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brass Bonanza was blasting a lot last night in what was an entertaining game. 

Alex Galchenyuk scored twice and potted the only goal in a shootout as the Arizona Coyotes nipped the San Jose Sharks 4-3. The Sharks were playing without defenseman Erik Karlsson, who received a two-game suspension from the department of player safety for an illegal hit to the head of Los Angeles Kings forward Austin Wagner. 

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 39 saves to shut out the New Jersey Devils 3-0. Winger Artemi Panarin had a goal and an assist for the Jackets, who’ve won four straight games.

Kaspari Kapanen scored twice, including the winner in overtime, as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Detroit Red Wings 5-4. The Leafs overcame 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to force the extra frame. The game was the 1,000th of Red Wings defenseman Trevor Daley‘s NHL career. 

Florida Panthers rookie center Jayce Hawryluk scored his first two NHL goals to help his club defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3. Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth kicked out 32 shots and four shootout attempts backstopping the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. Nolan Patrick tallied the winning goal.

The Los Angeles Kings picked up their third straight win as Tyler Toffoli’s overtime goal lifted them to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Anders Lee scored the game-winner for the New York Islanders in a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. 

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret was released from the hospital yesterday and is resting comfortably at home. Jeanneret fainted during Saturday’s Sabres-Anaheim Ducks game and was stretchered from the press box. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Get well soon, Rick!

SPORTSNET: Nashville Predators forward Ryan Hartman was fined $1,000.00 by the department of player safety for spearing Boston Bruins forward Chris Wagner on Saturday. 

SPORTEXPRESSEN: Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Since concussions forced his retirement three years ago, Franzen’s battled depression, memory loss, and severe anxiety. 

“Most of the time I think I am moving in the right direction, but when I have the down periods there is nothing positive. I almost give up then, and it is even worse because you think you have been better for a while,” Franzen said. “It’s embarrassing. I can speak to one person and the next day I’ve forgotten his or her name.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A heartbreaking story about a career cut short and another example of the lasting trauma of head injuries among professional athletes. As long as the NHL remains reluctant to adequately address this issue, more players could end up suffering Franzen’s fate. 

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2018

by | Oct 31, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2018

Game recaps and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Brayden Point had a career-high five-point game (one goal, four assists) while teammates Nikita Kucherov and Braydon Coburn each scored twice as the Tampa Bay Lightning romped to an 8-3 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Brayden Point’s five-point game powered the Tampa Bay Lightning to an 8-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. (Photo via NHL Images)

Jordan Eberle scored twice as the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. It was a costly win for the Islanders as goaltender Robin Lehner left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Penguins goalie Matt Murray was pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots.

Brad Marchand tallied two goals and Jaroslav Halak made 42 saves as the Boston Bruins downed the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho joined Wayne Gretzky and Ken Linesman in the NHL record book as the only players to open an NHL season with assists in 12 straight games. Prior to the game, the Bruins placed defenseman Charlie McAvoy (upper body) on injured reserve.

The Detroit Red Wings blew a three-goal lead but late third-period goals by Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin gave them a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wings forward Thomas Vanek could be sidelined for at least two-to-three weeks after suffering an apparent knee injury in the first period.

Matthew Tkachuk’s late third-period goal set the stage for Johnny Gaudreau’s overtime winner as the Calgary Flames edged the Buffalo Sabres 2-1. Jack Eichel tallied the Sabres’ only goal.

The Dallas Stars picked up their first road win of the season by downing the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. Devin Shore had a goal and two assists for the Stars while teammate Jason Spezza played his 1,000th career NHL game.

Two second-period goals by Ryan Hartman helped the Nashville Predators defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1. The Predators lead the NHL’s overall standings with 18 points.

Mikael Granlund’s third-period goal gave the Minnesota Wild a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Eric Staal had a goal and two assists for the Wild.

The Arizona Coyotes picked up their fourth straight win by beating the Ottawa Senators 5-1. Alex Galchenyuk tallied his first goal with the Coyotes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After struggling to score in their first five games, the Coyotes have tallied at least three goals in each of their last six.

Nolan Patrick’s goal late in the third period lifted the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Pontus Aberg scored both goals for the Ducks.

Kevin Shattenkirk scored the only goal in a shootout to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, spoiling the return of long-time Sharks center Joe Thornton to the lineup. Chris Kreider had two goals for the Rangers.

CBS SPORTS: The St. Louis Blues placed defenseman Jakub Jerabek on waivers. 

THE WASHINGTON POST: Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik missed practice Tuesday with a lower-body injury but is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Canadiens. 

OTTAWA CITIZEN: The Senators secured a $30 million short-term credit line with BMO Bank of Montreal’s corporate finance division. “The hockey club said the five-year loan will be used to give the team access to short-term credit as well as allowing the team to buy U.S. dollars when exchange rates are more attractive. American currency is typically used by a hockey franchise to pay its players.”

 

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2018

by | Jul 17, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2018

Latest notable contract signings and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines. 

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks yesterday re-signed center Adam Henrique to a five-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $5.825 million. The new deal begins in 2019-20.

The Anaheim Ducks re-signed center Adam Henrique to a five-year contract extension (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per Cap Friendly, the 28-year-old Henrique’s new deal also contains a modified no-trade clause. He’s in the final season of a six-year, $24-million contract. Anaheim acquired Henrique in a Nov. 30, 2017 trade with the New Jersey Devils. Because he re-signed with the Ducks, the Devils will get their third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He had a solid season with the Ducks, tallying 20 goals and 36 points in 57 games.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames avoided arbitration with forward Elias Lindholm by inking him to a six-year worth an annual salary-cap hit of $4.85 million. They also re-signed goaltender Jon Gillies to a two-year contract worth $750K, with the first year being a two-way deal. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes as part of that multiplayer swap during the 2018 NHL Draft. He’s getting quite a nice pay bump, having earned $2.7-million annually on his previous contract. It’s expected he’ll fill a top-six role with the Flames.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed backup goaltender Jusse Saros to a three-year, $4.5-million contract and forward Ryan Hartman to a one-year, $875K deal. 

NEWSDAY: Young forward Josh Ho-Sang has a clean slate with the new management and coaching staff of the New York Islanders. Entering the final season of his three-year entry-level contract, the 22-year-old Ho-Sang will be expected to compete for a top-six role with the Islanders in training camp. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be Ho-Sang’s last opportunity to make a positive impression with the Islanders. If he fails to earn a full-time roster spot they could attempt to trade him before the Feb. 25, 2019 trade deadline or not qualify his rights next June. 

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2018

by | Apr 20, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2018

Playoff game recaps, injury updates, Norris Trophy nominees revealed and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins pushed the Toronto Maple Leafs closer to the brink of elimination with a 3-1 victory in Game 4 of their opening-round series. The Bruins hold a 3-1 lead in the series and can wrap things up on Saturday in Boston. Tuukka Rask made 31 saves, Brad Marchand scored the winning goal and David Pastrnak collected two assists for the Bruins, who were playing without top center Patrice Bergeron (lower-body injury, day-to-day).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs dominated this game but a couple of defensive breakdowns led to consecutive two-on-one goals by Marchand and Jake DeBrusk, giving the Bruins an insurmountable two-goal lead.

Evgeny Kuznetsov’s three-point game helped the Washington Capitals defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 4 of their opening-round series (Photo via NHL Images)

Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and two assists as the Washington Capitals downed the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 to tie their best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist and Braden Holtby made 23 saves for the win. The series returns to Washington for Game 5 on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets looked surprising flat in this game, showing little of the spark from the first three games of the series. Secondary scoring has become a problem for the Jackets, as they’re not getting much production beyond leading scorers Artemin Panarin and Cam Atkinson. 

Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators are this season’s three finalists for the Norris Trophy.

Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (lower-body injury) hopes to return for Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Couturier missed Game 4 after suffering his injury in practice the day before.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist (upper-body injury) will miss Game 5 tonight against the Flyers.

Andrew Hammond will replace sidelined Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier tonight in Game 5 of their series against the Nashville Predators.

The Predators will be without forward Ryan Hartman, who received a one-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg in Game 4. 

New Jersey Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He hasn’t been ruled out for Game 5 on Saturday. 

The Lightning signed forward Michael Bournival to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks forward Anthony Duclair has reached out to a young Nova Scotia goaltender who was the victim of a racial slur. “I just told him that he does belong,” Duclair said.“He can do whatever he wants in this world.”

BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres owner Terry Pegula said his club will not raise season-ticket prices for 2018-19.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Considering how poorly the Sabres played this season they would’ve had a difficult time justifying a price hike.