OEL signs with Panthers; latest news, rumors, signings, trades
NHL free agency begins July 1 at 12 p.m. ET, and while there’s a lack of high-profile talent, there’s plenty to discover in this year’s class.
Names like Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov and Matt Duchene are among the big fish up for grabs, while players like Alex Killorn, JT Compher and Blake Wheeler will be coveted by general managers looking to strengthen their rosters.
Several teams have preempted the free-agent frenzy by banning players who should have gone to the open market. Ivan Barbashev, Erik Haula and newcomer Corey Perry are all signing deals to stay with their teams, and there’s sure to be more to come in the hours before free agency officially begins.
Follow the latest signings, rumours, trades and more with our tracker and live blog here.
Full list of top NHL free agent signings:
O’Reilly and Schenn anticipate going to the open market
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported early Saturday that UFA center Ryan O’Reilly will not re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs and will move to the free agent market beginning July 1 at 12 p.m. O’Reilly was acquired by the Leafs in February in a three-team trade between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild. He scored 11 points in 14 games in Toronto and added nine points in 11 playoff games.
TSN’s Chris Johnston also reported Saturday that defenseman Luke Schenn will also not be returning to the Maple Leafs. Schenn landed in Toronto on Feb. 28, where he was selected to the third round over the Vancouver Canucks, and looked solid in his second stint with the Leafs.
Duchene, Wheeler under 4 players were bought out
Matt Duchene, Blake Wheeler, Kailer Yamamoto and Mike Reilly will become free agents on July 1 after their contracts were bought out on Friday.
Duchene was the biggest surprise of the team. He has had a mediocre season with 56 points in 71 games, but in the 2021/22 season he scored 43 goals and contributed 43 assists. His $8 million cap hit might not have been team-friendly, but he remains a strong offensive player.
This acquisition will save the Predators $5.44 million over 2023-24, but their savings will be significantly smaller over the next two years ($2.44 million and $1.44 million, respectively) . Then they will have caps of $1.55 million on the books from 2026-27 to 2028-29.
Blackhawks sign Corey Perry for a year
The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t wait long to pen their latest acquisition, signing veteran winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $4 million deal on Friday.
Perry brings plenty of leadership and experience to a Blackhawks team led by No. 1 draft pick Connor Bedard, and joins Taylor Hall as a former Hart Trophy winner who has joined the organization in recent weeks has.
The 38-year-old had 12 goals and 25 points in 81 games last season while playing fourth for the Lightning.
Hurricanes quickly re-commit and part ways with Puljujarvi
The Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly on the verge of a deal with pending free agent Jesper Fast while also preparing for the transfer of Jesse Puljujarvi.
According to NHL insider Christ Johnston, the Hurricanes are in the process of completing a two-year renewal with Fast that will have a $2.4 million cap.
The 31-year-old Fast has made a solid contribution over the past three seasons with the Hurricanes, scoring 10 goals and 29 points in 80 games and contributing to penalties.
According to Johnston, Puljujarvi faces a lengthy recovery after recently undergoing double hip surgery and will not receive a qualifying offer from the Hurricanes, making him a free agent.
It’s an unfortunate development for the fourth overall pick of 2016, who struggled last season after joining Carolina on a move from Edmonton and had just two assists in 17 games. The 25-year-old scored just five goals and 16 points in 76 games between the two sides last season.