7:03 p.m.: Here’s a roundup of some of the recently reported deals.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BComptonNHL/status/484106065366499328 align=”center”]
[tweet https://twitter.com/helenenothelen/status/484105631469559808 align=”center”]
[tweet https://twitter.com/JSportsnet/status/484104731120656384 align=”center”]
4:59 p.m.: The Capitals have opened the vault for another defenseman.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484078347064856577 align=”center”]
4:38 p.m. ET: Have the Chicago Blackhawks finally found their second-line center? They’ve reportedly come to terms with veteran Brad Richards.
[tweet https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/484074314619031553 align=”center”]
4:31 p.m.: The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed one of their restricted free agent forwards:
[tweet https://twitter.com/SNHockeyCentral/status/484071256539803648 align=”center”]
4:22 p.m.: Former Boston Bruins defenseman Andrej Meszaros has signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres worth $4 million. A handful of other teams added to their defense, also.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNHL/status/484067564814082048Â align=’center’%5D
3:08 p.m.:Â The best forward left on the market is Radim Vrbata. With Jarome Iginla having signed, could Vrbata be next?
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/484050679053688833 align=’center’]
3:02 p.m.:Â It sounds like the Detroit Red Wings are going to be shut out in their attempts to sign a high-end defenseman. They’re just about out of the running for free-agent D-man Matt Niskanen, who is the No. 3 UFA on TSN’s list of top 40 UFAs.
[tweet https://twitter.com/CraigCustance/status/484047987023564802 align=’center’]
2:48 p.m.:Â TSN reported shortly ago that NHL teams have spent upwards of $400 million so far today. That’s a lot of change.
[tweet https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/484041940783333376 align=’center’]
2:32 p.m.:Â The Tampa Bay Lightning have made the splash everyone was expecting them to make. Multiple outlets are reporting that the Bolts have signed defenseman Anton Stralman.
[tweet https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/484041685861539840 align=’center’]
2:25 p.m.:Â Here are the reported financials for Jarome Iginla’s deal.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484040035558096896 align=’center’]
2:22 p.m.:Â And just like that, Jarome Iginla is gone. The winger has signed with the Colorado Avalanche, according to multiple reports.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/484039202838183936 align=’center’]
2:18 p.m.:Â The Jarome Iginla sweepstakes are reportedly down to three teams. TSN’s Bob McKenzie says he thinks Iginla will get a three-year deal, and there are three teams in the running to give him that.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484038187430322177 align=’center’]
2:04 p.m.:Â Just as we pass the two-hour mark, another big name signs on the dotted line. Matt Moulson has signed with the Buffalo Sabres, according to multiple reports. The deal is reportedly a five-year contract worth $25 million.
[tweet https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/484034820188553216 align=’center’]
Moulson started last season with the New York Islanders before he was traded to the Sabres. Buffalo then traded Moulson to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline. The winger apparently felt good enough about his short stint in Buffalo to make a return.
1:55 p.m.:Â The Rangers let some players walk earlier in the day, which meant they had to do something at some point to fill out their roster. Those moves are already happening.
The Rangers reportedly have signed forward Tanner Glass to a three-year contract.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/484031959161913344 align=’center’]
The Blueshirts also signed defenseman Mike Kostka and re-signed fourth-line forward Dominic Moore.
1:52 p.m.:Â Here are the reported financials for Thomas Vanek’s deal in Minnesota.
[tweet https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/484030228537176065 align=’center’]
1:47 p.m.:Â The Toronto Maple Leafs have checked in, and they reportedly signed veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas.
[tweet https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/484030035339137026 align=’center’]
Robidas is 37 years old and played in just 38 games last season.
1:42 p.m.:Â The Minnesota Wild got their guy. The Wild have signed Thomas Vanek to a three-year deal, according to a report.
[tweet https://twitter.com/LucGelinasRDS/status/484028608030449666 align=’center’]
Vanek has been connected to the Wild for a long time, and now he’s going back to where he played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
1:37 p.m.:Â Another goaltending domino has fallen. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that goalie Jonas Hiller is heading to Calgary.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484027738219499520 align=’center’]
1:35 p.m.:Â We haven’t heard Jarome Iginla’s name thrown around much today, and he’s yet to make a decision. However, it sounds like there’s still a pretty strong market for the winger.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484027269782831104 align=’center’]
1:33 p.m.:Â The Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs have made a trade. CBJ announced it’s sending Matt Frattin to the Leafs in exchange for Jerry D’Amigo and a conditional seventh-round pick.
1:25 p.m.:Â Mathieu Perreault is on the move. He just signed with the Winnipeg Jets, according to Renaud Lavoie.
[tweet https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/484024531028561920 align=’center’]
1:22 p.m.:Â The Washington Capitals gave up a lot — and we mean a lot — of money to sign Brooks Orpik. The Caps gave the blueliner a lot of green as they signed him to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
1:18 p.m.:Â Brian Gionta is going home. The Buffalo Sabres have signed the now ex-Montreal Canadiens captain, according to ESPN/TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/484023039689248768 align=’center’]
Gionta is a Rochester native and will now rejoin Josh Gorges, who was traded to Buffalo from Montreal earlier in the day.
1:15 p.m.:Â Shawn Thornton has found a job. He’s going to the Florida Panthers, according to a report.
[tweet https://twitter.com/hfialkov/status/484020671899770880 align=’center’]
1:12 p.m.:Â The Penguins have made a couple of depth signing, according to Bob McKenzie. The Pens just added winger Blake Comeau and goalie Thomas Greiss.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484021236297502720 align=’center’]
1:08 p.m.:Â Here are reported contract details for Ryan Miller’s deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484020554702139392 align=’center’]
1:07 p.m.:Â The Dallas Stars aren’t done yet. They have just signed forward Ales Hemsky and goalie Anders Lindback.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/484019850319495169 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/484019846502313984 align=’center’]
1:05 p.m.:Â The Vancouver Canucks continue to overhaul their organization, and they’re making a big change between the pipes. The Canucks have signed free-agent goalie Ryan Miller, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported a few minutes ago.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SNHockeyCentral/status/484019721638277120 align=’center’]
1 p.m.:Â Dave Bolland is going to the Florida Panthers, and man, it’s not cheap.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TheHockeyNews/status/484018370467991553 align=’center’]
12:58 p.m.:Â The dominoes are starting to fall, and Brooks Orpik is next in line. The veteran defenseman is leaving Pittsburgh, and he’s set to join the rival Washington Capitals, according to Larry Brooks.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/484017646527315969 align=’center’]
12:57 p.m.:Â The Montreal Canadiens apparently liked what they saw in Mike Weaver after acquiring him last year. They just signed the defenseman to a one-year deal.
[tweet https://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL/status/484017482848796672 align=’center’]
They were pretty happy about it, judging by the caps lock.
12:47 p.m.:Â Josh Gorges effectively waived his no-trade clause to join the Buffalo Sabres rather than the Toronto Maple Leafs. That sounds like a curious decision, but there may be a reason. Now former teammate Brian Gionta could be on his way to Buffalo.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl/status/484015026492026880 align=’center’]
Gionta is a Rochester, N.Y., native, so that would make some sense.
12:42 p.m.:Â Another big-name defenseman is reportedly ready to put pen to paper. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports Dan Boyle has agreed to sign with the New York Rangers on a two-year deal.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/484013907057848320 align=’center’]
12:39 p.m.:Â TSN had Jussi Jokinen ranked as its No. 12 available UFA, and the veteran forward now has a new home. He’s off to the Florida Panthers on a four-year contract.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NHLonTSN/status/484013407545204738 align=’center’]
12:38 p.m.:Â The Canadiens shipped one veteran defenseman away when they traded Josh Gorges to Buffalo, but they were just able to add another veteran D-man. The Habs reportedly signed 31-year-old Tom Gilbert.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SWhyno/status/484012970091888640 align=’center’]
12:36 p.m.:Â Another free-agent forward is off the board. Mike Cammalleri has signed with the New Jersey Devils, according to multiple reports.
[tweet https://twitter.com/TGfireandice/status/484012648754069504 align=’center’]
12:33 p.m.:Â The St. Louis Blues have been rumored in connections with centers for quite some time now, and they seem to have their man. Hockey Night In Canada reporter Elliotte Friedman says the former Colorado Avalanche pivot is on his way to St. Louis.
[tweet https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/484011977425965057 align=’center’]
Here are the contract details on that deal, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
[tweet https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/484012474765565952 align=’center’]
12:31 p.m.:Â The Montreal Canadiens were able to unload Josh Gorges’ contract to a place Gorges would be willing to go to. The Buffalo Sabres have acquired the veteran defenseman, they just announced. All it took was a second-round pick.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/484011274985275392 align=’center’]
12:25 p.m.:Â Ottawa Senators forward Milan Michalek is staying put. The Sens just announced they’ve re-signed the forward to a three-year deal worth $12 million.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Senators/status/484009709280960512 align=’center’]
12:21 p.m.:Â Chad Johnson has a new home. The former Bruins backup goaltender has signed with the New York Islanders, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.
[tweet https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/484008238133051392 align=’center’
12:20 p.m.:Â Brian Boyle is going to enjoy free agency, it seems.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/484008090778746880 align=’center’]
Sportsnet reporter Nick Kypreos just said on the network’s TV coverage that he’s also heard Boyle could be in line for a five- or six-year deal.
12:13 p.m.:Â The Edmonton Oilers are doing work, and they’ve added a pair of pieces. They’ve signed forward Benoit Pouliot and defenseman Mark Fayne.
[tweet https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/484006553477857281 align=’center’]
12:08 p.m.:Â Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff is staying in the Eastern Conference, and he’s going to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JoshYohe_Trib/status/484005623034826752 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/484005173467959296 align=’center’]
That’s a pretty good deal for Jim Rutherford and the Penguins. They could use some help on the blue line — especially with Brooks Orpik hitting the market — and one year at $4 million is very manageable. TSN ranks Ehrhoff as the fourth-best available UFA.
12:06 p.m.:Â The Montreal Canadiens reportedly have added to their center depth. TSN’s Bob McKenzie via Pierre Le Brun reports the Habs have signed veteran pivot Manny Malhotra.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/484005043210031104 align=’center’]
12:01 p.m.:Â And we are off.
11:55 a.m.:Â Dallas Morning News writer Mike Heika was all over the Stars’ trade for Jason Spezza earlier, and now he’s got a couple more tidbits in regards to Dallas.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MikeHeika/status/484002029803536384 align=’center’]
11:53 a.m.:Â Brian Gionta has options.
[tweet https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/484001585639747584 align=’center’]
11:50 a.m.:Â Jarome Iginla is looking for a three-year contract, according to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, who just said that on Sportsnet’s NHL free agency coverage.
11:40 a.m.:Â The developing consensus when it comes to Dave Bolland is that the Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues are in the lead.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JSportsnet/status/483999117891211265 align=’center’]
The Maple Leafs are still in the running, too, according to reports.
11:29 a.m.:Â It doesn’t sound good for the Bruins on the Jarome Iginla front.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/483995059113975808 align=’center’]
11 a.m.:Â And just like that, Jason Spezza reportedly is on the move.
The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch is reporting the Senators have sent Spezza to the Dallas Stars.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SunGarrioch/status/483988116701581313 align=’center’]
10:57 a.m.:Â Just about an hour to go until free agency begins, and business is starting to pick up.
Here’s the latest as the clock gets set to hit 11 a.m. on the East Coast.
The New York Rangers are indeed going to watch Anton Stralman, Benoit Pouliot, Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle all become unrestricted free agents, according to TSN/ESPN reporter Pierre Le Brun.
The Dallas Stars continue to pop up in rumors tied to Jason Spezza.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MikeHeika/status/483987535647891457 align=’center’]
10:31 a.m.:Â Thomas Vanek’s list is getting a little shorter.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Real_ESPNLeBrun/status/483981159907741698 align=’center’]
10:26 a.m.:Â Add the Colorado Avalanche to the Jarome Iginla sweepstakes.
The Denver Post reports the Avs plan to make a push for the free-agent winger, as they are “definitely in” on him, according to Adrian Dater.
10:20 a.m.:Â The defending Eastern Conference champions are going to have a very different look when the new season begins.
Forwards Benoit Pouliot and Brian Boyle as well as defenseman Anton Stralman all appear to be set to leave the New York Rangers, according to the New York Post. There’s also a good chance journeyman fourth-line forward Dominic Moore moves on, too, according to the report.
The Ottawa Senators already have emerged as a team that might be interested in signing Pouliot. According to reports, the Sens are far from alone.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SunGarrioch/status/483958217211269120 align=’center’]
10:15 a.m.:Â It sounds like TSN’s Bob McKenzie just said in a radio interview that it’s all but certain free-agent goalie Ryan Miller will sign with the Vancouver Canucks.
[tweet https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance/status/483975613855043585 align=’center’]
9:05 a.m.:Â Add the Vancouver Canucks to the list of teams reportedly interested in Jarome Iginla. They’ll make a “big push” for Iginla, according to one report.
8:34 a.m.: Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin is trying to get defenseman Josh Gorges’ contract off the books, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in helping.
However, Gorges is holding up that process. The veteran D-man has a limited no-trade clause, and he doesn’t want to leave Montreal. The Maple Leafs are still trying to convince him to accept a trade to Toronto, but the Leafs reportedly are ready to look at different options.
[tweet https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/483951124072767490 align=’center’]
8:15 a.m.:Â One more from Monday night: The Boston Bruins are among a handful of teams interested in forward Radim Vrbata.
8:11 a.m.:Â The Montreal Canadiens might soon be in the market for a new center.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon just tweeted that forward Brian Gionta might not be long for Montreal.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JSportsnet/status/483945794773336064 align=’center’]
With all of the drama surrounding presumed captain-in-waiting Josh Gorges, it will be interesting to see what direction the Habs go in when it comes to their leadership positions moving forward.
8:05 a.m.:Â Good morning, and happy free agency day. Also, happy Canada Day to all of our Canadian readers.
We’re still about four hours away from free agency actually opening, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some news to get to as the day begins.
Starting with the Bruins and Jarome Iginla, things don’t look good for the Black and Gold. Their salary-cap situation is an issue, and that’s leaving them hamstrung when it comes to re-signing Iginla. So much, in fact, that Iginla’s camp has declared they’ll go to market.
[tweet https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/483751894004035585 align=’center’]
When someone feels the need to declare that they’ll be testing free agency, that’s usually not a great sign for the team trying to re-sign the player. We shall see, though.
Speaking of players set to test the market, Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny is going to hit the market, too. That’s not much of a surprise as he’s one of the top free-agent centers, and it makes sense for him to start looking around and see what else is out there.
There’s also no shortage of reported suitors for free-agent forward Thomas Vanek.
The same has been said for defenseman Dan Boyle.
8 a.m.: The NHL is open for business starting Tuesday, and there could be a flurry of action.
Tuesday at noon ET will mark the beginning of the 2014 free-agent frenzy, as a handful of quality players across the league become free agents. Those players can finally start putting pen to paper immediately.
There will be plenty of story lines and some big names to keep an eye on when things really get going. One of the biggest names on the open market will be winger Jarome Iginla. The probable Hall of Famer looks like he’s going to hit the market barring any sort of last-minute deal with the Boston Bruins. Iginla is coming off of a 30-goal season with the Bruins and would be a great fit for a lot of teams looking for a veteran player with scoring touch.
Maybe teams want to go a little bit younger. If that’s the case, Thomas Vanek will be available, too. It will be interesting to see if Vanek’s poor postseason will affect his stock at all, but Vanek still scored 27 goals last year and could still be a difference-maker. There’s reportedly mutual interest between Vanek and the Minnesota Wild, but the Wild have said they don’t want to get into anything too long-term with any free agents. There’s still a pretty large market for Vanek if the Wild decide to go in another direction.
Free-agent signings may also cause the dominoes to start falling for other teams looking to make other roster moves. The Ottawa Senators are still trying to trade Jason Spezza, and it might make sense for them to wait and see where some of the top free-agent centers end up landing before they trade Spezza. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Montreal where the Canadiens reportedly are trying to move defenseman Josh Gorges. He’s another player who could find himself on the move in the coming days, too.
There won’t be any shortage of news, and NESN.com will have it covered all day right here with the live blog. Be sure check back early and often for all of the latest updates throughout the day.
