The NHL’s offseason has been in overdrive since the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. In a matter of one week, the Seattle Kraken filled out their roster in their expansion draft, the 32 NHL teams completed the entry draft … and free agency will open (at noon ET today).
It’s very likely that many of USA TODAY Sports’ top 25 unrestricted free agents will be signed to deals today.
Meanwhile, one player who was atop many teams’ lists, Gabriel Landeskog, reached a deal with the Avalanche after it seemed like he was destined to hit the open market. Landeskog will earn $56 million over eight years.
Additionally, the Lightning continued their maneuvering by trading forward Tyler Johnson (and a second-round pick in 2023) to the Blackhawks for rights to defenseman Brent Seabrook, who will be put on long-term injured reserve.
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Marc-Andre Fleury, was dealt to the Blackhawks in a deal that essentially just cleared off his $7 million salary from the books. The Blackhawks have also added Seth Jones this offseason.
If that’s not enough, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will be staying in Washington — on a five-year contract worth $9.5 million per season.
Follow along with this live blog for all the signings, rumors, news and more:
Hurricanes sign DeAngelo
Defenseman Anthony DeAngelo (one year, $1 million) has high-end skill but also has issues. The Rangers put him on waivers and told him to stay away after a reported altercation with goalie Alexandar Georgiev. New York bought him out this summer. But Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said, “We’ve done a lot of background work on this player and we are confident that he can be a positive addition to our group.”
Kraken find goals
The Kraken reached terms with forward Jaden Schwartz (five years, $27.5 million) and Alexander Wennberg (three years, $13.5 million). Schwartz is coming off one of his worst seasons, but he is a four-time 20-goal scorer. Wennberg had a career-best 17 goals last season.
Kings land defensive forward
Phillip Danault is signed for $33 million over six years. He was impressive in the Canadiens’ playoff run, shutting down star players in the first three rounds.
Kraken land big-name goalie
The Vezina Trophy finalist went from Stanley Cup favorite Colorado to an expansion team. But this gives Seattle an impressive tandem of Grubauer and Chris Driedger. If the Kraken want, they can trade expansion draft pickup Vitek Vanecek for assets. The Avalanche will have to scramble for a No. 1 goalie with most of the big names already moved.
Coleman to Flames
Back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Blake Coleman is headed to Calgary for $29.4 million over six years, according to the Associated Press. The gritty forward has had three 20-goal seasons. The Lightning’s highly effective third line is now in three different places. Yanni Gourde was taken in the Kraken expansion draft and Barclay Goodrow was traded to and signed by the Rangers.
Yandle to Flyers
Keith Yandle, who was bought out by the Panthers, signed a one-year, $900,000 deal. He’s the reigning iron man and needs 43 games to break Doug Jarvis’ NHL record (964 games). He’s flawed on the defensive side of the game, but can help a power play.
Hamilton to Devils?
The Devils appear to land the top free agent and he’ll become the No. 1 defenseman on a team that has promising young players but finished with the third-worst record last season. Nothing officially announced yet, but the Devils did say they signed goalie Jonathan Bernier to a two-year, $8.25 million contract.
Rangers sign rugged defenseman
The Rangers continued their bid to add size and physical play by signing Tinordi. The Rangers have been trying to get more physical players after an incident with Tom Wilson last season. Tinordi, who played for the Bruins, had fought Wilson after his hit on Brandon Carlo. The Rangers also signed 6-3 defenseman Patrik Nemeth and traded for wingers Barclay Goodrow and Sammy Blais.
Golden Knights moves
Free agent defenseman Alec Martinez is staying in a three-year, $15.75 million deal. They also got their backup goalie after trading Marc-Andre Fleury, signing Laurent Brossoit. Brossoit backed up Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg.
Flyers add goalie
Martin Jones will back up Carter Hart on the Flyers. Both are coming off tough seasons.
Canadiens sign defenseman
Savard goes from the Lightning to the team that they beat in the Stanley Cup Final. The shutdown defenseman can help the Canadiens overcome the loss of Shea Weber on the defensive end. The Montreal captain will miss the season and might be done for his career because of injuries.
Blackhawks trade defenseman
With Seth Jones on board, the Blackhawks dealt rugged defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the Flames for a third-round pick.
Stars sign defenseman, goalie
Ryan Suter is heading to Dallas for $14.6 million over four years. He was bought out by the Wild. The Stars lost Jamie Oleksiak in the expansion draft, so Suter will take his roster spot, even though they play different styles. He joins a talent blue line that included John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen.
The Stars also signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a one-year, $2 million. Holtby was bought out after struggling in Vancouver, but he did win a Vezina Trophy and Stanley Cup with the Capitals.
Golden Knights acquire scoring winger
Dadonov, 32, notched 13 goals and 20 points in 55 games last year, but he does have three consecutive 25-goal seasons before that in a full season. Thus continues the Golden Knights’ trend of building around the wings, even if their centers aren’t necessarily considered elite. Dadonov has two years left on his contract at $5 million per season.
Oilers get valuable piece
But did they overpay? Zach Hyman had 15 goals and 33 points in 43 games last season, though he has never topped more than 21 goals and 41 points in a full season, and he is also 29 years old. His best years are likely behind him.
But gritty players with offensive skill and a max-effort style are coveted by teams these days.
The Oilers also traded for winger Warren Foegele, sending defenseman Ethan Bear to the Hurricanes.
Maple Leafs get a goalie
Frederik Andersen is an unrestricted free agent, and even with Jack Campbell seemingly assuming the No. 1 role, the team needed a backup with experience.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL free agency 2021 live: Breaking down deals, rumors on July 28