Keep track of all the latest news and rumours with TSN.ca's free agency live blog. The top news item will be pinned to the top of the blog. Scroll below it for the latest information.


Leafs Land Tavares (Pinned)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the John Tavares sweepstakes.

Tavares has agreed to terms on a seven-year, $77 million contract with Toronto.

A native of Mississauga, ON., Tavares tweeted Sunday he will "live his childhood dream here in Toronto."

Tavares will form a one-two centre combination with Auston Matthews in Toronto. "Told that Auston Matthews is absolutely ecstatic about the Tavares news; Matthews reached out to Tavares during the process encouraging him to join the Leafs," TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun tweeted Sunday.

 

 

Looking at the Board (Pinned)

James Neal is the only remaining available player in the top five of TSN's Top UFAs list, while Calvin De Haan is still available from the top 10. 

 

TSN Top 15 UFAs

 
RK Player Team Pos Age New Team
1 John Tavares NYI C 27 Maple Leafs
2 James van Riemsdyk TOR LW 29 Flyers
3 Paul Stastny WPG C 32 Golden Knights
4 James Neal VGK LW 30 ?
5 Jack Johnson CBJ LD 31 Penguins
6 Tyler Bozak TOR C 32 Blues
7 David Perron VGK RW 30 Blues
8 Calvin De Haan NYI LD 27 ?
9 Carter Hutton STL G 32 Sabres
10 Ian Cole CBJ LD 29 Avalanche
11 Thomas Vanek CBJ LW 34 Red Wings
12 Derek Ryan CAR C 31 Flames
13 Patrick Maroon NJD LW 30 ?
14 John Moore NJD LD 27 Bruins
15 Jonathan Bernier COL G 29 Red Wings
 

 


Staying in New York

Vladislav Namestnikov appears to be staying put in New York.

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers are re-signing the trade deadline pickup to a two-year, $4 million deal.

UPDATE: The Rangers have confirmed a two-year deal for the Russian centre.

Brooks notes the Rangers are not signing the restricted free agent simply to turn around and trade him. He was acquired from the the Lightning in February as part of the deal that saw Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller go back the other way.

 

Jets Add a Goalie

Having traded Steve Mason and lost Michael Hutchison to free agency over the past two days, the Winnipeg Jets were in need of goaltending depth.

The team has signed former Edmonton Oiler Laurent Brossoit to a one-year, $650,000 deal. 
 

Oilers land Rieder

The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Los Angeles King Tobias Rieder to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Rieder became a free agent this week when the Kings elected against issuing him a qualifying offer. 

 

It's Official

There will be no #DoughtyWatch next summer, as the defenceman officially has signed his $88 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings.

The deal which carries an $11 million AAV, will make Doughty the league's highest paid defenceman starting in 2019. 

San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture also signed a eight-year extension Sunday, his worth a total of $64 million.

 

Carr lands in Vegas

Former Montreal Canadien Daniel Carr has signed a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Carr had six goals and 16 points in 38 games with the Habs last season.

 

Canucks Make Their Moves

The Vancouver Canucks signed Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel and Tim Schaller to contracts on Sunday.

Beagle, 32, signed a four-year deal with the team. He scored seven goals and 15 assists in 79 appearances with the Washington Capitals during their 2017-18 season. During their postseason Stanley Cup run, Beagle contributed 2 goals and 6 assists in 23 playoff games.

Roussel, 28, also joined the team on a four-year deal, while Schaller, 27, was signed for two years.

Moore to the Bruins

The Boston Bruins have signed defenceman John Moore to a five-year, $13.75 million contract.

The 27-year-old scored seven goals and 11 assists during the 2017-2018 regular season, and added one helper during the postseason for the New Jersey Devils.

The deal carries a $2.75 million AAV. 
 

Cullen back in Pittsburgh

The Penguins have brought back veteran centre Matt Cullen on a one-year deal. Cullen signed with the Minnesota Wild last summer after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins.

 

Habs sign Kotkaniemi to ELC

The Montreal Canadiens locked up a piece of their future signing third overall pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi to a three-year, entry-level contract.

 

Oilers add Brodziak

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Kyle Brodziak to a two-year, $2.3 million contract.

The 34-year-old Brodziak netted 10 goals and 23 assists in his 81-game campaign with the St. Louis Blues last season.

 

Grabner to Arizona

Michael Grabner has joined the Arizona Coyotes on a three-year deal.


Mrazek joins Carolina

After allowing Cam Ward to walk, the Hurricanes have signed Petr Mrazek to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. 

The Flyers declined to give Mrazek a qualifying offer this week, allowing him to hit the open market. He and Scott Darling will form the goalie tandem in Carolina next season.

 

Oilers add Gravel

The Oilers have signed D Kevin Gravel to a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000.

 

McDonagh Staying Long-Term

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed trade deadline pickup Ryan McDonagh to a seven-year, $47.25 million contract extension.

McDonagh, acquired along with J.T. Miller from the New York Rangers in February, will carry a $6.75 million cap hit when the extension begins in 2019.

UPDATE: The deal carries a full no-trade clause until January 2026 - the final year of the deal.

The 29-year-old joins Victor Hedman as defencemen signed long-term in Tampa Bay.

In other defence news, Oliver Ekman-Larsson's extension with the Arizona Coyotes became official at Noon et. Ekman-Larsson agreed to an eight-year deal with the Coyotes last month.

 

No protection for JVR

TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli reports James van Riemsdyk received no trade protection in his five-year, $35 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.

 

Nichushkin Back in Dallas

Valeri Nichushkin has officially re-joined the Dallas Stars on a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.95-million per year.

Nichushkin left Dallas for the KHL two years ago but remained an RFA of the team.

 

Nordstrom to Boston

Former Carolina Hurricane Joakim Nordstrom has joined the Boston Bruins on a two-year, $2 million contract.

 

Ward to Chicago

Cam Ward has joined the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year, $3 million contract with a full no-trade clause.

Ward, 34, had previously spent his entire career with the Carolina Hurricanes.

 

Stars sign Comeau

The Dallas Stars have signed Blake Comeau to a three-year deal, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports.

The deal carries a $2.4 million for Comeau, who scored 13 goals and posted 34 points in 79 games with the Avalanche last season.

 

The Latest from the Insiders

July 1st is upon us and John Tavares remains a free agent as the six teams that made their pitch eagerly wait his decision. With the Isles now unable to offer JT an 8-year deal, have the Leafs become the frontrunners to land the star centre? Should we expect Erik Karlsson and Ryan O'Reilly to be dealt on Sunday? The Insiders discuss.

 

Back to the Isles

The New York Islanders are keeping one free agent, it's just not John Tavares.

According to Darren Dreger, the Islanders have re-signed Thomas Hickey to a four-year, $10 million contract.

Hickey, 29, was listed at No. 33 on the TSN Top UFA list. He had five goals and 25 points in 69 games last season.

Stastny Cashes In

Paul Stastny's deal with the Vegas Golden Knights is worth a total of $19.5 million over three years.

The centre will have an AAV of $6.5 million, a slight dip from the $7 million cap hit he had on his last deal. 

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported earlier the Winnipeg Jets went outside their cap comfort zone in trying to keep Stastny, but couldn't lure him to stay in Winnipeg.
 

No Max Deal Coming

According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic the John Tavares camp rejected the idea of signing a one-year, max deal with a team this summer.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were be rumoured to be the team that could make such an offer since the team is flush with cap space this off-season. Tavares is expected to sign a seven-year deal today and Staple writes "the Islanders are all but out of it, barring a Lou Lamoriello surprise" after missing the deadline to sign him to an eight-year extension.

 

Montreal Bound?

Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens are still believed to be the front-runner for defenceman Xavier Ouellet. 

Ouellet was bought out by the Detroit Red Wings last month after spending much of last season on the trade block.

 

Another Add for Vegas?

The Golden Knights appear likely to bolster their defence today as TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun writes they're the favourite to land Nick Holden.

The 31-year-old was moved at the deadline last season from the New York Rangers to the Boston Bruins. He had four goals and 17 points in 73 games split between the two teams.

Still Thinking

Patrick Maroon has yet to make his decision with less than two hours to go before the market opening. 

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports six teams remain interested in signing Maroon, who had 17 goals and 43 points last season with the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils.

Stastny Details

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports it's believed that Paul Stastny has reached a three-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. The value of the deal, however, remains unknown.
 

There's Still Time!

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenize notes that teams have up until midnight tonight to pay July 1 signing bonuses, meaning a player such as Ryan O'Reilly could still be dealt today to a team willing to pay his $7.5 million bonus.

The Buffalo Sabres are believed to be seeking a first-round and second-round pick for O'Reilly in addition to a top-end prospect for O'Reilly in a deal where the new team pays the bonus. If they pay the bonus, however, reports indicate they'll seek an even higher return for the centre. Pierre LeBrun reports, though, that teams do not believe the Sabres will trade O'Reilly if they pay his bonus today.

The Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues are believed to be two of the teams chasing O'Reilly, with the Canadiens being open to paying the July 1 bonus. 


Vegas in the Hunt?

Bob McKenzie notes that even with signing centre Paul Stastny today, the Vegas Golden Knights continue to pursue a deal to bring in Erik Karlsson and are willing to take Bobby Ryan's $7.25 million cap hit to make it happen.

The TSN Hockey Insider adds, however, that there are still balls in the air for the Golden Knights, who are still in talks with winger James Neal.

The Golden Knights were believed to be close on a deal for Karlsson at the trade deadline, but it fell through. Vegas has $28 million in cap space this summer, according to CapFriendly.

Dreger confirms the Winnipeg Jets will not be bringing Paul Stastny back.

 

Just a Thought

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie notes that while teams have had the week to negoiate with pending free agents, no deal is officially done until Noon et. today. 

"The fascinating thing about how this whole free agent shopping period has morphed is that not one of these reported “done deals” with terms etc is anything more than a verbal agreement until paper can be exchanged/agreed to at noon," McKenzie wrote Sunday morning. "It’s unlikely any of them would fall apart but if there were any misunderstandings or a player or club got cold feet or changed direction, well, it could conceivably happen."

 

Bolts chasing Karlsson?

While the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to wait to hear from John Tavares, Bob McKenzie wonders if Steve Yzerman might go chasing another superstar.

McKenzie wrote Sunday he'll be "curious" to see how hard Tampa Bay pushes to acquire Erik Karlsson from the Ottawa Senators.

The Lightning, already pushed up against the cap, would not be able to take Bobby Ryan in the trade, but are in need of defencemen signed long-term with four of their blueliners set to hit the open market next summer.

 

Will the Wait continue?

While many are refreshing this blog constantly hoping for John Tavares news, Larry Brooks of the New York Post notes the wait could continue into next week.

Brooks points to Zach Parise waiting until July 4 to sign with the Minnesota Wild in 2012 and Brad Richards taking an extra day in 2011.

 

Heating Up

The Erik Karlsson trade watch is back on.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, action is picking up again on a trade for Karlsson, with multiple teams interested.

McKenzie reports some teams are willing to take Bobby Ryan in the deal, while others involved are not.

 

Leading the Way

The Vegas Golden Knights are the front runner to land Winnipeg Jets centre Paul Stastny, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports.

With David Perron on his way to St. Louis and James Neal likely leaving too, the Golden Knights could be active today as they look to find replacements.

The Jets have been working to re-sign Stastny this week but cap space remains an issue. The team dealt goaltender Steve Mason in a package to the Montreal Canadiens to clear space Saturday.

In 82 games last season, Stastny had 16 goals and 37 assists. The 32-year-old was dealt from the St. Louis Blues to the Jets at the trade deadline in exchange for forward Erik Foley, a conditional first-round pick in 2018 and a fourth-rounder in 2020. Stastny recorded 13 points in 19 games after being acquired by the Jets.

Crossing the Battle Lines

Longtime Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Jack Johnson will sign the Pittsburgh Penguins today, Aaron Portzline of the Athletic reports.

Portzline reports Johnson will sign a five-year, $16.25 million deal with Pittsburgh.

The 31-year-old Johnson tied a career-low with 11 points this past season with the Columbus Blue Jackets while average his time on ice sat below 20 minutes (19:33) for the first time in his career.

 

Back to Montreal

According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Tomas Plekanec will be reunited with the Montreal Canadiens today on a one-year deal.

Plekanec spent his entire career with Montreal before being moved for a second-round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. 

He's played in 981 career games with the team.

Back to St. Louis

One year after leaving the team in the expansion draft, David Perron is heading back to the St. Louis Blues, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports.

Perron is set for his third stint in St. Louis and is coming off a career year with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 30-year-old scored 16 goals and posted a career-high 50 assists last season.

Making Moves

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports the New Jersey Devils will sign D Eric Gryba today, while the Minnesota Wild have a one-year deal ready for centre Eric Fehr.

Another move for the Wild will be signing Canadiens defenceman Greg Pateryn to a three-year deal worth roughly $2.25 annually, according to TSN Senior Reporter Frank Seravalli.

Maple Leafs defenceman Roman Polak will sign with the Dallas Stars today, McKenzie reports.

An Add for the Oilers? 

According to Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest, the Edmonton Oilers will sign forward Kyle Brodziak when the market opens at Noon et. 

The 34-year-old Brodziak netted 10 goals and 23 assists in his 81-game campaign with the St. Louis Blues last season.
 

The Wait Continues

John Tavares is widely expected to sign with a new team today after allowing the deadline to sign an eight-year deal with the New York Islanders pass on Saturday night. He can sign a seven-year deal as 12pm et. today.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that of this morning, no teams he's checked with have been told they're out of the sweepstakes. The San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins are all believed to still be in the running to land the superstar. All five teams, along with the Islanders, made their pitches to Tavares in Los Angeles this week.

 


Another Goalie Off the Board

After reportedly losing backup Anton Khudobin to the Dallas Stars, the Boston Bruins have reached a deal to sign Jaroslav Halak, Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

Halak spent last season with the New York Islanders, posting a 20-26-6 record with a .908 save percentage and a 3.19 goals-against average.


Khudobin to the Stars

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports former Boston Bruins goalie Anton Khudobin will join the Dallas Stars today.


Who's On the Board

TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli submitted his final Top 75 UFA list this morning ahead of free agency opening at Noon et/9am pt. Sunday.

James van Riemsdyk and Derek Ryan remain on the list, since they can't officially sign until the market opens, but both are believes to reach deals already. Van Riemsdyk appears headed to the Philadelphia Flyers on a five-year deal, while Ryan is set to join his former coach Bill Peters on a three-year deal with the Calgary Flames.

Anton Khudobin, ranked as the No. 3 goaltender, is expected to sign with the Dallas Stars today. Reports have linked Carter Hutton, the top ranked goaltender, to the Buffalo Sabres and Jonathan Bernier, No. 15 overall and second among goalies, to the Detroit Red Wings.

With van Riemsdyk's destination appearing set, Tavares is the lone 30-goal scorer from last season believed to still be available. He also leads the list in points, with 84 from last season, 18 more than David Perron, who slots in at No. 7 on the list.

 

The Top 75 UFAs

 
RK Player Team Pos Age GP G PTS 17-18
1 John Tavares NYI C 27 82 37 84 $5.5M
2 James van Riemsdyk TOR LW 29 81 36 54 $4.25M
3 Paul Stastny WPG C 32 82 16 53 $7M
4 James Neal VGK LW 30 71 25 44 $5M
5 Jack Johnson CBJ LD 31 77 3 11 $4.36M
6 Tyler Bozak TOR C 32 81 11 43 $4.2M
7 David Perron VGK RW 30 70 16 66 $3.75M
8 Calvin De Haan NYI LD 27 33 1 12 $3.3M
9 Carter Hutton STL G 32 32 2.09 .931 $1.13M
10 Ian Cole CBJ LD 29 67 5 20 $2.1M
11 Thomas Vanek CBJ LW 34 80 24 56 $2M
12 Derek Ryan CAR C 31 80 15 38 $1.43M
13 Patrick Maroon NJD LW 30 74 17 43 $2M
14 John Moore NJD LD 27 81 7 18 $1.67M
15 Jonathan Bernier COL G 29 37 2.85 .913 $2.75M
16 Riley Nash BOS C 29 76 15 41 $900K
17 Brooks Orpik COL LD 37 81 0 10 $5.5M
18 Anthony Duclair CHI LW 22 56 11 23 $1.2M
19 Michael Grabner NJD RW 30 70 27 36 $1.65M
20 Tobias Rieder LAK LW 25 68 12 25 $2.25M
21 Greg Pateryn DAL RD 27 73 1 13 $800K
22 Tomas Plekanec TOR C 35 77 6 26 $6M
23 Jay Beagle WSH C 32 79 7 22 $1.75M
24 Kyle Brodziak STL C 34 81 10 33 $950K
25 Matt Calvert CBJ LW 28 69 9 24 $2.8M
26 Anton Khudobin BOS G 32 31 2.56 .913 $1.2M
27 Valtteri Filppula PHI C 34 80 11 33 $5M
28 Dan Hamhuis DAL LD 35 80 3 24 $3.75M
29 Robin Lehner BUF G 26 53 3.01 .908 $2.25M
30 Leo Komarov TOR LW 31 74 7 19 $2.95M
31 Petr Mrazek PHI G 26 39 3.03 .902 $4M
32 Blake Comeau COL RW 32 79 13 34 $2.4M
33 Thomas Hickey NYI LD 29 69 5 25 $2.2M
34 Chris Kunitz TBL LW 38 82 13 29 $2M
35 Mark Letestu CBJ C 33 80 9 23 $1.8M
36 Scott Hartnell NSH LW 36 62 13 24 $1M
37 Nail Yakupov COL LW 24 58 9 16 $875K
38 Brian Gibbons NJD C 30 59 12 26 $650K
39 Tim Schaller BOS LW/C 27 82 12 22 $775K
40 Toby Enstrom WPG LD 33 43 1 6 $5.75M
41 Luca Sbisa VGK RD 28 30 2 14 $3.6M
42 Dylan DeMelo SJS RD 25 63 0 20 $650K
43 Andrej Sustr TBL RD 27 43 2 7 $1.95M
44 Nick Holden BOS RD 31 73 4 17 $1.65M
45 Xavier Ouellet DET LD 24 45 0 7 $1.25M
46 Brandon Manning PHI LD 27 65 7 19 $975K
47 Brandon Davidson NYI LD 26 51 4 7 $1.43M
48 Christian Folin LAK RD 27 65 3 13 $850K
49 Kari Lehtonen DAL G 34 37 2.56 .912 $5.9M
50 Antoine Vermette ANA C 35 64 8 16 $1.75M
51 Brad Richardson ARI RW 33 76 3 15 $2.08M
52 Antoine Roussel DAL LW 28 73 5 17 $2M
53 Luke Schenn ARI RD 28 64 1 7 $1.25M
54 Derek Grant ANA C 28 66 12 24 $650K
55 Eric Fehr SJS C 32 18 3 4 $2M
56 Jaroslav Halak NYI G 33 54 3.19 .908 $4.5M
57 Ondrej Pavelec NYR G 30 19 3.05 .910 $1.3M
58 Alexei Emelin NSH LD 32 75 1 9 $4M
59 Cam Ward CAR G 34 43 2.73 .906 $3.3M
60 Nick Shore CGY RW 25 64 5 18 $925K
61 Matt Read PHI RW 31 33 7 16 $3.63M
62 Roman Polak TOR RD 32 53 2 12 $1.1M
63 Kris Versteeg CGY RW 32 24 3 8 $1.75M
64 Daniel Winnik MIN LW/C 33 81 6 23 $660K
65 Michael Hutchinson WPG G 28 3 3.26 .907 $1.15M
66 Matt Hendricks WPG LW 37 60 5 13 $700K
67 Scottie Upshall STL LW 34 63 7 19 $800K
68 Daniel Carr MTL LW 26 38 6 16 $725K
69 Chris Wagner NYI C 27 79 7 16 $637K
70 Tommy Wingels BOS RW 30 75 9 17 $750K
71 Logan Shaw MTL C 25 72 4 14 $650K
72 Fredrik Claesson OTT LD 25 63 1 7 $650K
73 Shane Prince NYI LW 25 14 1 2 $850K
74 Jakub Jerabek WSH LD 27 35 2 8 $925K
75 Austin Czarnik BOS C 25 10 0 4 $675K