Free Agent Frenzy Live Blog: Canucks make moves for the future

Free Agent Frenzy has arrived, though with a little less fanfare after the Florida Panthers managed to re-sign Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. The top-ranked UFA, Mitch Marner, was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday and signed an eight-year deal. However, plenty of teams remain flush with cap space and will be looking to make moves when free agency opens at Noon ET. Follow the latest right here on TSN.ca. 

Key links: Signing Tracker  Trade Tracker 

Islanders re-sign DeAngelo

The New York Islanders have signed defenceman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract, keeping him from hitting the open market at Noon. 

Canucks Extend Demko, Garland

The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension with starting goaltender Thatcher Demko with an annual cap hit of $8.5 million. 

The Canucks also re-signed forward Conor Garland to a six-year, $36 million contract with an annual cap hit of $6 million.

Demko, 29, had a 10-8-3 record last season with the Canucks, recording a 2.90 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

He missed the first two months of the season while dealing with a lower-body injury he sustained during the 2023-24 playoffs. He also missed 15 games later in the season while dealing with a second lower-body injury.

The 6-foot-4 netminder is entering the final season of a five-year, $25 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $5 million. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Drafted 36th overall by the Canucks in 2014, Demko has a career record of 126-89-20 with a 2.80 GAA and .910 save percentage.  Demko’s best season came during the 2023-24 season where he went 35-14-2 record with a 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage and finished second in Vezina Trophy voting.
 

Marner bids farewell to Toronto

Mitch Marner posted a goodbye to the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans on Instagram Tuesday morning after completing a sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Will Danforth stay in Columbus?

The Columbus Blue Jackets are still discussing a new contract with Justin Danforth, hoping to reach a deal before the market, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. 

Portzline adds that Danforth would like to stay in Columbus. 

Nosek stays in Florida

The Florida Panthers are keeping yet another piece of their Cup-winning team, signing Tomas Nosek to a one-year, $775,000 contract. 

Dobson to wear No. 53

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that their big off-season pickup, Noah Dobson, will wear No. 53 with the team.

Dobson was acquired ahead of Friday's draft for two first-round picks and winger Emil Heineman.

Knies deal made official

The Toronto Maple Leafs have also confirmed Matthew Knies' new deal, a six-year contract carrying an average annual value of $7.75 million. 

Marner trade made official

The Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs have officially announced the Mitch Marner trade, with Nicolas Roy heading back to Toronto. 

The Golden Knights have revealed that Marner, who wore No. 16 during his Maple Leafs tenure, will wear No. 93 in Vegas. Marner wore that number during his OHL career with the London Knights in honour of Maple Leafs legend Doug Gilmour. 

Gaudette to hit the market

Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports Adam Gaudette is expected to go to market barring a change of heart. Garrioch adds Gaudette could still return to the Ottawa Senators but he wants to test the market first.

Leafs still talking with Holmberg?

The Toronto Maple Leafs elected not to issue Pontus Holmberg a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent on Monday. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are still talking to Holmberg, but there are multiple teams interested and cap space remains an issue for Toronto.

Could Suter stay in Vancouver?

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that centre Pius Suter has not ruled out a return to the Vancouver Canucks, but there is a good amount of competition for his services. 

Demko extension incoming

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports Thatcher Demko's extension with the Vancouver Canucks is expected to be announced today. 

The Canucks are also expected Conor Garland extension later today. 

Granlund to hit the market

It's been an impressive month for the Dallas Stars, who re-signed both Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene after sending Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken to clear cap space.

Dallas will not, however, be able to retain trade-deadline pickup Mikael Granlund. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the Stars don't have the cap space to compete with what Granlund will get on the open market. 

Players drawing crowds

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger admits today will not be the "frenzy" we'd hoped for, but there are players generating lots of interest as free agency gets closer.

Dreger notes that winger Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser remain high on lists, but he adds that, lower down on the TSN's Top Free Agents list, forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Tanner Jeannot have tough decisions to make with multiple teams interested.

Can the Panthers keep another player?

The Florida Panther already defied logic when the team managed to keep Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad.

Now, the team is hoping to get Tomas Nosek re-signed to bring back another member of their Cup-winning team. 

Veteran defenceman Nate Schmidt, who was first to touch the Stanley Cup after captain Aleksander Barkov two weeks ago, will be hitting the open market, though. 

Will Allen stay in New Jersey?

Jake Allen is top ranked free agent goaltender, but he too may not make it to market.

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils are feeling positive about the progress that's been made on an extension, though work remains to be done. 

Gavrikov heading to market

Vladislav Gavrikov will hit the open market today and will be in huge demand as the clear best defenceman available for team looking for blueline help. 

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings made aggressive offers, but could not close the gap with Gavrikov who appears set to cash in. 

Who's Still Available?

While it's been quite the leadup to July 1 with a whole lot of our big names staying put or being traded and signing elsewhere, several teams remain on the look out to sign a big-name player when the market opens

Nikolaj Ehlers now leads the TSN Top Free Agents list, ahead of Vladislav Gavrikov and Brock Boeser. Goaltender Jake Allen and veteran forward Mikael Granlund round out the top five. 

See the full list of players available here: