Free Agent Frenzy Live Blog: Ehlers remains unsigned as top UFAs fly off the board
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Ehlers still without free agent deal late on July 1
Unrestricted free agent Nikolaj Ehlers remains without a contract in the waning hours of July 1 as many of the top players to hit the market have found new homes on Tuesday.
Ehlers, 29, was listed as the No. 1 UFA by TSN ahead of free agency officially opening at noon on Canada Day.
In his last Free Agent Frenzy broadcast before retirement, longtime TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie shared that while no deal has been reached, teams from around the league remain interested in the Danish winger.
“Nikolaj Ehlers, who is at his home in Denmark…[allowed] his agent, Andre Rufener, who’s in Switzerland, to field calls from a variety of teams that we’ve heard. The Colorado Avalanche are interested, the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, the list goes on and on and on.
"But it became apparent very early in the day that there was a process that Nik Ehlers and his agent, Rufener, wanted to follow, and that included conversations with all of these teams, maybe even have talked to coaches about specific roles before they even get into the term and the money, which is important," he said. "This is a decision that has been pushed off to, at least, July 2 and we’ll see where it goes from there. With everything happening in the 24 hours, 36 hours before free agency struck, that thinned out the crowd. Ehlers deciding to wait a day to do things thinned it out even more."
Ehlers is coming off of a 2024-25 campaign that saw him record 24 goals and 53 points in 69 games with the Winnipeg Jets, en route to winning the Presidents’ Trophy. He added five goals and seven points in eight playoff games before his team was eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the second round.
The 6-foot winger is coming off a seven-year, $42 million contract that carried a cap hit of $6 million.
Drafted ninth overall by the Jets in 2014, Ehlers has 225 goals and 520 points in 674 career games.
Mangiapane heads to Oil Country
Unrestricted free agent Andrew Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers in the late hours of July 1.
The deal carries an AAV of $3.6 million.
The 29-year-old winger recorded 14 goals and 28 points in 81 games with the Washington Capitals last season. He added a goal and two points in 10 playoff games before his team was eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
Rangers, Cuylle agree to two-year extension
The Rangers and restricted free agent forward Will Cuylle have agreed to a two-year, $7.8 million contract, the team announced Tuesday.
Cuylle, 23, scored 20 goals with 45 points in 82 games last season with the Rangers, his second with the team.
A second-round pick (60th overall) by New York in 2020, Cuylle made his NHL debut on Jan. 25, 2023 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He is coming off his three-year, entry-level contract.
The Toronto native has appeared in 167 career NHL games, scoring 33 goals with 66 points, all with New York.
Flames agree to one-year contract with G Prosvetov
The Calgary Flames signed goaltender Ivan Prosvetov to a one-year, $950,000 contract on Tuesday, the team announced.
Prosvetov, 26, spent last season with CSKA Moskva of the KHL with a record of 20-16-2, a 2.32 goals-against average, and .920 save percentage.
The Moscow, Russia, native last played in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24.
In 24 career NHL games split between the Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes, Prosvetov carries a record of 8-9 with a 3.70 GAA and .881 save percentage.
Canes agree to one-year extension with Primeau
The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a one-year, $775,000 extension with goaltender Cayden Primeau, the team announced Tuesday.
Primeau, 25, was acquired by the Canes from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft on Monday.
The Farmington Hills, Mich. native made 11 appearances between the pipes for the Canadiens last season, posting a 4.70 goals-against average and an .836 save percentage.
Oilers ink Stillman, Tomkins to two-way deals
The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenceman Riley Stillman and goaltender Matt Tomkins to a pair of two-year, two-way contracts, the team announced Tuesday.
Stillman, 27, spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves.
In five games with Carolina, the Peterborough, Ont. native did not record a point and totalled seven penalty minutes.
Tomkins, 31, made 26 appearances for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, compiling a 12-10-4 record with a g.55 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
An Edmonton native, Tomkins heads to the Oilers with six games of NHL experience coming with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023-24 season.
Canes get Miller in sign-and-trade with Rangers
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired K’Andre Miller in a sign-and-trade with the New York Rangers, and have extended the defenceman on an eight-year, $60 million deal, it was announced Tuesday.
The deal carries an AAV of $7.5 million.
New York receives blue liner Scott Morrow, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick in return for Miller.
Reilly signs in Raleigh
Mike Reilly has signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, general manager Eric Tulsky announced Tuesday.
Reilly, 31, missed the start of the season while recovering from a heart procedure in November 2024, and made 18 appearances for the Islanders last year.
A veteran of 418 career games int he NHL, Reilly has registered 18 goals and 106 assists in his 14-year career split with the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Islanders.
Blumel to the Bruins
The Boston Bruins have signed Matej Blumel has signed a one-year deal worth $875,000, the team announced Tuesday.
Blumel, 25, has spent the past three campaigns in the Dallas Stars organization, scoring two goals across 13 games with the club.
The Czech winger has primarily played with Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, registering 178 points in 197 games.
Rangers ink Gavrikov to seven-year deal
The New York Rangers have signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract, the team announced Tuesday.
Gavrikov, 29, recorded nine goals and 30 points in 82 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season while averaging 23:05 of ice time.
Holmstrom stays on Long Island
Simon Holmstrom has re-signed with the New York Islanders on a two-year deal, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports.
The first year of the deal will pay $3.5 million, with the second year at $3.75 million.
The 24-year-old forward registered 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 games last season.
Eyssimont headed to Bruins on two-year deal
The Boston Bruins have signed unrestricted free agent forward Michael Eyssimont to a two-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.
Eysimmont, 28, split the 2024-25 season between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken.
The Littleton, Colo. native scored five goals and 10 points in 57 games with the Lightning before a mid-season trade sent him to Seattle, where he added another four goals with six points in 20 games to end the year.
Sabres lock up McLeod
The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed centre Ryan McLeod to a four-year, $20 million contract extension on Tuesday afternoon. The deal carries an AAV of $5 million.
McLeod, 25, scored a career-high 20 goals and 53 points last season, his first with Buffalo since being acquired in a deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Pens add Brazeau on two-year deal
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed unrestricted free agent forward Justin Brazeau to a two-year, $3 million contract, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
The 27-year-old winger had 11 goals and 22 points in 76 games in his first full season in the NHL split between the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild.
Mammoth ink Vanecek to one-year deal
The Utah Mammoth have announced the signing on goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a one-year contract.
Vanecek, 29, appeared in 25 regular-season games in 2024-25 split between the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
The Czech netminder won the Stanley Cup in a backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky this past season.
Leafs officially re-sign Mermis, add three others
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially re-signed defeceman Dakota Mermis, also adding forwards Michael Pezzetta, Travis Boyd, and Benoit-Olivier Groulx, the team announced Monday.
Mermis, 31, played in four games for the Maple Leafs last season, recording one assist after being claimed off of waivers from the Utah Mammoth last season.
Pezzetta, 27, signed a two-year, $1.575 with the Maple Leafs in free agency after playing in 25 games with the Montreal Canadiens in 2024-25.
Boyd, 31, played three games with the Minnesota Wild last season, also suiting up in 63 games for the AHL's Iowa Wild where he scored 22 goals and 53 points.
Groulx, 25, had 15 goals and 37 points in 47 games last season with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.
Sharks, Gaudette reach two-year deal
The San Jose Sharks have reached a two-year, $4 million agreement with forward Adam Gaudette, reports Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.
The 28-year-old had 19 goals and 26 points in 81 games last season for the Senators.
Ducks add Granlund
The Anaheim Ducks and forward Mikael Granlund have reached a three-year contract, the team announced.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports the deal is for $21 million total with a $7 million cap hit.
Holmberg off to Tampa
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Pontus Holmberg to a two-year, $3.1 million contract.
The deal carries an average annual value of $1.55 million.
Klingerg joins Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have signed veteran defenceman John Klingberg, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
Eller joins Ottawa
The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Lars Eller to a one-year, $1.25 million contract, it was announced Tuesday.
Wild sign Sturm
The Minnesota Wild have signed unrestricted free agent forward Nico Sturm to a two-year, $4 million contract.
Danforth, Kozak to Sabres
Forward Justin Danforth is off to Buffalo on a two-year deal worth $3.6 million total, carrying a $1.8 million cap hit, reports TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.
Meanwhile, the Sabres also announced the signing of Tyson Kozak to a three-year deal with a $775,000 average annual value.
Conroy talks Andersson
Flames general manager Craig Conroy told reporters Tuesday that he has not given defenceman Rasmus Andersson’s camp permission to talk to other teams about an extension.
Conroy added that Andersson never has given an indication he’s honed in on one team for his extension.
Andersson's contract is up at the end of the 2025-26 season and he has been the subject of trade rumours in recent weeks. However, Conroy has said he would have no problem with Andersson being in camp during the Fall and would not view holding onto the defenceman as a distraction.
Sabres add Lyon
The Buffalo Sabres have added goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year, $3 million deal. The contract carries a $1.5 million cap hit.
Kraken sign Murray
The Seattle Kraken have signed goaltender Matt Murray to a one-year, $1 million deal, it was announced Tuesday.
Murray played appeared in two games during the regular season and one postseason game.
Stars bring back Faksa
The Dallas Stars are reuniting with Radek Faksa on a three-year, $6 million contract.
Jets get to work
The Winnipeg Jets are signing forward Tanner Pearson to a one-year, $1 million contract and Cole Koepke to an identical contract.
Winnipeg also registered Jonathan Toews' one-year contract on Tuesday after it was agreed to last month.
Avalanche sign Attard
The Colorado Avalanche have signed Ronnie Attard to a one-year contract.
The 26-year-old defenceman did not appear in an NHL game last season.
Islanders add Drouin
The New York Islanders have signed Jonathan Drouin on a two-year, $8 million contract.
Like the Kings, the Islanders have been very active today, bringing back Tony DeAngelo, adding Ethan Bear and goaltender David Rittich before the Drouin deal.
Kings busy in free agency
Cody Ceci is signing a four-year contract with the Kings carrying an average annual value of $4.5 million.
The Kings have also added Brian Dumoulin on a three-year, $12 million deal and goaltender Anton Forsberg on a two-year deal with a $2.25 million average annual value.
Los Angeles has been active, adding veteran forwards Joel Armia and Corey Perry earlier.
Petry lands in Florida
The Florida Panthers may have lost Nate Schmidt, but the team has added a new veteran defenceman in Jeff Petry.
The deal carries a base salary at the league minimum with bonuses available.
Preds near Perbix deal
The Nashville Predators are nearing a two-year deal with Nick Perbix.
JVR lands in Detroit
In the biggest move of their day so far, the Detroit Red Wings have signed James van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal.
It's worth $1 million as a base salary, with bonuses available.
Mammoth land Schmidt
One of the only players to be departing the Florida Panthers, Nate Schmidt has signed a three-year contract with the Utah Mammoth.
The deal carries an average annul value of $3.5 million.
Red Wings sign Mitchell, JBD
The Detroit Red Wings signed former Boston Bruin Ian Mitchell to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
The team also signed Jacob Bernard-Docker to a one-year, $875,000 deal.
Flyers land Pederson
The Philadelphia Flyers have added Lane Pederson on a one-year deal.
Blue Jackets re-sign Sillinger
The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed Cole Sillinger on a one-year, two-way deal.
Mammoth sign Perunovich
The Utah Mammoth signed defenceman Scott Perunovich to a one-year, two-way contract.
Senators sign Lycksell
Olle Lycksell is joining the Ottawa Senators on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal is worth 775,000 in the NHL and 450,000 in the AHL with a guarantee of $500,000.
Brandon Tanev joins Utah
The Utah Mammoth have signed Brandon Tanev to a three-year deal worth $2.5 million annually.
Tanev finished last season with the Winnipeg Jets after being traded at the deadline from the Seattle Kraken.
Canadiens add Blais, Kahkonen
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on one-year, one-way contracts with forward Samuel Blais and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen.
Blais' deal is worth $775,000, Kahkonen signed for $1.15 million.
Byram talks heating up
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports the Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues are among the teams holding trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres on Bowen Byram.
Dreger adds an offer sheet could also potentially be used to land the restricted free agent.
" Feeling is the sweet spot on this falls at the $7,020,113 mark on the scale," TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston wrote on X regarding a possible offer sheet. "If deal comes in under that, the compensation would be a 1st- and 3rd-rounder. Danger in matching is that you'd be walking Byram straight to UFA next summer while losing the ability to trade him.
Ehlers watch continues
ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning are among the teams pursuing Nikolaj Ehlers.
Sharks bring back White
Colin White has re-signed with the San Jose Sharks on a two-way deal.
Blues add Bjudstad
The St. Louis Blues have added veteran forward Nick Bjugstad to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.
Kraken add Lindgren
The Seattle Kraken are signing Ryan Lindgren to a four-year contract worth $4.5 million.
The 27-year-old defenceman posted four goals and 22 points last season, splitting time between the New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche.
Utah signs Yamamoto
The Utah Mamoth signed Kailer Yamamoto to a one-year, two-way contract.
Bruins land Jeannot
Tanner Jeannot is headed to the Boston Bruins on a five-year deal worth $3.4 million per year. The total value is $17 million for the winger.
Miller trade in the works
K'Andre Miller could be heading the Carolina Hurricanes as the New York Rangers are exploring a trade with their restricted free agent.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports the Hurricanes are working on a new contract with Miller as part of the deal.
Maple Leafs closing on Pezzetta
The Toronto Maple Leafs are closing a deal with former Montreal Canadiens winger Michael Pezzetta, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports.
It's expected to be a two-year deal worth $1.575 million total.
Devils add Brown
Along with Corey Perry, Connor Brown is also leaving the Edmonton Oilers.
He's joined the New Jersey Devils on a four-year, $12 million contract.
Rangers get Gavrikov
Vladislav Gavrikov has joined the New York Rangers, taking the top available defenceman off the board.
It's a seven-year, $49 million deal.
Lightning Re-Sign Gonclaves
The Lightning re-signed Gage Goncalves on a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.2M.
Capitals lock up
The Washington Capitals have signed defenceman Martin Fehervary to a seven-year, $42 million contract extension.
Perry to the Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have inked a deal with veteran forward Corey Perry.
It will be a one-year, bonus-laden contract for Perry for a total of around $3.5 million.
Boeser staying put
Brock Boeser is staying with the Vancouver Canucks on a seven-year deal worth $7.25 million annually.
Sharks extend Eklund
The San Jose Sharks have signed William Eklund to a three-year extension.
The deal carries an average annual value of $5.6 million.
Avalanche Re-sign Kelly
The Colorado Avalanche signed Parker Kelly to a four-year contract extension, the team announced.
The deal carries an average annual value of $1.7 million.
Kelly had eight goals and 19 points in 80 games last season.
Flyers ink Dvorak
The Philadelphia Flyers are signing centre Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million deal.
No Ehlers deal today?
TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that Nikolaj Ehlers, No. 1 on the Top Free Agents list, is expected to take his time with a decision and is unlikely to ink a new deal on Tuesday.
Jonathan Toews deal now official
The Winnipeg Jets have officially registered Jonathan Toews' one-year deal as he makes his NHL return.
The market is open
It's Noon ET and therefore free agency has officially arrived as UFAs can now sign deals with any team.
Kyrou's No-Move kicks in
While the Montreal Canadiens did connect with the St. Louis Blues in the Logan Mailloux for Zack Bolduc swap, Pierre LeBrun reports the two sides had talked about a Jordan Kyrou deal, which did not come to fruition.
Kyrou's full no-move kicked in at midnight and he now controls his destiny in any potential future move.
Offer Sheet watch
The NHL has announced the compensation required for offer sheets signed this summer based on average annual value. Any offer sheet at a salary below $1.54 million will not require compensation.
Lafferty returns to Blackhawks
Sam Lafferty is returning the Chicago Blackhawks.
He's been traded by the Buffalo Sabres to Chicago for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick.
Habs shipping Logan Mailloux to Blues for Bolduc
The Montreal Canadiens are trading defenceman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Zack Bolduc.
The 22-year-old Mailloux, who was selected 31st overall in the 2021 draft, had two goals and four points in seven games with the Canadiens last season.
Bolduc, also 22, had 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games last season with the Blues.
Oilers shipping Arvidsson to Bruins
The Edmonton Oilers are trading Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins.
A 2027 fifth-round draft pick is going back to the Oilers, who free another $4 million in cap space with the move.
Devils keep Allen
The New Jersey Devils have re-signed Jake Allen less than an hour before he was set to hit the open market.
It's a five-year deal carrying an average annual value of $1.8 million.
Stankoven cashes in
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Logan Stankoven to an eight-year contract extension carrying a $6 million annual salary.
Stankoven, 22, was acquired by the Hurricanes from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline, along with four draft picks, in exchange for forward Mikko Rantanen.
The 5-foot-8 centre recorded 14 goals and 38 points in 78 games last season split between the Stars and Hurricanes. He added five goals and eight points in 15 playoff games before his team was eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
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Kaplan's Roundup
ESPN's Emily Kaplan provided her roundup of what today could bring ahead of the market opening.
Kaplan reports the New York Rangers are expected to land Vladislav Gavrikov to be Adam Fox's new defence partner. She adds Corey Perry is expected to test the market.
One storyline to continue to watch is Evgeny Kuznetsov's NHL return after his deal was terminated in the KHL.
Flames Keep Hanley
The Flames have re-signed Joel Hanley on a two-year contract carrying an annual cap hit of $1.75 million.
The 34-year-old defenceman skated in 53 games with the Flames in 2024-25, scoring two goals and seven assists for nine points.
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:
TSN's Top UFA List
| No. | Player | Age | Pos | GP | G | PTS | Proj AAV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolaj Ehlers (Wpg) | 29 | LW | 69 | 24 | 63 | $8.5m |
| 2 | Vladislav Gavrikov (LA) | 29 | LD | 82 | 5 | 30 | $7.5m |
| 3 | Brock Boeser (Van) | 28 | RW | 75 | 25 | 50 | $8.2m |
| 4 | Jake Allen (NJ) | 34 | G | 31 | 2.59 | .908 | $3.6m |
| 5 | Mikael Granlund (Dal) | 33 | C/LW | 83 | 22 | 66 | $5.3m |