The 2024 NHL offseason began with the start of free agency on Monday.
Teams can begin agreeing to new deals and signing contracts with free agents at noon ET.
This year’s free agent market is expected to be filled with stars and proven veteran players, including Steven Stamkos, Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, Elias Lindholm, Chandler Stephenson, Brandon Montour, Jonathan Marchessault, Matt Duchene, Brady Skjei and Tyler Toffoli. ,
One team worth watching is the Boston Bruins, who won the playoff round in May for the first time since 2021 and have about $21.67 million in salary cap space, according to CapFriendly. The B’s need at least one top-six forward, a proven goal scorer on the wing and a left-shot defenseman. They also need to figure out a long-term extension with restricted free agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
It should be a very busy and exciting Monday as teams use their cap space to make roster upgrades.
Keep up with our NHL free agency live blog right here for all the latest rumors, news and full contracts from day one.
2:05 pm: More deals (and a trade) keep coming.
The Capitals continue to improve their team defense/rebuilding. They officially sign Matt Roy to a six-year, $34.5 million contract (average annual value $5.75 million).
– Tom Golitti (@TomGolittiNHL) 1 July 2024
An update: Chandler Stephenson is going to Seattle. Therefore none of his UFAs were retained by the Knights.
– Steve Carp (@stevecarp56) 1 July 2024
Joel Edmondson is very likely to end up in LA. 4 years, $3.85 million. Was around in Boston, Utah and St. Louis
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
12:45 pm:There are some more deals coming here.
Elias Lindholm 7 x $7.75 Boston
– Elliot Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) 1 July 2024
12:11 pm:A huge day in Nashville.
As previously reported but a deal has now been reached, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Schei have all agreed to terms with Nashville.
Stamkos, 4 years x $8 million AAV
Marchessault, 5 years x $5.5 million AAV
Brady Skae, 7 years x $7 million AAV– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
Jacob Slavin is living in Carolina.
Carolina announced that defenseman Jacob Slavin has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $51.69 million.
– John Shannon (@JShannonhl) 1 July 2024
12:10 pm: The Bruins have acquired a top-six center in Elias Lindholm and a top-four defenseman in Nikita Zadorov.
Both Lindholm and Zadorov land in Boston.
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
The Leafs also added a goaltender.
2 years for Stolarz and Leafs at $2.5 each.
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
12:05 pm: Some more deals to come.
12:01 pm:Free agency has officially begun!
We start with a trade:
11:48 am: As the start of free agency at noon ET approaches, here are some other notable updates.
Jonathan Drouin is likely to hit the open market. Boston, St.Louis and NYR are believed to be among the most interested clubs. A return to Colorado is also possible.
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
If the Predators can finalize things with Jonathan Marchessault, his deal with Nashville will be five years and approximately $5.5 million AAV per season.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
11:38 am: Steven Stamkos could get a four-year, $32 million deal with the Predators.
We’ll see where this officially ends up, but rumor has it that Steven Stamkos’ deal with the Predators should end up being around four years and $8 million in AAV per year.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
Here are some other updates:
Monahan is now deliberating, BOB reports. The deal is expected to close in approximately 5 years and for $25 million. WPG’s CBJ? https://t.co/u74WvV2iz8
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
11:23 am: Teuvo Teravainen started his career in Chicago.
After already adding Tyler Bertuzzi, sources say #blackhawks Will also sign forward Teuvo Teravainen today. Reuniting with a player who had previously won a Stanley Cup there.
-Chris Johnson (@reporterchris) 1 July 2024
11:16 am: Are the Bruins going to make a splash in free agency?
Seems like #NHLBruins A significant amount of work has been done on both Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm when free agency opens.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) 1 July 2024
11:12 am: Losing Brandon Montour would be a tough blow to the Panthers blue line.
All signs point to Brandon Montour signing with Seattle when the market opens, seven years and around $50 million
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
Sean Monahan is one of the second-tier center options available in free agency.
There is a lot of interest in veteran center Sean Monahan. CBJ is among those interested in a long-term deal.
– Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) 1 July 2024
10:45 am: Are we about to see the Nashville Predators make a big splash?
All signs still point to Nashville being the front runner for Steven Stamkos. Apparently nothing has been finalized yet.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
Hearing Nashville has emerged as a serious contender for Jonathan Marchessault
– Elliot Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) 1 July 2024
10:38 am: Shane Pinto can step up in the right situation.
Hearing that negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and Shane Pinto have stalled. This may force Pinto to ask for a trade. stay tuned.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
10:27 am: The Leafs have a six-year contract with Chris Tanev.
Chris Tanev signs six-year deal #leaves Carrying a $4.5M AAV.
-Chris Johnson (@reporterchris) 1 July 2024
10:22 am: Goalie Josef Woll has a new deal with the Leafs.
10:16 am: It appears the Devils are closing in on defenseman Brett Pace, who would be a huge upgrade for New Jersey’s blue line.
When Brett Pesce’s free-agent deal was finalized #NJDevilsIt is expected to come in six years with an AAV in the $5.5M range.
-Chris Johnson (@reporterchris) 1 July 2024
10:08 am:There are some other little tricks here.
Veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is headed back to the defending Stanley Cup champion FLA Panthers. Four years, $1.15 million AAV.
– Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) 1 July 2024
The Oilers have re-signed Connor Brown to a $1 million contract for next season. The Browns, who eventually reached the Stanley Cup Finals, agreed to a team-friendly contract after cashing in all of their bonuses last year.
-Stephen Whyno (@Shyno) 1 July 2024
9:54 am: Could the longtime Bruins defenseman land with the Penguins?
The Penguins are interested in signing defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.
– Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) 1 July 2024
9:04 am: Here are the stats from Jake Guentzel’s deal with the Lightning.
Jake Guentzel signs 7-year contract with Tampa Bay:
AAV: $9 millionSalary
Year 1: $1,000,000
Year 2: $1,000,000
Year 3: $3,957,895
Year 4: $1,000,000
Year 5: $1,000,000
Year 6: $1,000,000
Year 7: $1,000,000signing bonus
Year 1: $12,263,157
Year 2: $8,947,368
Year 3: $4,000,000
Year 4: $6,957,895
Year 5: $6,957,895
Year 6:…– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
Here are some other early morning notes:
Status quo for NYR captain Jacob Trouba. His no move clause has been transferred to a modified no trade clause and his 15 team no trade list has been submitted.
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
Sam Carrick is joining the NY Rangers on a 3-year deal totaling $3M.
– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) 1 July 2024
7:48 am: Tyler Bertuzzi is headed to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Bertuzzi will sign a 4-year deal with Chicago with a $5.5M AAV
– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) 1 July 2024
7:45 am ET: Here are some rumors and reports from the weekend to get you in on the action.
One item to look out for: #NHLBruins Of course, today issued a qualifying offer to Jeremy Swayman.
But it seems the Bruins and Swayman haven’t made much progress on a new deal. And they have already gone through the full mediation process to reach an agreement through a binding verdict last year.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) 30 June 2024
Tyler Bertuzzi will not return to the Maple Leafs. Its value exceeds that of Toronto. He will sign a deal elsewhere over the next 4 years and a deal worth over $5 million per zone.
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 1 July 2024
RFA Nick Robertson has no plans to re-sign with IPL, sources say #leaves this summer and has informed the team that he wants to be traded.
-Chris Johnson (@reporterchris) 1 July 2024
The Cup Champion Panthers have agreed to terms on an eight-year deal with Sam Reinhart.
The announcement is expected on Monday.– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 1 July 2024
It’s not surprising that Tampa traded for the rights to Jake Guentzel this morning, but there has been silence between the Lightning and Steven Stamkos camp to date. Never say never, but the Stamkos camp, led by Don Meehan, is working through other market options.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) 30 June 2024
One item to look out for: #NHLBruins Of course, today issued a qualifying offer to Jeremy Swayman.
But it seems the Bruins and Swayman haven’t made much progress on a new deal. And they have already gone through the full mediation process to reach an agreement through a binding verdict last year.
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) 30 June 2024
Friedman on Zadorov/OEL and the Leafs (32TP): “I think they’re going to compete with Boston for Nikita Zadorov, they’re also considering Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but I think there are some teams that I’m thinking about it too.”
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) 30 June 2024
