And just like that, we’ve reached the end of the NHL offseason.
At the end of a whirlwind week — which included the NHL Awards, the schedule release and the NHL Draft — is the start of free agency as the calendar flips to July. It’s an underwhelming class in 2023, but that shouldn’t stop players from flying off the board.
MORE: Ryan O’Reilly, Patrick Kane lead top 30 UFAs available this summer
The real story is cap space, or lack thereof. On June 28, clubs finally received clarity about it. The NHL announced the cap would rise to $83.5 million — a $1 million increase — for the 2023 -24 season as COVID-19-related debts continued to be paid off.
Cap-strapped teams are scrambling to retain their own players, which leaves little available for additions. Meanwhile, there should be plenty of trades as the league’s 32 teams try to position themselves for a playoff run in 2023-24 or the top selection in next year’s draft.
MORE: Seven bold free agency predictions for the 2023 NHL offseason
The Sporting News will be tracking all of the notable free agent signings and trades during the 2023 NHL offseason. Follow below for the latest rumors and news.
NHL free agency news, updates on signings and trades
(All times Eastern)
July 1
11:44 a.m. — After some questions, Mackenzie Blackwood will avoid free agency to remain in San Jose for at least the next two years.
Hearing Mackenzie Blackwood will not be hitting the market. Sounds like he’s agreed to terms with #sjsharks, expected to come in around 2 years x $2.5 million.@DailyFaceoff @CapFriendly
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
11:35 a.m. — Oilers are reportedly adding a veteran to their bottom-six, signing Matt Nieto.
Expect Matt Nieto to sign a two year deal in Edmonton.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2023
11:29 a.m. — Panthers reportedly signing goaltender Anthony Stolarz. It gives them a veteran backup if Spencer Knight is still not ready to return from the player assistance program.
Told the Panthers are indeed signing G Anthony Stolarz. It’s a 1-year deal, per @DavidDwork
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2023
11:20 a.m. — Alexis Lafreniere, one of the Rangers’ RFAs, is expected to stay in New York. There was speculation he could be moved this offseason, but the Rangers are electing to keep the No. 1 pick in 2020.
Word is Rangers have indicated they are committed to keeping Alexis Lafreniere.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
10:58 a.m. — It appears Nathan Bastian will stay in New Jersey. After he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Devils, the two sides reportedly worked out a new deal.
All signs point to Nathan Bastian returning to the Devils
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
10:56 a.m. — The Panthers reportedly land their mobile defenseman they have been looking for, signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a one-year deal. The Swedish blue liner was bought out by the Canucks, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Expected to be 1year, $2.25 mil for OEL in Florida. https://t.co/Lne3cnztBj
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2023
10:40 a.m. — According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Kings are signing Cam Talbot to a one-year deal. It had been earlier reported that Los Angeles was looking for a cheaper option to pair in net with Pheonix Copley.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told per sources, G Cam Talbot to sign a 1 Yr Contract with the @LAKings . @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/Fe1EEhGRkQ
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 1, 2023
10 a.m. — There’s been rumblings all week, and a Milan Lucic return to Boston looks imminent. The power forward began his career with the Bruins, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011.
As mentioned earlier this week, all signs point to Milan Lucic landing in Boston. Deal still has to be worked out once market opens, but that’s where it’s most likely headed.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
9 a.m. — After not tendering Klim Kostin a qualifying offer yesterday, the Red Wings and the Russian winger agreed on a new two-year deal worth $4 million.
UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed forward Klim Kostin to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2,000,000. pic.twitter.com/EAb7zhV56D
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2023
8:50 a.m. — It appears two of Toronto’s UFA are going to the open market. The LEafs looked at re-signing both Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn, but it does not appear either will stay in the Six.
It doesn’t appear likely that Luke Schenn will be returning to the #leafs. There was mutual interest in continuing the relationship, but it’s believed the level of interest in the veteran defenceman has produced a hefty offer elsewhere.@NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2023
Hearing that Ryan O’Reilly is headed to the UFA market. Leafs had interest right to the end but the UFA centre is going to market.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
1:50 a.m. — New Leafs GM Brad Treliving appears to have Ryan Reaves on his radar. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period believes the enforcer will be joining Toronto this weekend. Reaves, 36, tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) to go with 43 penalty minutes in 73 games between the Rangers and Wild last season.
Expecting a multi-year deal for Reaves and the Maple Leafs tomorrow. https://t.co/kJ2YrJHreN
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2023
June 30
9:40 p.m. — Adin Hill is staying with the champs. The Golden Knights re-signed the goaltender to a two-year contract at a $4.9 million AAV. Hill, 27, was 11-4 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in the postseason. After supplanting Laurent Brossoit in the crease, Hill played in all five games of the team’s Stanley Cup Final triumph over the Panthers.
2:55 p.m. — ESPN’s Kevin Weekes is reporting that Jonathan Quick could be a backup goalie option for the Rangers. The longtime Kings netminder was in the crease in 2014 when his team defeated the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final. Quick is from Connecticut and grew up a Rangers fan. Given their cap situation, adding Quick as the No. 2 goalie behind Igor Shesterkin makes plenty of sense.
**Keep an Eye 👁️ on**
Barring anything unforeseen, I think it’s highly likely that CT Born G and UFA Jonathan Quick signs w his childhood fave team ; @NYRangers . @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/uG29AZLphQ
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 30, 2023
2:01 p.m. — The Oilers have re-signed depth forward Mattias Janmark to a one-year deal worth $1 million. The 30-year-old scored 10 goals and recorded 25 points in 66 games last season.
Oilers have locked up Janmark. 1x1m.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 30, 2023
1:15 p.m. — Blake Wheeler hasn’t been away from the Jets long, but apparently he prefers to see out an opportunity on the NFL Jets’ side of the U.S. According to his agent, Matt Keator, Wheeler would like an opportunity to play for a team in the Eastern Conference.
Blake Wheeler’s agent — Matt Keator — indicates the winger prefers the Eastern conference: less travel and a new experience. We will see what evolves
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 30, 2023
11:51 p.m. — Jesper Fast is staying in Carolina. He will remain with the Hurricanes on a contract that pays in the $2.4 million AAV range over two years, according to Chris Johnston. Fast has been a valuable piece for Rod Brind’Amour’s team.
With Jesper Fast and the #hurricanes working through the final details of a contract extension, it’s expected to be a two-year deal in the $2.4M AAV range.@NorthStarBet @TSN_Sports
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 30, 2023
Best NHL free agents available
Here’s a look at the top 30 free agents available as ranked by SN’s Bryan Murphy.
2023 NHL Free Agents Ranked
Rank
Player
Position
Age
1.
Ryan O’Reilly
C
32
2.
Matt Duchene
C
32
3.
Tyler Bertuzzi
LW
28
4.
Dmitry Orlov
D
31
5.
Vladimir Tarasenko
RW
31
6.
Patrick Kane
RW
34
7.
Max Pacioretty
LW
34
8.
Patrice Bergeron
C
37
9.
Frederik Andersen
G
33
10.
Alex Killorn
LW
33
11.
Tristan Jarry
G
27
12.
Matt Dumba
D
28
13.
Max Domi
LW
28
14.
David Krejci
C
36
15.
Michael Bunting
LW
27
16.
Ivan Barbashev (re-signed with VGK)
C
27
17.
Jason Zucker
LW
31
18.
Shayne Gostisbehere
D
29
19.
Damon Severson (trade to CBJ, signed extension)
D
28
20.
Semyon Varlamov
G
34
21.
John Klingberg
D
30
22.
Martin Jones
G
33
23.
Brian Dumoulin
D
31
24.
Adin Hill (re-signed with VGK)
G
27
25.
Alexander Kerfoot
C
28
26.
J.T. Compher
C
28
27.
Tomas Tatar
LW
32
28.
Jordan Staal (re-signed with CAR)
C
34
29.
Gustav Nyquist
RW
33
30.
Ryan Graves
D
27
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