2022 NHL free agency: The biggest signings of Day 1
The Free Agent Market is open, and there have already been some blockbuster deals involving the market’s best players in the first day.
It’s Day 1 of the Free Agent Market, and there have already been some big deals struck, some even before the market started. Here are the headline deals from Wednesday.
Avs reloading, Gaudreau on the move
The NHL Free Agent market opened at noon Eastern Time, and while it might be early, there have plenty of big deals agreed upon.
The headlines coming into the free agency period were the Colorado Avalanche, Johnny Gaudreau, and veterans who are or were on the market.
The Avs are coming off of their first Stanley Cup win in 21 years, but risk losing a healthy portion of that Cup winning team to free agency. While they secured Valeri Nichushkin for the next eight years, they may have trouble holding on to Nazem Kardi, Darcy Kuemper, Andrew Burakovsky and Josh Mason.
Malkin staying put in Pitt, Giroux headed home
Johnny Gaudreau is the top free agent in the market after a career season, registering 115 points in a contract year. Reports are that he is heading to Columbus on a seven year deal.
Claude Giroux is heading to his hometown after striking a deal with the Ottawa Senators. Evgeni Malkin was on the verge of entering the market, but a deal struck last night will keep the Russian with the Penguins for four more years. Reports out of Boston is that they are keeping their captain Patrice Bergeron for another year after agreeing to terms shortly before the market opened.
Now that the headlines have been laid out for you, lets have a look at the deals signed since mid day when the market opened up (earliest deals on top, latest deals on the bottom).
Evander Cane, returning to Edmonton on a four-year, $20.5 million dollar contract
Josh Manson, returning to Colorado on a four-year, $18 million dollar contract
Jack Campbell, signed with Edmonton on a five-year, $25 million contract.
Claude Giroux, signed with Ottawa on a three year, $19.5 million contract.
Kevin Rooney, signed with Calgary on a two-year, $2.6 million pact.
Robert Thomas (not a free agent), extends with St. Louis on a eight-year, $65 million deal.
Andrew Copp, singed with Detroit on a five-year $28.125 million deal.
Vincent Trocheck, signed with New York Rangers on a seven-year $39.375 million deal.
Nick Leddy, signed with St. Louis for four-year on a $16 million deal.
Frank Vatrano, signed with Anaheim on a three-year, $10.95 million deal.
Mikhail Sergachev, extends with Tampa Bay on eight-year, $68 million contract.
Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak also sign eight-year deals with Tampa Bay.
Darcy Kuemper, signed a five-year, $26.25 million deal with Washington.
Mason Marchment, signed a four-year $18 million deal with Dallas.
Arthur Lehkonen returning to Colorado on five-year, $22.5 million deal.
Ben Chiarot, signed to four-year $19 million deal with Detroit.
Andre Burakovsky, signed to five-year, $27.5 million deal with Seattle.
Nico Strum, signed with San Jose in a three-year $6 million deal.
Johnny Gaudreau, signed seven year deal with Columbus (amount not disclosed yet)