The NHL offseason started with a bang when Brady Tkachuk got shipped to Florida. That wasn’t the only big move either. Bowen Byram, Pavel Dorofeyev, and JJ Peterka all landed in new cities through trades. Now it’s Free Agency Day and the market is officially open.
This year’s free agent class doesn’t have a ton of household names. But that doesn’t mean it’s boring. There are still quality players looking for new deals and the trade front isn’t dead yet. The biggest unresolved story might be Zach Werenski in Columbus. He reportedly told the Blue Jackets he didn’t want to go to Dallas — so what happens now? The team hasn’t confirmed anything publicly, but the speculation is loud enough to matter.
Detroit’s Dylan Larkin is another name causing chatter around the league. The Red Wings have some cap space and Larkin is the kind of center that contenders love. Whether Detroit actually moves him or holds on remains unclear, but it’s worth watching.
Free agency officially opens at noon Eastern. Teams have been negotiating behind the scenes for days — and some deals are already leaked before the clock starts. That’s just how it works now. Expect a flurry of signings early, then a slower trickle as the day goes on.
Some positions are deeper than others. Defensemen are thin at the top, but there are serviceable middle-pair guys available. Goaltending is also shallow — which means the few quality goalies who hit the market might get overpaid. That’s free agency for you.
Fans online have already started reacting to rumored contract numbers. Some are reasonable. Others look like front offices panicked. It’s the same story every year.
One thing worth noting: the salary cap went up this offseason, which gives teams a little more breathing room. That doesn’t mean everyone will spend wisely though. Some GMs can’t help themselves.
We’ll track the signings, trades, and rumors here as they break. Keep refreshing. This thing moves fast once it starts.
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