NHL general managers entered the free agent signing period with more money to spend, as the salary cap increased from $83.5 million to $88 million. Many players, including top names like Jake Guentzel and Chris Tanev, were traded ahead of free agency to allow time for negotiations. Guentzel signed a seven-year, $63 million contract, and Tanev signed a six-year, $26 million contract.
On the opening day of free agency, several notable signings took place. Cam Talbot joined the Detroit Red Wings, Jack Campbell signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, and Matvei Michkov signed an entry-level deal. Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon signed with the New Jersey Devils, while Matt Roy signed with the Washington Capitals. Anthony Duclair signed with the New York Islanders, while Brandon Montour joined the Seattle Kraken.
Other notable signings include Viktor Arvidsson with the Edmonton Oilers, David Perron with the Ottawa Senators, and Jonathan Drouin returning to the Colorado Avalanche. The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sean Monahan, while the Vancouver Canucks signed Jake DeBrusk and other forwards and defensemen.
The Carolina Hurricanes also extended Jaccob Slavin’s contract for eight years, and the Nashville Predators made aggressive moves by signing Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. The trade market saw the Washington Capitals acquire Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators. Overall, teams were busy during the opening day of free agency, making significant moves to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season.
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