Signings:
Zac Rinaldo-Nashville Predators: 1 year, $650K
Zac Rinaldo is in the NHL because he backs down from no one; despite his small size, he is willing to fight anybody and he will beat anyone too. He will probably play a depth role for Nashville this upcoming season.
James Neal-Calgary Flames: 5 years, $28.75M
Neal brings playoff experience and goal scoring which the Flames both need; he may fit nicely alongside stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the first line. The first few years of the contract could be a good deal but as he starts to age the last few years could be bad if he regresses like Michael Frolik and Troy Brouwer have as veteran free agent signings for the Flames.
Slater Koekkoek-Tampa Bay Lightning: 1 year, $865K
Koekkoek has never lived up to being the 10th overall pick as he has only appeared in 76 games since he was drafted in 2012. He will likely play part of the season in the AHL and part of it in the NHL.
Joe Thornton-San Jose Sharks: 1 year, $5M
Thornton is not the allstar he once was but he can still be a very effective third-line center power-play specialist as he still ranks among the league's best passers. This may be Thornton's last chance to raise Lord Stanley as he enters the season at age 39.
Tomas Hertl-San Jose Sharks: 4 years, $22.5M
Hertl has turned into a good top-six forward in San Jose and he proved what he can be capable of in the Sharks' two playoff series. If he can continue to grow, he could possibly turn into a first-line player but it seems more likely he will cap off as a reliable second-line player with immense skill.
Carter Rowney-Anaheim Ducks: 3 years, $4M
Rowney spent last season as a depth forward on Pittsburgh; he struggled to produce points during the season as he only scored twice to go along with three assists in 44 games. With a multi-year contract, the Ducks are hoping he becomes a full-time NHL player.
Brian Gibbons-Anaheim Ducks: 1 year, $1M
On his third NHL team, last year Gibbons played well as a fourth liner netting 12 goals in 59 games while playing with intensity. If he gets a chance to play for the majority of the season, this could be a sneaky good deal for the Ducks.
Tom Kuhnhackl-New York Islanders: 1 year, $650K
Kuhnhackl has been a depth forward for the Penguins the past three seasons, winning two cups along the way. He may get his first shot at a regular place in the lineup on a weak Islanders team.
Remi Elie-Dallas Stars: 1 year, $735K
Elie was an OK depth forward for Dallas last season but he did not play like he did for the brief stint he spent in the NHL the year before. This may be his last chance to prove to teams he can be a full-time NHL player.
Sean Kuraly-Boston Bruins: 3 years, $3.825M
Kuraly has been a good depth forward the past two seasons for Boston and with some veterans moving on from the Bruins, he may get a chance at a larger role. He may play in the top nine or he could also spend a majority of the season in the AHL.
Brad Richardson-Arizona Coyotes: 2 years, $2.5M
Richardson has been a solid fourth-line center his whole career; he does not produce much offence but he plays solid in his own zone. He will likely play a leadership role with Arizona as the young players continue to grow.
Robin Lehner-New York Islanders: 1 year, $1.5M
Once viewed as one of the NHL's future star goalies, Lehner has never lived up to his potential; instead he has struggled in Buffalo where he has spent the last three seasons of his career. Part of his struggles could have been the team in front of him and if that is the cause, he is once again joining a team who needs defencemen.
Robby Fabbri-St. Louis Blues: 1 year, $925K
Fabbri missed all of last season with another injury. During his first two seasons in the league he flashed the ability to create offence but could never stay in the lineup due to injuries. If he can stay healthy and turn into the player he can become, this could be a steal of a signing for the Blues.
Calvin De Haan-Carolina Hurricanes: 4 years, $18.2M
The best defenceman left on the board after day one is now gone, De Haan is not going to be a top defenceman but he can help out a defence if played in the right role. On a deep defence in Carolina, he will fit right in somewhere in the bottom four possibly alongside Jaccob Slavin.
Jordan Nolan-St. Louis Blues: 1 year, $650K
Nolan is another player who like Rinaldo is only playing because he throws body checks and fights. The two-time Stanley Cup champion can also bring his winning ways to a Blues team desperate for their first cup.
Boone Jenner-Columbus Blue Jackets: 4 years, $15M
After exploding for 30 goals and 49 points in 2016, Jenner's production has declined the last two years. He is still young enough where he can find his offensive touch but even if he does not, he is a very effective penalty killer and goes into the dirty areas to score.
Andrej Sustr-Anaheim Ducks: 1 year, $1.3M
Sustr plays a bruising style of hockey as he is among the biggest defencemen in the NHL which will make him a nice fit on the bottom pair or as a depth defenceman in Anaheim, a team known for their physical play.
Jacob De La Rose-Montreal Canadiens: 2 years, $1.8M
De La Rose has been a depth forward for Montreal the past four seasons as well as spent time in the AHL. This may be his last chance to prove he deserves a full-time role in the NHL especially on a team who needs as many forwards as they can get.
Andreas Athanasiou-Detroit Red Wings: 2 years, $6M
Athanasiou is one of the few bright spots for Detroit in the future. The 23 year old has already had three successful seasons in the NHL. He is one of the fastest players in the league and with Tomas Tatar now out of Detroit, he should get a regular look in the top-six forwards.
Anthony Duclair-Columbus Blue Jackets: 1 year, $650K
After a very promising rookie season in which Duclair put up 44 points, in the two seasons to follow he has yet to get more than 23. The very talented winger is still only 22 years old so even if Columbus is not a good fit for him, he could get another opportunity elsewhere to try and rejuvenate his NHL career.
Cedric Paquette-Tampa Bay Lightning: 1 year, $1M
Over the past four seasons, Paquette has been a very reliable fourth-line center for the Lightning playing a good two-way game. He will help the penalty kill as the Lightning finally try to win the cup as they enter the season as favourites.
Trevor Van Riemsdyk-Carolina Hurricanes: 2 years, $4.6M
Van Riemsdyk has been a solid bottom-pair defenceman since entering the league with Chicago; he does not put up many points but he plays mistake-free. On a deep defensive core in Carolina, he may be pushed to a bench role for the upcoming season.
Christian Folin-Philadelphia Flyers: 1 year, $800K
Folin has been a reliable depth defenceman over the past four seasons in Minnesota and he will likely play the same role with his new team in Philadelphia.
Oskar Sundqvist-St. Louis Blues: 1 year, $700K
During parts of the last three seasons, Sundqvist has struggled at the NHL level failing to put up points. At age 24, this may be his last shot at a job in the NHL.
Ryan Strome-Edmonton Oilers: 2 years, $6.2M
Another player the Oilers got back in a deal they lost, Strome struggled in his first season in Edmonton only putting up 13 goals and 34 points. This will be the former number-five overall pick's last crack at a top-six role in the NHL as he tries to recreate the play which made him a top pick.
Tyler Ennis-Toronto Maple Leafs: 1 year, $650K
After five very successful seasons in Buffalo, the last three years have been filled with injury and disappointment for Ennis. He has the skill to be an effective NHL player and on a team with very good forwards in Toronto, there is a chance he could regain his form prior to his injuries.
Alexander Petrovic-Florida Panthers: 1 year, $1.95M
During the last four seasons, Petrovic has been a very good depth or bottom-six defenceman in Florida. Now at the age of 26, he is ready for a larger role and based on his past play he deserves a shot in the top four alongside Aaron Ekblad, Keith Yandle and Michael Matheson.
Matt Nieto-Colorado Avalanche: 2 years. $3.95M
Nieto had the best season of his NHL career last year playing a very key bottom-six role for the surprise Avalanche who squeaked into the playoffs. He will once again be asked to play the same role and as the team's expectations grow so will his.
Dmitrij Jaskin-St. Louis Blues: 1 year, $1.1M
Jaskin has disappointed in his NHL career; he was once considered to be one of the Blues' best options and possibly be a 30-goal scorer. Instead, he has played a bottom-six forward role for the past four seasons. This may be his last contract in the NHL if he does not improve.
Colin Miller-Vegas Golden Knights: 4 years, $15.5M
Miller soared past expectations during his first year in Vegas anchoring a strong defensive core many thought would struggle. If he continues to grow as a player, this could be a steal of a contract and if he plays like last season, it is a very good deal compared to what some of the free agent defencemen like Ian Cole got on the open market.
Trades:
Islanders Receive: Matt Martin
Maple Leafs Receive: Eamon McAdam
Martin has been one of the league's best hitters since entering the NHL, and one of the best fourth-line grinders. He will now get a chance to reunite with his old team and linemates Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas who once formed the league's top fourth line. Toronto has tons of forwards so Martin will likely be a depth forward and Toronto needs to clear cap space after the John Tavares signing.
Grades: Islanders B+; Maple leafs B+
Photo credit for James Neal goes to https://www.nbcsports.com/. Brian Gibbons goes to http://sports.yahoo.com/. Brad Richardson and Matt Martin goes to https://www.nhl.com/. Boone Jenner goes to https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl. Cedric Paquette and Alexander Petrovic goes to http://thehockeywriters.com/.
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