These are the notable free-agent signings and post-draft trades of the offseason. The most recent deals are at the top.
Quick links: Guides for all 31 teams | Ranking the NHL's top free agents Trade Tracker | Winners and losers from Day 1
Latest deals
July 18
Chris Tierney re-signs with Sharks
July 17
Rangers, Jimmy Vesey agree to two-year contract
Devils bring back Blake Coleman and Stefan Noesen
July 16
Adam Henrique signs five-year extension
Flames hand Elias Lindholm a six-year contract
July 13
Stars, Devin Shore agree to two-year deal worth $4.6M
Marc-Andre Fleury gets big extension from the Golden Knights
July 12
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets agree to six-year, $37 million deal
Connor Hellebuyck's new six-year contract carries a $6.167 million average annual value against the salary cap. Is he worth it? He's coming off the best season of his three-year career at 44-11-9, a .924 save percentage, a 2.36 goals-against average and a second-place finish for the Vezina. The contract makes him the sixth-highest paid goalie in the NHL in AAV, but here's the thing: At 25 years old, he's younger than all of them. In fact, he's the youngest goalie in the top 20 for netminders' salary cap hits. This isn't some lark on a guy after a career year. Hellebuyck has been groomed to be a franchise goalie, the Jets have proof of concept, and this is a solid deal for a keeper this young. A foundational piece for the Jets.
July 11
Detroit Red Wings agree with Anthony Mantha on two-year, $6.6 million contract
July 10
Grade: Kucherov gives Bolts a star player and cost certainty
Winger Patrick Maroon, St. Louis Blues agree to one-year, $1.75 million contract
July 9
New York Islanders agree to one-year deal with KHL star Jan Kovar
July 7
Vegas Golden Knights bring back defenseman Colin Miller on four-year, $15.5 million contract
Defenseman Dylan DeMelo signs on with the San Jose Sharks for two years, $1.8 million
July 6
Florida Panthers reach one-year, $1.95 million contract with defenseman Alex Petrovic
Toronto Maple Leafs add speedy winger Tyler Ennis on one-year, $650,000 contract
July 5
Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets extend business relationship for four more years, $15 million
Columbus Blue Jackets add young winger Anthony Duclair to the mix on a one-year, $650,000 contract
Arizona Coyotes bring back Brad Richardson on a two-year, $2.5 million contract
July 3
New York Islanders land goaltender Robin Lehner on one-year, $1.5 million contract
Grade: Robin Lehner deal a rare win for the Islanders
Defenseman Calvin de Haan signs four-year, $18.2 million deal with Carolina Hurricanes
Grade: Hurricanes earn a B-plus for de Haan deal
St. Louis Blues re-sign winger Robby Fabbri to one-year, $925,000 contract
July 2
Center Joe Thornton returns to the San Jose Sharks on one-year, $5 million contract
Grade: Sharks-Thornton deal grades out well for all parties
Brian Gibbons lands with the Anaheim Ducks on one-year, $1 million contract
New York Islanders ink one-year contract with right wing Tom Kuhnhackl
Calgary Flames reach a five-year, $28.75 million deal with power forward James Neal
Grade: Flames earn A-minus for luring James Neal to Calgary
Veteran forward Zac Rinaldo signs one-year, two-way deal to join the Nashville Predators
July 1
Grades: Ryan O'Reilly worth the price for the Blues
Center John Tavares signs seven-year, $77 million deal to join the Toronto Maple Leafs
Grade: Maple Leafs win big in landing Tavares
Analysis:: What Tavares' deal means for his jilted suitors
John Tavares on deciding to leave the New York Islanders: "That place means a lot to me. Everything I've been through there, the impact people had on me. The things we went through as a group, the teammates I've been through there, um … it was such a hard decision just because how special it was. It's a great organization. A tremendous fanbase. Tremendously loyal. Tremendously passionate. You ever been to a game with Islander fans, it's something really unique. I think my message is … I made some statements on Twitter today, and I think I tried to put some things that really came from the heart. I think just what I want to reiterate is really ‘thank you.' Thank you for the impact you made on me. I don't know if words would describe how much I appreciated my time there. The impact everyone made on me. I think the organization's in great hands. There's some great people there. Obviously some new faces that are going to do some great things, some great talent there. You got some great pieces, starting with the kid who won the Calder Trophy this year. I think the future's bright there. I know it's been a bittersweet day. I've been connected to so many people in that organization. I think the future's bright there."
New York Islanders reach four-year, $12 million deal with forward Leo Komarov
It's not exactly a one-for-one deal, but the Islanders addressed their John Tavares vacancy by signing former Maple Leaf Leo Komarov. The deal is for four years, $12 million. The 31-year-old Komarov is a versatile forward who can play any position. He excels defensively and is best suited in a bottom six role, but may have to play higher based off of need. The contract seems like an overpayment, but the Islanders were forced into contingency mode. While this is the Islanders' biggest free agent signing of the summer so far, it's clear: in the absence of Tavares, this is Mat Barzal's team now.
Vancouver Canucks bring forward Sven Baertschi back on three-year, $10 million contract
Edmonton Oilers add speed to the lineup with one-year, $2 million deal with forward Tobias Rieder
Forward Riley Nash joining the Columbus Blue Jackets on three-year, $8.25 million deal
The Blue Jackets made a good depth signing by adding Riley Nash for three years at $2.75 million per year. The 29-year-old is a versatile forward and likely fills the exact role as Matt Calvert, who signed with the Avalanche. Nash is an upgrade offensively (15 goals and 41 points in 76 games last season compared to Calvert's nine goals and 24 points in 69 games) which gets GM Jarmo Kekalainen one step closer to his goal of getting Artemi Panarin some relief with depth scoring. The GM still has work to do, though (and of course still needs to convince Panarin to sign a long-term extension).
New York Rangers re-sign forward Vladislav Namestnikov for two years
Minnesota Wild bolster depth by adding forwards Matt Hendricks and Eric Fehr
Defenseman Nick Holden joins the Vegas Golden Knights on two-year, $4.4 million deal
41-year-old forward Matt Cullen signs one-year, $650,000 deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Matt Cullen, who turns 42 in November, postpones retirement yet again to sign a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Penguins. (For the league's oldest player, Cullen has Zdeno Chara beat by 136 days) This is as much a culture fit (Cullen helped Pittsburgh to back-to-back Cups and was a respected voice in the locker room) as it is about adding value to the fourth line. The Penguins' center group, already perhaps the best in the league, gets even stronger. Cullen didn't have the best season in Minnesota (22 points in 79 games) but he's a low risk signing at the price.
Forward Derek Ryan inks three-year, $9.375 million deal with the Calgary Flames
Defenseman John Moore inks five-year, $13.75 million deal with the Boston Bruins
Minnesota Wild bring in forward J.T. Brown on a two-year, $1.375 million contract
Center Kyle Brodziak joining the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year, $2.3 million deal
A three-year, $10.05 million deal has lured Michael Grabner to the Arizona Coyotes
Grade: Coyotes add some scoring on the wing at a decent price
Austin Czarnik is headed to the Calgary Flames on a two-year, $2.5 million contract
Petr Mrazek lands with the Carolina Hurricanes on one-year, $1.5 million deal
Dallas Stars add experienced defenseman Roman Polak on one-year, $1.3 million contract
Fascinating to see Ryan McDonagh signed to a seven-year extension by the Tampa Bay Lightning as free agency opened on July 1. The contract, which kicks in 2019-20, pays him $6.75 million annually against the cap, up from $4.7 million on his current deal. It gives the Lightning three defensemen – McDonagh, Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev – signed in 2019-20. Which is to say it gives them flexibility with Nikita Kucherov needing a new deal and, as of noon on July 1, John Tavares still a possibility. But by committing $6.5 million to McDonagh, does that mean they're out on Erik Karlsson?
Tomas Plekanec signing with the Montreal Canadiens on one-year, $2.25 million deal
Colorado Avalanche adding defenseman Ian Cole on three-year, $12.75 million contract
Grade: Cole adds a steady, veteran presence to Colorado's blue line
Dallas Stars reach three-year, $7.2 million contract with veteran forward Blake Comeau
Carter Hutton reaches three-year, $8.25 million deal with Buffalo Sabres
Grade: Why there's some cause for concern with Hutton's new deal in Buffalo
Detroit Red Wings reach deal with Jonathan Bernier for three years, $9 million
Grade: Bernier a solid second option in goal behind Jimmy Howard
Cam Ward heading to the Chicago Blackhawks on one-year, $3 million contract
Grade: Ward a Corey Crawford insurance policy for the Blackhawks
Four-time Stanley Cup winner Chris Kunitz reaches deal to join the Chicago Blackhawks
Depth defenseman Brandon Manning inks two-year, $4.5 million deal to join the Chicago Blackhawks
How are the Blackhawks looking to correct themselves after a dispiriting 2017-18 season? Small tweaks. Chicago didn't make any splashy trades, couldn't lure in a Top 4 defenseman and found itself out on big free agents like James van Riemsdyk fairly early. Instead, the Blackhawks opted for a conservative approach. They addressed their biggest area of need (insurance for Corey Crawford) with a serviceable, if uninspiring, option in Cam Ward. They add a veteran winger in Chris Kunitz, who likely figures as a third or fourth liner. The Blackhawks also added 28-year-old defenseman Brandon Manning who has upside — but only adds to the defensive logjam coach Joel Quenneville needs to navigate. In other words, it feels like GM Stan Bowman is banking on last season being a one-off.
Boston Bruins bring in goaltender Jaroslav Halak on two-year, $5.5 million deal
Tyler Bozak will be moving from Toronto to the St. Louis Blues on a three-year, $15 million deal
Grade: Bozak's fit and value in the Blues' lineup.
David Perron returning to the St. Louis Blues on a four-year, $16 million contract
Grade: Blues earn a B-minus for their deal with Perron.
Defenseman Thomas Hickey is returning to the New York Islanders on a four-year, $10 million contract
Pittsburgh Penguins sign defenseman Jack Johnson to five-year, $16.25 million contract
Grade: Penguins make sneaky-good move in adding Johnson, the latest reclamation project for assistant coach Sergei Gonchar.
Center Paul Stastny inks a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights
Grade: Insight on where Stastny fits into the Golden Knights' lineup, and how he impacts the rest of the free agent market.
Jay Beagle signs with Vancouver Canucks for four years, $12 million
Vancouver Canucks sign Antoine Roussel to four-year, $13 million contract
Apparently, stability on the fourth line was paramount for the Vancouver Canucks. They signed Stanley Cup champion Jay Beagle for four years at $3 million AAV, and they signed Antoine Roussel for four years at $3.25 million AAV. So that's two fourth-liners for the price of one Patrick Marleau, cap-wise. Beagle's great in the room. Roussel's a pain to play against. But what does taking ice time away from young grinders accomplish, exactly?
Veteran scorer Thomas Vanek inks one-year, $3 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are straddled in rebuild mode, but still competitive for their fan base — and also set the tone for their young, transitioning roster. That's why a player like Thomas Vanek (one year, $3 million) makes sense. Vanek will turn 35 in January, but still has a scoring touch (24 goals in 80 games last season). His no trade clause is notable, but of course that can be waived depending on the landscape at the trade deadline. Without committing too much, the Red Wings can work deals for their important RFA's: Andreas Athanasiou, Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha.
Defenseman Greg Pateryn signs three-year, $6.75 million contract to join the Minnesota Wild
James van Riemsdyk signs five-year, $35 million deal with Philadelphia Flyers
Grade: How JVR fits into the Flyers' lineup for 2018-19 and beyond. Plus, how this could impact Wayne Simmonds.
June 30
Logan Couture signs eight-year extension to remain with San Jose Sharks
Detroit Red Wings bring back veteran defenseman Mike Green on two-year deal
Arizona Coyotes re-sign defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to a two-year contract
Ryan Reaves returns to Vegas Golden Knights on two-year, $5.55 million deal
New Jersey Devils retain backup goaltender Eddie Lack on one-year deal
June 29
Kings, Drew Doughty agree to eight-year contract extension
Analysis:: How Doughty deal impacts the Kings' cap, other high-end defensemen and the Maple Leafs.
June 24
Capitals' defenseman John Carlson agrees to 8-year, $64M contract
Analysis:: How Carlson's deal impacts the Caps, other free agents and the Erik Karlsson Sweepstakes.
June 23
Kings sign Ilya Kovalchuk to three-year deal
Analysis:: Kovalchuk picks the Kings: Now what?
Preview coverage
Free agency guides for all 31 teams. Cap space, players leaving, dream/nightmare scenarios and more.
Ranking the NHL's top 50 (plus) free agents. From the superstars down to the role players, who teams are looking to add this summer.
Odds on where John Tavares will land. Ranking the favorites, along with why it's a good fit and whether the money will work.
Which team would Tavares help the most? How he would boost the favorites, including potential linemates with each.
The All-Value and All-Risk teams in free agency. Players that will offer a great boost on the cheap, and those who are poised to be overpaid.
The biggest NHL free-agency questions answered. Where will Tavares land? What will the Islanders do in goal? Which team will "win" free agency?