The Nashville Predators made a big splash in the opening moments of NHL free agency Monday by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.
Stamkos said he was signing with the Predators, leaving Tampa Bay after 16 seasons that included winning the Stanley Cup twice and making two other trips to the final. It was not immediately clear what the 34-year-old forward was getting in terms of years or dollars.
Marchessault, the 2023 playoff MVP and another standout veteran forward, got a five-year deal worth $27.5 million, according to a person familiar with the contract. The Predators also signed former Carolina defenseman Brady Skjei to a $49 million, seven-year contract according to a different person with knowledge of the contract. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals have not been announced.
Marchessault was an original member of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 and helped them reach the final twice and win the Stanley Cup once. He's coming off scoring a career-high 42 goals.
Jake Guentzel signed a $63 million, seven-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after they acquired his rights from the Hurricanes over the weekend.
“Things just didn’t work out in Carolina, and then I heard Tampa might be trading for my rights, so obviously I got really excited because everyone hears how good of a team and good of a spot this is,” said Guentzel, who will count $9 million against the salary cap through 2031. “The pedigree behind Tampa Bay, the winning culture — just a lot of high-end players that really make it intriguing to come to Tampa.”
Tampa Bay traded defensemen Mikhail Sergachev to Utah and depth forward Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles to clear cap space not to retain Stamkos but to add Guentzel. The Lightning still had roughly $7 million to spend, and general manager Julien BriseBois was expected to use it on another forward, either in free agency or by trade.
Fresh off helping Florida win the Stanley Cup, defenseman Brandon Montour signed a $50 million, seven-year contract with Seattle. Cross-border rival Vancouver signed former Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk for $38.5 million over seven years.
Boston signed defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a six-year deal worth $30 million, according to a person with knowledge of the move. Another person familiar with the deal said San Jose signed Tyler Toffoli for $24 million over four years. A third person said Chicago signed Tyler Bertuzzi for four years and $22 million.
All three spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the signings had not been announced.
Hours after a rainy rally celebrating their Stanley Cup title, the Panthers beat the midnight buzzer to re-sign Sam Reinhart to an eight-year contract worth $69 million, an annual cap hit of $8.625 million for a player coming off a 57-goal regular season.
“Since coming to South Florida, Sam has demonstrated his ability to be a powerful scoring threat while maintaining strong defensive play,” general manager Bill Zito said of Reinhart, who also scored Florida’s Cup-clinching goal. “His versatility and value as a player are only outshined by his premier personality and work ethic, and we are pleased to have him continue on with our group.”
After Patrick Kane re-signed with Detroit on Sunday night, a handful of other teams kept key players around.
Jordan Martinook is re-signing with the Hurricanes on a three-year deal worth $9.15 million, according to a person with knowledge of the contract. Erik Johnson is also staying with the Philadelphia Flyers on a $1 million contract for next season.
Edmonton, which lost to the Panthers in seven games in the Cup final, re-signed versatile depth forward Connor Brown to a one-year contract for $1 million. Brown, who tore the ACL in his left knee in October 2022, had a goal and an assist in the final.
Washington continued its extensive roster overhaul by acquiring Jakob Chychrun from Ottawa for fellow defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick.
The Capitals also signed D-man Matt Roy and depth forward Brandon Duhaime after acquiring center Pierre-Luc Dubois and goaltender Logan Thompson in separate trades.
Toronto, which traded for Tanev's rights at the draft over the weekend, quickly signed him to a six-year contract worth $27 million that counts $6.5 million against the salary cap through 2030.
“Everyone knows how hard he is to play against and what a warrior and competitive he is,” forward Max Domi, who re-signed with the Leafs on Sunday for the next four years, said of Tanev. “He's going to be a big part of this team for a long time, obviously, and a big part of our success.”
The Leafs also signed goaltender Joseph Woll, a restricted free agent, to a three-year extension for just under $11 million.
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