2017 Free agency thread.

this guy had a lot of promise when he was younger. i don't think he ever panned out like they thought. a lot of fans like him. he's fine for the 4th line.

 

• Vrana signs two-year contract with Capitals
• Del Zotto signs one-year contract with Ducks
• Donato signs two-year contract with Wild

 

J.T. Compher signed a four-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Financial terms were not released.

The 24-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for July 31.

"Especially to do the four years and for them to have that confidence in me is really exciting," Compher said. "I love Denver, I love the team and the fans there, so I'm really excited about it."

Compher had NHL career highs in goals (16), assists (16) and points (32) in 66 games with the Avalanche last season and six points (four goals, two assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

(NHL.com)

 

Trouba agrees to seven-year, $56 million contract with Rangers
Defenseman was restricted free agent, avoided salary arbitration

 

I'd pay that in a heartbeat. I think the Rangers stole him on both the trade and the contract. F*** them. He was my top priority, this offseason.

 

I usually don't like looking at or linking to Twitter, but I found this from a reliable source, which gives an interesting picture of the Rangers' current rostered salaries:



Basically, they're paying huge multi-year contracts to 5 D-men (some good, some bad), Panarin, Zibanejad, and Lundqvist. Everyone else is either on a one year deal, or crazy cheap. What's interesting is that they're going to have to get under the cap for this year by dumping some of those bigger contracts. But, come next year, they've got so many expiring contracts in their F group that they'll have to re-stock. Getting their top 6 up to top caliber is going to be interesting. Despite some top additions, this team is still a long way off, and having to get under the cap this year isn't going to help.

Presuming Fox turns out to be the talented young Dman people were betting on, he's a huge help for them - lets them shed a contract on D without losing talent.

 

Sissons signs seven-year contract with Predators
Forward gets $2.86 million annually, avoids arbitration hearing

Colton Sissons signed a seven-year, $20 million contract with the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $2.86 million.

The 25-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday.

"Colton will be an important part of our team for the next seven seasons, and we are happy he has made a long-term commitment to our organization and the city the Nashville," Predators general manager David Poile said. "He's a heart and soul player who is versatile and can fill many important roles on our team, including on the penalty kill and power play. His offensive production has increased each season, and he remains an integral part of our defensive structure down the middle of the ice. Colton is also an up-and-coming leader in our organization, which is something we value strongly."

(NHL.com)

...and
Sissons had 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 75 games with the Predators last season and no points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Selected by Nashville in the second round (No. 50) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Sissons has 77 points (37 goals, 40 assists) in 265 games for the Predators and 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 51 playoff games.
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Nice contract for Sissons.

 

Copp awarded two-year, $4.56 million contract with Jets by arbitrator
Forward gets $2.28M annually after scoring NHL career-high 11 goals last season

 

When's Laine get a contract?

 

Lightning sign franchise netminder Vasilevskiy to eight-year extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning locked up one of the faces of their franchise for the foreseeable future, as they signed goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension on Monday. Vasilevskiy’s agent, Dan Milstein, made the announcement via his Twitter account. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vasilevskiy’s new cap hit will come in at around $9.5 million per year. The contract also comes with almost $45 million in bonuses.

The 25-year-old is now under team control for the next nine years because he still has one year remaining on his current deal which will pay him $3.5 million next season.

(NHL.com)

 

Good deal all around for both sides.
What about Brayden Point now? Will they bury Callahan in the AHL?

 

Great questions. You'd think if they can sign the likes of Witkowski, they must have a plan for the likes of Point and Callahan. Callahan is an 'Alternate Captain' also, I would guess he'd be safe, but you never know.

 

Seems like a lot of RFAs are waiting on Marner.
TB doesn’t have enough cap space for Point. I’m assuming they eventually sign him (can be 10% over in off season) and then deal someone or bury Callahan on LTIR

 

I think they're going to put him on LTIR.

 

Speaking of Ryan Callahan, and you can call me surprised by this move. TB has traded his rights to Ottawa for a 4th string goalie and a swap of late-round picks. Callahan's career is over due to injury and this move helps the Sens save cash, (would suck to be a Sens fan). Meanwhile, the Bolts have considerably more flexibility to get their own players signed now. What surprises me is that Callahan had a NTC, and he could control where & if he was traded. I guess if he's going to collect big checks to rehab and plan for his future it really doesn't matter who is signing those checks.

 

Reports are that Jake Gardiner has a handshake deal with a team. The team needs to trade away another d-man to make the requisite cap space.

I have zero proof, but I'm confident throwing out the notion that the team is the Buffalo Sabres. Since February GM Botterill has been very busy making over BUF's D. They actually have too many NHL ready R d-men. The L side could use some help after future-Norris Rasmus Dahlin.

The obvious name seems to be Rasmus Ristolainen and his $5.4MM cap space. Since he's young and has three years remaining, he's a very attractive player for a team needing D and toughness.

If Risto nets a top six winger, then the Sabres anemic offense (after their already elite top line) looks a lot stronger. The D is approaching elite status. With average-at-best netminders, and a still very young team they might aspire for the playoffs. Perhaps a bubble team, but probably one more draft lottery. But, hot damn! wait 'ti! 2020-21!

 

The Hockey Writers

Avalanche Sign Girard to 7-Year Extension

 

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero has been busy this summer and he took care of some more business on Wednesday morning. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Devils have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Will Butcher to a three-year deal. The contract carries an annual average value of $3.73 million.

Butcher and the Devils were scheduled to go to salary arbitration on Aug. 2, but that will no longer be necessary.

The 24-year-old just completed his second season with New Jersey. He had five goals and 44 points in 81 games with the Devils in his rookie year but his number came down slightly last year, as he posted four goals and 30 points in 78 contests.

(NBC)

 

I think the Devils have won the Summer... lets see if it pays off.