DeBrincat sweepstakes reportedly down to 2 teams

The NHL free agency period opened on July 1 and teams wasted little time bolstering their rosters for 2023-24 and beyond.

This year’s class wasn’t one of the most loaded ones in recent memory, but still featured a number of impact players including Dmitry Orlov (2-year, $15.5-million deal with Hurricanes), Ryan O’Reilly (4-year, $18-million contract with Predators, Tyler Bertuzzi (1-year, $5.5-million deal with Maple Leafs) and others who found new homes amid a strange landscape featuring plenty of short-term contracts for some pretty big-name players.

With the draft in the rearview, only a couple of impact free agents left (Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko) and the cap situations much more clear for many clubs, attention will now mostly shift to the trade market and the few gems available there.

DeBrincat sweepstakes down to pair of teams

Alex DeBrincat is likely headed to either Detroit or Long Island, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, as the Red Wings and Islanders have reportedly emerged as the front-runners to land the skilled forward’s services.

While DeBrincat’s contract does not include a no-trade clause, he will have some say into where he’s dealt, as his new team would look to ink the 25-year-old to a long-term contract and will want to know they can do that before sending any assets Ottawa’s way.

DeBrincat has a qualifying offer for $9 million for 2023-24, but Ottawa intends to take the forward to arbitration if he is to remain with the team for next season.

Karlsson trade proving tough to pull off, as expected

The Athletic’s Rob Rossi reported on Tuesday that trade talks around Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson remain at a standstill as teams close in on the Sharks superstar.

The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be one of the frontrunners at the moment, as both management and Karlsson are interested in seeing a deal be completed, according to Rossi.

Rossi says the Sharks are comfortable waiting for the best possible offer, however, as they feel they have good leverage in these negotiations.

The Carolina Hurricanes were reported to be heavily involved in trade talks for Karlsson as well.

Bouchard likely getting bridge deal

The Edmonton Oilers’ biggest piece of business this offseason might be re-signing promising defenseman Evan Bouchard after the 23-year-old put up his second consecutive 40-point season.

On the latest edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Bouchard and the Oilers may be closing in on a two-year bridge deal in the $3.5-$4 million range.

Edmonton also has to re-sign forward Ryan McLeod, who broke through as a valuable bottom-six contributor last season with 23 points in 57 games.

Tarasenko linked to Hurricanes; Dumba to Coyotes?

Dynamic forward Vladimir Tarasenko appeared to be closing in on a short-term contract with the Hurricanes, but that has yet to be made official as of this writing — and it’s unclear exactly what the hold up or issue is.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reported that Tarasenko to Carolina might not be a done deal quite yet.

Dumba, meanwhile, could be a target for the Coyotes, according to Friedman, who did not rule out another destination but maintained that Arizona is holding out hope it can secure the 28-year-old’s services.

“Matt Dumba has not signed yet, I think this could be where he ends up,” Friedman said.

Follow along here with our tracker and live blog for all the latest signings, rumors, trades and more.

Full list of major NHL free agent signings:

• Martin Fehervary signs extension with Capitals (3 years, $2.675 million)

• Travis Hamonic re-signs with Senators (2 years, $2.2 million)

• Rafaël Harvey-Pinard signs extension with Canadiens (2 years, $2.2 million)

• Dylan Gambrell signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $775K)

• Marc Staal signs with Flyers (1 year, $1.1 million)

• Max Domi signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $3 million)

• Tyler Bertuzzi signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $5.5 million)

• Kailer Yamamoto signs with Kraken (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Evan Rodrigues signs with Panthers (4 years, $12 million)

• Panthers trade Anthony Duclair to Sharks for Steven Lorentz and a 2025 fifth round pick

• Alexandre Carrier re-signs with Predators (1 year, $2.5 million)

• Christian Fischer signs with Red Wings (1 year, $1.125 million)

• Alex Kerfoot signs with Coyotes (2 years, $7 million)

• Shayne Gostisbehere signs with Red Wings (1 year, $4.125 million)

• Garnet Hathaway signs with Flyers (2 years, $4.75 million)

• John Klingberg signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $4.15 million)

• Brian Dumoulin signs with Kraken (2 years, $6.3 million)

• J.T. Compher signs with Red Wings (5 years, $25.5 million)

• Scott Mayfield re-signs with Islanders (7 years, $24.5 million)

• Jonathan Drouin signs with Avalanche (1 year, $825K)

• Bowen Byram re-signs with Avalanche (2 years, $7.7 million)

• Ilya Sorokin re-signs with Islanders (8 years, $66 million)

• Lars Eller signs with Penguins (2 years, $4.9 million)

• Pierre Engvall re-signs with Islanders (7 years, $21 million)

• Kyle Burroughs signs with Sharks (3 years, $3.3 million)

• Ryan Graves signs with Penguins (6 years, $27 million)

• Miles Wood signs with Avalanche (6 years, $15 million)

• Troy Stecher re-signs with Coyotes (1 year, $1.1 million)

• Tristan Jarry re-signs with Penguins (5 years, $26.875 million)

• Alex Nedeljkovic signs with Penguins (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Noel Acciari signs with Penguins (3 years, $6 million)

• Alex Killorn signs with Ducks (4 years, $25 million)

• Cody Glass re-signs with Predators (2 years, $5 million)

• Nick Bjugstad signs with Coyotes (2 years, $4.2 million)

• Ryan Donato signs with Blackhawks (2 years, $4 million)

• Vladislav Namestnikov re-signs with Jets (2 years, $2 million)

• Laurent Brossoit signs with Jets (1 year, $1.75 million)

• Daniel Sprong signs with Red Wings (1 year, $2 million)

• Tanner Glass re-signs with Predators (2 year, $5 million)

• Jason Zucker signs with Coyotes (1 year, $5.3 million)

• Michael Bunting signs with Hurricanes (3 years, $13.5 million)

• Matt Duchene signs with Stars (1 year, $3 million)

• Conor Sheary signs with Lightning (3 years, $6 million)

• Niko Mikkola signs with Panthers (3 years, $7.5 million)

• Kevin Shattenkirk signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Craig Smith signs with Stars (1 year, $1 million)

• Givani Smith signs with Sharks (2 years, $1.6 million)

• Gustav Nyquist signs with Predators (2 years, $6.37 million)

• Ryan Poehling signs with Flyers (1 year, $1.4 million)

• Ian Cole signs with Canucks (1 year, $3 million)

• Carson Soucy signs with Canucks (3 years, $9.75 million)

• Adam Fantilli signs entry-level contract with Blue Jackets

• Alex Lyon signs with Red Wings (2 years, $1.8 million)

• Connor Clifton signs with Sabres (3 years, $10 million)

• Erik Johnson signs with Sabres (1 year, $3.25 million)

• Stars trade Colin Miller to the Devils for a 2025 5th round pick

• Max Pacioretty signs with Capitals (1 year, $2 million)

• Teddy Blueger signs with Canucks (1 year, $1.9 million)

• Milan Lucic signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Morgan Geekie signs with Bruins (2 years, $4 million)

• Connor Brown signs with Oilers (1 year, $775K)

• Dmitry Orlov signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $15.5 million)

• Justin Holl signs with Red Wings (3 years, $10.2 million)

• James Reimer signs with Red Wings (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Radko Gudas signs with Ducks (3 years, $12 million)

• Joonas Korpisalo signs with Senators (5 years, $20 million)

• Nate Bastian re-signs with Devils (2 years, $2.7 million)

• Tyson Jost re-signs with Sabres (1 year, $2 million)

• Jonathan Quick signs with Rangers (1 year, $825K)

• Blake Wheeler signs with Rangers (1 year, $800K)

• Cam Talbot signs with Kings (1 year, $1 million)

• Frederik Andersen re-signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $6.8 million)

• Ryan McLeod re-signs with Devils (1 year, $1.4 million)

• James van Riemsdyk signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Ryan O’Reilly signs with Predators (4 years, $18 million)

• Canadiens trade Joel Edmundson to Capitals for 2024 3rd round pick and a 2024 7th round pick

• Matt Nieto signs with Penguins (2 years, $1.8 million)

• Luke Schenn signs with Predators (3 years, $8.25 million)

• Jesper Fast re-signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $4.8 million)

• Anti Raanta re-signs with Hurricanes (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Mackenzie Blackwood signs with Sharks (2 years, $5 million)

• Ryan Reaves signs with Maple Leafs (3 years, $4.05 million)

• Oliver Ekman-Larsson signs with Panthers (1 year, $2.25 million)

• Erik Brannstrom re-signs with Senators (1 year, $2 million)

• Klim Kostin re-signs with Red Wings (2 years, $4 million)