Welcome to NHL free agency day 2022, and stay tuned to The Hockey News for a minute-by-minute analysis of the day’s biggest deals. Keep an eye on this tracker throughout July 13 as we break down the deals signed as free agency opens.
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Seattle Kraken: D Justin Schultz has signed a two-year deal.
THN’s Take: Schultz is a decent bet. The 32-year-old is not the 50-point defender that he once was during his heyday, but Schultz can still move the puck at a decent pace, putting up 23 points in 74 games for the Capitals last season while remaining largely healthy for the first time since before COVID. Worryingly, though, Schultz saw his usage plummet in 2021-22 as the season wore on.
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Tampa Bay Lightning: D Ian Cole signs one-year, $3-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: Last year with the Hurricanes, Cole had two goals and 19 points while bringing a physical presence to the blueline. With Jan Rutta a UFA, Cole gives the Lightning some solid defensive depth. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in in the lineup, but he’s a good pickup at a decent price.
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Detroit Red Wings: C Marco Kasper signs three-year, entry-level contract
THN’s Take: Detroit’s first-round pick last week, Kasper is going to be a big piece of Detroit’s future as a speedy, skilled two-way center. How long until he kicks off his NHL career?
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Toronto Maple Leafs: G Ilya Samsonov signs a one-year, $1.8-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: The Leafs enter the season with two goalies needing a big bounce-back effort. Risky, for sure, but Samsonov, in particular, was highly regarded early in his career and a fresh start could be exactly what he needs.
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Ottawa Senators: RW Claude Giroux signs a three-year, $6.5-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: Giroux instantly bolsters the Senators in a big way. The team has DeBrincat, Drake Batherson, Connor Brown, Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson, among others. Throw in Giroux, and the team’s top-six gets even stronger, and the young club gets a huge veteran presence out of it.
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Edmonton Oilers: G Jack Campbell signs a five-year, $5 million AAV deal
THN’s Take: Campbell battled injuries last year, that limited his overall play near the end of the regular season, but he proved he can be a valuable netminder. He was in Vezina Trophy discussions over the first half of the year and is a great story after starting slow in his NHL career to become a legit No. 1 starting option. Is this the piece that really pushes the Oilers forward?
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Buffalo Sabres: LW Victor Olofsson signs a two-year, $4.75-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: A valuable goal-scorer for Buffalo sticks around on a two-year deal. Olofsson is a two-time 20-goal scorer and was about to hit 50 points in the regular season for the first time.
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Colorado Avalanche: D Josh Manson signs a four-year, $4.5-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: A great price for a good physical defenseman coming off a great playoff run. Manson can be a bit overly aggressive and take dumb penalties, but he got the job done in Colorado and the team clearly felt he was too valuable to let go.
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Nashville Predators: G Devin Cooley signs a one-year, $750,000 AAV deal
THN’s Take: When Connor Ingram went up to the NHL for the playoffs, Cooley filled in nicely. This gives Milwaukee more goalie depth.
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Nashville Predators: C Jimmy Huntington signs a one-year, $750,000 AAV deal
THN’s Take: Huntington hasn’t played an NHL game and should stick in the AHL as a good piece with the Milwaukee Admirals.
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Edmonton Oilers: LW Evander Kane signs a four-year, $5.125-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: On the ice, Kane’s impact couldn’t be ignored this past season. He was one of the best goal-scorers in the playoffs and gave the team another scoring option after relying so much on McDavid and Draisaitl in the past.
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Colorado Avalanche: LW Darren Helm signs a one-year, $1.25-million AAV deal
THN’s Take: The ultimate glue guy played an important part in Colorado’s Cup run and it’s nice to see him get rewarded for it. Helm has managed to be a valuable depth player for well over a decade and the Avs clearly believe in him.
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Toronto Maple Leafs: G Dennis Hildeby signs a three-year, $843,333 AAV entry-level contract
THN’s Take: It’s rare that the first player signed out of the NHL draft is a fourth-round pick, but that’s what the Leafs did with Hildeby. After not qualifying Ian Scott, Hildeby is another body in the Leafs system. He’s already under contract with Färjestad BK and should return to Sweden.
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Montreal Canadiens: RW Alex Belzile signs a one-year, $700,000 AAV deal
THN’s Take: A valuable piece of Laval’s playoff effort, Belzile will return to the Rocket for 2022-23 for the fifth year. He has one assist in 13 career regular season games with Montreal and will likely be a call-up option again.
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Montreal Canadiens: RW Joel Teasdale signs a one-year, $750,000 AAV deal
THN’s Take: Another signing for Laval, Teasdale is coming off of his entry-level contract with the Canadiens, but never made it into a game. Expect him to remain in the minors.
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Montreal Canadiens: C Nathan Schnarr signs a one-year, $750,000 AAV deal
THN’s Take: Schnarr is more fodder for the AHL, having split last year between Utica and Laval with no NHL games played. That likely won’t change any time soon.
