Welcome to the first day of what promises to be a frenzied free agency period, we’re looking forward to several millions of dollars in new transactions being handed out at the speed of sound. The Leafs Nation will have you covered for everything you have may missed in what’s being promised as a summer of change by Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving.
In case you missed it, and who could blame you, the Maple Leafs did some furious, preemptive work ahead of the official free agency window opening. Max Domi signed a four-year extension worth an annual average value of $3.75 million per year, then celebrated with an ode to The Wolf of Wall Street. It may have been the breaking point for Tyler Bertuzzi and his camp, as they told TSN’s Darren Dreger that the 29-year-old will not be returning to the Maple Leafs. Ah, what a difference a year makes as Domi and Bertuzzi were the headliners of Toronto’s free agency class last summer.
Nick Robertson has reportedly asked the Maple Leafs for a trade, after the team tendered him a qualifying offer before Sunday’s RFA deadline. Robertson finished second in goals/60 at 5-on-5 for the Maple Leafs last season but ultimately couldn’t stay in the lineup consistently enough to become a mainstay despite his immense talent and release point, as he’s faced a number of injuries, while being prone to defensive lapses. It’s hard to believe sometimes that Robertson is just 22 years old, but he may have played his final game for the club — provided that Brad Treliving and his staff honour his request.
And of course, how can we forget about the Maple Leafs acquiring the rights to Chris Tanev in a trade with the Dallas Stars on Saturday! Tanev, a Toronto native and graduate of East York Collegiate, is widely considered one of the best defencemen available on this year’s market. The 34-year-old is a genuine, right-handed top-pair option that the Maple Leafs have desperately been looking for although some factions of the fan base are worried about Tanev’s age and potential decline.
This essentially recaps what’s been an exceptionally busy weekend in Leafs Nation. Here’s what you need to know from the first day of free agency:
News and rumours:
10:59 AM ET — The Washington Capitals continue their busy offseason and have agreed to a two-year, $4.2 million extension with Connor McMichael. The Capitals have already acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings and goaltender Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights.
10:43 AM ET — According to Pierre LeBrun, the Nashville Predators have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Steven Stamkos.
10:30 AM ET — The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their first big signing of the day, agreeing on a six-year deal with defensemen Chris Tanev, who’s UFA rights they acquired from the Dallas Stars on Friday. Tanev’s deal will carry a $4.5 million AAV, and he’ll be relied on as the Leafs’ shutdown man for the foreseeable future.
10:13 AM ET — One of Carolina’s other free agent defencemen, Brett Pesce, has reportedly agreed to a six-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. According to Chris Johnston, the contract will sit in the range of $5.5 million AAV.
9:30 AM ET — Jaccob Slavin will remain with the Carolina Hurricanes for the foreseeable future. One of the NHL’s premier defensive specialists, Slavin is expected to sign an eight-year extension worth $51 million with the Hurricanes, keeping him with the only professional team he’s ever known. He is elite at breaking up odd-man rushes and would be a dream for 31 other teams, but Carolina realized his internal value and wisely kept him in-house.
9:00 AM ET — Major bag alert: Jake Guentzel will be paid handsomely upon joining the Tampa Bay Lightning, joining the Atlantic power on a seven-year contract worth $9 million annually via multiple sources. Guentzel is one of the league’s premier power forwards and will make an instant impact for Tampa Bay. Was it worth losing Stamkos over? We’ll find out in the ensuing seasons but the Lightning got their man, one of the premier players from this year’s class.
8:45 AM ET — Toronto’s hopes of retaining both of their big-name free agent forwards are finished, as Tyler Bertuzzi has agreed to sign a four-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Unlike Max Domi, the AAV was clearly much more important for Bertuzzi, who joins a Blackhawks team that is far away from competing for a playoff spot.
8:30 AM ET — Good morning and welcome back! Anthony Stolarz is reportedly down to three finalists: the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers and the Chicago Blackhawks via TSN’s Darren Dreger. Stolarz served as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup but quietly sported one of the best analytical profiles of any goaltender last year, saving 20 goals above expected via MoneyPuck in all situations, the third-best total among all goaltenders with 25 appearances. He would be a major asset to the Maple Leafs and would work in tandem with Joseph Woll, with a chance of pushing for a genuine No. 1 role.
12:00 AM ET — Steven Stamkos will test free agency and the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils among the teams with primary interest in the 34-year-old via Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. Stamkos is the greatest player in Tampa Bay Lightning history but it appears evident that the only club he’s played for will prioritize a long-term deal for Jake Guentzel, which may come in around the $9 million annual average value tag.
Jonathan Marchessault will also be testing free agency
Sam Reinhart signed an eight-year deal worth $8.625 million annually to remain with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Reinhart scored 57 goals last season, finishing with 94 points and was arguably the NHL’s best player on the man advantage last season, while featuring as one of the league’s best defensive forwards, earning down-ballot Selke consideration. This is a massive win for the Panthers, who are operating in a different tier at the moment.
