Today is the beginning of the new NHL year and start of free agency for the 2022-23 season. What’s fascinating about this year’s batch of UFAs is that there are a lot of names hitting free agency for the first time including Evgeni Malkin, PK Subban, Claude Giroux, and technically our own Patrice Bergeron.
If you would like to browse the entire list of UFAs, CapFriendly has a dedicated page.
IN the past couple of days many players have either decided to hit the market or had that decision made for them. Some notable names testing free agency: Johnny Gaudreau, Ondrej Palat, and Malkin.
Hearing that Ondrej Palat has decided to test the open market Wednesday. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022
Among RFAs not qualified yesterday: Danton Heinen, Ryan Donato and Ondrej Kase (plus, a legit second-line center in Dylan Strome).
— matt porter (@mattyports) July 12, 2022
Calgary reportedly had an offer of upwards of $10 million per year for Gaudreau. And it looks like he wants out of Calgary. This is probably a huge mistake for the franchise.
My sense is #Flames have put an offer on the table for Johnny Gaudreau – north of $10 mil x 8 years – that would make him not only highest-paid player in Calgary franchise history, but among richest in #NHL.
If Gaudreau walks, it likely won't be because of money.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 12, 2022
Johnny Gaudreau informed the #Flames he will not be returning to Calgary. Emotional conversation for both sides, as the Flames rolled out the red carpet to keep him.
A massive offer was presented, as we reported, but this wasn't about money.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 13, 2022
As for the Bruins, we don’t expect them to be very active during FA other than trying to sign Bergeron and Krejci. Apparently the Bergeron deal is done.
Mon ami @GagnonFrancois saying here that Patrice Bergeron has agreed to a contract with the Bruins, which follows what's been hinted at lately. https://t.co/sl3I2jaeXZ
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022
It looks like Nick Foligno will be staying put right now as he was not bought out by the deadline yesterday. But we’ll be saying goodbye to Curtis Lazar who will earn a raise.
As expected, Curtis Lazar will be headed to market tomorrow. Bruins tight against cap and have 4th line candidates. Lazar earned himself a decent pay raise. Good, versatile 4th line guy. @NHLBruins
— steve conroy (@conroyherald) July 12, 2022
Starting at noon EDT and 1700 GMT for our British associate, deals will be made.
Pretty sure Zacha wore #37 in Jersey. I’m hoping he has to change it!
Leafs wind up with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov as their goalie pair… interesting.
Haula out, Zacha in.
As 3C? Or does this mean no Krejci return?
I think it’s insurance because news out of Quebec is that maybe Bergy is still deciding.
Oh, I thought that was a done deal!
Man, so many rumours – so hard to keep up.
If it were a done deal, it’d be announced by now.
Getting a little cap space and a guy with more upside… yay!
The Malkin signing came out literally 30 minutes after I had written this, had already showered and was getting ready to cozy up with a book. I said, “fuck it, I’m not going upstairs to fix it”.
I’ve been keeping my laptop upstairs in my office because it’s where it should be. So being almost old and lazy and tired, once I’m done, I’m done. I find editing on my phone a hassle.
Morning all. It’s a free agent frenzy!
As much as I missed Krejci this season, it occurs to me that he is 36 while Strome is 25, and probably a good fit at 2C…
Strome is a good choice!
Morning all.
Good for Johnny Hockey. Theres more to life than money. Watch someone sign him for 13mil now!
Free agency more interesting than the draft for me.
Lazar did the job he was hired for. The Bs have tended to be pretty good at picking up that kind of player.
Anither hot one today, but a bit less humid, I fancy. Hot a work party tonight, at a bar that is actually a boat moored on the Thames. Should be fun.
You really are dealing with a heatwave, aren’t you?
Hehe he. Stupid thumbs/autocorrect
Sounds like fun!
Usually only the top couple draftees are known and who knows what their impact will be. Free agents are mostly known quantities….. except for Matt Belesky, David Backus…
Good morning,
Let the craziness begin! I do find it mildly amusing that Heinen, Donato, Nick Ritchie, Brett Connolly, and Ondrej Kase did not receive qualifying offers. I guess the Bs brass were right about some things.
Malkin has signed with the Penguins… 4 years, 6 and change per year. Gaudreau! Wow, but who has the dough to sign him?
I think Jo wants to head out early for some disc golf.. she’s feeling a lil better.
Other than Seguin it’s hard to think of many Bs players who left and went on to great things elsewhere (I wasnt following them when Kessel and Thornton played in boston).
Glad Jo is feeling better, was meaning to ask. It can really linger on for some poor folks.
Yes, good for Jo to be feeling better!
Speaking of ailments, how’s the finger?
Caps appear to be after Darcy Kuemper… traded Vanacek, no qualifying offer for Samsonov. Won’t the Oilers want him, too?
The goalie market is wacky this time of year. Is Kuemper really an upgrade over Samsonov?
The Avs didn’t think so!
Yay Jo!