The Nashville Predators made a major splash in the opening of free agency, securing the signings of experienced forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. The record-breaking transactions, totaling over $100 million, have thrust Smashville into the spotlight, captivating the attention of NHL fans.
Stamkos, who has been the cornerstone of the Tampa Bay franchise for 16 seasons, bid farewell to the Lightning after two Stanley Cup victories and two additional finals appearances. He agreed to a lucrative four-year contract worth $32 million with the Predators.
“I never imagined a day like today would come, but it did,” Stamkos confessed. “It was a bitter pill to swallow when it became evident that things wouldn’t work out in Tampa.”
When Stamkos made his decision to join the Predators, his former Lightning teammate, Jonathan Marchessault, reached out to inquire if he would be joining the team as well. To Stamkos’ relief, Marchessault replied, “No Stammer, I’m coming too.”
Marchessault secured a $27.5 million contract for the next five seasons, just over a year after being named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player during the 2023 playoffs when the Vegas Golden Knights claimed their first championship.
Stamkos and Marchessault will not be alone in their new endeavor. The Nashville Predators also signed defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year, $49 million deal, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood agreed to a two-year contract worth $3 million to support star goaltender Juuse Saros.
General Manager Barry Trotz hailed the signings as a significant day for the future of the organization. The Predators became the first team in five years to commit over $100 million to new players during free agency, following in the footsteps of the Florida Panthers, who recently won the championship.
Trotz further emphasized, “This is a monumental statement for the rest of the league. Players now recognize the potential of coming to Nashville. We have a lot to offer, and our determination to win is unwavering.”
Marchessault, an original member of the Vegas Golden Knights, played an instrumental role in the team’s two final appearances, culminating in a Stanley Cup triumph last year. He recently achieved a career-high of 42 goals, establishing himself as a recognizable face in his former team.
The first day of free agency witnessed a new record, with teams collectively committing a staggering $1.12 billion in contracts. More than 100 players relocated to different teams. This unparalleled spending spree is a direct result of the salary cap increase to $88 million per team, marking the first significant jump since the pandemic.
“There was a lot of cash flowing,” remarked Toronto General Manager Brad Treliving. “There were numerous exceptional players available, triggering aggressive approaches and a multitude of player transfers.”
In a surprising move, winger Jake Guentzel signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after the team acquired his rights from the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lightning opted to invest in Guentzel at age 30 instead of Stamkos, who is 34.
Guentzel expressed his excitement, stating, “Things didn’t work out in Carolina, but when I heard Tampa might be trading for my rights, I became incredibly thrilled. Tampa Bay’s pedigree and winning culture, coupled with the presence of high-end players, made it an irresistible destination.”
The San Jose Sharks, determined to improve following their last-place finish this past season, acquired forwards Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg. Toffoli, a Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, inked a four-year, $24 million deal, while Wennberg agreed to a two-year contract worth $10 million. Toffoli contributed 33 goals between the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets during the previous season.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings signed former Edmonton winger Warren Foegele for $10.5 million over three years and secured rugged defenseman Joel Edmundson with a four-year, $15.4 million contract. The Kings did experience some departures, including winger Viktor Arvidsson, who joined the Oilers, and defenseman Matt Roy, who moved to Washington.
Edmonton, the team that succumbed to the Panthers in a seven-game Stanley Cup final, re-signed depth forwards Corey Perry and Connor Brown for the upcoming season. Perry, the only player in NHL history to reach the final with five different organizations, will earn $1.4 million (including incentives), while Brown, who played a key role in the seven-game series against Florida, signed for $1 million. The Oilers filled the void left by Foegele’s departure by acquiring Arvidsson on a two-year contract worth $8 million.
Washington, in addition to trading for defenseman Jakob Chychrun, underwent a roster overhaul by offering a six-year, $34.5 million contract to Matt Roy. The Capitals also brought in forwards Brandon Duhaime ($3.7 million over two years) and Taylor Raddysh ($1 million for one year).
The Anaheim Ducks were the only team among the 32 NHL franchises that did not sign a free agent from another team. They did, however, lose winger Max Jones to the Boston Bruins, who secured his services on a two-year, $2 million deal. The Bruins made other notable signings, including center Elias Lindholm ($54.25 million over seven years) and hulking defenseman Nikita Zadorov ($30 million for six seasons).
Following their successful Stanley Cup campaign, the Florida Panthers faced some key departures. Defenseman Brandon Montour, fresh off his championship victory, entered a new chapter of his career with the Seattle Kraken, signing a lucrative seven-year, $50 million contract. The Kraken also captured the services of former Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson, a 2023 Cup champion, on a contract worth $43.75 million over the same duration. The Panthers’ remaining losses include defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who both joined the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as forwards Ryan Lomberg to the Calgary Flames and Kevin Stenlund to the Utah Grizzlies.
The Vancouver Canucks added former Boston winger Jake DeBrusk, signing him to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract.
New Jersey continued strengthening their playoff-worthy roster by securing defensemen Brett Pesce (six years, $33 million) and Brenden Dillon (three years, $12 million), as well as forward Stefan Noesen (three years, $8.25 million).
In a deal facilitated by the acquisition of his rights from the Dallas Stars, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year contract worth $27 million.
The Stars retained the services of center Matt Duchene for another season, agreeing to a $3 million contract. They also signed defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba, with Dumba earning $7.5 million over two years.
Columbus secured center Sean Monahan for the next five years with a contract worth $27.5 million.
Hot on the heels of their Stanley Cup triumph celebration, the Florida Panthers managed to re-sign forward Sam Reinhart moments before the midnight deadline. Reinhart’s eight-year contract is valued at $69 million, resulting in an annual cap hit of $8.625 million for the player who scored 57 regular-season goals.
Forward Jordan Martinook committed to a three-year contract worth $9.15 million, ensuring his continued presence with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Several signings were also executed by the Chicago Blackhawks, who added forwards Tyler Bertuzzi ($22 million over four years), Teuvo Teravainen ($16.2 million over three years), and Craig Smith ($1 million for one year), defenseman Alec Martinez ($4 million for one year), and goaltender Laurent Brossoit ($6.6 million over two years).
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