NHL transfers ONLINE: Krejci, Bergeron, and Zacha all sign for Boston Bruins

August 9th

16:58 CET - David Krejci (36) will be returning to the only NHL team he has ever known, with the Boston Bruins announcing he would be coming back on a one-year deal worth $1 million. After deciding to play in his native Czech Republic instead of the NHL last season, Krejci will be hoping to add to his record of 215 goals and 515 assists in 962 regular-season NHL games.

August 8th

23:14 CET - Nicolas Roy (25) is staying. The forward has signed a five-year contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights worth $15million. He represented Canada at this year's World Championships and has impressed in Las Vegas since joining from Carolina Hurricanes in 2019.

20:51 CET - It's a busy signing day for Boston Bruins as they add Pavel Zacha (25) on a one-year $3.5million deal from the New Jersey Devils where he has been since 2015.

15:59 CET - The Boston Bruins have announced that their captain, Patrice Bergeron (37), is returning for another NHL season amid talk that the veteran was contemplating retirement. Bergeron has signed a one-year deal worth $2.5million, plus an additional $2.5 million in performance-based incentives.

August 3rd

15:15 CET - The Calgary Flames have re-signed Andrew Mangiapane (26) to a three-year, $17.4million contract with an average annual value of $5.8million. The Canadian forward set NHL career highs in goals (35), assists (20) and points (55) in 82 regular-season games for the Calgary Flames last season. The Flames have also re-signed Oliver Kylington (25). The Swedish defenseman signed a two-year, $5 million contract.

July 29th

17:00 CET - The Anaheim Ducks have picked up free agent John Klingberg on a one-year, $7million contract, landing the top defenceman on the NHL free agent market. The offensive-minded Swede left the Dallas Stars, where he had spent his entire NHL career, after eight seasons in which he scored 71 goals and made 303 assists.

July 28th

17:20 CET - Forward Kaapo Kakko (21) and the New York Rangers agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $4.2 million. The Rangers selected Kakko second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, and he set the team record with 19 points as an 18-year-old. Kakko played in 43 games in 2021-22, notching seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) and a plus-nine rating. He had five total points in the postseason.

July 25th

9:01 CET - Stanley Cup champion Michal Kempny (31) moves to the Seattle Kraken. The D-man who spent his last four seasons with the Washington Capitals signed as a UFA, penning a one year contract worth a bargain of 750 thousand dollars.

July 23rd

10:30 CET - Despite the rumours about him possibly signing in Montreal, center Pierre-Luc Dubois (24) stays with the Winnipeg Jets. He'll be on the market next year though as he only signed a one year contract worth 6 million dollars.

10:19 CET - The trade of the summer is here - Matthew Tkachuk (24) was traded to the Florida Panthers. The Calgary Flames get forward Jonathan Huberdeau (29), defenceman Mackenzie Weegar (28), forward Cole Schwindt (21) and a lottery-protected 1st round pick in the 2025 draft.

It's quite a big haul for Tkachuk, but let's keep in mind the contracts - Huberdeau is a free agent next year and had no intention to sign with the Panthers, while Tkachuk immediately penned an eight year contract with an AAV of 9.5 million.

July 22nd

20:47 CET - The Columbus Blue Jackets are making some statement moves this off-season. After signing Johnny Gaudreau (28), they also managed to keep Finnish superstar Patrik Laine (24). The blonde-haired goalscorer signed a four year contract with an AAV of 8.7 million dollars.

July 21st

18:10 CET - Another big free agent is off the market as Nino Niederreiter (29) signs with the Nashville Predators. They get him on a two year deal with an AAV of 4 million dollars.

18:06 CET - The Pittsburgh Penguins and forward Kasperi Kapanen (25) are not headed for salary arbitration in the end, coming to an agreement on a two year deal with an AAV of 3.2 million dollars.

July 20th

22:20 CET - Well, it's not the best off-season for the Calgary Flames, to put it mildly. After losing Johnny Gaudreau (28) to Columbus in free agency, they are set to lose another 100 point franchise player sooner than later. According to multiple reports Matthew Tkachuk (24) has informed them he will not be signing a new contract when his current deal expires next summer and wishes to be traded now. Let's see where the member of the successful hockey family lands.

July 16th

21:44 CET - The Pittsburgh Penguins are very active today - this time, they acquired defenceman Jeff Petry (34) and forward Ryan Poehling (23) from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for D-man Mike Matheson (28) and the fourth round pick in the 2023 draft.

19:13 CET - We have a defenceman swap to announce - the Pittsburgh Penguins have aquired Ty Smith (22) and a 2023 second round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for John Marino (25).

July 15th

23:05 CET - Swedish forward Calle Jarnkrok (30) signed a four year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs with an AAV of 2.1 million dollars. Jarnkrok was picked by the Seattle Kraken during the extension draft before being traded to the Calgary Flames at the deadline.

18:04 CET - Czech forward Martin Frk (28) signs a one year, two-way deal with the St. Louis Blues. Frk has one of the hardest shots in the league but has so far not broken into the league properly as a full time NHLer.

15:53 CET - As far as big names still on the market go, Nazem Kadri (31) might reportedly still stay with the Colorado Avalanche with whom he just won the Stanley Cup. However, the experienced forward has a number of suitors. Defenceman John Klingberg (29) is another name atop of many lists after leaving Dallas, and Paul Stastny (36) or Phil Kessel (34) might provide both quality and veteran presence to a team. There are still many interesting players yet to find new homes.

13:03 CET - Johnny Gaudreau (28) has explained his decision to move on from Calgary and sign that lucrative long deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I always kind of dreamed about playing a tad closer to home. But I mean, it didn’t matter where I was signing,” the Salem, New Jersey native said during his first appearance in the Blue Jackets jersey. Before continuing with some words the Flames fans won't be happy to hear. “Our decision was it was best for us not to go back to Calgary and then we decided to figure out what was the best option for us.”

1:35 CET - Czech national team defenceman Lukas Klok (27) has signed a one year ELC with the Arizona Coyotes. Funnily enough, he will meet fellow D-man Ronald Knot (27) on the team, who is not only his teammate from the national team, but also played with him on the same team in the KHL.

0:02 CET - Another exit from Chicago as forward Dylan Strome (25) signs with the Washington Capitals - one year, 3.5 million dollars.

July 14th

16:47 CET - The Chicago Blackhawks are bringing back Dylan Sikura (27) on a one year, two-way contract. Sikura started his NHL career with the Blackhawks before moving to Vegas and Colorado. He spent the vast majority of last season with the Avalanche's AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles, scoring 73 points (33 + 40) in 60 games.

16:08 CET - The market is waking up for Day 2, everybody. Versatile forward Ryan Carpenter (31) is the newest signing announced, penning a one year contract with the New York Rangers. D-man Mark Pysyk (30) commits to the Detroit Red Wings for a year as well.

15:41 CET - All time great Jaromir Jagr (50), a player/franchise owner in his home country of the Czech Republic, couldn't help himself but to joke about his availability on the market. "NHL GMs - I am also free agent, once again. 6,3 265 (lbs)… 50 years old, slow, but strong and good hands. Can bring experience and like to play only home games. Call me anytime," he posted on Twitter. Also adding he's looking to sign defenceman for his team in the Czech Republic.

We didn't expect Rytiri Kladno to join the race for NHL free agents, but here we are.

15:06 CET - The divorce between the St. Louis Blues and David Perron (34) seems to be a sour one. Perror had previously played for five teams in the NHL, but had only ever signed a contract with the Blues prior to this season's free agency. He put pen to paper with the Detroit Red Wings and one of the reasons seems to be the lack of interest from the franchise of his heart.

He said he never got a formal offer to stay with the Blues. "It feels like asking a childhood friend to dinner and never making space for them," Perron told ESPN.

9:00 CET - We have a free agent leaving the NHL too - Alexander Radulov (35) ends his second stint in the league and returns to Russia, where he will play for the KHL's AK Bars Kazan.

Radulov spent the last four seasons with the Dallas Stars and was a key player for the first two of them. Injuries limited him to only 11 games in his penultimate season in the NHL, and in the last campaign he recorded just 22 points in 71 games.

7:17 CET - Speaking of long term deals - two time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay Ondrej Palat (31) moves to the New Jersey Devils, signing a five year contract with an AAV of 6 million dollars. Palat spent his entire NHL career up to now with the Lightning and was a key player in their playoff runs, but the franchise simply couldn't find cap space for a reasonable contract for him.

3:13 CET - Center Ryan Strome (29) gets his desired long term deal after leaving the Rangers. He signed with the Anaheim Ducks for five years with an AAV of 5 million dollars.

2:31 CET - One player the Calgary Flames do resign is defenceman Nikita Zadorov (27) - two years with an AAV of 3.75 million dollars.

1:23 CET - Well, the big question of this free agency is answered. Despite the rumours of him turning their offer down and being courted by the Islanders and the Devils, Johnny Gaudreau (28) does sign a contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for seven years with an AAV of 9.75 million dollars. Johnny Hockey gets his well deserved payday after a career year of 115 points (40+75) in 82 games.

0:21 CET - The Seattle Kraken signed experienced D-man Justin Schultz (32), two time Cup champion with Pittsburgh, to a two year contract with an AAV of 3 million dollars. They also signed goaltender Martin Jones (32) to a one year, 2 million dollar contract.

0:03 CET - One more move by the Carolina Hurricanes, as they sign free agent forward Ondrej Kase (26) to a one year, 1.5 million dollar contract. He showed flashes of brilliance last year with Toronto, but injury problems have haunted him his entire career.

0:02 CET - Speaking of trades, Connor Brown (28) finds a new home through one. The Washington Capitals acquired him in exchange for a second round pick in 2024.

0:00 CET - Time for a big trade and once again it's the Carolina Hurricanes in action, acquiring a veteran star. Forward Max Pacioretty (33) moves to Raleigh from the Vegas Golden Knights along with D-man Dylan Coghan (24) for future considerations. No salary retained. Yes, the Canes literally acquired one of the leagues elite snipers for nothing.

July 13th

23:43 CET - Another newly crowned Stanley Cup champion changes teams, as Nico Sturm (27) signs a three year deal with an AAV of 2 million dollars with the San Jose Sharks. The German forward went goalless in his short stint in Colorado, but hey, he got a ring for it, didn't he?

23:24 CET - After missing out on Brent Burns and likely not resigning John Klingberg, the Dallas Stars bring in defenceman Colin Miller (29). The player who spent last three seasons in Buffalo signed a two year contract with an AAV of 1.85 million.

23:10 CET - Experienced defenceman Justin Braun (35) signed a one year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers worth 1.75 million dollars.

22:15 CET - The Minnesota Wild have signed forwards Brandon Baddock (27), Steven Fogarty (29), Nic Petan (27) and defenceman Andrej Sustr (31) to two way contracts, all worth 750 thousand dollars at NHL level.

22:13 CET - During his prolific career, David Perron (34) has played for five different clubs thanks to trades, but had only ever signed contracts with one - the St. Louis Blues who he won a Stanley Cup with. That changes now as the veteran forward signed a two year deal with the Detroit Red Wings with an AAV of 4.75 million dollars.

21:47 CET - The Los Angeles Kings have signed goaltender Pheonix Copley (30) to a one-year, 825 thousand dollar contract and defenceman Tobie Paquette-Bisson (25) to a one-year, two-way contract worth 750 thousand dollars at the NHL level.

21:44 CET - Defenceman Madison Bowey (27) will try to restart his career with the Montreal Canadiens after signing a one year, two way contract worth 750 thousand dollars at the NHL level.

21:40 CET - The Chicago Blackhawks have signed center Colin Blackwell (29) to a two year contract with an AAV of 1.2 million dollars.

21:20 CET - Czech sniper Dominik Kubalik (26) signs a two year deal with the Detroit Red Wings with an AAV of 2.5 million. He exits the Chicago Blackhawks as does Swedish D-man Erik Gustafsson (30), who signed a one year contract with the Washington Capitals worth 800 thousand dollars.

21:13 CET - Goalie David Rittich (29) stays in the NHL, signing with the Winnipeg Jets on a one year, 900 thousand dollar contract.

21:00 CET - Marc (35) and Eric Staal (37) are moving to the Florida Panthers. The younger brother gets a one year, 750 thousand dollar contract, the older starts with a tryout.

20:57 CET - Another Stanley Cup champ with the Avalanche gets his payday elsewhere. Andre Burakovsky (27) signs a five year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an AAV of 5.5 million dollars.

20:55 CET - Two defencemen find new home within a few moments of each other. Jan Rutta (31), Stanley Cup champion with the Lightning, moves to the Pittsburgh Penguins signing a three year deal with an AAV of 2.75 million. Ben Chiarot (31) signs for four years with an AAV of 4.75 million with the Detroit Red Wings.

20:50 CET - Forward Nick Cousins (28) signs a two year contract with the Florida Panthers with an AAV of 1.1 million dollars.

20:44 CET - The first overall draft pick gets his contract - Juraj Slafkovsky (18) commits to a three year entry level deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Fourth overall pick Shane Wright does precisely the same with the Seattle Kraken.

20:41 CET - After signing defensive prospects from this year's draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets also added an experienced D-man to their mix. Erik Gudbranson (30) signed a four year contract with an AAV of 4 million.

20:40 CET - Goalie news again, as is often the case today. Louis Domingue (30) will wear the jersey of the New York Rangers, signing a two year contract with an AAV of 775 thousand dollars.  

20:37 CET - Oskar Lindblom (25) moves on from the Philadelphia Flyers and signs a two year contract with the San Jose Sharks with an AAV of 2.5 million dollars.

20:30 CET - The Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche have extended the contract of Artturi Lehkonen (27), scorer of important playoff goals. He agreed to a five year deal with an AAV of 4.5 million dollars.

20:25 CET - The Florida Panthers lose two players. Forward Mason Marchment (27) moves to the Carolina Hurricanes, signing a four year deal with an AAV of 4.5 million dollars, Noel Acciari (30) signs a one year, 1.25 million dollar contract with the St. Louis Blues.

20:10 CET - Goalie Charlie Lindgren (28) joins Kuemper on the Washington Capitals, signing a three year contract with the AAV of 1.1 million dollars.

19:59 CET - The Arizona Coyotes are making some moves, too. Nick Bjugstad (29) signed on a one year deal worth 900 thousand dollars, and have acquired defenceman Patrik Nemeth (30) from the Rangers.

19:58 CET - Defenceman Dennis Gilbert (26) signed a two year deal with the Calgary Flames. 

19:52 CET - There's still quite a few big names on the market. Nazem Kadri (31) is looking for a well justified payday after a career year topped with the Stanley Cup win - there's still a chance that he might stay in Colorado, though his camp is talking to several franchises.

One who won't be staying put is Ondrej Palat (31) who the Tampa Bay Lightning simply don't quite have the cap space for after announcing all those three year deals.

'Johnny Hockey' Johnny Gaudreau (28) remains on the market too, with reported interest from the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils. The Calgary Flames, disappointed by the fact he's testing the market in the first place, still hold out hope for resigning him.

19:45 CET - Third goalie deal in a row, but the biggest one so far - Darcy Kuemper (32), newly crowned Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, signed a five year deal with the Washington Capitals worth 5.25 million dollars a year. The biggest names among goaltenders are officially off the market.

19:42 CET - It's one year, 775 thousand dollars for another goalie too - Alex Stalock (34) signs with the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent the majority of last season with the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL, appearing in just one NHL game for the Sharks, losing to the Predators in an 8-0 blowout.

19:39 CET - Fresh off of a career year with the Buffalo Sabres (career best 10 wins, one shutout), experienced goalie Dustin Tokarski (32) signs with the Pittsburgh Penguins. One year, 775 thousand dollars, quite a bargain for the Pens. 

19:36 CET - The Tampa Bay Lightning locked up three key players for the next eight years. Defenceman Mikhail Sergachev (24) signs with an AAV of 8.5 million dollars, fellow D-man Erik Cernak (25) with an AAV of 5.2 million dollars, center Anthony Cirelli (24) with an AAV of 6.25 million dollars. No rebuild in sight in the Amelie Arena, it seems.

19:35 CET - Forward Brendan Lemieux (26) stays with the Los Angeles Kings, penning a one year, 1.35 million dollar extension,

19:13 CET - Winger Colin White (25) signs a one year, 1.2 million dollar contract with the Florida Panthers.

19:11 CET - Frank Seravalli reports that after the Dallas Stars missed out on Burns, they are trying to bring back their star UFA John Klingberg (29). Let's see how that goes.

19:08 CET - Winger Frank Vatrano (28) will call the Anaheim Ducks home for the foreseeable future after signing a three year deal with an AAV of 3.65 million dollars.

19:07 CET - Slovak goalie Jaroslav Halak (37) returns to New York. The former Islanders netminder signed with the New York Rangers this time, one year deal worth 1.55 million dollars.

19:00 CET - Veteran defenceman Brent Burns (37) indeed moves to the Carolina Hurricanes along with forward Lane Pederson (24) throught a trade. The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Steven Lorentz (26), goaltender Eetu Makiniemi (23) and a conditional 2023 3rd round pick in return and retain 33 percent of Burns' salary.

18:48 CET - Russian D-man Ilya Lyubushkin (28) signs in Buffalo, committing to a two year deal with the Sabres with an AAV of 2.75 million dollars. Goaltender Eric Comrie (27) also signs with Buffalo - two-year, 3.6 million contract with an AAV of 1.8 million dollars.

18:45 CET - The Chicago Blackhawks, despite diving deep into rebuild mode, have made two signigns at once. Forwards Andreas Athanasiou (27) and Max Domi (27) both commit to one year contracts for the same amount of money, that being 3 million dollars.

18:44 CET - The Detroit Red Wings are signing Finnish defenceman Olli Maatta (27) to a one year, 2.25 million dollar contract.

18:43 CET - D-man Nick Leddy stays put in St. Louis, signing a four year extension with an AAV of 4 million dollars with the Blues.

18:37 CET - Defenceman Nathan Staios (21) signed an entry level contract with the Florida Panthers following a successful season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, winning the OHL as its defenceman of the year. The second NHL-er in the Staios family has some career to live up to, as his father Steve played in 1001 games over 16 seasons and also won the 2003 and 2004 IIHF World Championships.

18:32 CET - Forward Vincent Trocheck (29) signs with the New York Rangers on a seven year deal with an AAV of 5.625 million dollars. Andrew Copp (28) gets the same AAV, but on a five year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Both are expected to the second line centers on their teams behind Mika Zibanejad and Dylan Larkin, respectively.

18:30 CET - Stanley Cup winner (and dropper, during the celebrations) Nicolas Aube-Kubel (26) signs a one year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth one million dollars. Yes, the irony of the Leafs signing a guy who quite literally couldn't handle the Cup is not lost on us.

18:27 CET - After two years with the Devils, Kevin Rooney (29) signs with the Calgary Flames. Two years with an AAV of 1.3 million dollars.

18:25 CET - Back to the goalie moves, which seems to be the main topic of this year's free agency. German goaltender Thomas Greiss (36) signed a one year deal with the St. Louis Blues, he will pocket 1.3 million dollars.

18:21 CET - The Vancouver Canucks have signed Canadian forward Curtis Lazar (27) to three year deal with an AAV of a million dollars. "It was my childhood dream, they were number one on my list," the British Columbia native has said.

The Canucks have also signed D-man Wyatt Kalynuk (25), who spent last year in Chicago's AHL affiliate Rockford, to a one year, two way contract.

18:14 CET - More draft signings coming in. Austrian forward Marco Kasper (18) commits to the Detroit Red Wings who drafted him 8th overall this year. Columbus Blue Jackets sign defenceman David Jiricek (18) and Denton Mateychuk (18), the 6th and 12th overall picks. All three year entry level deals.

18:14 CET - New homes for experienced D-men: Brendan Smith (33) signs in New Jersey, two years, AAV of 1.1 million dollars. Ian Cole (33), his recent teammate from Carolina, signs with Tampa Bay on a one year, 3 million dollar contract.

18:12 CET - As previously reported, superstar UFA Claude Giroux (34) moves to the Ottawa Senators whe he signed a three-year, 19.5 million contract with an AAV of 6.5 million dollars. It will be the first time on a Canadian club for the Ontario native, as he captained the Philadelphia Flyers for most of his NHL career before spending the tail end of last season with the Florida Panthers.

18:11 CET - Confirmed, goalie Ilya Samsonov (25) signs with Toronto Maple Leafs. Just the one year, 1.8 million dollars.

18:01 CET- That didn't take long, the Edmonton Oilers have their goaltender. Jack Campbell (30) signed a five year deal worth 5 million dollars a year, according to reports. 

17:57 CET - Forward Robert Thomas (23) is in it for the long haul with the St. Louis Blues, who selected him as their first round pick (20th overall) in the 2017 draft. As Jeremy Rutherford reports, he has comitted to an eight year contract with an AAV of around 8 million dollars.

17:52 CET - The Buffalo Sabres have resigned Swedish forward Victor Olofsson (26) to a two year deal with an AAV of 4.75 million dollars.

17:49 CET - Meanwhile, the Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche have announced extensions for two players. Defenceman Josh Manson (30) will stay for four more years with an AAV of 4.5 million dollars, veteran forward Darren Helm (35) has agreed to a one year deal worth 1.25 million dollars.

17:48 CET - Matt Murray (28), freshly acquired from the Ottawa Senators, might have some competition soon. Ilya Samsonov (25) is headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, per reports, after leaving the Washington Capitals as a free agent.

17:42 CET - Pierre Le Brun reports it's the Carolina Hurricanes rather than the Dallas Stars who will soon acquire Brent Burns (37) from the San Jose Sharks. There should be more players in the deal centered around him.

17:30 CET - We have a trade to announce. Czech forward Pavel Zacha (25) leaves the New Jersey Devils after seven years in the organisation. He was acquired in a trade by the Boston Bruins who have had quite a good luck with their Czech forwards (see Davids Pastrnak and Krejci). Finnish center Erik Haula (31) moves the other way.

16:14 CET - The first player from this years draft has put to paper on an NHL contract. Surprisingly, it's not the first or second pick, but the one who went 122nd. Towering Swedish goalie Dennis Hildeby (20), fresh off of winning the Swedish title with Farjestad, has signed a three year entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

14:52 CET - The goaltender carousel has very much been the talk of this off season. It looks like the Washington Capitals might have their man after trading Vitek Vanecek (26) to the Devils and letting Ilya Samsonov (25) walk to the free agent market. According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Darcy Kuemper (32), fresh off of wining the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, should be signing with the Caps on a five year deal worth around 5.5 million dollars per season. 

According to reports, the Edmonton Oilers will be snapping up the other highly sought after UFA goalie, former Leafs starter Jack Campbell (30).

14:42 CET - TSN's Darren Dreger reports Andrew Copp (28) will be signing with the Detroit Red Wings. The forward spent the majority of his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets before moving to the New York Rangers at the deadline last season. 

14:06 CET - Other than free agent signings, it will be interesting to see if any big trades go down during the market's opening days. Reports suggest Patrick Kane (33) is unhappy with the direction the Chicago Blackhawks are heading (diving head first into a rebuild and trading pretty much everybody he has enjoyed playing with, that is). The prolific goalscorer and three time Stanley Cup champion is entering the final year of his 10.5 million a year contract with the Blackhawks, and is very much looking to play for a contender rather than a rebuilding team.

The Athletic's Scott Powers reports Kane won't finish his contract year with the team and will be traded away at the deadline at latest. But maybe there's a big trade for him on the cards in the summer already? Reports suggest the New York Rangers are among Kane's top possible destinations, as he would once again link up with former linemate Artemi Panarin (30) there.

13:35 CET - Jeff Marek from SportsNet reports that the possibility of Brent Burns (37) moving from the San Jose Sharks to the Dallas Starts is starting to pick up steam. The former Norris Trophy winner is signed through the 2024/25 season on a contract worth 8 million dollars per year. Burns might be a direct replacement for John Klingberg (29) who is a UFA this summer and isn't expected to stay with the Stars.

13:17 CET - According to The Athletic's insider Pierre Le Brun, UFA star Claude Giroux (34) is close to signing with the Ottawa Senators. The former Philadelphia Flyers captain finished the previous season, the last of his eight year contract with the AAV of 8.275 million dollars, with the Florida Panthers.  

8:00 CET - The NHL Free Agency opens today. Tampa Bay Lightning's talisman Ondrej Palat (31) is available, so is superstar Johnny Gaudreau (28) who has not signed an extension with the Calgary Flames after recording a career best of 115 points in 82 games. Among the goaltenders, Darcy Kuemper (32) is testing the free market fresh off of winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

Some names are off the market already despite initial rumours - Russian star forward Evgeni Malkin (35) extends his stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins for four more years worth 24.4 million dollars. Evander Kane (30) stays put in Edmonton after restarting his career there. He too signed a four year extension with the AAV of 5.125 million dollars.

Several goaltenders changed clubs just before the market opening. Cam Talbot (35) heads to Ottawa following Marc-Andre Fleury's extension with Minnesota. The Wild receive Swedish goalie Filip Gustavsson (24) in a straight swap. After the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Petr Mrazek and are unlikely to resign Jack Campbell, they found their new starter in Ottawa's Matt Murray (28). The two time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh moves from to the Leafs along with a third round pick in the 2023 draft and a seven round pick the following year in return for future considerations. Ottawa also retains 25 percent of his salary.