Photo: Bruce Bennett
The NHL’s free agency market opens today at 12 PM ET, which means that all unrestricted free agents can sign with any team and restricted free agents can be signed to an offer sheet. It’s gonna be wild.
- What the current Capitals salary cap situation looks like
- How NHL contracts work (including information on offer sheets)
- A look at the free agents we at RMNB profiled for this offseason
I’m not expecting the Capitals to do much at all. There is even a chance they do absolutely nothing. If the team does sign a player or players tomorrow, likely options could include someone to play as a third line wing, another depth defenseman, or multiple AHL/NHL 2-way contract tweeners.
There are also some Capitals that could be finding new homes today:
| Player | New Team | Contract |
| Jason Chimera, age 37 | New York Islanders | 2 years, $2.25 AAV |
| Michael Latta, age 25 | Los Angeles Kings | 1 year, $.600 AAV |
| Mike Richards, age 31 | ? | ? |
| Mike Weber, age 28 | ? | ? |
Darren Helm returns to Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings and Darren Helm agree to terms on a 5 year/ $3.85M AAV #DRW
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) July 1, 2016
The Capitals lock up a 2015 draftee.
RELEASE: #Caps Sign Connor Hobbs https://t.co/Zk7Ifz3xEJ
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) July 1, 2016
Montreal making all the right “attitude” decisions.
Alexander Radulov has signed with Montreal.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) July 1, 2016
A reunion in Chicago is afoot.
As many have speculated, Brian Campbell has made his decision and it's going to be a return to Chicago. Likely a one-yr deal around $2M
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2016
It could get crazy once noon hits.
Again strong likelihood Ladd goes to the Islanders. Okposo to the Sabres and Eriksson to the Canucks. Confirmation will come after paperwork
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
The Avs are adding a defenseman.
Defenseman Patrick Wiercioch will be signing with the Colorado Avalanche.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) July 1, 2016
Lots of people apparently want Jason Chimera. Unlikely he’s back in DC.
17 teams have interest in Jason Chimera. Not surprised at all. Leader and still a fast skater at 37.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 1, 2016
Your boy Steve-O returns to the place where the Steelers play.
The #Pens have re-signed Steve Oleksy to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $575K: https://t.co/nWyKoS3GKQ pic.twitter.com/82g9Z7KGeS
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 1, 2016
Two of the big names immediately come off of the market.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748909253679681536
Andrew Ladd 7 yr deal to #NYI confirmed….$5.5 cap hit #NHL
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 1, 2016
Optimus Reim to the Sunshine State.
https://twitter.com/generalfanager/status/748909030903611392
David Perron returns to St. Louis.
Per @GenePrincipe, #Blues sign David Perron to a two-year deal at a 3.875M cap hit.
— Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) July 1, 2016
Lucic to the Oil.
Seven years, $42 million for Milan Lucic in Edmonton
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2016
Frans Nielsen goes to the Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings agree to terms with Frans Nielsen on a 6 year/ $5.25M AAV contract. #DRW
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) July 1, 2016
David Backes to Beantown.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748913534013022208
Kyle Okposo now plays in Buffalo.
Okposo signs with Buffalo. 7 years, $6 mil aav.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
Former Capital Troy Brouwer going to Calgary.
Brouwer to CGY. Four years, $4.5M AAV.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2016
John-Michael Liles to Boston.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748914688897851392
Eric Staal signs with Bruce Boudreau and the Wild.
Eric Staal to MIN. 3 years. $3.5M AAV.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2016
St. Louis gets a goalie in Hutton to replace Elliot.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748916099215794176
Tom Gilbert to LA.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748916250617585666
Chris Stewart is back in Minnesota.
BREAKING: The #MnWild have signed Chris Stewart to a 2-year deal
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) July 1, 2016
Jason Chimera joins the division rival New York Islanders.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748917231992442880
St. Louis extends their #1 goalie.
Blues give Jake Allen a four-year extension. $4.35-million a year.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) July 1, 2016
Ochocinco to Calgary.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748918646315978752
Ben Lovejoy to the Devils.
Lovejoy 3 yrs to NJD, $2.666 aav.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
Jamie McGinn is headed to Arizona.
Jamie McGinn has signed with Arizona Coyotes, three years, $10 million
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2016
Vern Fiddler signs with New Jersey.
Fiddler to NJD. 1 yr, $1.25 mil
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
David Schlemko to San Jose.
The San Jose Sharks have signed David Schlemko to a four-year deal worth $2.1 million per season; Really underrated player in my mind
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2016
Philadelphia seeks to get more annoying, sign Weise.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748924577842069506
The “Monster” goes to Edmonton.
Jonas Gustavsson to Edmonton. 1 year.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
Viktor Stalberg to the Canes.
Viktor Stalberg 1 yr /$ 1.5M with Carolina Hurricanes.
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) July 1, 2016
The Cuban sensation is off to Canadaland.
Canadiens sign goaltender Al Montoya.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) July 1, 2016
Caps get some AHL business done.
https://twitter.com/RealKyper/status/748928233282863104
Franchise defenseman gets franchise defenseman-esque extension.
Lightning announce Victor Hedman eight-year contract extension. $7.875 per year.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) July 1, 2016
Alex Radulov is insane, but you knew that.
Radulov seeking close to $7M per season. Don't know if he'll get it from #Habs or #Wings, but wants two years and NTC.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 1, 2016
Shawn Matthias is going to be cold a lot.
Matthias 2 yrs, $2.125 per in Wpg.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
DSP is now a NJD.
Devante Smith-Pelly's two-year deal with #NJDevils carries a $1.3M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2016
Stars get a very solid deal with Hamhuis.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748936314050019328
Someone remind him he has to actually play this out.
Alex Radulov's one-year deal with Habs reportedly worth $5.75M
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) July 1, 2016
Grabner is a Blueshirt.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748939411476385792
Gerbe also is a Blueshirt.
Gerbe signs 1 year, $600,000 with NYR
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
Latts is a LA King 🙁
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/748940766697979904
Redmond to the Habs.
#canadiens Zach Redmond 2 ans / 1.225M$ total (un volet)
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 1, 2016
Boyd Gordon to the Fly guys.
The #Flyers have signed free agent forwards Boyd Gordon and Dale Weise → https://t.co/RftiAEKKS9 pic.twitter.com/F2Sx8wY1DT
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 1, 2016
Another third line candidate gone to Carolina.
Lee Stempniak, two years, $2.5M AAV, to CAR.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2016
Brett Connolly signs in DC. Bottom 6 NHL move.
Brett Connolly signs a 1 year with Washington for $850,000.
— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) July 1, 2016
Aka Ben Bishop is gone soon.
Andrei Vasilevskiy signs three-year extension with #TBLigntning worth $3.5M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2016
Colborne signs in Colorado.
Colborne to Colorado. 2 years, $2.5 mil per.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2016
Fedor Tyutin also signs in Colorado.
Tyutin deal in COL is one year, $2M.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2016
