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ESPN staff
Due to the altered schedule whereby the 2019-20 NHL season was completed quite a bit later than usual — with the Stanley Cup playoffs lasting until Sept. 29 — free agency began on Oct. 9 this year, as opposed to the traditional July 1 starting point.
But while the key dates have shifted, the goal of free agency has not: GMs around the NHL hope to land the game-changing veteran who can boost their contention status, or bolster their core with the glue that builds championships.
Here’s our continuously updated tracker, featuring a list of every player signed from Sept. 1 onward, along with analysis on the biggest deals, and buzz on what could happen next. Note that the newest deals are at the top.
Grades on big signings | Team previews | Top 60 FAs
Draft recap: Every pick | Grades | Takeaways
Oct. 10
Veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian (one year, $1 million) and forward Travis Boyd (one year, $700,000) have signed with Toronto.
Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk lands with the Capitals on one-year, $800,000 deal.
RFA defenseman Brandon Montour is back with the Sabres on a one-year, $3.85 million pact.
A two-year, $4.5 million contract has brought veteran forward Cody Eakin to the Sabres.
Former Ranger Jesper Fast has landed with the Hurricanes on a three-year, $6 million contract.
RFA forward Sam Anas agrees to a two-year, $1.45 million deal with the Blues.
Netminder Louis Domingue lands with the Flames on a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Forward Kevin Labanc sticks with the Sharks, agreeing to a four-year, $18.9 million deal.
Former Wild captain Mikko Koivu has made his next move, signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Blue Jackets. Grade for the deal.
Dallas bolsters its blue-line depth, signing former Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk to one-year, $750,000 deal.
Oilers sign on for more time with veteran goaltender Mike Smith, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract.
Jets reach agreement with forward Nate Thompson for one year, $750,000.
Oilers sign offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie to one-year, $3.75 million contract. Grade for the deal.
Red Wings add goaltender Thomas Greiss (two years, $7.2 million) and defenseman Troy Stecher (two years, $3.4 million).
Wild extend their business relationship with forward Jordan Greenway via two-year, $4.2 million deal.
Bruins land veteran forward Craig Smith on a three-year, $9.3 million contract.
Penguins add goaltender Maxime Lagace and forward Frederick Gaudreau on one-year, $700,000 contracts.
Avalanche re-up with RFA forward Andre Burakovsky, agreeing to terms on a two-year, $9.8 million deal.
Oct. 9
Devils agree to terms with veteran goaltender Corey Crawford on two-year, $7.8 million contract.
Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev joins the Flames after agreeing to four-year, $18 million deal.
Forward Tomas Nosek is back with the Golden Knights, inking one-year, $1.25 million contract.
Nick Cousins joins the Predators, coming to terms on two-year, $3 million deal.
Sabres sign a trio to one-year, $700,000 deals: defenseman Brandon Davidson, forward Tobias Rieder, defenseman Matt Irwin.
Defenseman Torey Krug, one of the top prizes in this year’s free-agent class, has agreed to a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million with the Blues. Grade for the deal.
Maple Leafs strike big in the blueliner market, inking veteran defenseman T.J. Brodie for four years, $20 million. Grade for the deal.
Canadiens reach agreement with defenseman Xavier Ouellet on two-year, $1.475 million contract.
Flames add a pair of forwards: Zac Rinaldo (one year, $700,000) and Byron Froese (two years, $1.45 million).
Forward Stefan Noesen has landed with the Sharks, inking a one-year, $925,000 contract.
Veteran defenseman Luca Sbisa signs with the Jets for one year, $800,000.
Red Wings reach terms on a one-year, $700,000 deal with restricted free-agent forward Kyle Criscuolo.
RFA forward Brandon Baddock comes to terms with Canadiens on one-year, $700,000 contract.
2 Related
Senators reach deals with RFA forwards Matthew Peca (one year, $700,000) and Logan Shaw (two years, $1.45 million).
A massive domino has fallen in the goaltender market this offseason: Jacob Markstrom has agreed to terms with the Flames on a six-year, $36 million deal. Grade for the deal.
The Bruins are on the board! It’s a one-year, $1 million deal with defenseman Kevin Miller.
Defenseman Anthony Bitetto has landed with the Rangers on a two-year, $1.475 million deal.
Veteran defenseman Justin Schultz is headed to D.C., inking a two-year, $8 million deal with the Capitals.
Josh Currie is officially off the market, as the Penguins land the forward via a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Flames reach agreement with defenseman Alex Petrovic on one-year, $700,000 contract.
Nashville adds more depth to its defensive ranks, inking Matt Benning to two-year, $2 million pact.
After winning the Stanley Cup with the Lightning, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has headed West, signing a three-year, $11.7 million deal with the Ducks. Grade for the deal.
Forward John Hayden — who did not get a qualifying offer from the Devils — has agreed to terms on a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Coyotes.
The Predators have bolstered their blue line, agreeing to a two-year, $4 million deal with Mark Borowiecki.
Edmonton elects to continue its employment of Tyler Ennis, as the two sides agree to a one-year, $1 million deal.
Penguins agree to terms with forwards Evan Rodrigues and Mark Jankowski on one-year, $700,000 contracts.
Forward Tyler Pitlick has signed with the Coyotes, agreeing to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.
Panthers come to terms with former Blue Jackets forward Alexander Wennberg on one-year, $2.25 million deal.
Following his trade earlier this week, goaltender Matt Murray has signed a four-year, $25 million deal with the Senators.
Rangers add goaltending depth, sign veteran Keith Kinkaid to a two-year, $1.65 million contract.
After an impressive run in leading the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final, Anton Khudobin has re-signed with Dallas, inking a three-year, $10 million contract. Grade for the deal.
RFA forward Colin Blackwell is sticking with the Rangers, as the two sides have agreed to a two-year, $1.45 million deal.
Buddy Robinson and the Flames will be continuing their business relationship, as the two sides have agreed to a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Former Capitals starting goalie Braden Holtby has gotten off of the goalie carousel, signing a two-year, $8.6 million deal with the Canucks. Grade for the deal.
Forward Alan Quine has elected to sign in Edmonton, agreeing to terms on one-year, $750,000 deal.
Forward Kevin Rooney elects to sign with the Rangers, signing a two-year, $1.5 million contract.
Winnipeg adds to its blue-line group, as Nathan Beaulieu has inked a two-year, $2.5 million contract.
After being bought out by the Predators, veteran forward Kyle Turris has landed with the Oilers on a two-year, $3.3 million contract. Grade for the deal.
Another rider has gotten off of the 2020 goaltender carousel, as Cam Talbot has signed with the Wild for three years, $11 million. Grade for the deal.
The King has chosen his next NHL home. Henrik Lundqvist has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Capitals. Grade for the deal.
A new journey begins with ONE goal in mind. I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the @Capitals
See you soon, DC!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DuShlGUwGR— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) October 9, 2020
Carter Verhaeghe did not get a qualifying offer from the Lightning, but his free-agent journey was not a long one: He has signed with the Panthers for two years, $2 million.
Former Golden Knights blueliner — and University of Michigan product — Jon Merrill has signed with the Red Wings for one year, $925,000.
Veteran defenseman Radko Gudas is heading to the Panthers, as he has inked a three-year, $7.5 million contract.
Forward Tyler Motte is back with the Canucks, as he has agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.45 million contract.
The Lightning will bring at least some of their free agents for 2020-21. Forward Patrick Maroon (two years, $1.8 million) and Luke Schenn (one year, $800,000) are both back to help with the efforts for another Stanley Cup.
2 Related
Following his buyout earlier this offseason by the Senators, veteran forward Bobby Ryan has landed with the Red Wings on a one-year, $1 million contract. Grade for the deal.
The Lightning have placed forward Tyler Johnson on waivers. He has four years remaining on his contract at $5 million in average annual value.
Veteran forward Wayne Simmonds has elected to sign with the Maple Leafs for one year, $1.5 million. Grade for the deal.
Blackhawks extend their relationship with Calder Trophy finalist Dominik Kubalik (two years, $7.4 million) and netminder Malcolm Subban (two years, $1.7 million)
The Golden Knights have traded center Paul Stastny to the Jets for Carl Dahlstrom and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft. The 34-year-old Stastny has one year remaining on a three-year, $19.5 million contract signed in July 2018. Grades for both GMs.
WE HAVE ALSO ACQUIRED CARL DAHLSTROM’S DOG WHO WE VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING ??? pic.twitter.com/C9Y8Ki9NbY
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 9, 2020
RFA defenseman Victor Mete will not be hitting the market, as the Canadiens have re-signed him to a one-year, $735,000 deal.
Golden Knights extend a pair of RFAs for one more year, with defenseman Jimmy Schuldt and forward Reid Duke landing $700,000 contracts for 2020-21.
Oct. 8
Penguins not ready to move on from Sam Lafferty, ink the RFA forward to two-year, $1.5 million deal.
The Zemgus Girgensons era continues in Buffalo: Sabres re-sign forward for three years, $6.6 million.
Following trade, Josh Anderson inks seven-year, $38.5 million deal with the Canadiens.
Red Wings re-sign RFA forwards Taro Hirose and Adam Erne to one-year deals, with undisclosed dollar amounts.
Noah Juulsen is back with the Canadiens on one-year, $700,000 contract.
Oct. 7
Following trade, Max Domi signs with Blue Jackets for two years, $10.6 million.
The fourth overall pick of the 2016 draft, Jesse Puljujarvi returns to the Oilers on two-year, $2.35 million contract.
Lightning retain Gemel Smith (one year, $700,000) and Mitchell Stephens (two years, $1.47 million).
Jets avoid losing another blueliner, ink defenseman Dylan DeMelo for four years, $12 million.
Oct. 6
Defenseman Brenden Dillon sticks with the Capitals on four-year, $15.6 million deal.
Nicolas Meloche, Maxim Letunov back with the Sharks on one-year, $700,000 contracts.
Jacob Middleton, Jayden Halbgewachs remain with the Sharks on two-year, $14.5 million deals.
Zack MacEwen remains with the Canucks on two-year, $1.65 million pact.
Oct. 5
Sabres re-sign RFA forward Tage Thompson to three-year, $4.2 million deal.
Islanders ink RFA defenseman Sebastian Aho to two-year, $1.45 million contract.
Defenseman Carson Soucy is back with the Wild on a three-year, $8.25 million contract.
Wild elect to re-sign RFA forward Nico Sturm to a two-year, $1.45 million pact.
Senators reach agreement with defenseman Josh Brown for two years, $2.4 million.
Veteran forward Jason Spezza re-signs with the Maple Leafs for one year, $700,000.
Oct. 4
Stars elect to re-sign veteran defenseman Andrej Sekera for two years, $3 million.
Oct. 3
Golden Knights sign goalie Robin Lehner to five-year, $25 million contract.
Penguins and RFA netminder Tristan Jarry reach agreement on three-year, $10.5 million deal.
Goaltender Brian Elliott back with the Flyers on one-year, $1.5 million pact.
Oct. 2
Jets, goaltender Laurent Brossoit ink one-year, $1.5 million pact to keep him in Winnipeg.
Maple Leafs reach deal with RFA forward Denis Malgin for one year, $700,000.
Sept. 30
RFA netminder Michael McNiven remains with Canadiens on one-year, $700,000 contract.
Sept. 28
Flyers extend RFA defenseman Robert Hagg for another two years, $3.2 million.
Sept. 26
Red Wings, forward Sam Gagner reach terms on one-year, $850,000 contract.
Sept. 25
Pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Jeff Petry remains with the Canadiens on four-year, $25 million deal.
Flyers ink goaltender Alex Lyon for one year, $700,000 to bolster their netminding depth.
Sept. 24
Sabres extend the term of forward Curtis Lazar for two years, $1.6 million.
Sept. 23
RFA forward Michael McCarron re-signs with Predators for one year, $700,000.
Canadiens reach terms with RFA forward Jake Evans for two years, $1.5 million.
Sept. 18
RFA forward Jared McCann re-signs with the Penguins for two years, $5.88 million.
Capitals extend RFA forward — and former Penguin — Daniel Sprong for two years, $1.5 million.
Sept. 16
Canadiens ink veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson for four years, $14 million.
Sept. 15
Wild agree to terms with defenseman Jonas Brodin on seven-year, $42 million contract.
RFA netminder Adin Hill remains with the Coyotes on one-year, $800,000 deal.
Sept. 11
RFA defenseman Sean Walker remains with the Kings on four-year, $10.6 million contract.
Sept. 10
Blues reach terms with RFA forward Jacob De La Rose on one-year, $700,000 deal.
Oilers agree to one-year, $700,000 contract with the wonderfully named Adam Cracknell.
Sept. 1
Kings sign RFA forward Austin Wagner to a three-year, $3.4 million contract.