The Nashville Predators made a big splash in the early stages of NHL free agency on Monday by signing Jonathan Marchessault.
The 2023 playoff MVP got a five-year contract worth $27.5 million, according to a person familiar with the contract. The Predators also signed defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year, $49 million contract, according to another person with knowledge of the contract. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreements have not been announced.
Marchessault leaves Las Vegas after being an original member of the expansion Golden Knights in 2017 and helping them reach the Finals twice and win the Stanley Cup once.
The Predators were expected to remain active in signing free agents, with former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos also on their radar.
Jake Guentzel didn’t have to wait until NHL free agency began to find a new home.
Guentzel signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after they acquired their rights from Carolina on the weekend. Guentzel will count $9 million against the salary cap through 2031.
“Things just didn’t work out in Carolina, and then I heard that Tampa might be trading for my rights, so obviously I was really excited because everyone hears what a good team this is and what a good position this is,” Guentzel said. “The pedigree behind Tampa Bay, the winning culture — just a lot of top players that make it really intriguing to come to Tampa.”
Free agency opens with Stanley Cup leading scorer Guentzel Sam Reinhart and standout defenseman Chris Tanev, all off the board.
Tampa Bay traded defensemen Mikhail Sergachev to Utah and forward Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles to free up significant cap space. But the team and Stamkos’ camp were unable to come to an agreement to keep the 2008 No. 1 pick.
“It’s part of the business: You’re not sure what’s going to happen,” Guentzel said of Stamkos. “He’s a Hall of Famer, he’s a special player. I have the utmost respect for the guy. He’s just an unbelievable player.”
Hours after a rainy rally celebrating their Stanley Cup title, the Florida Panthers rang the midnight bell to re-sign Sam Reinhart to an eight-year contract worth $69 million, an annual cap hit of $8.625 million for a player who is coming off a 57-goal haul. regular season.
“Since arriving in South Florida, Sam has demonstrated his ability to be a powerful scoring threat while maintaining a strong defensive game,” general manager Bill Zito said of Reinhart, who also scored the World Cup-clinching goal. from Florida. “His versatility and value as a player are overshadowed only by his personality and work ethic, and we are pleased to have him remaining in our group.”
After Patrick Kane renewed contract with Detroit on Sunday night, several other teams kept key players around.
Jordan Martinook is re-signing with the Hurricanes on a three-year, $9.15 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the contract. Erik Johnson will remain with the Philadelphia Flyers on a $1 million contract for next season, according to another person familiar with the deal.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contracts have not been announced.
Edmonton, which lost to the Panthers in seven games in the Cup final, re-signed versatile forward Connor Brown to a one-year, $1 million contract. Brown, who tore the ACL in his left knee in October 2022, had a goal and an assist at the final.
Toronto, which traded for Tanev’s draft rights over the weekend, quickly signed him to a six-year, $27 million contract that counts $6.5 million against the salary cap through 2030.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to play against him and how much of a warrior and competitive he is,” forward Max Domi, who re-signed with the Leafs on Sunday for the next four years, said of Tanev. “He’s going to be a big part of this team for a long time, obviously, and a big part of our success.”
The Leafs also signed goaltender Joseph Woll, a restricted free agent, to a three-year extension for just under $11 million.
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