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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. 9
Maple Leafs strike big in the blueliner market, inking veteran defenseman TJ Brodie for four years, $20 million.
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 RFA forward Kyle Criscuolo.
RFA forward Brandon Baddock comes to terms with Canadiens on one-year, $700,000 contract.
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.
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 UFA 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.
