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Mostly all of the big name NHL free agents are off the board. The general consensus among hockey fans is that the league is now completely unrecognizable. Almost none of the premier names re-signed with their previous team's, and in a lot cases you have guys like Henrik Lundqvist, Braden Holtby, and Joe Thornton, who have spent the last decade with one franchise, now on the move to new cities. Today, I'm going to fill you in on the biggest free agent signings from the last week. If you aren't seeing a few names on this list that you were expecting to see, check out my first list here, where I recap the first day of free agency.
Anaheim Ducks
Signed: Kevin Shattenkirk - D - Three years, $11,700,000
The 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Shattenkirk agreed to a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks on October 9th. Shattenkirk accumulated 34 points on eight goals and 26 assists during the 2019-20 season. Shattenkirk played a pivotal role in the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup victory over the Dallas Stars, when he scored the game 4 overtime winner.
Buffalo Sabres
Signed: Taylor Hall - LW - One year, $8,000,000
In perhaps the most surprise signing of the off-season, star winger Taylor Hall signed a one year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Hall spent a majority of the 2019-20 season with the Arizona Coyotes, after he was traded there by the New Jersey Devils. With rumors swirling all over the place that Sabres captain Jack Eichel wanted out of Buffalo, and all signs pointing toward a rebuild, the last thing anyone expected Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to do was to go out and sign a big name free agent. It appears as if Eichel isn't going anywhere for at least one more year.
Carolina Hurricanes
Signed: Jesper Fast - RW - Three years, $6,000,000
Fast will be joining former New York Rangers teammate, Brady Skjei, in Carolina this upcoming season. Fast, a solid young depth right winger, was a restricted free agent this year. New York let him walk after what many believe to be a developmental move, since the Rangers have an influx of young right wing talent coming up the depth charts. Fast scored 29 points on 12 goals and 17 assists in 2019-20. Fast is coming off of a concussion that he suffered during game one of the 2020 Stanley Cup qualifying round against his new team, the Carolina Hurricanes.
Detroit Red Wings
Signed: Thomas Greiss - G - Two years, $7,200,000
After serving as the New York Islanders backup goalie since the 2014-15 season, journeyman goaltender, Thomas Greiss, is now on his way to help the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings. Greiss sported a 16-9-4 record with a 2.74 goals against average, and a .913 save percentage in 2019-20. Greiss had many stints filling in as the Islanders starting goaltender over the last four seasons. Whenever Jaroslav Halák or Semyon Varlamov were injured, Greiss stepped up and proved that he has what it takes to be a reliable starting goalie.
Minnesota Wild
Signed: Cam Talbot - G - Three years, $11,000,000
Cam Talbot had a huge bounce back year in 2019-20 with the Calgary Flames, and yes it was much needed for the 33-year-old goaltender. Talbot carried a record of 12-10-1 with a 2.63 goals-against average, and a .919 save percentage in 26 games with Calgary last season.
Montreal Canadiens
Signed: Tyler Toffoli - RW - Four years, $17,000,000
The Montreal Canadiens have been among the busiest teams in the NHL this off-season. It appears as if Montreal's front office feels like their team is ready to take the next step, after years of mediocrity. Adding right winger Tyler Toffoli to that mix makes Montreal that much more battle ready. Toffoli scored 44 points on 24 goals and 20 assists in 2019-20 with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings.
New Jersey Devils
Signed: Corey Crawford - G - Two years, $7,800,000
Crawford, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and 35 year old goalie veteran, agreed to a two year deal with the New Jersey Devils. Crawford was drafted 52nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL draft, and spent his entire career in Chicago from 2006 to 2020, where he accumulated two Stanley Cup Championships, two All-Star appearances, and two William M. Jennings Trophies.
New York Rangers
Signed: Tony DeAngelo - D - Two years, $9,600,000
DeAngelo cemented himself as one of the best defensemen in the league last year. Among D-men, DeAngelo ranked fourth in the league in points with 53, 10th in the league in assists with 38, and fifth in the league in goals with 15. DeAngelo is also solid on the special teams aswell, as he ranked ninth in the league in power play points with 19, and 17th in the league in power play goals with three.
San Jose Sharks
Signed: Kevin Labanc - RW - Four years, $18,900,000
Labanc scored 33 points on 14 goals and 19 assists in 2019-20. The 24-year-old restricted free agent agreed to a four year deal to remain with the San Jose Sharks. As the 171st overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft, Labanc is proving to be one of the true diamonds in the rough of the league. He gets better year after year, and will be sure to be a hot commodity in four years when he hits the open market at age 28.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Signed: Joe Thornton - C - One year, $700,000
Jumbo Joe is still at it! In his age 41 season, Jumbo Joe Thornton signed a one year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The future hall of famer has a love for the game that you cannot knock. Thornton, the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL draft (yeah this guy has been in the NHL for as long as I've been alive) has played for the San Jose Sharks since 2005. After 15 long years in northern California, the legend is headed north of the border to play for one of the most passionate fanbases in all of hockey.
Vegas Golden Knights
Signed: Alex Pietrangelo - D - Seven years, $61,600,000
Here is the name we've all been waiting for! The biggest free agent of the off-season is on his way to possibly the best team in the west. Tired of coming so close, yet so far from a Stanley Cup for the last three years, the Golden Knights went big game hunting, signing defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo, to a massive seven year, $61,600,000 contract. Pietrangelo ranked sixth in the league among defenseman in 2019-20 with 52 points, 12th in the league in assists with 36, and second in the league in goals with 16. He also ranked second among defenseman in power play goals with six, and seventh in power play points with 22.
For a complete list of all the NHL free agent signings, big and small, click the link here! Follow me on Twitter for all your latest NHL news and rumors! @NY_cth
Have a great weekend, hockey fans.
-Chris
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