NHL free agency day: Grading the biggest contracts signed on July 1
It’s July 1, a nationwide vacation in Canada and one of many largest days on the NHL calendar. At midday right now, NHL free brokers grew to become eligible to signal contracts with groups and the motion got here quick and livid. Inside the first hour, Chris Johnston’s free agency big board and already been picked over. There was plenty of time period and plenty and plenty of cash being thrown round.
So to make sense of all of it, right here’s an inventory of the free-agent contracts we’ve graded all through the day.
Florida Panthers signal proper winger Sam Reinhart to an eight-year take care of an $8.625 million AAV.
Contract grade: A+
Match grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Panthers get a steal on Sam Reinhart deal
Tampa Bay Lightning signal winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year take care of a $9 million AAV.
Contract grade: A
Match grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Jake Guentzel is a good fit and good value for Lightning
Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to the Predators
Nashville Predators signal ahead Steven Stamkos to a four-year contract with an $8 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Match grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to Nashville
Bruins store correctly by including Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
Boston Bruins signal ahead Elias Lindholm to a seven-year take care of a $7.75 million AAV, and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a six-year take care of a $5 million AAV
Contract grade for Lindholm: A
Contract grade for Zadorov: B plus
Matches grade: A-plus
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NHL contract grades: Bruins shop wisely by adding Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
Predators take extra large swings on Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei
Nashville Predators signal ahead Jonathan Marchessault to a five-year take care of a $5.5 million AAV and defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year take care of a $7 million AAV.
Skjei contract grade: B
Marchessault contract grade: A-minus
Matches grade: B-plus
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NHL contract grades: Predators take more big swings on Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei
Brandon Montour provides Kraken what they want on the blue line
Seattle Kraken signal defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year take care of a $7.14 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Match grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Brandon Montour gives Kraken what they need on the blue line
Detroit Red Wings signal winger Patrick Kane to a one-year deal price $4 million in wage plus $2.5 million in incentives.
Contract grade: A
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Patrick Kane stays with Red Wings on clever 1-year deal
Teuvo Teravainen returns to Blackhawks on a 3-year deal
The Chicago Blackhawks signal 29-year-old proper wing Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year take care of a $5.4 million annual cap hit.
Contract grade: A-
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grade: Teuvo Teravainen returns to Blackhawks on a 3-year deal
Devils get dimension and expertise in Brett Pesce, however at a excessive price
The New Jersey Devils signal defenseman Brett Pesce to a six-year take care of a $5.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Match grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Devils get size and experience in Brett Pesce, but at a high cost
The San Jose Sharks signal Tyler Toffoli to a four-year deal price $6 million a season.
Contract grade: B+
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grade: Sharks add Tyler Toffoli as potential Macklin Celebrini linemate
Canucks add win-now wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
Vancouver Canucks signal wingers Jake DeBrusk to a seven-year take care of a $5.5 million AAV and Danton Heinen to a two-year take care of a $2.3 million AAV.
DeBrusk contract: B-
DeBrusk match: A
Heinen contract: B+
Heinen match: A
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NHL contract grades: Canucks add win-now wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
Capitals blue line will get one other increase in Matt Roy
The Washington Capitals signal defenseman Matt Roy to a six-year take care of a $5.75 million AAV.
Contract grade: A-
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Capitals blue line gets another boost in Matt Roy
Blue Jackets take an opportunity by giving 5 years to Sean Monahan
Columbus Blue Jackets signal ahead Sean Monahan to a five-year take care of a $5.5 million AAV
Contract grade: C-minus
Match grade: C-plus
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NHL contract grades: Blue Jackets take a chance by giving 5 years to Sean Monahan
Blackhawks signal prime free-agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to 2-year deal
Chicago Blackhawks signal goaltender Laurent Brossoit to a two-year contract with a $3.3-million cap hit.
Contract grade: A-
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Blackhawks sign top free-agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to 2-year deal
Maple Leafs turn into extra well-rounded with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz
Toronto Maple Leafs signal defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year take care of a $3.5-million cap hit and goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year take care of a $2.5-million cap hit.
Ekman-Larsson contract grade: B+
Stolarz contract grade: A
Match grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Maple Leafs become more well-rounded with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz
Tyler Bertuzzi a stable match for Blackhawks, Connor Bedard
Chicago Blackhawks signal winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year take care of a $5.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: A-
Match grade: A
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NHL contract grade: Bertuzzi a solid fit for Blackhawks, Bedard
Chris Tanev is definitely worth the threat for Maple Leafs on a long-term deal
Toronto Maple Leafs signal defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year take care of a $4.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: B
Match grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Chris Tanev is worth the risk for Maple Leafs on a long-term deal
The Kraken take an expensive gamble on Chandler Stephenson
The Seattle Kraken signal middle Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year deal price $6.25 million AAV.
Contract grade: C
Match grade: B-
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NHL contract grades: The Kraken take a pricey gamble on Chandler Stephenson
(Picture of Sam Reinhart and Steven Stamkos: Eliot J. Schechter / 1NHLI by way of Getty Photographs)