NHL free agency 2023 tracker: Latest news, rumors, trades

The NHL free agency period opened on July 1 and teams wasted little time bolstering their rosters for 2023-24 and beyond.

This year’s class wasn’t one of the most loaded ones in recent memory, but still featured a number of impact players including Dmitry Orlov (2-year, $15.5-million deal with Hurricanes), Ryan O’Reilly (4-year, $18-million contract with Predators, Tyler Bertuzzi (1-year, $5.5-million deal with Maple Leafs) and others who found new homes amid a strange landscape featuring plenty of short-term contracts for some pretty big-name players.

With the draft in the rearview, only a couple of impact free agents left (Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko) and the cap situations much more clear for many clubs, attention will now mostly shift to the trade market and the few gems available there.

Tarasenko considering options

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks has reported that Vladimir Tarasenko rejected a multi-year contract offer worth $5.5 million annually from the Carolina Hurricanes before changing agents last week. Brooks also reported that Tarasenko would have like to stay with the New York Rangers, but the latter has not made the Russian forward an offer.

Brooks believes the Hurricanes are still a frontrunner to land Tarasenko, and adds that the Ottawa Senators could be a player once they find a trade partner for Alex DeBrincat. The New York Islanders have reportedly shown interest as well, but are likely waiting for the DeBrincat situation to get sorted out before making an offer.

Devils interested in Gibson

Brooks has also reported that the New Jersey Devils are “sniffing around” Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, who reportedly wants out of SoCal. The Devils currently ice a tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid, and are weighing whether the tandem can carry them in a deep playoff run, according to Brooks.

New Jersey would need the Ducks to retain part of Gibson’s salary for a potential deal to work, as well as throw in a player or two — most likely parting ways with one of their goalies.

Fedotov does not honour contract with Flyers, signs KHL deal

Russian goaltender and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov has reportedly signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, making him the first player to not honour his NHL contract since the NHL dissolved the memorandum of understanding between the two leagues in March of 2022.

Fedotov was selected by the Flyers in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft and signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia in May 2022. However, the contract was tolled from last season to the upcoming season, meaning that it is now due to expire next July.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has stated that, “If Ivan Fedotov plays in the KHL, it will be contrary to his contractual obligations to the Philadelphia Flyers.” This saga is especially pertinent after the Flyers drafted highly-touted Russian prospect Matvei Michkov in the 2023 draft. Michkov is expected to come over to North America when his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg ends in 2026.

Last July, Fedotov was reportedly detained in Russia for allegedly evading military service by signing a NHL contract.

Kings extend Anze Kopitar

The Los Angeles Kings signed captain Anze Kopitar to a two-year, $14-million contract extension on Thursday. The deal takes Kopitar through the 2025-26 season.

Kopitar recently completed his 17th NHL season, all of which have come as a member of the Kings. He led the team in scoring with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) and suited up for all 82 games.

The native of Slovenia was instrumental in helping the Kings win Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 and is all over the franchise’s all-time leaderboards in just about every category. He was drafted 11th overall by the Kings in 2005.

Red Wings to terminate Philip Zadina’s contract … at his request

Detroit placed Filip Zadina on unconditional waivers on Thursday as both parties mutually agreed to a contract termination, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

It’s certainly a bold move for Zadina, who signed a three-year, $5.48-million contract with the Red Wings prior to last season. He’ll forego nearly all of that in hopes of reviving his career with another franchise.

Zadina, a once highly-touted prospect, was selected No. 6 overall by Detroit in 2018 but has never really found his footing at the NHL level while trudging through a rebuild with the Red Wings for his entire career so far. Once Zadina clears waivers, the 23-year-old is free to sign wherever he wants.

22 players file for salary arbitration

Twenty-two NHL players filed for salary arbitration on Wednesday, headlined by Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov and Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn. The hearings will be held between July 20 and Aug. 4.

Salary arbitration is a tool NHL teams and certain restricted free agents can use to settle contract disputes. Teams and players each present a salary for the upcoming season to a neutral third party and argue their case accordingly.

After hearing the respective cases, the arbitrator determines what the player will make. If the team declines the arbitrator’s decision, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

A player cannot receive less than 85% of their salary from the previous year.

DeBrincat sweepstakes down to pair of teams

Alex DeBrincat is likely headed to either Detroit or Long Island, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, as the Red Wings and Islanders have reportedly emerged as the front-runners to land the skilled forward’s services.

While DeBrincat’s contract does not include a no-trade clause, he will have some say into where he’s dealt, as his new team would look to ink the 25-year-old to a long-term contract and will want to know they can do that before sending any assets Ottawa’s way.

DeBrincat has a qualifying offer for $9 million for 2023-24, but Ottawa intends to take the forward to arbitration if he is to remain with the team for next season.

Karlsson trade proving tough to pull off, as expected

The Athletic’s Rob Rossi reported on Tuesday that trade talks around Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson remain at a standstill as teams close in on the Sharks superstar.

The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be one of the frontrunners at the moment, as both management and Karlsson are interested in seeing a deal be completed, according to Rossi.

Rossi says the Sharks are comfortable waiting for the best possible offer, however, as they feel they have good leverage in these negotiations.

The Carolina Hurricanes were reported to be heavily involved in trade talks for Karlsson as well.

Bouchard likely getting bridge deal

The Edmonton Oilers‘ biggest piece of business this offseason might be re-signing promising defenseman Evan Bouchard after the 23-year-old put up his second consecutive 40-point season.

On the latest edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Bouchard and the Oilers may be closing in on a two-year bridge deal in the $3.5-$4 million range.

Edmonton also has to re-sign forward Ryan McLeod, who broke through as a valuable bottom-six contributor last season with 23 points in 57 games.

Tarasenko linked to Hurricanes; Dumba to Coyotes?

Dynamic forward Vladimir Tarasenko appeared to be closing in on a short-term contract with the Hurricanes, but that has yet to be made official as of this writing — and it’s unclear exactly what the hold up or issue is.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reported that Tarasenko to Carolina might not be a done deal quite yet.

Elliotte Friedman also reported on Wednesday that Tarasenko is now represented by JP Barry and Pat Brisson of CAA. What that means for his free agency is unclear.

Dumba, meanwhile, could be a target for the Coyotes, according to Friedman, who did not rule out another destination but maintained that Arizona is holding out hope it can secure the 28-year-old’s services.

“Matt Dumba has not signed yet, I think this could be where he ends up,” Friedman said.

Follow along here with our tracker and live blog for all the latest signings, rumors, trades and more.

Full list of major NHL free agent signings:

• Nils Höglander re-signs with Canucks (2 years, $2.2 million)

• Pierre-Edouard Bellemare signs with Kraken (1 year, $775K)

• Anze Kopitar signs extension with Kings (2 years, $14 million)

• Zack MacEwen signs with Senators (3 years, $2.325 million)

• Dylan Samberg re-signs with Jets (2 years, $2.8 million)

• Martin Fehervary signs extension with Capitals (3 years, $2.675 million)

• Travis Hamonic re-signs with Senators (2 years, $2.2 million)

• Rafaël Harvey-Pinard signs extension with Canadiens (2 years, $2.2 million)

• Dylan Gambrell signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $775K)

• Marc Staal signs with Flyers (1 year, $1.1 million)

• Max Domi signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $3 million)

• Tyler Bertuzzi signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $5.5 million)

• Kailer Yamamoto signs with Kraken (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Evan Rodrigues signs with Panthers (4 years, $12 million)

• Panthers trade Anthony Duclair to Sharks for Steven Lorentz and a 2025 fifth round pick

• Alexandre Carrier re-signs with Predators (1 year, $2.5 million)

• Christian Fischer signs with Red Wings (1 year, $1.125 million)

• Alex Kerfoot signs with Coyotes (2 years, $7 million)

• Shayne Gostisbehere signs with Red Wings (1 year, $4.125 million)

• Garnet Hathaway signs with Flyers (2 years, $4.75 million)

• John Klingberg signs with Maple Leafs (1 year, $4.15 million)

• Brian Dumoulin signs with Kraken (2 years, $6.3 million)

• J.T. Compher signs with Red Wings (5 years, $25.5 million)

• Scott Mayfield re-signs with Islanders (7 years, $24.5 million)

• Jonathan Drouin signs with Avalanche (1 year, $825K)

• Bowen Byram re-signs with Avalanche (2 years, $7.7 million)

• Ilya Sorokin re-signs with Islanders (8 years, $66 million)

• Lars Eller signs with Penguins (2 years, $4.9 million)

• Pierre Engvall re-signs with Islanders (7 years, $21 million)

• Kyle Burroughs signs with Sharks (3 years, $3.3 million)

• Ryan Graves signs with Penguins (6 years, $27 million)

• Miles Wood signs with Avalanche (6 years, $15 million)

• Troy Stecher re-signs with Coyotes (1 year, $1.1 million)

• Tristan Jarry re-signs with Penguins (5 years, $26.875 million)

• Alex Nedeljkovic signs with Penguins (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Noel Acciari signs with Penguins (3 years, $6 million)

• Alex Killorn signs with Ducks (4 years, $25 million)

• Cody Glass re-signs with Predators (2 years, $5 million)

• Nick Bjugstad signs with Coyotes (2 years, $4.2 million)

• Ryan Donato signs with Blackhawks (2 years, $4 million)

• Vladislav Namestnikov re-signs with Jets (2 years, $2 million)

• Laurent Brossoit signs with Jets (1 year, $1.75 million)

• Daniel Sprong signs with Red Wings (1 year, $2 million)

• Tanner Glass re-signs with Predators (2 year, $5 million)

• Jason Zucker signs with Coyotes (1 year, $5.3 million)

• Michael Bunting signs with Hurricanes (3 years, $13.5 million)

• Matt Duchene signs with Stars (1 year, $3 million)

• Conor Sheary signs with Lightning (3 years, $6 million)

• Niko Mikkola signs with Panthers (3 years, $7.5 million)

• Kevin Shattenkirk signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Craig Smith signs with Stars (1 year, $1 million)

• Givani Smith signs with Sharks (2 years, $1.6 million)

• Gustav Nyquist signs with Predators (2 years, $6.37 million)

• Ryan Poehling signs with Flyers (1 year, $1.4 million)

• Ian Cole signs with Canucks (1 year, $3 million)

• Carson Soucy signs with Canucks (3 years, $9.75 million)

• Adam Fantilli signs entry-level contract with Blue Jackets

• Alex Lyon signs with Red Wings (2 years, $1.8 million)

• Connor Clifton signs with Sabres (3 years, $10 million)

• Erik Johnson signs with Sabres (1 year, $3.25 million)

• Stars trade Colin Miller to the Devils for a 2025 5th round pick

• Max Pacioretty signs with Capitals (1 year, $2 million)

• Teddy Blueger signs with Canucks (1 year, $1.9 million)

• Milan Lucic signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Morgan Geekie signs with Bruins (2 years, $4 million)

• Connor Brown signs with Oilers (1 year, $775K)

• Dmitry Orlov signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $15.5 million)

• Justin Holl signs with Red Wings (3 years, $10.2 million)

• James Reimer signs with Red Wings (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Radko Gudas signs with Ducks (3 years, $12 million)

• Joonas Korpisalo signs with Senators (5 years, $20 million)

• Nate Bastian re-signs with Devils (2 years, $2.7 million)

• Tyson Jost re-signs with Sabres (1 year, $2 million)

• Jonathan Quick signs with Rangers (1 year, $825K)

• Blake Wheeler signs with Rangers (1 year, $800K)

• Cam Talbot signs with Kings (1 year, $1 million)

• Frederik Andersen re-signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $6.8 million)

• Ryan McLeod re-signs with Devils (1 year, $1.4 million)

• James van Riemsdyk signs with Bruins (1 year, $1 million)

• Ryan O’Reilly signs with Predators (4 years, $18 million)

• Canadiens trade Joel Edmundson to Capitals for 2024 3rd round pick and a 2024 7th round pick

• Matt Nieto signs with Penguins (2 years, $1.8 million)

• Luke Schenn signs with Predators (3 years, $8.25 million)

• Jesper Fast re-signs with Hurricanes (2 years, $4.8 million)

• Anti Raanta re-signs with Hurricanes (1 year, $1.5 million)

• Mackenzie Blackwood signs with Sharks (2 years, $5 million)

• Ryan Reaves signs with Maple Leafs (3 years, $4.05 million)

• Oliver Ekman-Larsson signs with Panthers (1 year, $2.25 million)

• Erik Brannstrom re-signs with Senators (1 year, $2 million)

• Klim Kostin re-signs with Red Wings (2 years, $4 million)