Flurry of moves on second day

NHL teams aren’t waiting for the top free agents to sign.

Saturday, on Day 2 of free agency, Boston paused its pursuit of Taylor Hall to sign wing Craig Smith ( three years, $ 9.3 million); Columbus shored up its center depth by inking center Mikko Koivu ( one year, $ 1.5 million) and Carolina added speedy forward Jesper Fast ( three years, $ 6 million).

Top free agent Alex Pietrangelo flew to Vegas to visit the Golden Knights, who have been clearing salary cap space to try to accommodate the 2019 Stanley Cupwinning defenseman.

Also, Detroit added goaltender Thomas Greiss and defenseman Troy Stecher; Dallas got defenseman Mark Pysyk ( one year, $ 750,000); Chris Tanev joined Calgary ( four years, $ 18 million); Buffalo signed center Cody Eakin ( two years, $ 4.5 million) and defenseman Brandon Montour ( one year, $ 3.85 million); and Washington added defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk ( one year, $ 800,000). Edmonton signed defenseman Tyson Barrie ( one year, $ 3.75 million) and brought back goalie Mike Smith ( one year, $ 2 million); Winnipeg added former Philadelphia center Nate Thompson, and Pittsburgh took a flier on 2013 firstround pick Frederik Gauthier.

Colorado gave forwards Andre Burakovsky and Valeri Nichushkin twoyear deals, and Minnesota signed Jordan Greenway ( two years, $ 4.2 million).

In the day’s biggest trade, the Avalanche acquired rugged wing Brandon Saad in a multiplayer deal with Chicago. Colorado sent defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm to the Blackhawks for Saad and defenseman Dennis Gilbert.

Also, New Jersey acquired wing Andreas Johnsson from Toronto for forward Joey Anderson; and Nashville, which let Craig Smith leave in free agency, traded forward Austin Watson to Ottawa for a 2021 fourthround pick.