Kraken make big move as NHL free agency begins
There was a method to the Seattle Kraken’s approach to preserve salary cap space while making their expansion draft selections.
After laying in wait, the Kraken made one of the biggest splashes in free agency by signing goalie Philipp Grubauer to a six-year, $35.4 million contract Wednesday. Seattle’s roster is suddenly beginning to take form with the addition of one of the top players on the market.
The 29-year-old Grubauer, who finished second in the NHL with 30 wins and third in the Vezina Trophy voting following his third season in Colorado, represents a significant upgrade over the three goalies the Kraken plucked off 30 teams’ rosters.
His signing also dealt a blow to the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche, who had difficulty squeezing him under their salary cap after re-signing captain Gabriel Landeskog a day earlier.
“He was the backbone of our team and a huge part of our success this past season,” Landeskog said after signing an eight-year, $56 million extension. “But at the end of the day I’m not going to tell Grubi what to do just like he didn’t try to tell me what to do.”
Seattle also added to its forwards by signing Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. Schwartz agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal, and Wennberg agreed to a three-year deal worth $13.5 million.
The Devils used their considerable amount of salarycap space to land free agency’s other top-prized player, signing playmaking defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year, $63 million contract — the richest freeagent deal of the day.
At the other end of the cap spectrum, the muchanticipated breakup of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning continued. Forward Blake Coleman left to sign a six-year, $29.4 million deal with Calgary. And defenseman David Savard signed a four-year, $14 million contract with Montreal.
Tampa Bay did shore up its long-term future by extending No. 1 center Brayden Point eight years through 2030 for $76 million. The Lightning made a handful of other moves, including bringing back 2020 Cup-winning defenseman Zach Bogosian on a three-year deal, forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to a $2 million, two-year contract and adding Brian Elliott as a new backup goalie.
A flat salary cap — staying at $81.5 million for a third consecutive season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic — didn’t stop teams from transforming their rosters. It just required teams to be more creative in clearing space in the days leading up to free agency before completing a combined 60 signings worth $405 million in the first two hours.
Other key moves from Wednesday:
• Ryan Suter became the first player to sign a new contract when free agency began, joining the Stars on a $14.6 million, four-year deal. Dallas also signed 2016 Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Braden Holtby for $2 million for next season after he was bought out by Vancouver.
• New Jersey freed up additional cap space by trading underperforming defenseman Will Butcher, who has one year left on a threeyear, $11.2 million contract, to Buffalo for future considerations. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier signed a twoyear, $8.25 million contact with the Devils.
• Carolina addressed its goaltending needs by agreeing with former Maple Leafs starter Frederik Andersen on a two-year, $9 million contract and ex-Coyote Antti Raanta on a two-year, $4 million contract.
• Among other goalie moves, Toronto signed Petr Mrazek, Philadelphia added Martin Jones fresh off his buyout from San Jose, the Sharks signed James Reimer, the Canucks brought in Jaroslav Halak to replace Holtby, and Linus Ullmark left Buffalo to sign a fouryear, $20 million contract with Boston.
• Vegas re-signed defenseman Alec Martinez for $15.75 million over three years,
• Forward Zach Hyman signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Oilers, who also traded Ethan Bear to Carolina for Warren Foegele.
• The Bruins also signed Nick Foligno, to a two-year, $7.6 million deal.
USC. After four seasons with the program, Hart was promoted from assistant to associate head coach.
He was a big part of USC’s success in recent years, as a recruiter and with his player development abilities.