It’s July 1, a national holiday in Canada and one of the biggest days on the NHL calendar. At noon today, NHL free agents became eligible to sign contracts with teams and the action came fast and furious. Within the first hour, Chris Johnston’s big free agent board had already been selected. There was a lot of talk and lots and lots of money was being talked about.
So to make sense of all this, here’s a list of the free agent contracts we’ve graded throughout the day.
The Florida Panthers have signed right winger Sam Reinhart to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.625 million.
Contract grade: A+
Degree of adjustment: A+
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NHL Contract Ratings: Panthers get a bargain with Sam Reinhart deal
Tampa Bay Lightning have signed winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million.
Contract grade: TO
Degree of adjustment: A+
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NHL Contract Ratings: Jake Guentzel is a good fit and investment for the Lightning
Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to the Predators
The Nashville Predators have signed forward Steven Stamkos to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million.
Contract grade: B-
Degree of adjustment: TO
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NHL Contract Ratings: Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to Nashville
Bruins buy wisely by adding Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
The Boston Bruins sign forward Elias Lindholm to a seven-year contract with an AAV of $7.75 million, and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a six-year contract with an AAV of $5 million.
Contract grade for Lindholm: TO
Contract rating for Zadorov: B more
Fits grade: A+
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NHL Contract Ratings: Bruins shop wisely in adding Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
The Predators are betting heavily on Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei again
The Nashville Predators sign forward Jonathan Marchessault to a five-year contract with a $5.5 million AAV and defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year contract with a $7 million AAV.
Skjei’s contract grade: B
Marchessault Contract Grade: Unless
Fits grade: B+
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NHL contract grades: Predators bet more on Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei
Brandon Montour gives the Kraken what they need on the blue line
Seattle Kraken sign defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year contract with an AAV of $7.14 million.
Contract grade: B-
Degree of adjustment: TO
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NHL Contract Ratings: Brandon Montour gives Kraken what they need on the blue line
The Detroit Red Wings have signed winger Patrick Kane to a one-year contract worth $4 million plus $2.5 million in incentives.
Contract grade: TO
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL Contract Ratings: Patrick Kane stays with Red Wings on smart 1-year deal
Teuvo Teravainen returns to the Blackhawks on a 3-year contract
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed 29-year-old right winger Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $5.4 million.
Contract grade: TO-
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL Contract Rating: Teuvo Teravainen returns to Blackhawks on 3-year deal
The Devils get size and experience in Brett Pesce, but at a high cost
The New Jersey Devils sign defenseman Brett Pesce to a six-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million.
Contract grade: B-
Degree of adjustment: TO
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NHL contract grades: Devils get size and experience in Brett Pesce, but at a high cost
The San Jose Sharks have signed Tyler Toffoli to a four-year contract worth $6 million per season.
Contract grade: B+
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL Contract Grade: Sharks add Tyler Toffoli as potential linemate for Macklin Celebrini
Canucks add wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
The Vancouver Canucks sign wingers Jake DeBrusk to a seven-year contract with a $5.5 million AAV and Danton Heinen to a two-year contract with a $2.3 million AAV.
DeBrusk Contract: B-
DeBrusk Adjustment: TO
Heinen’s contract: B+
Heinen adjustment: TO
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NHL contract grades: Canucks add wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
Capitals’ blue line gets another boost from Matt Roy
The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Matt Roy to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million.
Contract grade: TO-
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL contract ratings: Capitals’ blue line gets another boost with Matt Roy
The Blue Jackets take a risk and give Sean Monahan a 5-year contract
The Columbus Blue Jackets sign forward Sean Monahan to a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million
Contract grade: C-minus
Degree of adjustment: C+
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NHL contract ratings: Blue Jackets take a risk and give Sean Monahan 5 years
Blackhawks sign free agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to two-year deal
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Laurent Brossoit to a two-year contract with a cap hit of $3.3 million.
Contract grade: TO-
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL Contract Ratings: Blackhawks sign free agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to two-year deal
The Maple Leafs become more complete with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Anthony Stolarz
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year contract with a $3.5 million cap hit and goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million cap hit.
Ekman-Larsson contract rating: B+
Stolarz’s contract rating: TO
Degree of adjustment: TO-
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NHL contract ratings: Maple Leafs get more complete with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Anthony Stolarz
Tyler Bertuzzi is a solid option for the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.
Contract grade: TO-
Degree of adjustment: TO
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NHL Contract Rating: Bertuzzi a perfect fit for Blackhawks and Bedard
Chris Tanev is worth the risk for a long-term deal with the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Chris Tanev to a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.5 million.
Contract grade: B
Degree of adjustment: A+
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NHL Contract Ratings: Chris Tanev worth the risk of a long-term deal with Maple Leafs
The Kraken bets heavily on Chandler Stephenson
The Seattle Kraken sign center Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year contract worth $6.25 million AAV.
Contract grade: C
Degree of adjustment: B-
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NHL Contract Ratings: Kraken make costly gamble on Chandler Stephenson
(Photo by Sam Reinhart and Steven Stamkos: Eliot J. Schechter / 1NHLI via Getty Images)