NHL Free Agency Has Arrived!

It’s July 1st, which means it’s the so-called Christmas morning of the National Hockey League. Many free agents will be searching for new homes to play for in the 2018-19 season and beyond. There are many big names out on the market, namely John Tavares and Rick Nash to name just a couple. So, where will some of the big names sign? Here’s a peek into where some notable players have moved to and where they will now call their home city.

The Chicago Blackhawks gave one-year contracts to left winger Chris Kunitz and goaltender Cam Ward. Kunitz played for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017-18, having twenty-nine points (thirteen goals and sixteen assists) in eighty-two games played. Cam Ward was the net minder for the Carolina Hurricanes last season, having a record of 23-14-4, and a 2.73 goals against average in forty-three games.

Another signing was forward Michael Grabner going to a different coast, as he signed a three-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes worth $3.35 million AAV. Grabner, best known for his speed, played half of 2017-18 with the New York Rangers before he was dealt to the New Jersey Devils on February 22. Many Rangers fans expected the speedy Austrian to re-sign with their team, but he ultimately traded broadway for the desert.

Ryan McDonagh, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning by the New York Rangers on February 26th, 2018, signed a seven-year contract extension with the Bolts. The deal is worth a staggering $47.25 million, making McDonagh one of the highest paid defensemen in the league.

Some smaller deals that were made include the following: defenseman Nick Holden signed a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, forward J.T. Brown signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Wild, forward Matt Cullen is returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one-year deal, and goaltender Carter Hutton signed a three-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres.

But perhaps, the biggest name out there is John Tavares. The 27-year-old became an unrestricted free agent after his current contract with the New York Islanders ended. Fans and insiders alike were expecting Tavares to re-sign with the team he has been with since the beginning of his career. However, the tables turned and Tavares is heading back home. The Ontario native signed a seven-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, worth a staggering $77 million! Tavares penned a letter on social media, thanking the Islanders organization and all their fans for an unforgettable ride.

Not everyday you can live a childhood dream pic.twitter.com/YUTKdfMALl

— John Tavares (@91Tavares) July 1, 2018

The first day of NHL free agency is sometimes like Grand Central Station- complete chaos and hard to keep up with. Some players are staying home, some are moving, and some like Rick Nash, we don’t know if they will continue playing the game they love. One thing is definitely for sure: the 2018-19 season will be all about watching familiar names in unfamiliar places.