Signing
Bruins sign Kevan Miller to 2-yr deal. Was on AHL contract before. #pulsebruins
Miller has two assists through his first five games with the P-Bruins. He likely stays down in the minors, serving as depth for the big club.
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NHL Signings & Free Agents
RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Victor Rask on a three-year, entry-level contract. At the NHL level, the deal will pay Rask $550,000 in the first year, $650,000 in the second year and $750,000 in the third year, or he will make $70,000 per year at the minor-league level. He also receives a signing bonus of $277,500.
Rask will remain with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. Look for him to challenge for a roster spot as soon as next season.
NEWS: The Red Wings have signed goaltender Petr Mrazek to a three-year entry-level contract. He was the club's 141st pick in the 2010 Draft.
Mrazek will continue to play for the Ottawa 67s of the OHL this season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Chris Kunitz to a two-year contract extension, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
Kunitz's contract is affordable and extends a solid scoring winger for a team heavy on centers (when healthy). Look for his usual 20-25 goals and for the veteran to miss a few games due to various injuries.
The Los Angeles Kings have signed forwards Robert Czarnik and Andy Andreoff to three-year entry level contracts, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.
As an OHL player, Czarnik has no immediate fantasy hockey value.
Signing
The Los Angeles Kings have signed forwards Robert Czarnik and Andy Andreoff to three-year entry level contracts, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.
As an AHL player, Czarnik has no immediate fantasy hockey value.
Signing
Troy Bodie has signed a two-way deal with Ducks and is in Syracuse now.
Bodie is likely a fill-in for Brian McGrattan in the AHL and will hold no fantasy hockey value.
Forward Rich Peverley today signed a three-year contract extension with Boston that will last through the end of 2014-15 season.
Peverley is a big part of the top two lines and should see time on the top line as the season progresses. Last season he scored four goals and seven points through 23 games which projects to 15 goals and 25 points -- totals he clearly will surpass this season. With two goals through the first three games, he certainly makes a serviceable fantasy hockey option.
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with F Jonathan Huberdeau.
Huberdeau is certainly a player to watch as soon as next season. He holds no fantasy hockey value while playing in the QMJHL.
The Elmira Jackals have signed former Buffalo Sabres captain and longtime NHL defenseman Craig Rivet to a standard player contract, the team announced on Monday. Rivet is expected to be in the Jackals' lineup on Friday night at First Arena when they host the Trenton Titans in the 2011-2012 season opener.
Certainly no fantasy hockey value in the ECHL. Hopefully the former captain works hard and gets back into the NHL.
Per team press release: The Lightning signed left wing Ondrej Palat to a three-year, entry-level contract today.
Palat scored 39 goals and 96 points last season for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. He figures to add depth to the Lightning's minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals
Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Friday the signing of free agent defenseman Joe Callahan to a one-year, two-way contract (2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Callahan likely will be used as an AHL defender with the potential to move up in the lineup. Last season he posted an assist over 27 games.
Hanzal 5 year extension with #Coyotes
Hanzal scored 10 goals and 26 points last season following back-to-back 30-point seasons. He will start the season on the second line, providing solid two-way play.
The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, the team's first round draft pick (14th overall) in 2011, to a three-year entry-level contract.
Last season the 14th overall pick scored four goals and 13 points in 38 games for Northeastern University. He left college this past offseason to play for the Saginaw Spirit. Expect him to make the big club within a season or two.
Sabres sign forwards Riley Boychuk and Jonathan Parker each to a three-year entry level deal. #Sabres
Parker scored 45 goals and 86 points over 71 games last season with the Prince Albert Raiders. His signing provides depth for their AHL affiliate.
Signing
Sabres sign forwards Riley Boychuk and Jonathan Parker each to a three-year entry level deal. #Sabres
Boychuk scored 18 goals and 35 points last season as a member of the Portland Winterhawks. His signing provides depth for their AHL affiliate.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed forward Paul Bissonnette to a two-year contract extension. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Very smart move by the Coyotes to lock down their biggest attraction. Biz Nasty, unfortunately, won't take you far in your fantasy hockey leagues.
Veteran forward Petr Sykora has had to wait patiently for a contract from the Devils while general manager Lou Lamoriello found a way to open a spot on the roster.
Sykora earned a job following a very strong preseason. Last season, the former 18th overall pick split the year between the Czech league and the KHL. His fantasy hockey value should be determined by how long Travis Zajac stays out of the lineup.
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to terms on a three-year contract with second-round pick Brandon Saad.
Saad figures to start the season on the top line and could very well stay there if he produces. Once projected to go in the top 10, the 43rd overall pick of this year's draft is one of the biggest surprises of the preseason. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
Signing
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced that the team has signed defenseman Matt MacKenzie to a three-year entry level NHL contract.
The team's third round pick in 2010 scored seven goals and 38 points through 73 games in the WHL, split between the Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen.
NHL Free Agents: Best Available Players in 2025
Once the dust settles on the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL offseason officially commences as the latest wave of free agents hit the market as teams and players alike reevaluate their current situation and plot their next steps toward success.
With a plethora of talent up for grabs every summer, Stanley Cup contenders can be formed as well as broken up through free agency. With NHL signings going down at a breakneck pace throughout the opening days of free agency, we’ll keep you in the loop with our 2025 NHL free agency tracker. You can find all of the latest NHL signings of the free agency period as players switch teams, sign extensions, and change the outlook of the league with a single decision.
Whether you’re a diehard fan of your favourite team and are looking to stay up to date with every move made by the front office, or are an avid daily fantasy sports bettor that wants to prep for their wagers, our NHL free agency tracker is the best destination for all your free agent market news.
Types of Free Agent Markets
Each NHL free agent holds their own unique distinction when signing with a team. These distinctions are made based on a number of factors including age, NHL experience, as well as their current contract situation. NHL free agents are divided by restricted and unrestricted free agents, with each classification of player holding varying rights, including how teams are able to offer them contracts, and the results of receiving an offer.
Below, we take a deep dive into each type of NHL free agent so you can get a thorough understanding of each free agent market type, how they are able to sign with teams, and the possible outcomes from each offseason acquisition.
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted NHL free agent (RFA) is a player that is either under the age of 27 or has been in the NHL for less than seven seasons. Teams hold a form of protection over their restricted free agents, providing them with a sort of insurance if their RFA decides to sign with a new team.
While restricted free agents are technically eligible to sign a new contract with different teams, the process can become messy if a team other than their original squad makes them an offer and they accept. Restricted free agents are only able to sign a standard NHL contract with the team that currently owns the players rights, all other squads must submit an offer sheet if they want to lure away a player from their team. If an offer sheet is made to an RFA, the team who holds the players rights will be left with the option to either match the offer made to their player, or allow the player to sign with the team that made the offer sheet, in return receiving draft compensation depending on the value of the contract offered.
Qualifying Offers
In order for a team to retain a player’s rights heading into the free agency period, they must make a qualifying offer to the player. These offers are in the form of a one-year contract, with the amount offered being formulated depending on the value of their previous contract.
For any player who was on a deal worth $660,000 or less, the qualifying offer they receive must be worth 110% the amount of their previous season’s salary. For a player making between $660,000 and $1,000,000, they must be offered 105% their previous seasons salary. Finally, if a player was making more than $1 million in their previous year of duty, their team must offer them 100% of their previous season’s salary.
These offers are not final and players are eligible to receive greater or lesser valued contracts from the team that holds their rights once free agency begins. Players who reject qualifying offers remain restricted free agents.
Non-Qualified RFAs
If a team decides to not submit a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent on their roster, all non-qualified RFAs instantly become free agents and are welcome to sign contracts with any team come July 1st.
Unrestricted Free Agents
The other form of NHL free agent is the unrestricted free agent (UFA). UFAs have the right to sign their next deal with any team without restriction, as long as the offer they sign complies with league salary cap mandates and rules. Unrestricted free agents are truly what can shake up the free agent market, with many of the leagues top stars entering into the offseason as UFAs.
There are multiple forms of unrestricted free agents, each with their own unique classifications, but don’t necessarily affect the potential value of the contracts offered to them in the offseason. Below are two of the most common UFAs.
Group 3 UFAs
Common among NHL veterans, Group 3 comprises players entering free agency that are 27 or older, or have played in the NHL for more than seven accrued seasons. An accrued season is defined as a season in which a player has suited up for action on an NHL roster in at least 40 games (30 for goalies). Any player that fits this criteria will become an unrestricted free agent once their contract expires in the following offseason.
Group 6 UFAs
Another way that players can become an unrestricted free agent is by being 25 years of age or older and to have played three or more professional hockey seasons under an NHL contract (AHL, ECHL, Europe), but played in less than 80 NHL games (28 for goalies) in their career. Often, Group 6 unrestricted free agents are developing players that, for one reason or another, have not had the chance to crack into an NHL lineup, but still possess experience as a high-level player. There is no difference in the rights of Group 3 and Group 6 unrestricted free agents, but typically the latter will receive smaller contracts, both in terms of value as well as in duration.
Undrafted UFAs
The final way that a player may enter into free agency as an unrestricted free agent is by going undrafted in their three years of draft eligibility. If a player is not selected by an NHL franchise through the draft they are still eligible to crack into a final roster as a free agent.
NHL Free Agency FAQs
Who are the top NHL free agents in 2025?
Some of the top NHL free agents available this summer are Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Aaron Ekblad, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Brock Boeser, Brad Marchand and Linus Ullmark.
This offseason will bring a stacked crop of free agents to the market that will shape the landscape of the 2025-26 NHL season. Not only will the final landing spots for each of the top 2025 NHL free agents shake up the framework of the league, but will also have major implications on the upcoming fantasy hockey season. Be sure to stay in the know in regard to the latest free agency updates with our NHL player news.
What time does free agency start?
On July 1st, 2025, at 12 PM EST, the 2025 NHL free agency period officially opens. While some players will have all but signed the dotted line up to this point, nothing can become official until noon on Canada Day.