NHL free agency tracker 2023: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades

By | July 1, 2023
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And just like that, we’ve reached the end of the NHL offseason. 

At the end of a whirlwind week — which included the NHL Awards, the schedule release and the NHL Draft — is the start of free agency as the calendar flips to July. It’s an underwhelming class in 2023, but that shouldn’t stop players from flying off the board. 

MORE: Ryan O’Reilly, Patrick Kane lead top 30 UFAs available this summer

The real story is cap space, or lack thereof. On June 28, clubs finally received clarity about it. The NHL announced the cap would rise to $83.5 million — a $1 million increase — for the 2023 -24 season as COVID-19-related debts continued to be paid off. 

Cap-strapped teams are scrambling to retain their own players, which leaves little available for additions. Meanwhile, there should be plenty of trades as the league’s 32 teams try to position themselves for a playoff run in 2023-24 or the top selection in next year’s draft. 

MORE: Seven bold free agency predictions for the 2023 NHL offseason

The Sporting News will be tracking all of the notable free agent signings and trades during the 2023 NHL offseason. Follow below for the latest rumors and news.

NHL free agency news, updates on signings and trades

(All times Eastern)

July 1

11:35 a.m. — Oilers are reportedly adding a veteran to their bottom-six, signing Matt Nieto. 

11:29 a.m. — Panthers reportedly signing goaltender Anthony Stolarz. It gives them a veteran backup if Spencer Knight is still not ready to return from the player assistance program. 

11:20 a.m. — Alexis Lafreniere, one of the Rangers’ RFAs, is expected to stay in New York. There was speculation he could be moved this offseason, but the Rangers are electing to keep the No. 1 pick in 2020. 

10:58 a.m. — It appears Nathan Bastian will stay in New Jersey. After he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Devils, the two sides reportedly worked out a new deal. 

10:56 a.m. — The Panthers reportedly land their mobile defenseman they have been looking for, signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a one-year deal. The Swedish blue liner was bought out by the Canucks, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

10:40 a.m. — According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Kings are signing Cam Talbot to a one-year deal. It had been earlier reported that Los Angeles was looking for a cheaper option to pair in net with Pheonix Copley. 

10 a.m. — There’s been rumblings all week, and a Milan Lucic return to Boston looks imminent. The power forward began his career with the Bruins, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011. 

9 a.m. — After not tendering Klim Kostin a qualifying offer yesterday, the Red Wings and the Russian winger agreed on a new two-year deal worth $4 million. 

8:50 a.m. — It appears two of Toronto’s UFA are going to the open market. The LEafs looked at re-signing both Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn, but it does not appear either will stay in the Six. 

1:50 a.m. — New Leafs GM Brad Treliving appears to have Ryan Reaves on his radar. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period believes the enforcer will be joining Toronto this weekend. Reaves, 36, tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) to go with 43 penalty minutes in 73 games between the Rangers and Wild last season.

June 30

9:40 p.m. — Adin Hill is staying with the champs. The Golden Knights re-signed the goaltender to a two-year contract at a $4.9 million AAV. Hill, 27, was 11-4 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in the postseason. After supplanting Laurent Brossoit in the crease, Hill played in all five games of the team’s Stanley Cup Final triumph over the Panthers.

2:55 p.m. — ESPN’s Kevin Weekes is reporting that Jonathan Quick could be a backup goalie option for the Rangers. The longtime Kings netminder was in the crease in 2014 when his team defeated the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final. Quick is from Connecticut and grew up a Rangers fan. Given their cap situation, adding Quick as the No. 2 goalie behind Igor Shesterkin makes plenty of sense. 

2:01 p.m. — The Oilers have re-signed depth forward Mattias Janmark to a one-year deal worth $1 million. The 30-year-old scored 10 goals and recorded 25 points in 66 games last season. 

1:15 p.m. — Blake Wheeler hasn’t been away from the Jets long, but apparently he prefers to see out an opportunity on the NFL Jets’ side of the U.S. According to his agent, Matt Keator, Wheeler would like an opportunity to play for a team in the Eastern Conference. 

11:51 p.m. — Jesper Fast is staying in Carolina. He will remain with the Hurricanes on a contract that pays in the $2.4 million AAV range over two years, according to Chris Johnston. Fast has been a valuable piece for Rod Brind’Amour’s team. 

Best NHL free agents available

Here’s a look at the top 30 free agents available as ranked by SN’s Bryan Murphy. 

2023 NHL Free Agents Ranked
Rank Player Position Age
1.  Ryan O’Reilly C 32
2.  Matt Duchene C 32
3.  Tyler Bertuzzi LW 28
4.  Dmitry Orlov D 31
5.  Vladimir Tarasenko RW 31
6.  Patrick Kane RW 34
7.  Max Pacioretty LW 34
8.  Patrice Bergeron C 37
9.  Frederik Andersen G 33
10.  Alex Killorn LW 33
11.  Tristan Jarry G 27
12.  Matt Dumba D 28
13.  Max Domi LW 28
14.  David Krejci C 36
15.  Michael Bunting LW 27
16.  Ivan Barbashev (re-signed with VGK) C 27
17.  Jason Zucker LW 31
18.  Shayne Gostisbehere D 29
19.  Damon Severson (trade to CBJ, signed extension) D 28
20.  Semyon Varlamov G 34
21.  John Klingberg D 30
22.  Martin Jones G 33
23.  Brian Dumoulin D 31
24. Adin Hill (re-signed with VGK) G 27
25.  Alexander Kerfoot C 28
26.  J.T. Compher C 28
27.  Tomas Tatar LW 32
28.  Jordan Staal (re-signed with CAR) C 34
29.  Gustav Nyquist RW 33
30.  Ryan Graves D 27

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