The 2023-24 NHL season is in the books. The 2024 NHL Draft is in the rearview. Now it’s time for the roster shuffle ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Free agency is set to begin at noon ET Monday, July 1, kicking off the period in which players can start signing with new teams.
There are no shortage of stars available in free agency. Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamokos and Elias Lindholm are among the most prominent names that will be on the open market.
And that’s just the players without contracts. There’s also enticing trade candidates, including Mitch Marner, Patrik Laine and Martin Lecas.
Sporting News will be tracking all the notable free-agent signings and trades during the 2024 NHL offseason. Follow for the latest news and rumors from the offseason.
MORE: Ranking top 20 NHL free agents in 2024
NHL free agency news, updates on signings and trades
Lightning officially sign Jake Guentzel to seven-year deal
The Lightning traded a third-round pick to the Hurricanes for Jake Guentzel’s free-agent rights. That signaled Tampa Bay was serious about signing a long-term extension with the 30-goal scorer from last season. The team agreed to a seven-year deal with Guentzel worth $9 million annually, per Elliotte Friedman.
Guentzel has 219 goals in 503 NHL games and has never had fewer than 16 in a season. The 29-year-old should help reignite Tampa Bay’s offense, which might lose Steven Stamkos during the offseason.
Blackhawks sign Tyler Bertuzzi to four-year deal
Tyler Bertuzzi enjoyed a 21-goal season with the Maple Leafs last season. His performance earned him a four-year deal with the Blackhawks worth $5.5 million annually, per The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
Bertuzzi won’t turn 30 until February and has four 20-goal seasons over his career. He should add a scoring punch to Chicago’s offense, which averaged a league-low 2.17 goals per game.
Patrick Kane signs one-year extension with Red Wings
Kane signed with the Red Wings during the 2023 NHL offseason and enjoyed a strong season, scoring 20 goals with 27 assists in 50 games. He is returning to Detroit on a one-year deal, as the team announced late Sunday.
THE SHOW GOES ON IN HOCKEYTOWN!
The #RedWings have signed Patrick Kane to a one-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/U4mNlHc7Bm
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2024
Sam Reinhart inks eight-year deal to stay with Panthers
The Panthers retained one of the stars from their Stanley Cup run, as Reinhart re-upped in Florida on an eight-year deal worth $8.625 million, per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. Reinhart had 57 goals during the 2023-24 NHL season, including a league-best 27 on the power play. The 28-year-old added 10 postseason goals to his docket en route to the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win.
Max Domi returns to Toronto on four-year deal
Domi is staying put with the Maple Leafs. On Sunday, he posted a video on X indicating he is not leaving Toronto. Later in the day, he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $15 million contract to stay in Toronto, per the NHL.
Last offseason, the 29-year-old forward signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Maple Leafs, landing him with his seventh different NHL franchise in nine years in the league.
Leafs Nation… I have a PSA. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/3puE5Jo5mW
— Max Domi (@maxdomi) June 30, 2024
Oilers waive Jack Campbell before free agency
Veteran goalie Jack Campbell will be hitting the market earlier than expected. The Oilers waived Campbell on Sunday, according to the NHL.
Campbell signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Edmonton in 2022, but now the Oilers will take on dead salary cap space in each of the next six years. In 41 games (39 starts), Campbell posted a 22-13 record with a 3.53 GAA and .886 save percentage with the Oilers.
Jake Guentzel rights traded to Lightning
Guentzel can be a free agent Monday, but the Lightning are already making a play to show how interested they are in the former Hurricanes center. The Lightning traded a 2025 third-round pick to Carolina on Sunday in exchange for the star’s rights, according to the NHL.
By paying a premium to acquire Guentzel, the Lightning will be able to negotiate with the eight-year NHL veteran on a new contract before free agency officially opens.