Free agency is just around the corner and general managers have their wallets at the ready. A handful of top players headline this summer's crop, but cap concerns from past deals could keep at least three teams out of the bidding:Chicago BlackhawksThe Blackhawks needing to shed salary has become an annual event. It's the price you pay when you rack up three Stanley Cups in six years, and then fork out big-money deals to keep the band together.But not only have rich contracts hurt the Blackhawks, so too have deals where cheap, young talent was exported to give Chicago some necessary cap relief.Like last June, when Teuvo Teravainen, then 21, was shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes so the Blackhawks could do away with Bryan Bickell. Or two years ago, when Chicago couldn't afford to keep Brandon Saad and sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.Interestingly enough, the Blackhawks re-acquired Saad last week, sending Artemi Panarin to the Blue Jackets. The two wingers have the same cap hit, but with Saad signed through 2021, the Blackhawks avoid the future financial challenges that would have come with extending Panarin, whose contract expires in two seasons.This summer, Chicago is the lone team exceeding the $75-million salary cap, as the Blackhawks sit nearly $3 million above the cap ceiling. They'll have the offseason to become compliant, but it won't be easy.Winger Marian Hossa, who will sit out next season due to a progressive skin disorder, can be placed on long-term injured reserve, relieving the team of his $5.275-million cap charge. But Chicago must first be under the cap before that move can occur.That means someone else is on the outs, with the long-rumored candidate being center Marcus Kruger, whose cap hit is about $3.1 million. Removing his contract without money coming back would ease things for Chicago, but doing so would likely take another high draft pick or quality young player from an already depleted prospect cupboard.While Chicago's lack of cap flexibility should keep the team from making much noise this offseason, the Blackhawks already have a full roster signed through next season, with no notable free agents in need of new contracts.Minnesota WildThe Wild have long been rumored to be shopping a piece from their impressive defensive collection, a seemingly necessary deal to right the team's salary cap structure.While Minnesota won't trade top rearguard Ryan Suter, nor his defensive partner Jared Spurgeon, the team has drawn plenty of interest in Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Matt Dumba.Dealing from the team's position of strength should also help the Wild bulk up elsewhere, with GM Chuck Fletcher interested in adding another center to his lineup.As for the forward ranks, the Wild have just eight skaters under contract, meaning the team must sign at least four players before the season starts. That includes Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter, both restricted free agents who will command top dollar on new deals.Granlund had a breakout season last year, posting a career-high 69 points to lead the Wild in scoring. He'll want to be paid accordingly. Same with Niederreiter, who achieved career bests in goals, assists, and points last season to finish fourth in team scoring behind Granlund, Eric Staal, and captain Mikko Koivu.Both Granlund and Niederreiter are due significant raises, and combined could cost the Wild more than $10 million. That would leave Minnesota with little cash to spruce up the rest of the roster, with two more forwards and another blue-liner or two on the shopping list.Limited cap funds will also take the Wild out of the sweepstakes for center Martin Hanzal, who was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes at last year's trade deadline. That deal cost the Wild a combination of draft picks, including a first-rounder at last week's entry draft.Minnesota is not expected to bring back netminder Darcy Kuemper, a pending unrestricted free agent, leaving the Wild to explore free agency for a backup to compete alongside Alex Stalock for the No. 2 position.Washington CapitalsT.J. Oshie can remain a key contributor in the coming seasons, but there is no denying his recently signed eight-year extension does no favors for the club in the long-term.Oshie's signing brought the Capitals to more than $57 million against the salary cap, meaning Washington now has less than $18 million to fill out the remainder of its roster, with five forwards, three defensemen, and a backup netminder left to sign. No doubt it will be a busy offseason for GM Brian MacLellan.Oshie was just the first big contract signing for the Capitals this summer, particularly up front, where Justin Williams and restricted free agents Andre Burakovsky and Evgeny Kuznetsov are in need of new deals.It's fair to assume Kuznetsov, who hasn't missed a game over the past two seasons and has averaged 0.83 points per game over that time, will see a big-ticket deal of his own, likely coming in around $6 million annually. Meanwhile, Burakovsky should cost about half of that figure, leaving little wiggle room for Washington to retain Williams. The veteran forward boasts an attractive playoff resume that is sure to draw several interested suitors in free agency.The Capitals' defense doesn't offer a much clearer picture either. Power-play specialist Kevin Shattenkirk, who the Capitals brought in from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline, is considered the top free agent available, but he isn't likely to stay in Washington.Fellow defenseman Karl Alzner is also receiving plenty of calls in the lead-up to free agency. The veteran defender has drawn interest from a host of teams, including the Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets, so there is no guarantee he'll return for another term in D.C.Losing both, in addition to Nate Schmidt, who the Vegas Golden Knights claimed in the expansion draft, decimates a Capitals blue line that has just four defensemen under contract next season. Cap concerns could force Washington to seek out more affordable options via free agency, or to promote from within. Candidates like Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey played key roles for Hershey in the AHL last season and could see a move up to the big club.Defenseman Dmitry Orlov, also a restricted free agent, is another top priority for the Capitals. But getting the Russian-born blue-liner to agree to a new deal could come with further challenges, as he could draw interest from the KHL. Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer is also due a new contract.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)(Salary information courtesy: Cap Friendly)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Williams, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, is set to enter free agency after two failed attempts at pushing the Washington Capitals over their playoff hurdle and delivering the franchise its first cup victory. The Capitals won consecutive Presidents' Trophies as the regular season's best team, but they were booted from the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round in each of Williams' two seasons.According to The Washington Post's Gene Wang, Williams wants to make sure his Stanley Cup dry spell ends at three years. Williams' last cup victory came with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, his second in three years at the time."I feel like I've got a lot of game left. I've got a lot of will to win left in me, and I'm still productive. I want to go to a team that has a chance to win," said Williams, according to Wang.TSN's Darren Dreger reports Williams may have his desire met, saying the 36-year-old free-agent-to-be is a target for at least 10 teams, including several top-level clubs.Williams scored 46 goals and posted 100 points over 162 regular season games in his two years with the Capitals, adding a total of 16 points in 25 playoff contests. With forward T.J. Oshie re-signing with the club on an eight-year, $46-million contract, Williams is likely on his way out of Washington, along with defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After two successful seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nick Bonino may be moving on.The two-way center will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and is reportedly drawing serious interest from at least 10 teams, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.The Blue Jackets are among those teams, adds Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch.Bonino is coming off a three-year deal that carried a salary cap hit of $1.9 million. He was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in a 2015 trade that saw Brandon Sutter go the other way, and went on to win a pair of Stanley Cups with the Penguins.Bonino recorded seven points in 21 postseason games this year, and was forced to the sidelines during the Cup Final due to a broken tibia.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames have requested that a judge dismiss a lawsuit filed against the organization and defenseman Dennis Wideman, reports TSN's Rick Westhead.The suit was filed in April by NHL referee Don Henderson in response to an on-ice incident that occurred in January 2016 when Wideman hit Henderson from behind:Wideman was suspended 20 games following the incident, but his time away was later reduced to a 10-game ban following an appeal. Wideman had served 19 games of the suspension when the appeal ruling was announced, and he was later compensated for the extra nine games of lost time.Henderson missed the remainder of the season with a concussion and has not officiated a game since. He claims a host of injuries as a result of the incident, including to his neck, shoulders, and back, in addition to headaches, shock, anxiety, and depression.According to Westhead, the Flames have stated that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman believes the dispute should be resolved in arbitration, as on-ice incidents fall under the terms of the NHL constitution.Henderson's suit against Wideman and the Flames is for more than $10 million. The government of Alberta is also named as a plaintiff, and the suit asks the Flames and Wideman to cover Henderson's medical expenses.Wideman, 34, is an unrestricted free agent this summer.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's apparently a market for Chris Neil's services.The longtime Ottawa Senators pugilist has "good options and offers" to play next season and still intends to do so, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.Neil and the Senators parted ways a couple of weeks ago.The 38-year-old pending unrestricted free agent wasn't much of a factor this season, posting four points and racking up 63 penalty minutes in 53 regular-season games.He appeared in only two playoff contests, playing less than five minutes combined.Nearly three weeks before his Ottawa tenure unofficially came to an end, Neil said he wanted to play in 2017-2018.He spent the first 15 seasons of his NHL career with the Senators, who made him a sixth-round pick in 1998.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Police say the fatal fall of an electrician at the Little Caesars Arena worksite in Detroit is being investigated as a possible suicide.Detroit police spokesman Michael Woody says an investigation including witness statements points toward a suicide.The man was not immediately identified.Chief Executive Officer Ryan Maibach of arena general contractor Barton Malow Co. said in a statement the company has reached a preliminary conclusion that the fall was not a construction-related accident.The 46-year-old man fell about 75 feet (23 meters) before 8 a.m. Wednesday and was pronounced dead at a Detroit hospital.The arena north of downtown Detroit will be home to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and the NBA's Pistons. It is scheduled to open this fall.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Weal's list of suitors reportedly includes a trio of major Canadian markets.The pending unrestricted free-agent forward met with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens this week, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Weal spent Wednesday with his hometown Vancouver Canucks, in a meeting that Dreger reported Monday.The 25-year-old has less than half of a full NHL season under his belt over parts of three campaigns, but he led the Philadelphia Flyers in several categories on a per-60-minute basis in 2016-17.Related: Why are so many teams chasing a FA with 37 games of NHL experience?Weal's camp reportedly fielded over a dozen calls before his tour began this week.He's likely in line for a raise considering he carried a cap hit of only $650,000 this past season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trade talks involving Dion Phaneuf are apparently a thing of the past, as the Ottawa Senators now plan to keep the veteran defender in the fold, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.Phaneuf's name has been popular in the rumor mill in recent weeks, beginning prior to the expansion draft when the Senators approached him about waiving his no-movement clause.But when Phaneuf rebuffed the request - not willing to run the risk of getting claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights - the Senators then explored moving him elsewhere, as his contract permits a trade to 12 teams of his choosing.Dealing Phaneuf would have also allowed the Senators to protect fellow blue-liner Marc Methot from Vegas. But, unable to deal Phaneuf in the days that followed, the Senators were forced to expose Methot, who was claimed by the Golden Knights and later flipped to the Dallas Stars.Despite the loss of Methot, the Senators continued trade discussions involving Phaneuf at the entry draft, but when the event wrapped Saturday, Phaneuf was still a member of the Senators. And it now appears he'll be sticking around in Ottawa, at least according to Dreger.Phaneuf appeared in 81 games with the Senators last season, registering nine goals and 21 assists.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add the Winnipeg Jets to the list of teams reportedly pursuing Karl Alzner.The Central Division club and the Montreal Canadiens are both showing strong interest in the pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Alzner was planning to meet with several teams - including the Canadiens - this week, as TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Monday, and a source told the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc that the Blackhawks reached out to the blue-liner as well.He's spent his entire nine-year career with the Washington Capitals, and hasn't missed a single regular-season game in the last seven campaigns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed restricted free-agent forward Sven Andrighetto to a two-year deal, the team announced Wednesday.The contract is reportedly worth $2.8 million, according to Mike Chambers of The Denver Post, meaning Andrighetto will carry a $1.4-million cap hit.Andrighetto was acquired by the Avs from the Montreal Canadiens at the 2017 NHL trade deadline in exchange for Andreas Martinsen.The Swiss forward was buried on Montreal's depth chart, but excelled when given a chance to shine in Colorado. Playing 17:30 per night, Andrighetto recorded five goals and 16 points in 19 games for the Avalanche.Barring any major offseason acquisitions, the diminutive 24-year-old forward should be expected to compete for a top-six role with the club in the 2017-18 season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres property Cal Petersen has decided to take his talents to Los Angeles.The University of Notre Dame netminder - who was drafted by the Sabres in the fifth round back in 2013 - will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has committed to signing with the Los Angeles Kings, TSN's Bob McKenzie confirmed, citing a report by LAKingsInsider.com's Jon Rosen.Petersen is coming off a stellar season that saw him go 23-12-5 in 40 games while posting a .926 save percentage and a 2.23 GAA. The impressive season saw Petersen nominated for the Mike Richter Award - given to the top goalie in NCAA Division I.Back in May, Petersen announced that he would not be returning to college, electing instead to turn pro.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Perron was an unfortunate loss to the St. Louis Blues in the expansion draft, but the team isn't about to waste money finding his replacement.General manager Doug Armstrong spoke at the team's development camp on Wednesday where he insisted the team will look internally to replace the offense produced by Perron, according to NHL.com's Lou Korac.Perron posted 18 goals and 46 points in 82 games this past season, finishing fourth and fifth on the Blues in those respective categories.One player who should be able to take on a bigger role with Perron out of the picture is Vladimir Sobotka. The 29-year-old joined the club late in the season after playing for Omsk Avanagard of the KHL.Sobotka scored in his lone regular-season game with the Blues and added another six points in 11 games during the postseason.Of course, having Robby Fabbri healthy for a full season - as well as the recent addition of Brayden Schenn - should also give the club an offensive boost.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everyone knows the Colorado Avalanche are in need of some quality defensemen, but it doesn't appear they will be going after the Kevin Shattenkirks and Karl Alzners of the world.The Avs will not be "in on the big players" when free agency begins on July 1, a team spokesman told Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.Given the steep price pending free-agent defensemen are already going for, this might be a smart move for Colorado. Middling blue-liners such as Brendan Smith and Kris Russell have required $4 million per season or more.Neither of these players would catapult the Avs into playoff territory, so they're better off saving their money for a rainy day.General manager Joe Sakic's top priority this offseason is likely finding a trade partner for dynamic forward Matt Duchene. So it's possible Sakic could make some headlines on July 1, but it won't be because of a big-name free-agent signing.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild have expressed interest in pending unrestricted free agent Matt Hendricks, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.The 36-year-old is coming off his fourth year with the Edmonton Oilers, but was limited to just 42 games this season, where he posted just four goals and seven points.Hendricks certainly isn't among the bigger names on the free-agent market, but following the entry draft last weekend general manager Chuck Fletcher noted that the team was looking to upgrade its fourth line and in the backup goalie positions.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's no secret that the Winnipeg Jets are in need of an upgrade between the pipes, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the club has reached out to pending unrestricted free-agent Steve Mason, according to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun.Mason is set to become a UFA after spending the last five seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. That being said, Mason is coming off his worst year statistically since the 2011-12 campaign when he went 16-26-3 with a .894 save percentage and a 3.39 GAA with the Columbus Blue Jackets.In 58 games this season Mason went 26-21-8 while amassing a .908 save percentage and a 2.66 GAA.Four goalies shared time between the crease this past season for the Jets and none posted a better GAA or save percentage than Connor Hellebuyck's 2.89 and .907 marks.While Mason is expected to test the market, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall has not completely ruled out bringing back Mason for another stint.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the top backup goaltenders expected to be available in free agency this summer is now off the market, as the Ottawa Senators announced they have signed Mike Condon to a three-year contract worth $7.2 million.The contract will pay $1.7 million in year one, $2.5 million in year two, and $3 million in year three.The 27-year-old Condon is coming off a career season in which he made 38 starts and appeared in 40 games for the Senators, after appearing in just one game for the Pittsburgh Penguins from whom he was acquired on Nov. 2 in exchange for a fifth-round pick (Jan Drozg) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.Condon set several Senators' franchise records during the 2016-17 regular season while filling in for goalie Craig Anderson during his several personal leaves. Condon played in a franchise-best 27 consecutive games from Dec. 1 through Feb. 4, became the fastest goalie in team history to record five shutouts - doing so in just 32 games - and along with Anderson, became the franchise's first goaltending tandem to each record at least five shutouts in a single season.Condon was named the Molson Cup Award winner as the team's top player for both December and January. He finished the regular season with a 19-14-6 record, a .914 save percentage, and a 2.50 GAA with five shutouts. He appeared in relief of Anderson in two postseason games, stopping 28 of 32 shots faced.The Montreal Canadiens signed Condon to a two-year contract as an undrafted free agent in May of 2013, after he completed his final season with the NCAA's Princeton Tigers. Condon got his first true shot in the NHL as an injury replacement for Carey Price during the 2015-16 season, making 51 starts and appearing in 55 games. He posted a 21-25-6 record with a .903 SV% and a 2.71 GAA.Condon will serve at least one more season as the Senators' backup goaltender, as Anderson is a free agent after the 2017-18 season for which he carries a $4.2-million cap hit.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers and defenseman Brendan Smith are close to finalizing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.35 million, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.Smith, 28, had spent his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings until he was traded to the Rangers prior to the 2017 NHL trade deadline. In total, he played 51 games with nine points, a 49.7 Corsi For percentage while logging a career-high 19:15 minutes per game.His reported contract is very similar to Kris Russell's four-year, $16-million deal he signed with the Oilers last week.These two contracts will certainly lead to a large payday for some of the higher-regarded free-agent defensemen on the market, such as Kevin Shattenkirk, Karl Alzner, and Michael Stone.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Patrik Berglund underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a dislocated left shoulder and is expected to be sidelined until December, the team announced.He sustained the injury during his offseason training program in Sweden.Berglund recorded a career-high 23 goals last season, and was likely expected to retain his role as the team's second-line center behind Paul Stastny heading into 2017-18.Luckily for the Blues, they acquired 25-year-old Brayden Schenn at the NHL draft on Friday night. Schenn has been used as both a center and winger throughout his career, but will likely be asked to shift to the middle of the ice with the loss of Berglund to begin the season.The Blues have other internal options, as well. Robby Fabbri, 21, is a natural center, but like most young players, has started his career on the wing. Veteran Alexander Steen, 33, has spent some time playing center throughout his career and could temporarily fill in. However, Schenn, who is entering the prime of his career, seems like the most suitable candidate.There's also the chance the Blues address the center position in free agency, but the pickings are slim. Joe Thornton, Sam Gagner, Martin Hanzal, and Nick Bonino are the top centers available, and it significantly drops off afterwards. Plus, the Blues only have $11.6 million in cap space, according to Cap Friendly.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While everyone is fixated on where big names in this year's free-agent class like Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander Radulov will end up, the free-agency winners are usually the teams that sign the top bargains.Jonathan Marchessault, Michael Grabner, and Radim Vrbata are three examples of players who signed for pennies last offseason and ended up being valuable assets to their respective teams.The following four players likely won't cost much this offseason, but all four have a chance to be this class' biggest steal:Patrick Sharp, forwardSharp will turn 36 years old in December and is coming off his worst season in a decade. He'll likely receive a one-year "prove it" contract for around $2 million.If he lands on a team with good centers and spots open on the wings (the Oilers come to mind), he could easily return to his 20-25-goal, 50-60-point form. His 2016-17 season was hampered by injuries, and the Stars' offensive catalysts, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, had down years.Furthermore, Sharp had some bad luck last season. His 5.5 shooting percentage was nearly half of his career rate of 10.8, and his team's shooting percentage at five-on-five while he was on the ice was also just 5.5, compared to his career mark of 9.1. He could be in line for a bounce-back season if the right team comes calling.Jordan Weal, forwardWeal is being courted by a lot of teams for someone with just 37 games of NHL experience - an anomaly theScore broke down Tuesday. However, just because there's plenty of interest, it doesn't mean he'll be expensive.Considering his lack of experience, it's hard to imagine Weal getting more than $3 million per season, and the 25-year-old could wind up outperforming his contract.He scored eight goals and added four assists in 23 games with the Flyers last season, and his advanced stats were off the charts. He had an offensive zone start percentage of 61.1, a Corsi For percentage of 55.9, and 14 takeaways compared to just six giveaways.Weal will likely go to a team offering him a top-six role, giving him 30-goal potential.Michael Del Zotto, defensemanDel Zotto is a former first-round pick, but he's had an up-and-down career. His first year in Philadelphia was impressive, but in the past two seasons he's been surpassed by younger defensemen (Shayne Gostisbehere, Ivan Provorov) in the pecking order.There has, however, been one constant for Del Zotto: Whenever he's playing for a new contract, he flourishes. Have a look:StatContract expiringUnder contractGP259225P/PG0.4130.364S/PG1.591.41+/-+1-27Even though he's just 27, it's hard to imagine him getting more than a one-year deal given how he's played the past two seasons. He clearly needs that motivation to succeed.If he's signed by a team that can give him top-four minutes with power-play time, he could easily rack up 40 points. The Penguins could use a puck-mover on the back end, and could be a potential destination.Anders Nilsson, goaltenderNilsson has been exclusively a backup in his career, but it might be time for the Swedish netminder to earn a role in a platoon.The 6-foot-6 goaltender posted a .923 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average last season while playing for the Sabres, who were one of the worst defensive teams in hockey.If the 27-year-old gets signed by a team with question marks in the crease, such as Philadelphia, Winnipeg, Vancouver, or Arizona, he could very well become a reliable starter.(Advanced stats courtesy: Hockey Reference)

The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid appear to be in the midst of hammering out a deal that will keep the superstar with the club for the foreseeable future.McDavid's agent Jeff Jackson says both camps continue to iron out the parameters of a deal and that for the time being an extension is "not done yet," according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted on Wednesday morning that he had heard McDavid's pending contract extension could be an eight-year deal in the ball park of $13.25 million per season, similar to the figure floated by TSN's Ryan Rishaug on Tuesday.As for the details of the contract, LeBrun suggests one key that could be under discussion is what to do in the event of a potential lockout during the 2020-21 season when the NHL and NHLPA can both elect to terminate the final two years of the 10-year deal.

Corey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender who spent parts of seven seasons with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Dallas Stars.Every year at midnight on July 1, the NHL's free-agent frenzy begins - and it's a very different experience depending on how sought-after a player is.The most popular players sit on their royal thrones as agents feed them grapes and let the offers roll in. Teams trip over themselves, courting and overspending, trying to sign that special player they believe will put their team over the top and bring them the Stanley Cup.Well, that's not it exactly, but for some players it's that easy - and rightfully so. Those players have worked hard, and earned that right.For the other 95 percent of free-agent players, it's nothing even remotely like that. On July 1, most will have already received a phone call or a couriered letter from their team that informs them their services are no longer needed.Mike McKenna, a 12-year veteran depth goaltender, is one of those players. He's coming off a great season in which he took Syracuse to the AHL finals, losing to Grand Rapids in six games. He will become a free agent on Saturday."July 1 is incredibly nerve-racking; depth goalies are almost always on one-year deals, and the pressure to perform is constant," McKenna says. "Even when you know you've had a good season, there are only so many jobs available and every year someone really good ends up without a seat."Free agency always offered a special twist for me; my birthday falls on July 1. The hardest one without a doubt was 1997 - the year I found out the Canucks had signed Arturs Irbe and realizing I was on my way out.Let the birthday celebration commence.What's fascinating to me is how the decision of a free-agent player at the top can completely affect the direction of someone else's life.The year I thought I was going to make the New York Rangers, they signed Glenn Healy as a free agent. I was crushed, but went on to play in the Olympics. It was the best hockey experience of my life. If Healy doesn't sign with the Rangers, I never play in the Olympics.So when Joe Thornton signs with a team, the domino effect will begin.Thornton will take the first-line center spot, and bump everyone a seat back. The kid in the minors that was hoping to crack the fourth line will find himself in the minors again. The free-agent journeyman, hoping to take that player's place in the minors, will now be looking in a new direction.The same thing will happen to the goaltending pecking order when Ryan Miller signs. That team's third-string goalie will be back in the minors, and the Mike McKennas of the world will have to go somewhere else.I can't pinpoint that moment when a player goes from prospect to suspect, but free agency isn't always a million-dollar windfall. For most, it's nervously waiting for a chance to stay alive in hockey - and when one door closes, you can only hope that another one opens.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the end it was opportunity that steered Spencer Foo toward signing with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.The highly-touted NCAA prospect out of Union College was courted by several teams before picking the Flames due in large part to the perceived hole on the team's right side."A couple different reasons. One was opportunity," Foo said, according to Wes Gilberton of Postmedia. "The Flames have a really good opportunity on the right side and have a lot of exciting players down the middle and on the left wing to play with. So I figured that pretty much whoever I'm playing with on the Flames, they're going to be great linemates, and that's exciting."It certainly makes sense.On Monday the team announced it was not sending Alex Chiasson a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent and freeing up a spot on the right side. That leaves three other right wingers currently plugged into spots: Troy Brouwer, Michael Frolik, and Curtis Lazar, meaning Foo should indeed get a strong chance to make the club this season.It was believed that Foo's decision ultimately came down to the Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, and possibly the Vegas Golden Knights, according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal."The other thing is that the Flames are right on the cusp of winning," Foo said. "That's what they believe, that's what I believe, and that was a big reason in making the decision. Obviously, I want to win, and it seems like it's going to be pretty exciting times for Calgary over the next few years."Following the announcement of the signing, Foo received a welcomed shout-out from new teammate Johnny Gaudreau, which the 23-year-old was ecstatic about.

The Chicago Blackhawks and pending unrestricted free agent Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic.Gagner, 27, joined the Columbus Blue Jackets last offseason on a one-year deal and produced a career season, bagging 18 goals and 32 assists while earning just $650,000.The Blackhawks have already made numerous changes since a first-round sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators in April. Chicago sent dynamic winger Artemi Panarin to Columbus for Brandon Saad, and also dealt reliable defender Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona. Not to mention, future Hall of Famer Marian Hossa has been ruled out for the entire 2017-18 season due to a skin condition.As always, salary cap restrictions will be the biggest hurdle. Despite recent moves, Chicago is still a projected $2.9 million over the limit, per CapFriendly.However, should a deal come to fruition, Gagner could fit nicely with the Blackhawks at a reasonable price. He'd help the club's weak depth down the middle and could feasibly replace a chunk of Panarin's production on the power play.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Spencer Foo is off to Calgary.The Union College forward has agreed to sign with the Flames, the team announced Tuesday. The deal will become official once free agency opens July 1.Foo joins the Flames as an undrafted free agent. The highly touted 23-year-old spent the past four seasons with Union, and wrapped up the 2016-17 campaign with 26 goals and 36 assists in 38 games.The move to Calgary is somewhat of homecoming for Foo, who hails from the same province in nearby Edmonton.Foo's brother, Parker, was selected 144th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in last week's entry draft.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have their eyes on a former NHL superstar, having spoken with Ilya Kovalchuk's agent, Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson told Sportsnet's John Shannon on Tuesday.Kovalchuk, 34, has spent the past four years in the KHL, notching 78 points in 68 games last season with St. Petersburg SKA.The Russian sniper has expressed interest in returning to North America, but his path forward isn't so simple. Kovalchuk left the NHL in 2013, but in doing so walked away from a contract with the New Jersey Devils that was not set to expire until 2025.While that agreement was eventually terminated, the NHL has since ruled that the Devils hold Kovalchuk's rights until he turns 35.So, if Kovalchuk is to make an NHL comeback, he would need to sign with New Jersey first, who would ostensibly proceed to trade him elsewhere. Earlier this month, Devils general manager Ray Shero appeared open to facilitating the superstar's return.Kovalchuk has played 816 games in the NHL with the Devils and Atlanta Thrashers, registering 417 goals and 399 assists.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Patrick Marleau chooses to play for a new team for the first time in his career this summer, he'll reportedly have plenty of options.The San Jose Sharks winger - who's spent the entirety of his 19 NHL seasons with the club since being drafted second overall in 1997 - will be an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, and several teams are interested in his services, according to The Athletic's Craig Custance.Custance listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and Los Angeles Kings as teams in the mix for the 37-year-old.Marleau's longtime teammate Joe Thornton is also a pending UFA, and while both franchise icons expressed their desire to remain in San Jose after their first-round elimination by the Edmonton Oilers, both are drawing increased attention in the free-agent market.Marleau will be 38 by the time the 2017-18 campaign begins, but can surely provide scoring depth wherever he ends up. In 82 games last season, he recorded 27 goals and 19 assists, and highlighted his campaign by reaching the 500-goal plateau in February.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time since the 2009 offseason, the Arizona Coyotes have a head coaching vacancy, and it appears Todd Nelson will be the first one to get a crack at the job.The Coyotes received permission from the Red Wings to interview Nelson, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.Nelson is fresh off a Calder Cup victory with Detroit's AHL team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.Related: 5 candidates to become next Coyotes coachPrior to coaching the Griffins, Nelson was the bench boss of the Edmonton Oilers, compiling a record of 17-25-9 after taking over for Dallas Eakins 32 games into the 2014-15 season.This was, of course, the pre-Connor McDavid Oilers, who didn't really have a chance to go anywhere, even if Scotty Bowman was behind the bench.Nelson, a former defenseman, spent most of his playing days in the minors, totaling three NHL games played.The sudden head coaching vacancy comes in the wake of the organization's decision to mutually agree to part ways with longtime head coach Dave Tippett.The Coyotes and associate coach Jim Playfair have also mutually agreed to part ways, according to Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic, opening the door for the next head coach of the team to assemble his own staff.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Thornton must be a fan of the sunshine.The San Jose Sharks forward is a pending unrestricted free agent and has had some talks with a fellow California-based club, the Los Angeles Kings, according to LAKingsInsider.com's Jon Rosen.

This season's free-agent class is conspicuously weak.Kevin Shattenkirk tops the list, while Washington Capitals teammate Karl Alzner is reportedly getting a lot of sniffs from potential suitors. But after that, the most sought-after name might be Philadelphia Flyers forward Jordan Weal, who's reportedly fielded over a dozen calls.The Canucks are apparently among those interested in the North Vancouver native, and he's expected to visit this week.At first glance the hoopla surrounding Weal, 25, is a head-scratcher, considering he has a measly 37 games of NHL experience under his belt.So why all the interest?A third-round selection in 2010 by the Los Angeles Kings, Weal didn't get his first taste of NHL action until the 2015-16 campaign.Weal landed with the Flyers in January 2016 as part of the Vincent Lecavalier trade, but he mostly watched as a healthy scratch as Philadelphia didn't want to risk putting him through waivers.Weal played the majority of the 2016-17 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he posted an impressive 15 goals and 47 points in 43 games, serving as the only player on the team to average more than a point per game. He got a call-up in February, recording 12 points in 23 games with the big club.His best statistical AHL season came in 2013-14, when he recorded 70 points for the Manchester Monarchs. The following year, he put up 69 points in the regular season and 22 in the playoffs en route to a Calder Cup title. Weal was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.

Pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Andrei Markov is looking to play until he's at least 40 years of age.The 38-year-old is looking for a two-year contract that will pay him $6 million per season, a source told Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.If a team were to meet Markov's demands, he would actually be receiving a raise. His last contract, a three-year deal, had him making $5.75 million per season.It's unclear whether a team would be willing to give a player his age a multi-year deal, but Markov can still play. In 62 games last season he tallied 36 points, a plus-18 rating, only 16 PIMs, a Corsi For percentage of 54, all while averaging 21:50 minutes of ice time per night.In fact, his 0.58 points per game from last season is identical to his career mark, signaling the Russian blue-liner still has plenty of gas left in the tank.Markov has spent his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, and is just 10 regular-season games shy of 1,000.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg must have been the happiest man on the planet when former Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot was traded from Vegas to Dallas.Methot's claim to fame to this point in his career has come from two things: being the guy who got his finger chopped off by Sidney Crosby, and being Erik Karlsson's longtime defensive partner.The latter is the reason why Klingberg should have jumped out of his seat upon hearing the news Methot was heading to Texas.Methot was the ideal defense partner for Karlsson. He is big, strong, physical, positionally sound, great at winning puck battles down low, is a left-handed shot (Karlsson shoots right), and has little offensive ability.Though Karlsson is obviously in a league of his own, he and Klingberg are very much alike. Both are from Sweden, love to skate the puck out of the defensive zone, love joining the rush, can make a great first pass, are all-around dynamic offensively, and both shoot right - essentially the complete opposite of Methot.Stars general manager Jim Nill had this to say about Methot, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press:"(Methot) has proven to be a capable and steady defenseman that can play well with an offensive-minded partner."(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Assuming Klingberg and Methot are paired together, the latter's stay-at-home mindset will allow the former to roam freely and generate offense, knowing he has a veteran, rock-solid partner backing him.This wasn't the case for Klingberg last season, as he was most frequently paired with rookie Esa Lindell. There were certainly times when Klingberg thought twice about pinching, knowing he would have left a rookie hung out to dry had he gotten caught.Despite the responsibility of being paired with a rookie, Klingberg - who is only 24 years old in his own right - still recorded 49 points (10th-most among NHL defensemen) and scored a career-high 13 goals.Methot will not only serve as a security blanket for Klingberg, but he will act as mentor. Including playoffs, Methot has over 600 games of NHL experience - many of them spent exclusively alongside Karlsson. Methot can tell Klingberg "in this situation, Karlsson used to do this" or "here's how Karlsson and I would approach this scenario."It may seem subtle, but the little things matter a lot.With a full season alongside Methot, Klingberg should be able to regain his 58-point form from 2015-16, or perhaps even surpass that total, into the 60- or even 70-point range. He certainly has the talent, and now he has the defense partner who will allow him to be as offensively aggressive as he wants, without thinking of the repercussions that will come with it.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Down to the very last minutes leading up to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, fans and experts alike were still wondering who the New Jersey Devils would take with the first overall pick.Due to the elite-level potential of both Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, pundits were divided on who would actually be taken with the top pick, ensuring that both the Devils and Philadelphia Flyers would receive a high-quality, impact player.The fact that neither player was pegged as a bona fide No.1 shouldn't be a knock, but more so a clear indication of their long-term potential. Both will be contributing NHLers for years to come, making them a lock for this list.Here are the three prospects from the draft that will hold the most long-term value: Nolan Patrick Patrick immediately becomes a key piece of the Flyers' future that - due to his innate passing skills - could combine nicely with wingers Wayne Simmonds or Jakub Voracek.He brings a lethal two-way approach to go along with a commitment to playing a 200-foot game - Patrick's potential to be a long-term quality NHLer is seemingly endless.He's a right-shot center with size, skill, and speed.Sprinkle in the fact that Patrick is also strong on the puck and responsible in his own end, and you are left with a player that will be plying his trade in NHL rinks for a very long time. Cody GlassAt 6-foot-2, Glass has the size to go along with the offensive skill set to make a lasting impact on the league.Although he is listed by NHL Central Scouting as a center, Glass offers an element of versatility to the Golden Knights, as he has experience playing all three forward positions and contributes on special teams, as well.Listed more as a playmaker than a sniper, Glass utilizes his quick hands to dish the puck at will, racking up 62 apples in 69 games for the WHL's Portland Winterhawks last season.Look for his name at the top of the assists category for years to come.Nico HischierIn addition to that sweet flow, there are a few tangible elements to Hischier's game that will have him performing on the NHL stage for the foreseeable future.Hischier, a left-shot center, is the most offensively gifted player in the draft and his explosive talent will give opposing defensemen nightmares for years to come.His scoring touch alone should cement his long-term value, but considering the fact that Hischier also plays with an aggressive style and has a penchant for the big stage, you have a guy with perennial All-Star potential.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators attempted to recoup their lost expansion pick, but ultimately failed to do so.The club lost defenseman Marc Methot in last week's draft after which it became abundantly clear that the Vegas Golden Knights were looking to flip the 32-year-old for assets. Having tried to persuade the Golden Knights to lay off, but to no avail, the team gave one last attempt to reacquire Methot on Sunday and Monday, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Shots fired.Mike Smith took a not-so-subtle dig at his former Arizona Coyotes teammates Monday in a playful moment during a radio interview in his new NHL home.The new Calgary Flames goaltender uncorked the zinger after being asked by Sportsnet 960's Rob Kerr how many people have already told Smith they can't wait to see him fire passes "right up the gut" to Johnny Gaudreau."I'm really looking forward to passing (to) some of these guys that can actually score!" Smith said with a laugh, before adding, "Did I say that on live radio?" with more laughter.Smith was making the rounds after being introduced - along with newly acquired defenseman Travis Hamonic - to the local media.

Calgary Flames winger Kris Versteeg is apparently a very popular man.According to TSN's Darren Dreger, 12 teams have reached out to Versteeg, including the Flames.The 31-year-old is coming off a solid offensive season in which he tallied 15 goals to go along with 22 assists, contributing in a bottom-six capacity for Glen Gulutzan's club.Versteeg is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marc Methot wasn't a Vegas Golden Knight for long.The expansion franchise traded the defenseman to the Dallas Stars on Monday.Vegas received a second-round pick in 2020 and the rights to goaltender Dylan Ferguson, whom the Stars picked 194th overall Saturday.

Karl Alzner is apparently attracting the attention of more than one marquee franchise.The Chicago Blackhawks have communicated with the pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman's camp, according to the Chicago Tribune's Chris Kuc, and the Montreal Canadiens are one of several teams Alzner will visit this week, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.It's no real surprise that multiple clubs are expressing interest in the veteran blue-liner, given his durability, experience, and the lack of standout pending free-agent rearguards beyond his Washington Capitals teammate, Kevin Shattenkirk.Still, it's interesting to see the Blackhawks reaching out, even if it's merely exploratory, given their financial situation. Chicago is nearly $1.5 million over the salary cap at the moment, according to CapFriendly.The Canadiens could use another left-shot defenseman, particularly if they choose not to re-sign pending UFA Andrei Markov, who'll be 39 in December.Alzner has played in every single regular-season game with Washington over the last seven campaigns, and he's spent all nine of his NHL seasons with the Capitals, who drafted him fifth overall in 2007.He carried a $2.8-million cap hit in the final season of the four-year deal he signed in the summer of 2013.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to a new contract with center Derek Ryan on Monday, confirming that Ryan will wear No. 33 in Raleigh for at least another year.Only problem is, newly acquired netminder Scott Darling also has his eyes on double threes.Shortly after the Hurricanes made Ryan's signing official, the new teammates took to Twitter to haggle over who will rock No. 33 next season.Spoiler alert: Darling knows how to work a deal.

Justin Schultz isn't taking another one-year deal.The defenseman's agent says his client will not accept the qualifying offer they received from the Penguins on Monday, and that long-term extension discussions have begun.“We will not be signing the qualifying offer," Wade Arnott told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey. "You saw what he did this year. The practical answer is it's a non-issue."The Penguins' qualifying offer to Schultz was for $1.4 million, according to Mackey, matching the cap hit of the one-year pact Schultz inked with the Penguins last July."We took a one-year, discounted deal to come back from last year and build upon what he did," Arnott said. "The player took a lot of the risk. The player performed. Now the player should be rewarded."The pending restricted free agent broke out offensively this past season, piling up a career-high 12 goals and 51 points in 78 regular-season games, and adding 13 points in 21 playoff contests.Schultz was a vital part of Pittsburgh's top-four, particularly after the club lost Kris Letang for the rest of the season due to injury.He took a big pay cut heading in 2016-17, betting on himself after playing on consecutive one-year contracts signed with the Edmonton Oilers worth $3.675 million and $3.9 million, respectively.The agent said there's "no hidden fact" Schultz would like to stay with the Penguins, with whom he blossomed in his first full season under Sergei Gonchar's tutelage.Arnott cautioned that it's still early in negotiations on a potential long-term deal, but characterized the discussions as positive so far.The Oilers traded Schultz to the Penguins before the 2016 deadline.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The up-and-down career of former No. 1 overall draft pick Nail Yakupov took another downturn Monday, with the St. Louis Blues declining to extend him a qualifying offer before the 5 p.m. ET deadline, leading to the winger becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1.To say that Yakupov has not lived up to expectations is a massive understatement.Following two seasons with the OHL's Sarnia Sting in which he tallied 80 goals and 170 points in 107 games, Yakupov was pegged as a surefire NHL sniper with elite offensive upside and a lock for a top-three selection in the draft.Fast forward six seasons - one spent in the KHL and five split between the Edmonton Oilers and Blues - and Yakupov has become one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory, leading to the Blues declining to offer him a qualifying deal.The 23-year-old is coming off a 2016-17 campaign in which he totaled three goals and six assists in 40 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With his new eight-year, $46-million contract now official, Capitals sniper T.J. Oshie is ready to spend the rest of his career in Washington.While his long-term future is now settled, Oshie knows he still has some unfinished business to attend to."I feel like I’m a competitor and a guy that at the end of my career, if I haven’t had a Stanley Cup, I would think of my career as somewhat of a letdown," Oshie said on CSN’s "Capitals Faceoff Podcast" on Friday."And so this is it for me. This is the last deal for me, and I obviously signed in Washington. So I have a lot of belief that this group can get it done, and I have a lot of expectations that we’re going to get it done more than once."Related: Capitals sign Oshie to 8-year extension​​​​​​​More than one Cup might be a tall order for a team that struggled to get the job done against the eighth-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs in this year's opening round of the playoffs. But when your roster boasts the likes of Braden Holtby, Alex Ovechkin, and Nicklas Backstrom, it's easier to understand Oshie's confidence.Despite the club's struggles in the postseason, Washington is still a force to be reckoned with in the East, and will be a Cup contender for the foreseeable future.Oshie has definitely been doing his part since arriving in D.C. The talented pivot earned his $46 million by racking up a career-high 33 goals last season to go along with 23 assists while averaging 17:51 of ice time.Multiple rings would be nice. But at this point, Oshie and Co. should just focus on making a Cup Final, something the team hasn't done since 1998.- With H/T to The Washington PostCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, Dave Andreychuk, Mark Recchi, and Danielle Goyette were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as players Monday, while Clare Drake and Jeremy Jacobs were elected as builders.

Zack Kassian has agreed to terms with the Edmonton Oilers on a three-year deal.The contract is worth a reported $5.85 million, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. That works out to a salary cap hit of $1.95 million through to the end of 2019-20.Kassian was set to become a restricted free agent, and earned a measure of job security after registering seven goals and 17 assists in 79 games last season, while playing on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.He also chipped in three goals in 13 playoff games.Kassian came to Edmonton via Montreal after the Canadiens dealt him upon being reinstated from suspension and a stint in the NHL's substance abuse program. He was originally drafted 13th overall by Buffalo in 2009.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars signed defenseman Esa Lindell to a two-year, $4.4-million contract extension Monday, the team announced.Lindell is coming off his entry-level contract and was poised to become a restricted free agent July 1."Esa displayed great composure during his first season in the NHL and we look forward to his continued development as a top player on our defense," general manager Jim Nill said in a release.The 2016-17 campaign was Lindell's first full season in the league, and saw him post six goals and 18 points in 73 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed forward Yanni Gourde to a two-year contract worth $2 million, general manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday.This new deal is one-way in nature, meaning he'll be a permanent fixture in the Lightning lineup for at least the next two seasons after quite a journey to get to this point."It's really special," Gourde said of his new deal, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Most people know my story, I've been to (the ECHL). At that point, it was pretty hard, and I wouldn't believe that I would ever get a one way like that when I was down in Kalamazoo (ECHL). But now this is happening. It feels amazing. I'm ready."Gourde appeared in 20 games for Tampa Bay last season after joining the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2014, recording six goals and eight points. Five of those goals came in the final eight games of the season, as the Lightning made a failed push for a playoff spot.He was sent back to the AHL at the end of the NHL season, and helped the Syracuse Crunch reach the Calder Cup finals, with nine goals and 27 points in 22 postseason games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antti Niemi's days as a member of the Dallas Stars are numbered.The club placed the veteran netminder on waivers Monday for the purpose of a buyout, the team confirmed.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed Andrej Sustr to a one-year, $1.95-million contract, general manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday.The right-handed defenseman appeared in 80 games for the Lightning last season, registering three goals and 11 assists, while averaging 17:35 of ice time per game.Sustr was set to become a restricted free agent, and earns a $500,000 raise over his 2016-17 salary.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don't sweat it if you are upset about who the Vegas Golden Knights plucked from your favorite team, they could still return.NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed with TSN's Pierre LeBrun that teams can make trades with the Golden Knights to reacquire the players they lost to the club during the expansion draft.

This year's free-agent class won't go down as the strongest that's for sure, but that doesn't mean there aren't some quality players to be had.Related - Ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents: 10-1Topping the list - especially after the signing of T.J. Oshie on Friday - is defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The 28-year-old is in his prime and has become one of the premiere offensive defensemen in the league over the last couple seasons.He should garner a raise from his previous $4.25-million annual average, but who stands the best chance at landing the right-hander? Let's take a look.Tampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning look to be among the teams getting ahead of the game, making their pitch to Shattenkirk.On the first day of the negotiating window with potential free agents, the Lightning reportedly reached out to Shattenkirk. The Lightning certainly fit the bill as a potential landing spot for the veteran D-man.They have over $23 million in cap space and, as they sit on Monday, have just three defensemen locked up to deals. Joining Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman would certainly help further bolster the club's blue line.The Lightning had the sixth-most potent power play this past season, but with Shattenkirk at their disposal, they could challenge for top spot.New York RangersThe New York Rangers right away appear to be the front-runner to land Shattenkirk.The team has the need for Shattenkirk and his services, while it has also become known around the league that the former Washington Capitals defender would like to play in the New York area to be closer to home. In fact, a quick glance at Shattenkirk's Twitter profile will tell you just how special that would be to him.The Rangers recently freed up a bunch of cap room by buying out Dan Girardi's contract and by shipping both Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes. They have the space and after Rick Nash's $7.8 million comes off the books following the 2017-18 season things will fit even nicer.New Jersey DevilsJust a short skip across the pond is New Jersey, another club that would certainly fit the bill for Shattenkirk.The New Jersey Devils would provide Shattenkirk that close-to-home prospect, while Shattenkirk would also be able to walk in as the team's undisputed No. 1 D-man.Shattenkirk's 56 points this season were 25 more than Damon Severson, who led all Devils blue-liners with 31 points. The Devils also possessed the 22nd-ranked power play, a spot where Shattenkirk and his 27 power-play points could also lend a hand.Columbus Blue JacketsIf the Columbus Blue Jackets could swing Shattenkirk it could help give them one of the stronger defense corps in the league.The club is fairly solid for the time being with Seth Jones, David Savard - who continues to improve - Jack Johnson, and Calder Trophy nominee Zach Werenski.That being said, their defense could use another right-handed defenseman and Shattenkirk is just that. His offense would certainly be a welcome, but on a young back end, Shattenkirk could also be a nice veteran addition.Up front the Blue Jackets are pretty solid - especially with the acquisition of Artemi Panarin. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky manning the back isn't bad either. Adding Shattenkirk could make the Blue Jackets a serious contender in the East.Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are close to New York and they are in desperate need of some help on defense, so of course Shattenkirk makes sense.Outside of Rasmus Ristolainen the Sabres' defense lacks any real offensive threat. Meanwhile, their back end as a whole remains largely inexperienced.What could also bode well for both parties is that - surprisingly - the Sabres led the league in power-play proficiency last season with a 24.5 percent success rate and Shattenkirk should only make them better.It's also worth noting that the Sabres have the most cap space available of any team.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.