2021 NHL free agency: Live updates, rumors, contract details

Bruins

Tracking all of the NHL free agency movement on Day 1

/ by Nick Goss

Bruins

The NHL free agent market opens Wednesday at noon ET, and there should be a flurry of activity as all 32 teams try to sign the top players available to new contracts.

This year's crop of unrestricted free agents features plenty of notable names, including Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Suter, Kyle Palmieri, Philipp Grubauer, Blake Coleman, Brandon Saad and many more.

2021 NHL free agents: Top 25 players for teams to sign in offseason

Follow all of the action right here with our live blog. We'll be providing live updates of the latest news, rumors and completed contracts.

5:53 p.m.: Even more goalie news from the Bruins.

Bruins announce goalie Dan Vladar has been traded to the Flames for a 2022 third-round draft pick.
— Nicholas W. Goss (@NickGossNBCSB) July 28, 2021

5:28 p.m.: The Bruins are signing goalie Linus Ullmark.

Linus Ullmark, four years, $5M AAV in Boston@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Dougie Hamilton's deal with the Devils is massive.

Seven years, $63M for Dougie Hamilton in New Jersey@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

4:47 p.m.: A couple rivals are bolstering their scoring depth.

Sources say Nick Foligno has chosen the Boston #Bruins. No dice for #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 28, 2021

Mike Hoffman signs a three-year deal with #habs at $4.5M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2021

3:05 p.m.: The Bruins have added a few depth forwards.

Erik Haula signs in Boston, two-year deal, $2.375M AAV
Year 1, $2.25M
Year 2, $2.5M@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Tomas Nosek agrees to 2 years $3.5 deal with the Bruins. AAV $1.75 mil
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 28, 2021

The Lightning have bolstered their depth, too.

2 p.m.: Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer is headed to the Seattle Kraken.

The Blackhawks are adding a defenseman in Jake McCabe.

Defenseman Jake McCabe signs a four-year contract with a $4 million cap hit with the Blackhawks.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) July 28, 2021

The Kings are getting a very good two-way center.

OFFICIAL: The Kings have signed forward Phillip Danault to a 6-year contract w/ an AAV of $5.5M
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) July 28, 2021

1:05 p.m.: Jonathan Bernier is headed to New Jersey.

#NJDevils sign goaltender Jonathan Bernier to $8.25M, 2-year contract with a $4.125M AAV.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) July 28, 2021

1 p.m.: A good defenseman addition for the Minnesota Wild.

#mnwild have signed free-agent defenseman Alex Goligoski to a 1-year, $5 million contract. Full no-trade clause
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 28, 2021

12:38 p.m.: More moves are coming in.

**Breaking News** Iâm told Getzlaf is signing a 1 Yr Deal to stay in Orange County with @AnaheimDucks .@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork #TSNHockey #HockeyTwitter
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 28, 2021

Stars are active today: 2 years $3M for Luke Glendening.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) July 28, 2021

Reimer in San Jose, two years, $2.25M AAV https://t.co/UKBjmKzJ7H
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Frederik Andersen contract with Carolina: two years, $4.5M AAV
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

As @FriedgeHNIC reports, #CBJ deal with Sean Kuraly is four years, $10 million. AAV is $2.5 million.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 28, 2021

12:17 p.m.: Some defenseman updates from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

12:04 p.m.: Here are some more updates.

Told #CBJ have signed free agent center Sean Kuraly to a four-year contract.

The Dublin kid is coming home after five seasons with #NHLBruins organization.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 28, 2021

As per @PierreVLeBrun, the #SeaKraken have signed forward Alexander Wennberg to a three-year contract with a $4.5M AAV.
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) July 28, 2021

Jaroslav Halak is indeed expected to join the #Canucks on a one-year deal.

Sounds like Halak will be on a performance bonus-based deal with a $1.5 mil AAV on the books. Structure:

$750k base sal
$750k sign bonus
$1.25m bonus at 10 GP
$250k w .905 SV% orâ¬ï¸

@DFOHockey @Sportsnet
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 28, 2021

Noon: NHL free agency has officially begun!

11:54 a.m.: David Savard to Montreal? He just beat the Canadiens in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final with the Lightning.

Canadiens and David Savard could come in at 4-years, under ~$16M if finalized.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 28, 2021

11:51 a.m.: Ryan Suter is headed to Dallas.

We have another trade.

Evgeni Dadonov goes from Ottawa to #VGKâ¦Nick Holden and a draft pick to the nationâs capital.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) July 28, 2021

11:49 a.m.: Former NHL player Jimmy Hayes weighs in on Blake Coleman's situation.

Blake Coleman to Calgary on a 6 year deal 4.9 bananas @MissinCurfew
— Jimmy Hayes (@Jimmy10Hayes) July 28, 2021

11:10 a.m.: The Bruins could use a veteran goalie.

Tuukka Rask had surgery a few days ago to repair a torn labrum in his hip. Expected to be out until January or February. Wouldn't be surprised if Bruins sign Linus Ullmark today. If Rask decides to return, having three solid goalies is a good problem to have for the Bruins
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) July 28, 2021

10:50 a.m.: A couple more updates as we approach 11 a.m. ET.

There's a strong market for veteran 'D' in free agency: Word is that both Ian Cole and Cody Ceci will get north of $3M annually on their new contracts.

Ceci is leaning towards Edmonton, as @FriedgeHNIC and others have reported, on what's believed to be a four-year term.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2021

Also hearing Petr Mrazek signing with the Leafs once the market opens as my pal Kevin says below https://t.co/dpTW8Ho9ko
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Nikita Zadorov, acquired by Calgary from Chicago this morning, is a restricted free agent. There's no extension in place with the #flames just yet.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2021

Indications are veteran forward Nick Bonino will sign with the San Jose Sharks.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 28, 2021

10:20 a.m.: Not a surprise here.

10:10 a.m.: The Oilers are making a huge bet on Zach Hyman.

Hyman signing in Edmonton will be 7 years, $5.5 mil aav. Some bonus structure included. No move clause for first 5 years and modified no move in last two years.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 28, 2021

10:05 a.m.: Here's another Jack Eichel update from Michael Russo of The Athletic.

AS of right this moment (and things change all the time), but I'm hearing the #mnwild are backing out of Jack Eichel trade talks with the #sabres.

Asset price/cost too much for Minnesota to stomach/make work
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 28, 2021

9:40 a.m.: General managers love players like Blake Coleman.

Keep an eye on Blake Coleman. Talk was Boston was the front runner but led to believe Calgary is making a push. #FreeAgentFrenzy
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) July 28, 2021

9:25 a.m.: Ryan Getzlaf has played his entire career with the Ducks and won a Stanley Cup in 2007. Could his tenure in Anaheim finally be coming to an end?

Potential fits for Ryan Getzlaf if indeed he leaves Anaheim via free agency â¦
Edmonton, MontrÃ©al, Dallas, Boston. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 27, 2021

8:45 a.m.: A couple goalie updates from TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

All signs point to UFA G Jonathan Bernier signing with New Jersey today.
As we reported before, UFA G Jaroslav Halak should be signing with Vancouver.
I wonder if UFA G James Reimer ends up in SJ or Vegas?
Still lots to play out with goalies.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

8:20 a.m. ET: Here are a couple items to get the blog started.

Back from vacation (golfing every day was epic) and now hearing the Bruins are interested in the services of goalie Linus Ullmark.
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) July 27, 2021

Meanwhile, sources confirm Dougie Hamilton is going to market. Unless something drastic changes, he's not re-signing in Carolina. The New Jersey Devils looking like front-runners but we'll see Wednesday when the market opens. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

I would expect once finalized that Jaden Schwartz's multi-year deal in Seattle to be worth between $5M-$6M AAV, the Kraken having gone pretty far in talks with @BartlettHockey during the July 18-21 exclusive window@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Hearing that Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe, such a great story this past season, is signing a three-year extension later today worth just north of $4M AAV per season. Has another year next season at $1M. So signing one year out. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Plan is for the Oil and Tyson Barrie to finalize the three-year contract in the morning. https://t.co/CnnNB1CO8X
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021

Also, a Jack Eichel update.

On Jack Eichel, my sense from talking to a few people around the league is that Buffalo is in serious talks with multiple teams, the process hasn't zeroed in on just one team yet. And I don't think the Sabres feel it has to be done today if they don't get the package they want...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021