It’s July 1, a national holiday in Canada and one of the biggest days on the NHL calendar. At noon today, NHL free agents became eligible to sign contracts with teams and the action came fast and furious. Within the first hour, Chris Johnston’s free agency big board and already been picked over. There was lots of term and lots and lots of money being thrown around.
So to make sense of it all, here’s a list of the free-agent contracts we’ve graded throughout the day.
Florida Panthers sign right winger Sam Reinhart to an eight-year deal with an $8.625 million AAV.
Contract grade: A+
Fit grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Panthers get a steal on Sam Reinhart deal
Tampa Bay Lightning sign winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year deal with a $9 million AAV.
Contract grade: A
Fit grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Jake Guentzel is a good fit and good value for Lightning
Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to the Predators
Nashville Predators sign forward Steven Stamkos to a four-year contract with an $8 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Fit grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Steven Stamkos brings championship legacy to Nashville
Bruins shop wisely by adding Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
Boston Bruins sign forward Elias Lindholm to a seven-year deal with a $7.75 million AAV, and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a six-year deal with a $5 million AAV
Contract grade for Lindholm: A
Contract grade for Zadorov: B plus
Fits grade: A-plus
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NHL contract grades: Bruins shop wisely by adding Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov
Predators take more big swings on Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei
Nashville Predators sign forward Jonathan Marchessault to a five-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV and defenseman Brady Skjei to a seven-year deal with a $7 million AAV.
Skjei contract grade: B
Marchessault contract grade: A-minus
Fits grade: B-plus
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NHL contract grades: Predators take more big swings on Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei
Brandon Montour gives Kraken what they need on the blue line
Seattle Kraken sign defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year deal with a $7.14 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Fit grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Brandon Montour gives Kraken what they need on the blue line
Detroit Red Wings sign winger Patrick Kane to a one-year deal worth $4 million in salary plus $2.5 million in incentives.
Contract grade: A
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Patrick Kane stays with Red Wings on clever 1-year deal
Teuvo Teravainen returns to Blackhawks on a 3-year deal
The Chicago Blackhawks sign 29-year-old right wing Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year deal with a $5.4 million annual cap hit.
Contract grade: A-
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grade: Teuvo Teravainen returns to Blackhawks on a 3-year deal
Devils get size and experience in Brett Pesce, but at a high cost
The New Jersey Devils sign defenseman Brett Pesce to a six-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: B-
Fit grade: A
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NHL contract grades: Devils get size and experience in Brett Pesce, but at a high cost
The San Jose Sharks sign Tyler Toffoli to a four-year deal worth $6 million a season.
Contract grade: B+
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grade: Sharks add Tyler Toffoli as potential Macklin Celebrini linemate
Canucks add win-now wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
Vancouver Canucks sign wingers Jake DeBrusk to a seven-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV and Danton Heinen to a two-year deal with a $2.3 million AAV.
DeBrusk contract: B-
DeBrusk fit: A
Heinen contract: B+
Heinen fit: A
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NHL contract grades: Canucks add win-now wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen
Capitals blue line gets another boost in Matt Roy
The Washington Capitals sign defenseman Matt Roy to a six-year deal with a $5.75 million AAV.
Contract grade: A-
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Capitals blue line gets another boost in Matt Roy
Blue Jackets take a chance by giving 5 years to Sean Monahan
Columbus Blue Jackets sign forward Sean Monahan to a five-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV
Contract grade: C-minus
Fit grade: C-plus
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NHL contract grades: Blue Jackets take a chance by giving 5 years to Sean Monahan
Blackhawks sign top free-agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to 2-year deal
Chicago Blackhawks sign goaltender Laurent Brossoit to a two-year contract with a $3.3-million cap hit.
Contract grade: A-
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Blackhawks sign top free-agent goalie Laurent Brossoit to 2-year deal
Maple Leafs become more well-rounded with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz
Toronto Maple Leafs sign defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year deal with a $3.5-million cap hit and goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year deal with a $2.5-million cap hit.
Ekman-Larsson contract grade: B+
Stolarz contract grade: A
Fit grade: A-
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NHL contract grades: Maple Leafs become more well-rounded with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz
Tyler Bertuzzi a solid fit for Blackhawks, Connor Bedard
Chicago Blackhawks sign winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: A-
Fit grade: A
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NHL contract grade: Bertuzzi a solid fit for Blackhawks, Bedard
Chris Tanev is worth the risk for Maple Leafs on a long-term deal
Toronto Maple Leafs sign defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year deal with a $4.5 million AAV.
Contract grade: B
Fit grade: A+
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NHL contract grades: Chris Tanev is worth the risk for Maple Leafs on a long-term deal
The Kraken take a pricey gamble on Chandler Stephenson
The Seattle Kraken sign center Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year deal worth $6.25 million AAV.
Contract grade: C
Fit grade: B-
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NHL contract grades: The Kraken take a pricey gamble on Chandler Stephenson
(Photo of Sam Reinhart and Steven Stamkos: Eliot J. Schechter / 1NHLI via Getty Images)
