Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg heard the rumor. Steven Stamkos would hardly re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Music City was a possible destination.
Forsberg’s teammate, defenseman Luke Schenn, won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Tampa’s captain and franchise icon in 2020 and 2021. The veteran blueliner was dialed in.
“(Schenn) texted me,” Forsberg recalled about the start of NHL free agency on July 1. “Just like, ‘Hey, Stammer’s coming.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, okay, amazing.'”
Predators general manager Barry Trotz then made two more big moves, adding defenseman Brady Skjei and winger Jonathan Marchessault.
“A very good day for the franchise,” Forsberg said.
Like every NHL offseason, there were plenty of player moves. The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the big names who are changing directions this summer as the new season gets underway.
STEVEN STAMKOS
The forward signed a four-year US$32 million contract with the Predators following a public split with the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2008 draft. Stamkos, 34, led Tampa to three straight finals and both of those wins, and won the Richard Maurice Trophy (Rocket) twice as the league’s leading goal scorer, with a high-water mark of 60 in 2011-12.
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BRADY SKJEI/JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT
Skjei, 30, signed a seven-year, $49 million deal to join a Nashville blue line led by Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi following his departure from the Carolina Hurricanes. Marchessault, 33, agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal after the Vegas Golden Knights allowed one of the few remaining original “Golden Misfits” to walk.
JAKE GUENTZEL
The plug-and-play replacement for Stamkos signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Lightning. Guentzel, 29, should benefit from suiting up alongside players like Hart Trophy finalist and Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov after starting his career in Pittsburgh with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who won two Cups with Tampa, is also back with the Lightning after a spring trade with Nashville.
JAKE DEBRUSK
The winger signed a seven-year, $38.5 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks after spending his first seven seasons with the Boston Bruins. DeBrusk, 27, had just 40 points in 80 games in 2023-24, but Vancouver is banking on him to find West Coast chemistry with Elias Pettersson.
JACOB MARKSTROM
The New Jersey Devils hope they finally have their goalie. The club has acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames in a long-rumored deal that should bolster New Jersey’s power behind a talented core led by star center Jack Hughes. The Devils also strengthened their defense with the additions of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon.
ELIAS LINDHOLM
The Bruins added the center on a seven-year, $54.25 million deal to play alongside David Pastrnak on Boston’s top line. Lindholm, 29, should see a boost in production after registering 44 points in 75 combined contests with Calgary and Vancouver last season.
BRANDON MONTOUR
The defender barely had time to celebrate a victory in the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers before making a big decision on his future. Montour, 30, secured a seven-year, $50 million deal with the Seattle Kraken as their anchor on the back end. Seattle also signed center Chandler Stephenson, 30, to a seven-year, $43.75 million contract.
MIKHAIL SERGACHEV
The defenseman from Tampa was dealt to the Utah Hockey Club – formerly the Arizona Coyotes – in the hours before free agency opened to clear salary cap space. Sergachev was hampered by injuries last season, but should give Utah a strong presence in his new market.
CHRIS TANEV
The Toronto Maple Leafs made their big move by acquiring the rights to the hard-nosed defenseman from the Dallas Stars prior to free agency. Tanev, 34, then agreed to a six-year, $27 million contract with his hometown team in a move that should bolster a Toronto blue line that has been among the club’s weak spots in recent years. The Leafs also added defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on a four-year deal worth $14 million after he won the Cup with Florida.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10796494/old-faces-new-places-a-look-at-nhlers-on-new-teams-as-the-season-kicks-off/
