NHL Free Agency: 10 Storylines Heading Into Friday

NHL Free Agency: 10 Storylines Heading Into Friday as Teams Begin Signing Players

We are now less than 12 hours from NHL Free Agency Frenzy!

On July 1st, UFA’s are eligible to sign with teams and RFA’s are eligible for offer sheets. With an absolutely crazy Wednesday that saw P.K. Subban being traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber (among other big headlines), the trade market is also expected to be busy. Here are 10 storylines heading into Friday:

Perrron Heading To Montreal?

Feb 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing David Perron (57) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during an NHL game at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Kings 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

It was reported when the UFA hosting period began last week that there was lots of teams interested in left winger David Perron.

Perron, 29, was one of the hottest players of the new year after an in season trade from Pittsburgh Penguins to the Anaheim Ducks rejuvenated him. The Ducks would like to have Perron back in September, but it is now reported that the Montreal Canadiens are expected to sign him fairly soon once the NHL free agency begins. We’ll just have to wait and see.

What Will The Canucks Do July 1st?

Jan 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Burins defeated the Flyers, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vancouver Canucks have been under heat for some tampering comments made about talks with P.K. Subban and Steven Stamkos, but Benning should be busy come July 1.

They have been rumoured to have reached out to Loui Eriksson and recently bought out UFA Tomas Vanek, and it was reported Thursday that they may have some smaller additions in NHL free agency:

Could those comments, which cost the Canucks a $50, 000 fine, drawn away bigger free agents like Kyle Okposo?

Andrew Ladd To The Islanders?

Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) is seen during game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

On Thursday morning reports surfaced that the New York Islanders hosted Left Winger Andrew Ladd and his wife that day and the pair will stay overnight in Long Island. This information has spewed rumours that the 30-year-old will sign with NYI when the sun rises. It’s anybody’s guess?

Where Will Bought Out Players Sign?

Jan 8, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defensemen Fedor Tyutin (51) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

The deadline for NHL teams to buy out their players was 5PM ET on Thursday. Here is a list of bought out players will be UFA’s on Friday:

More from Puck Prose

RW Mason Raymond

D Fedor Tyutin

F Jared Boll

D James Wisnewski

D Matt Carle

D Dennis Seidenberg

D Barret Jackman

F Lauri Korporski

D Matt Greene

D Brad Stuart

F Chris Higgins

F Tomas Vanek

F RJ Umberger

D Jared Cowen

Where will they land?

Evander Kane On The Move?

February 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane (9) moves the puck against Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Evander Kane ever grow up? The 27-year-old is under investigation for harassment after he was kicked out of “Bottoms Up”, a nightclub in Buffalo.

Below is a report from the police:

“While inside Bottoms Up nightclub, suspect threatened complainant and made derogatory comments to her. While outside … suspect grabbed complainant around the throat and tried pushing her into his car.”

With the investigation still ongoing after a week, it is reported the Sabres may now try to trade the right winger.

Georges Laraque told WGR that he's been told the Sabres are considering trading Evander Kane
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) June 30, 2016

Will Kane be yet again on the move July 1st?

Ben Bishop To The Stars?

Apr 7, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) clears the puck during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

With Steven Stamkos signing an 8 year, $68 million dollar extension in Tampa and Nikita Kucherov still an RFA, it looks like goalie Ben Bishop is on his way out of Tampa.

**NHL RUMORS**
Ben Bishop to Stars has heated up again,Tampa has offer from Dallas on table and another mystery team today #Lightning #Stars
— IB THE GAMBLER 🔌 (@incarceratedbob) June 29, 2016

As I mentioned in my Weekly Roundup article, a deal would likely include the Lightning taking back a goalie, and Bishop reportedly wants a 7 year/$49 million dollar extension with his new team. The Bolts and Stars have been intensely talking for over a week now so you have to believe something is up.