Free Agency

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 18: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Carolina Hurricanesat Barclays Center on March 18, 2018 in New York City. Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHL Free Agency 2018: 5 best UFA centers available

NHL Free Agency: 4 best fits for Rick Nash

NHL Free Agency: 5 best fits for Joe Thornton

NHL Free Agency: 4 best fits for James van Riemsdyk

A photo, taken on April 2, 2018 in Moscow, shows Russian SKA St. Petersburg winger Ilya Kovalchuk leaving the ice a after pregame warm up.The former New Jersey Devils forward declared his intentions to return to the National Hockey League (NHL) after five seasons in Russia, as SKA St. Petersburg was eliminated from the Kontinental Hockey Leagues (KHL) playoffs. Ilya Kovalchuk reached his 35th birthday on April 15, that changed his status in the NHL and allowed him to negotiate and agree to terms with any NHL team as a free agent, local media report. / AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)

NHL Free Agency: Top 5 suitors for Ilya Kovalchuk

Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NHL free agency tracker: Instant grades and analysis

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 08: Denver Pioneers defenseman Will Butcher (4) celebrates with teammates a victory against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs by raising the championship trophy after the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Frozen Four Championship final at the United Center on April 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pioneers won the national championship 3-2. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Will Butcher: Hobey Baker Winner And Impending Free Agent

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 8: Will Butcher

Will Butcher Is The Next Big College Prospect to Hit NHL

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Oshie

NHL Free Agency 2017: 5 Worst Signings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: Kevin Shattenkirk

NHL Free Agency Grades: Rangers, Panthers, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Lightning

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 28: Kevin Shattenkirk

2017 NHL Free Agency Tracker: Every Signing for Each Team

Jan 11, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Thornton: 5 best fits in NHL free agency

May 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the third period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Restricted Free Agents Still Looking For a Contract

Apr 9, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan (23) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary Flames F Sean Monahan Signs 7-Year Extension

Apr 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey (27) skates during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Free Agents: 5 Professional Tryout Offer (PTO) Fits

Jan 21, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) looks on during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim Ducks Sign Free Agent Forward Antoine Vermette

Feb 22, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; A puck sits on the ice during a game between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Stars 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Vesey Set to Become Free Agent on August 15th

Feb 19, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata (17) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Free Agents: 5 Players Bound For Professional Tryout Offer (PTO)

Mar 11, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Kris Russell (2) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks during the game t the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Blackhawks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Free Agency: 5 Players That Deserve a New Contract

Apr 18, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) looks for a pass in the first period against the Dallas Stars in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Wild Re-Sign Mathew Dumba to 2-Year Deal

Mar 12, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy (5) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Rexall Place. Arizona Coyotes won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Coyotes Re-Sign Connor Murphy, Michael Stone

Nov 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Nashville Predators Sign Defenseman Matt Carle to 1-Year Deal

Mar 11, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Blackhawks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Free Agency: 5 Worst Contracts Signed This Offseason

Oct 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) trips up New York Islanders left wing Cory Conacher (89) during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning Bring Back Familiar Face Cory Conacher

Mar 13, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) celebrates his second period goal with left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan Contract Update

Mar 31, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman (68) in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. the Ottawa Senators beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Salary Arbitration Hearings Set for Restricted Free Agents

Mar 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (15) pursues the puck in the Tampa Bay Lightning zone in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Free Agency: 7 Minor Signings That Could Have Big Impact

Mar 31, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman (68) skates with the puck in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. the Ottawa Senators beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Ottawa Senators F Mike Hoffman in Line for Big Pay Raise