Right out of the gate there were surprises and snoozers in the NHL Free Agent Frenzy Sunday.
One soft surprise was John Tavares informing the New York Islanders he would not be signing with the club. As the first hour of the frenzy came to a close, the rumor mill has Tavares going to the Toronto Maple Leafs for seven years. That move remains unofficial at press.
That leaves the Isles and GM Lou Lamoriello looking for a center.
A surprise was Michael Grabner heading to the Arizona Coyotes on a three-year deal.
That gives the Coyotes a big lift in the scoring sheet this coming season.
Another surprise was Tyler Bozak going to the St Louis Blues.
Bozak signed a three-year deal worth a reported $5 million per year.
David Perron also signed a deal with the Blues to join Bozak.
Paul Stastny is moving from Winnipeg to the Vegas Golden Knights as the Knights are not content to just make it to the Stanley Cup Final; the deal is three years at $6.5 million annually.
Rumors circulated Friday and the gained speed on Saturday for James van Riemsdyk heading to the Philadelphia Flyers for five years.
That was confirmed in the first hour of the frenzy Sunday. The contract is reportedly worth $7 million annually over five years without a no-trade clause.
Jack Johnson signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday, as expected, for for five years at $16.25 million.
Goalies were a hot commodity on the first day with Jaroslav Halak going to the Boston Bruins; Eddie Lack going to the New Jersey Devils; Jonathan Bernier is moving to the Detroit Red Wings; Petr Mrazek has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.
That’s not even the entire slate of moves. But the second hour is underway and the cash keeps flowing.
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