NHL Hockey Player News

Vladislav Namestnikov(Center)(C)|Winnipeg Jets WPG

Signing

Lightning announces it signed 2011's 1st-round pick Vladislav Namestnikov to a three-year entry-level deal.

Namestnikov likely contends for a roster spot during next season's training camp. The Russian expatriate scored 22 goals and 70 points in 60 games with the London Knights of the OHL.

Source:

Damian Cristodero 2012-03-13T15:49:17.000Z

Jaden Schwartz(Center)(C)|Seattle Kraken SEA

Signing

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced Monday the club has signed their first overall draft pick in 2010, Jaden Schwartz, to an entry level contract.

Schwartz is expected to join the team tomorrow and could immediately get a look in the lineup. He scored 15 goals and 41 points in 30 games with Colorado College.

Source:

StLouisBlues.com 2012-03-12T15:23:17.000Z

Dan Carcillo(Left Wing)(LW)|Free Agent FA

Signing

The Blackhawks agreed to terms with Carcillo on a two-year contract extension on Monday. The 26-year-old forward had 11 points and 82 penalty minutes in 28 regular-season games.

Although Carcillo's season was cut short, he will have another opportunity to thrive in Chicago. Nice little deal for both sides.

Source:

CSN Chicago 2012-03-12T10:15:47.000Z

Jack MacLellan(Center)(C)|

Signing

#Preds announce the signing of Brown University's Jack Maclellan. Forward. 30 pts in 30 gms.

MacLellan could see some AHL action this season but probably won't touch the big club.

Source:

Ryan Porth 2012-03-10T18:14:44.000Z

Mike Halmo(Left Wing)(LW)|

Signing

#Isles have signed OHL forward Mike Halmo.

Halmo is currently playing for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. He could join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers later in the year.

Source:

Brian Compton 2012-03-10T16:59:26.000Z

Patrick Holland(Right Wing)(RW)|Inactive INA

Signing

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Wednesday night the signing of forward Patrick Holland to a three-year contract (2012-13 to 2014-15). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Holland is enjoying a productive season in the WHL. He should be added to the mix come training camp.

Source:

MontrealCanadiens.com 2018-07-18T17:53:28.878Z

Cal Heeter(Goalie)(G)|

Signing

#Flyers have agreed to a two-year contract beginning in 2012-13 with Ohio State goaltender Cal Heeter, according to GM Paul Holmgren.

Heeter gives the Flyers more depth but is probably the fourth or fifth goalie on the depth chart right now.

Source:

@NHLFlyers 2012-03-06T18:10:34.000Z

Mikhail Grabovski(Center)(C)|

Signing

#Leafs announce forward Mikhail Grabovski has agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension.

Grabovski resigning makes a slim free agent market even slimmer. However, staying in Toronto should keep his fantasy hockey value in the same range. The second-line center scored 20 goals and 45 points in 59 games.

Source:

@LeafsPR 2012-03-06T10:26:07.000Z

Marty Turco(Goalie)(G)|Inactive INA

Signing

So there's that. Bruins sign Marty Turco

Turco will serve as Thomas's backup for the rest of the season.

Source:

DJ Bean 2018-07-18T17:53:25.405Z

Danick Gauthier(Left Wing)(LW)|

Signing

#TBLightning signed Danick Gauthier of the St. John Sea Dogs to an entry-level contract

Gauthier is currently enjoying his fourth season with the St. John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. He is eligible to play in the AHL under a PTO once his team's season ends.

Source:

@DailyFaceoff 2012-03-02T16:52:45.000Z

Brendan Shinnimin(Center)(C)|

Signing

WHL leading scorer Brendan Shinnimin has signed an entry level contract with Phoenix Coyotes

Shinnimin could see some time in the AHL once his WHL season is over. Expect the diminutive center to also challenge for a roster spot in next year's training camp.

Source:

John Shannon 2012-03-02T12:41:02.000Z

Morgan Ellis(Defenseman)(D)|

Signing

#canadiens entente de 3 ans avec le défenseur Morgan Ellis. 3 year contract.

Ellis is enjoying a nice year in the QMJHL, scoring at nearly a point-per-game. Expect him in training camp next season.

Source:

Renaud P Lavoie 2012-03-01T18:50:16.000Z

Adam Payerl(Center)(C)|

Signing

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Adam Payerl to a three-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Payerl will finish out the remainder of his OHL season before competing for a job in training camp.

Source:

PittsburghPenguins.com 2012-03-01T14:47:23.000Z

Charlie Coyle(Center)(C)|Colorado Avalanche COL

Signing

#mnwild announce they've signed Charlie Coyne to a three-year entry-level contract.

Coyle left Boston University this year to speed up his transition to the professional ranks. The rising pivot should have an opportunity to make the Wild out of training camp following a playoff run in the QMJHL.

Source:

Ben Goessling 2012-03-01T10:10:11.000Z

Cory Conacher(Left Wing)(LW)|Free Agent FA

Signing

Norfolk Admirals rookie forward Cory Conacher has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. An announcement could come as soon as today.

Conacher currently leads the Norfolk Admirals in scoring and should get a chance to play with the Bolts this season.

Source:

True Hockey 2012-02-29T10:52:16.000Z

Tim Jackman(Right Wing)(RW)|

Signing

CGY signs F Tim Jackman to a two-year contract extension. $612,500 x 2. #TradeCentre

Nice little signing as the Flames keep a valuable role player. Jackman scored a goal and seven points in 62 games with 77 PIM.

Source:

Bob McKenzie 2012-02-27T15:10:59.000Z

Ben Bishop(Goalie)(G)|Buffalo Sabres BUF

Signing

Before trading G Ben Bishop to OTT for a 2013 2nd rd pick, STL signed him to a one-year, one-way contract. #TradeCentre #tsn

Bishop was slated to become a UFA so the Sens get their new player for at least a full season.

Source:

Bob McKenzie 2012-02-26T11:41:38.000Z

Ales Hemsky(Right Wing)(RW)|

Signing

Ales Hemsky agrees to contract with Oilers. 2 years, $10 mil total.

Nice signing by the Oilers, who lock up a top-six forward. Through 47 games, he scored five goals and 26 points.

Source:

Darren Dreger 2012-02-24T20:03:42.000Z

Willie Mitchell(Defenseman)(D)|Free Agent FA

Signing

Willie Mitchell's contract extension with the #LAKings is a two-year deal, total of $7 million.

Re-signing Mitchell is a very smart move now that Johnson was traded away. He scored three goals and 12 points through 55 games.

Source:

LA Kings Insider 2012-02-24T17:48:09.000Z

Carter Hutton(Goalie)(G)|Inactive INA

Signing

#blackhawks Carter Hutton 2011-12. 525 000 (2 way)

The Blackhawks officially signed Hutton today. He will add depth to the team's goaltending stable.

Source:

Renaud P Lavoie 2012-02-23T18:54:35.000Z

NHL Free Agents: Best Available Players in 2025

Once the dust settles on the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL offseason officially commences as the latest wave of free agents hit the market as teams and players alike reevaluate their current situation and plot their next steps toward success.

With a plethora of talent up for grabs every summer, Stanley Cup contenders can be formed as well as broken up through free agency. With NHL signings going down at a breakneck pace throughout the opening days of free agency, we’ll keep you in the loop with our 2025 NHL free agency tracker. You can find all of the latest NHL signings of the free agency period as players switch teams, sign extensions, and change the outlook of the league with a single decision.

Whether you’re a diehard fan of your favourite team and are looking to stay up to date with every move made by the front office, or are an avid daily fantasy sports bettor that wants to prep for their wagers, our NHL free agency tracker is the best destination for all your free agent market news.

Types of Free Agent Markets

Each NHL free agent holds their own unique distinction when signing with a team. These distinctions are made based on a number of factors including age, NHL experience, as well as their current contract situation. NHL free agents are divided by restricted and unrestricted free agents, with each classification of player holding varying rights, including how teams are able to offer them contracts, and the results of receiving an offer.

Below, we take a deep dive into each type of NHL free agent so you can get a thorough understanding of each free agent market type, how they are able to sign with teams, and the possible outcomes from each offseason acquisition.

Restricted Free Agents

A restricted NHL free agent (RFA) is a player that is either under the age of 27 or has been in the NHL for less than seven seasons. Teams hold a form of protection over their restricted free agents, providing them with a sort of insurance if their RFA decides to sign with a new team.

While restricted free agents are technically eligible to sign a new contract with different teams, the process can become messy if a team other than their original squad makes them an offer and they accept. Restricted free agents are only able to sign a standard NHL contract with the team that currently owns the players rights, all other squads must submit an offer sheet if they want to lure away a player from their team. If an offer sheet is made to an RFA, the team who holds the players rights will be left with the option to either match the offer made to their player, or allow the player to sign with the team that made the offer sheet, in return receiving draft compensation depending on the value of the contract offered.

Qualifying Offers

In order for a team to retain a player’s rights heading into the free agency period, they must make a qualifying offer to the player. These offers are in the form of a one-year contract, with the amount offered being formulated depending on the value of their previous contract.

For any player who was on a deal worth $660,000 or less, the qualifying offer they receive must be worth 110% the amount of their previous season’s salary. For a player making between $660,000 and $1,000,000, they must be offered 105% their previous seasons salary. Finally, if a player was making more than $1 million in their previous year of duty, their team must offer them 100% of their previous season’s salary.

These offers are not final and players are eligible to receive greater or lesser valued contracts from the team that holds their rights once free agency begins. Players who reject qualifying offers remain restricted free agents.

Non-Qualified RFAs

If a team decides to not submit a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent on their roster, all non-qualified RFAs instantly become free agents and are welcome to sign contracts with any team come July 1st.

Unrestricted Free Agents

The other form of NHL free agent is the unrestricted free agent (UFA). UFAs have the right to sign their next deal with any team without restriction, as long as the offer they sign complies with league salary cap mandates and rules. Unrestricted free agents are truly what can shake up the free agent market, with many of the leagues top stars entering into the offseason as UFAs.

There are multiple forms of unrestricted free agents, each with their own unique classifications, but don’t necessarily affect the potential value of the contracts offered to them in the offseason. Below are two of the most common UFAs.

Group 3 UFAs

Common among NHL veterans, Group 3 comprises players entering free agency that are 27 or older, or have played in the NHL for more than seven accrued seasons. An accrued season is defined as a season in which a player has suited up for action on an NHL roster in at least 40 games (30 for goalies). Any player that fits this criteria will become an unrestricted free agent once their contract expires in the following offseason.

Group 6 UFAs

Another way that players can become an unrestricted free agent is by being 25 years of age or older and to have played three or more professional hockey seasons under an NHL contract (AHL, ECHL, Europe), but played in less than 80 NHL games (28 for goalies) in their career. Often, Group 6 unrestricted free agents are developing players that, for one reason or another, have not had the chance to crack into an NHL lineup, but still possess experience as a high-level player. There is no difference in the rights of Group 3 and Group 6 unrestricted free agents, but typically the latter will receive smaller contracts, both in terms of value as well as in duration.

Undrafted UFAs

The final way that a player may enter into free agency as an unrestricted free agent is by going undrafted in their three years of draft eligibility. If a player is not selected by an NHL franchise through the draft they are still eligible to crack into a final roster as a free agent.

NHL Free Agency FAQs

Who are the top NHL free agents in 2025?

Some of the top NHL free agents available this summer are Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Aaron Ekblad, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Brock Boeser, Brad Marchand and Linus Ullmark.

This offseason will bring a stacked crop of free agents to the market that will shape the landscape of the 2025-26 NHL season. Not only will the final landing spots for each of the top 2025 NHL free agents shake up the framework of the league, but will also have major implications on the upcoming fantasy hockey season. Be sure to stay in the know in regard to the latest free agency updates with our NHL player news.

What time does free agency start?

On July 1st, 2025, at 12 PM EST, the 2025 NHL free agency period officially opens. While some players will have all but signed the dotted line up to this point, nothing can become official until noon on Canada Day.