“Brock has been a huge part of our organization, and we are extremely happy to have him back in the fold,” Canucks general manger Patrik Allvin said. “Brock is a leader and culture-setter in our locker room, and we’re confident he will continue to play an important role for our team.”
With Boeser, Vancouver took one of the more high-profile free agents off the board in what was already regarded as a depleted pool of talent. Numerous teams spent the lead-up by securing players by taking advantage of a record $7.5 million jump in the NHL's salary cap.
The New York Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov — considered the top defensive free agent available — to a seven-year contract worth $49 million, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
As the dust settled the top players available two hours in include forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
A division-by-division look at the frenzy:
Metropolitan
While the Rangers began remaking their blue line, nearby rival New Jersey re-signed backup goaltender Jake Allen for $9 million over five years and added winger Connor Brown.
"We have a great thing going here right now," Allen said. “We found a way to make it work. ... It just checked a lot of boxes, and I’m glad I’ll be able to finish my career here.”
Philadelphia filled its center void by signing Christian Dvorak for $5.4 million for next season and also got a goalie, Dan Vladar for $6.7 million over two years. The Islanders signed David Rittich to back up Ilya Sorokin.
Columbus finalized a $59.5 million, seven-year contract with defenseman Ivan Provorov.
“Ivan Provorov is the consummate pro and has been an important player during his two seasons in Columbus, so we are thrilled that he will continue to be a Blue Jacket for many years to come,” general manager Don Waddell said. "He is smart, talented, can play in all situations and has been remarkably consistent and durable throughout his career and we believe his best seasons are ahead of him.”
Carolina signed young forward Logan Stankoven to an eight-year extension worth $48 million. Stankoven, acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline as part of the return for Mikko Rantanen, will count $6 million against the cap from 2026-2034.
Atlantic
Back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champion Florida re-signed fourth-liner Tomas Nosek for the league-minimum $775,000 and shored up its backup goalie spot by signing recently acquired Daniil Tarasov for $1.05 million.
Boston agreed to sign rugged forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year contract worth $17 million, according to a person familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because it hadn't been announced. The Bruins also acquired winger Viktor Arvidsson from Edmonton for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Toronto completed the trade of Mitch Marner to Vegas for Nicolas Roy. With Marner's departure, the Maple Leafs announced the signing of pending restricted free agent forward Matthew Knies to a six-year, $46.5 million contract.
The Buffalo Sabres are among teams that could be active in not ruling out the possibility of dealing 24-year-old defenseman Bowen Byram.
Central
While the league awaits Ehlers' destination after leaving Winnipeg, St. Louis got bigger up front by signing Nick Bjugstad for $3.5 million over the next two years. The Blues also sent forward Zachary Bolduc to Montreal for defenseman Logan Mailloux in a swap of 2021 first-round picks.
Utah is signing forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract worth $7.5 million, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Pacific
Corey Perry, who has reached the final and lost five of the past six years and is still playing at 40, is going to Los Angeles. He agreed with the Kings on a contract worth up to $4 million in salary and performance bonuses, according to a person familiar with the agreement who person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Seattle signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren for four years and $18 million.
“Ryan’s a heart-and-soul player who competes every shift,” Kraken GM Jason Botterill said. “He does whatever it takes to win and has been a key fixture on the penalty kill throughout his career."
The Canucks also reached agreements to sign goalie Thatcher Demko to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension and forward Conor Garland to a six-year, $36 million contract extension. Each player was entering the final year of his contract.
___
AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP