The Stanley Cup Final just wrapped up last week, and the NHL offseason is already in full swing. The 2024 NHL Draft is already in the books and was highlighted by the San Jose Sharks selecting Boston University star Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 pick.
With the draft in the rear-view mirror, free agency is set to begin Monday at noon ET.
Prior to free agency officially getting underway, the defending Stanley Cup champions checked a rather large item off of their offseason to-do list. Florida signed star forward Sam Reinhart to a eight-year, $69 million contract extension that carries a reported average annual value of $8.5 million.
Reinhart wasn’t the only big name to come off the board on Monday morning. The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year, $63 million deal ($9.0 million average annual value). Tampa Bay had acquired Guentzel’s exclusive negotiating rights in a trade on Sunday.
Theres still plenty of other big names that will be free agents, including veteran center Steven Stamkos, Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour, Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm and Vegas Golden Knights star Jonathan Marchessault.
CBS Sports will have you covered throughout NHL free agency with all of the latest signings.
Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault likely to land with the Predators
Veteran forward Steven Stamkos looks like he’s going to have a new address next season. According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Stamkos is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators that could be worth $8 million per season.
Stamkos had been negotiating with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the two sides were unable to come to terms on a new contract.
Stamkos, 34, has spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Lightning and has registered 1,137 points (555 goals & 582 assists) over that span. He’ll join a Predators team that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season, but were eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round in six games.
Meanwhile, the Predators also are likely going to sign veteran winger Jonathan Marchessault, according to LeBrun. Nashville is slated to sign Marchessault to a five-year deal that could be worth $5.5 million per season.
Marchessault was unable to come to terms on a contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights. The veteran forward has spent the last seven seasons in Vegas after he was selected by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft back in 2017.
Brandon Montour reportedly leaving Panthers to sign with Kraken
The Florida Panthers are seeing one of their top defensemen leave the franchise just days after winning the Stanley Cup. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, defenseman Brandon Montour is slated to sign a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Seattle Kraken once free agency opens.
Montour’s new deal will carry an average annual value of $7.14 million.
The veteran defenseman was a key cog on Florida’s power-play in recent years. Montour tallied 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) during the 2023-24 regular season, and added 11 points (three goals eight assists) in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Chris Tanev signs six-year deal with Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year contract, according to an announcement from the team. The deal will carry an average annual value of $4.5 million.
Toronto had acquired Tanev’s exclusive negotiating rights from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick and prospect Max Ellis over the weekend. Tanev was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Stars at the trade deadline after spending the previous four seasons in Calgary.
After coming over to Dallas, the 34-year-old defenseman tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 games, while adding a pair of assists in 19 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The veteran blue-liner has tallied 190 points (33 goals, 157 assists) in 792 career regular-season games in the NHL.
Jake Guentzel inks seven-year deal with Lightning
Veteran winger Jake Guentzel has signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to an announcement from the team. The contract will carry an average annual value of $9 million.
The Lightning acquired Guentzel’s rights from the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. That allowed the Lightning to negotiate a potential contract with Guentzel prior to the two-time All-Star hitting free agency on Monday.
It was clear Tampa Bay was gearing up for a big-time move as the team traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club during the 2024 NHL Draft this past weekend. In addition, the Lightning also shipped forward Tanner Jeannot to the Los Angeles Kings in a separate deal to clear even more cap space.
Sam Reinhart signs eight-year extension with Panthers
One of the top free agents won’t reach the marketplace. Star forward Sam Reinhart has signed a eight-year, $69 million contract extension to remain with the Florida Panthers.
Reinhart’s new deal will carry an average annual value of $8.5 million.
The Panthers star is fresh off of scoring the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Reinhart tallied 10 goals during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after racking up a career-high 57 goals in the regular-season.
Reinhart has been a member of the Panthers since the 2021 offseason, when he was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to South Florida. Reinhart has tallied 243 points (121 goals, 122 assists) during his three seasons with the Panthers, and was in line for a massive payday.
The Nashville Predators have made some big moves in NHL free agency, reportedly adding two key players to their roster. According to sources, the Predators have signed center Steven Stamkos and forward Jonathan Marchessault to bolster their lineup for the upcoming season.
Stamkos, a former captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, is widely regarded as one of the top players in the league. Known for his scoring ability and leadership on and off the ice, Stamkos brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Predators. His addition to the team is expected to provide a significant boost to their offense and power play.
Marchessault, who most recently played for the Vegas Golden Knights, is a dynamic forward with a knack for finding the back of the net. His speed and scoring touch make him a valuable asset for any team, and the Predators are no exception. Marchessault’s versatility and work ethic are sure to make him a fan favorite in Nashville.
With these two signings, the Predators are clearly making a statement that they are serious contenders in the Western Conference. By adding Stamkos and Marchessault to an already talented roster that includes players like Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg, Nashville is positioning themselves for a deep playoff run.
Fans of the Predators can look forward to an exciting season ahead, as the team looks to build on their recent success and make a push for the Stanley Cup. With Stamkos and Marchessault in the fold, the Predators have the talent and depth to compete with the best teams in the league. It’s an exciting time to be a Nashville fan, as the team gears up for what promises to be an unforgettable season.
