Recapping The Most Significant Veteran NHL Free Agent Signings
Day one of NHL Free Agency this year was as exciting as ever. Many veterans signed in new cities, after being locked up by only one or two teams so far in their careers. While there are still plenty left, such as Patrick Kane, tons were taken off the board yesterday. Here is a quick recap of where the veterans have landed this offseason:
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Oliver Ekman-Larsson heads south to the Panthers
Following an unsuccessful and injury-riddled Stanley Cup run, it was clear that the Florida Panthers needed to make adjustments. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour likely beginning the 2023-24 season injured, it is essential that the team gets assistance on the blue line. After being bought out by the Vancouver Canucks, Oliver Ekman-Larsson signed with the Eastern Conference champions. He was a cornerstone of the Coyotes franchise for 11 years, captained them for three, and has spent the last two in Vancouver. Due to not experiencing much success, if any, in these two cities, it makes perfect sense for him to end up as a contender. With his lowest point totals since his rookie season behind him, Ekman-Larsson can have a fresh start and provide veteran stability to a mostly young and exciting Florida Panthers team.
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Blake Wheeler is off to the Big Apple
Blake Wheeler spent 12 of his 15 years in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets organization, but no longer had that option after the team placed him on unconditional waiver in order to buy out the last year of his contract. Wheeler wasted no time exploring the free agent market when he signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers. With the futures of Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko still up in the air, the Blake Wheeler signing makes a lot of sense for this Rangers team. They acquired veteran forwards at the trade deadline in order to make a real playoff run, only for it to result in a first-round exit. Wheeler, however, captained the Jets for six seasons and has a true, calming presence. He stands at 6’ 5” and can absolutely fill a hole in the top six of a team that is unsure about the foreseeable future.
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Tyler Bertuzzi makes his way to Toronto
Bertuzzi spent a little over six seasons in Detroit, then was acquired by the Boston Bruins at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. Despite not being in Boston for long, Bertuzzi made a tremendous impact on the team and was an instrumental piece in the record-setting season. He recorded 16 points in 21 regular season games with the Bruins and was tied for first in goals and points during the team’s playoff run. While not a veteran in the same sense as Ekman-Larsson and Wheeler, Bertuzzi has experience with being a member of winning and losing clubs. He also brings an ideal combination of physical presence and scoring prowess to Toronto, which is much-needed after free agents Ryan O’Reilly and Michael Bunting, among others, signed elsewhere.
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James Reimer moves to Detroit
A 13-year NHL veteran in net is exactly what the Detroit Red Wings need, after their struggles this past season. James Reimer signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the team after spending the last two seasons in San Jose. After Alex Ndeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Red Wings were in need of a new backup goaltender. Not only a backup but someone to share the net with Ville Husso, who had a breakout year in 2022-23. James Reimer has experienced his fair share of ups and downs throughout his long NHL career but brings a lot of that experience to a young Detroit team. With the Red Wings being a part of arguably the toughest division in the NHL, Reimer can help players get acclimated to the league, be a great partner to Husso, and be a consistent backup presence, something that the team did not previously have. With Reimer now a member, the Detroit Red Wings should be a team to watch in the Atlantic Division.
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Hurricanes win the Dmitry Orlov sweepstakes
The Carolina Hurricanes landed possibly the most sought-after defensemen in the 2023 NHL free-agent class. Dmitry Orlov signed a two-year, $15.5 million deal with the Hurricanes after ten years with the Washington Capitals and half of the past season with the Boston Bruins, like Tyler Bertuzzi. With an already solid roster of defensemen, Carolina gains one more that has a ton of offensive potential and the ability to shut down competitors. Orlov has a proven history of competitiveness winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 and being a part of the record-breaking Boston Bruins of 2023. He joins a Hurricanes team with a mix of young players and veterans, but also a group that does not have a large amount of Stanley Cup experience. Dmitry Orlov not only brings a strong defensive presence but also a competitive veteran mentality that is lacking on the Carolina Hurricanes roster.
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Ryan O’Reilly goes to Music City
Ryan O’Reilly signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Nashville Predators on the first day of free agency. Barry Trotz’s reign as an NHL general manager is going well so far, and this O’Reilly signing has a lot to do with it. O’Reilly spent six years with the Colorado Avalanche, three with the Buffalo Sabres, five with the St. Louis Blues, where he captained them for three, and joined the Toronto Maple Leafs near the most recent NHL Trade Deadline. O’Reilly is joining one of the youngest teams in the league and brings a lot to the center position, which is lacking in Nashville. The Central Division has a lot of room for competition, and O’Reilly is a solid addition to a team that only missed the playoffs by three points. The Nashville Predators will absolutely be a team to look out for in 2023-24, largely due to Ryan O’Reilly being added on July 1st.
