NHL free agency 2019: Breaking down the deals and rumors on July 1

Discussing the major deals, rumors and trends as the NHL free agency period begins (at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, July 1). Newest updates are at the top. 

7:05 p.m. One first-day surprise

The Blue Jackets didn't land a goalie to replace Sergei Bobrovsky. The thought was they would land a veteran, such as Robin Lehner, to pair with Joonas Korpisalo. But Lehner signed with the Blackhawks. Semyon Varlamov ended up with the Islanders. 

6:58 p.m. Big trade

The Maple Leafs significantly changed their 2019-20 outlook when they acquired puck-moving defenseman Tyson Barrie, along with Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick for center Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen and a third-round selection. The Avalanche are retaining 50% of Barrie's $5.5 million salary.

With Jake Gardiner leaving through free agency, the Leafs need another puck mover. Barrie, a more productive point man than Gardiner, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Kerfoot is a restricted free agent. 

Kadri's cap hit is $4.5 million for the next three seasons. He fell out of favor with the Maple Leafs after delivering an illegal hit that resulted in his suspension during the first round of the NHL playoffs. His feisty playing style will be a welcome addition to the Avalanche, one of the NHL's rising powers.  

6:07 p.m. Hurricanes goalie back

Petr Mrazek is returning with a two-year, $6.25 million contract. He made $1.5 million last season.

5:50 p.m. New Islanders goalie

The Islanders announced they agreed to terms with Semyon Varlamov on a four-year deal.

5:40 p.m. Lehner on the move

Robin Lehner is heading to Chicago. After being treated for depression and substance abuse, he resurrected his career with the Islanders and became a Vezina Trophy finalist and Masterton Trophy winner. The Blackhawks deal, like the last one, is for one year. He'll make $5 million, up from $1.5 million last season.

4:40 p.m. Anders Lee staying

The New York Islanders captain tweeted out a YouTube clip from The Wolf of Wall Street in which the Leonardo DiCaprio character announces, "I'm not leaving." TSN reports that the deal with worth $49 million over seven years.

2:48 p.m. Rare offer sheet made

The Montreal Canadiens made a splash by tendering an offer sheet to restricted free agent Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho. It's for five years at an average of $8.454 million a year, but reports says it has a big payout in signing bonuses. The Hurricanes have a week to match the offer or accept a first-, second- and third-round pick in return. Offer sheets are rarely made because teams always match.

2:30 p.m. Sharks signing

The Sharks lost top goal scorer Joe Pavelski, but locked in their No. 3 goal scorer. Timo Meier, 22, who had 30 goals and 66 points, got a four-year, $24 million contract.  

2:20 p.m. Lightning add backup goalie

Curtis McElhinney (two years, $2.6 million) played 33 games last season and played the final three games of the Hurricanes' sweep of the Islanders after Petr Mrazek was hurt. This is the first time that McElhinney, 36, has topped $1 million in his career.

2:05 p.m. Stralman to Panthers

Anton Stralman (three-year deal) averaged nearly 22 minutes a game during his five years with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's a solid, two-way player who will improve the defense of a team that earlier added goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

1:58 p.m. Simmonds to Devils

Wayne Simmonds will get $5 million in a one-year deal. That's what he made last season, when he scored 30 points, his worst production since 2010-11. He adds a physical touch and plays on the power play.

1:33 p.m. Sharks thank Joe Pavelski

GM  Doug Wilson's comment on Joe Pavelski leaving San Jose to sign with the Stars:

"From being a seventh-round draft pick in 2003 to serving as captain of our team for the last four seasons, Joe Pavelski's place in Sharks history is firmly cemented and he will be sorely missed. Joe led by example, not only as a player but as a person, and the impact he has had on this franchise and his teammates will be felt for years to come. 

"Under a cap system, these extremely difficult separations are a reality and, unfortunately, we could not find common ground on dollars and term to keep Joe in San Jose. However, like many other players around the NHL, Joe has earned the right to become a free agent. We respect his decision and want to thank Joe, his wife Sarah and son, Nate, for 13 wonderful seasons. They will always be part of the San Jose Sharks family."

1:01 p.m. Blue Jackets pivot after losing out on Artemi Panarin

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Gustav Nyquist is coming to Columbus on a four-year, $22 million deal. Nyquist had 22 goals and 60 points with the Red Wings and Sharks last season. This is a much-needed signing for their offense, but certainly won’t have the positive impact Panarin would’ve had. 

12:53 p.m. Red Wings land Valterri Filppula

He signs a two-year deal, $6 million deal. GM Steve Yzerman played with Filppula on the Red Wings in 2005-06. He also had him on the team when he was a GM in Tampa Bay. The Red Wings also signed defenseman Patrik Nemeth (two years) in a depth move. 

12:38 p.m. Rangers land Artemi Panarin

The prize of the 2019 free agent frenzy has picked New York, according to multiple reports. The Rangers’ offseason has been nothing short of stellar. GM Jeff Gorton has traded for defensemen Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox and drafted forward Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick.

OPINION: Artemi Panarin gives Rangers star-power promise

Panarin, who had 28 goals and 87 points last season, accelerates the Rangers’ rebuild in way it’s hard to not envision them competing for a playoff spot next season.

12:18 p.m. Keith Kinkaid to the Canadiens

He gets a one-year, $1.75 million contract. Good backup and good insurance policy in case of a Carey Price injury. Had 26 wins with Devils in 2017-18, though he dropped off last season.

12:17 p.m. Jason Spezza to Maple Leafs

His game has really dropped off (eight goals each of the last two seasons), but the contract is for only $700,000.

12:14 p.m. Penguins aim to improve depth   

And it might've come at too steep a price and term. Brandon Tanev offers limited offense, and at 27 years old, it's not like there's a lot of untapped upside. He has 51 points in 195 games and has never averaged more than 14:07 minutes per game in his career.

11:42 a.m. Offer sheets are being considered

The reason offer sheets are rarely seen in the NHL is that they don't often work. Teams are always inclined to match. 

But there is more discussion about offer sheets this season because the Carolina Hurricanes haven't been able to re-sign young star Sebastian Aho.

The Hurricanes are not a free-spending team. They would prefer to live within their means. Would they match a $70 million offer to Aho for seven years?

GM Don Waddell has said he will match any offer. But that hasn't stopped the chatter that some teams may be looking at an offer sheet for Aho. The Montreal Canadiens have cleared some cap space. Will they pull the trigger?

11:35 a.m. Canucks bolster defense

The Canucks will sign Jordie Benn to a two-year, $4 million contract, according to TSN.ca. Benn had 22 points with the Canadiens last year. He’s a solid second-tier blue liner.

11:28 a.m. Sabres add scoring depth

The Sabres gave a third-round pick to the New York Rangers for Jimmy Vesey. He has scored 17 goals in each of the past two seasons. It didn't seem like he was part of the Rangers' plans. 

10:45 a.m. Oilers gain some depth

The Oilers are set to sign Markus Granlund to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, according to TSN.ca. The 26-year-old had 22 points in 77 games with the Canucks last year.

10:05 a.m. Senators add veteran defenseman

Senators will sign Ron Hainsey to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million, according to TSN.ca. At 38, he is still a dependable shutdown defenseman.

9:46 a.m. Maple Leafs and Senators have a trade

Maple Leafs trade defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, right wing Connor Brown, prospect forward Michael Carcone to the Senators for defenseman Cody Ceci, Blue Jackets' third-round pick (2020), defenseman Ben Harpur and prospect center Aaron Luchuk, the teams announced.

This deal was made because Zaitsev wanted out of Toronto and the Maple Leafs are trying to clear cap space to be able to re-sign Mitch Marner. Zaitsev and Brown combined for a $6.6 million cap hit.  TSN reports Ceci re-signed for $4.5 million for one season.  The Leafs will save $2.1 million in cap space.

Ceci is a key player for the Leafs because he will play regularly. Zaitsev's ability is well established, but don't discount Brown's upside. He might be able to record 40-50 points with a bigger role.

9:22 a.m. Rangers not giving up hope yet

Multiple reports indicate the finalists for Artemi Panarin are the Islanders, Panthers and Rangers ... with the Blue Jackets making a last-minute push to keep their superstar. This is a move that will reverberate around the market, especially with the Rangers, who seemingly have more forwards than can fit on the roster. But will Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello swoop in? Does Panarin want to join his friend Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida?

8 a.m. So much for free agency intrigue ...

With the free agency period still about five hours away, multiple players have already (reportedly) agreed to contracts with new teams.

► Matt Duchene to the Predators

This is a perfect marriage. Duchene, who will sign a seven-year, $56 million contract, according to multiple reports, wanted to play in Nashville and the Predators desperately needed an offensively gifted player who could anchor their second line and boost their power play. He had 31 goals and 70 points last season. He has topped 20 goals seven times in his 10-season NHL career. Duchene is also an accomplished musician. Moving to Nashville makes sense. 

► Mats Zuccarello to the Wild

Zuccarello is a proven offensive contributor. He's good for 50 points per season. The money is fair. The only question about this signing is whether they gave him too many years. He's 32. What level will Zuccarello be at when the deal is winding down? 

► Tyler Myers to the Canucks

At 6-7, Myers can be an imposing figure on the blue line. The Canucks are still rebuilding and it's a strong statement to fans that they expect to be contending sooner rather than later. He strengthens their back end. On the other side of this addition, this is another hole the Jets will have to plug in their lineup.

► Joe Pavelski to the Stars

Pavelski is 34, but he scored 38 goals last season. There's been no indication that he is in a steep decline. GM Jim Nill is obviously making sure that the Stars will not be a one-line team again next season. They ranked 29th out of 31 NHL teams in scoring last season. Giving Pavelski the third season was key to bringing him aboard. 

► Corey Perry to the Stars

TSN.ca is reporting Perry is heading to Dallas for $1.5 million for a season, plus up to $1.75 million in bonuses. If Perry can score 20-25 goals, this could be one of the best bargains of the free agent signing period. The question is whether Perry, 34, perhaps having lost a step, can still score in an NHL that keeps getting faster.

► Sergei Bobrovsky to the Panthers

This is a perfect fit for a team that lost popular goalie Roberto Luongo to retirement. He's a durable, talented netminder. But did they overpay? Who else was going to pay him that much?

► Mike Smith to the Oilers

The netminder will share duties with Mikko Koskinen. TSN.ca is reporting he will receive $2 million, plus bonuses. This opens the door for Cam Talbot to end up in Calgary. That leaves goalies Robin Lehner, Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney still in the market.

► Joonas Donskoi to the Avalanche

According to Sportsnet, Donskoi will be joining the Avalanche today on a deal between $3 million and $4 million. He can skate well and is capable of scoring 15 goals and 35 points as a third-liner. 

► Brett Connolly to the Panthers

GM Dale Tallon is moving boldly in an effort to upgrade his roster. Connolly scored a career-high 22 goals last season. At worst, he's a dependable middle-six forward who can score 15-20 goals. TSN says he will receive an average of $3.5 million over four seasons. 

► Richard Panik to the Capitals

Since becoming general manager, Brian MacLellan has continually been able to make under-the-radar deals that keep his viable. He is landing a consistent scoring winger for his third line, a player who could score 15-20 goals for a reasonable price of $2.5 million per season over four seasons, per TSN.