NHL trade deadline: Players sign extensions, go off market
NHL general managers are doing more than trying to improve their teams by making trades before Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.
They are also trying to get some of their pending free agents under contract.
If potential sellers can't get a deal done before Friday's trade deadline, it's possible a player could be moved to get something in return. That's what happened with the Nashville Predators' Gustav Nyquist and the New York Rangers' Ryan Lindgren during the weekend.
Players can be considered off the market if they sign an extension.
Contenders, meanwhile, can know their salary cap situation going forward if they get their free agents under contract.
Players to watch: Carolina's Mikko Rantanen and the New York Islanders' Brock Nelson.
Here are the key signings in the NHL in the week leading up to the trade deadline:
March 5: Utah re-signs goalie Karel Vejmelka
Karel Vejmelka gets five years at a $4.75 million average, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. Vejmelka has a career-best 2.45 goals-against average (down nearly a goal a game from last season) and .910 save percentage and filled in admirably when Connor Ingram missed time in midseason.
March 5: Utah re-signs defenseman Ian Cole
Ian Cole gets one year at a reported $3 million. General manager Bill Armstrong has been busy this week, re-signing Cole, Alexander Kerfoot and Olli Maatta. Cole leads the NHL with 160 blocked shots after joining the team in the offseason.
March 5: Utah re-signs forward Alexander Kerfoot
Alexander Kerfoot gets one year for a reported $3 million. The Utah Hockey Club cited his versatility, leadership and community contributions. He has played 406 consecutive games and kills penalties.
March 5: Blue Jackets re-sign forward Mathieu Olivier
Mathieu Olivier gets six years with a $3 million average. This is another sign that the Blue Jackets will be buyers, not sellers, this season. Olivier plays a rugged style that's important in the playoffs. He leads the team in penalty minutes (113), hits (232) and has set personal bests with 12 goals, 21 points and three game-winning goals.
March 5: Sabres re-sign forward Jordan Greenway
Jordan Greenway gets two years at a $4 million average. The 6-foot-6 winger is a physical player (11.57 hits per 60 minutes) who kills penalties (2:55 per game while short-handed). He has dealt with injuries this season but will stick around with the last-place Sabres expected to be sellers.
March 4: Canadiens agree to deal with forward Jake Evans
Jake Evans gets four years at a $2.85 million average. This has to disappoint NHL teams because he would have had a lot of suitors if he hadn't reached a deal with the Canadiens. Evans is heading to career highs with 12 goals and 28 points. He's known for his speed and has three short-handed goals this season, plus five game-winners.
Also: The Florida Panthers and forward Jesper Boqvist agreed to a two-year deal. He has a career-best 12 goals.
March 3: Capitals re-sign goalie Charlie Lindgren
Charlie Lindgren gets three seasons at a $3 million average. The deal keeps the Capitals' highly successful goalie tandem together for years. Logan Thompson earlier signed a six-year extension averaging $5.85 million. The two had been alternating starts and the Capitals get them signed to reasonable deals.
March 3: Utah re-signs defenseman Olli Maatta
Olli Maatta gets three years at a reported $3.5 million average. The Utah Hockey Club had acquired him early in the season because of injuries to defenseman Sean Durzi and John Marino, who since have returned. He has provided steady play, averaging more than 20 minutes a night.