Devils Daily: Free Agent Frenzy; Trades; & Extensions

Monday was certainly an entertaining day. Especially for New Jersey Devils fans.

We knew going into the free agent frenzy that the Devils had their sights set on a few players who wound up inking deals. What we didn’t expect was for some of those players to be swiped right out from under their nose. More on that later in the links.

What we didn’t know was how Nashville was going to steal the show on the first day of free agency. They’re going to be quite dangerous next season.

Elsewhere, a former Devils surprisingly signs in San Jose, the Isles make a surprising splash, and Washington makes another good trade, this time on the blue line.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

New Jersey Hockey Now: General Manager Tom Fitzgerald had a few goals this summer while constructing his roster. One of those goals was to add size, physicality, and players who know how to defend. On the first day of free agency, Fitzgerald did quite well checking off those items on his wishlist, signing defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, as well as returning forward Stefan Noesen.

More NJHN: The Devils also saw a few departures in free agency, watching Brendan Smith sign in Dallas and Tomas Nosek ink with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The Washington Capitals have made some sneaky good adds. This time, it’s Jakob Chychrun who is the newest player in Washington via a Capitals trade with the Ottawa Senators.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It might have taken longer than Pittsburgh Penguins fans would have liked as the gates to the free-agent frenzy opened and GM Kye Dubas didn’t make an immediate splash. However, a Penguins trade eventually unfolded, sending forward Reilly Smith to the New York Rangers.

Boston Hockey Now: It’s been rumored for quite some time now that Elias Lindholm would eventually end up wearing the spoked B playing for the Boston Bruins. That came to fruition on Monday as Lindholm inked a deal with Boston, as did his former Calgary Flames teammate, defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

San Jose Hockey Now: One of the more shocking signings of the day happened in San Jose. In fact, the San Jose Sharks had a pretty good day reeling in some NHL talent as they seemingly don’t want to repeat last seasons pummelings night after night. Former Devils forward Tyler Toffoli came to terms with the Sharks on Monday. Macklin Celebrini has a winger.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche weren’t all that active on the first day of free agency, however, they did get a bit of housekeeping done. Nathan Mackinnon’s buddy, Jonathan Drouin, is returning to the Avalanche for another year.

Florida Hockey Now: The reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, lost a significant chunk of their championship-winning roster to free agency. All of Brandon Montour, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz, and Kevin Stenlund will wear new sweaters next season.

NYI Hockey Now: Despite being cap strapped and working with very little wiggle room, the New York Islanders were able to make a rare splash in free agency, signing Anthony Duclair to a bargain contract. Mike Reilly inked an extension as well.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens have announced they have signed forward Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year contract extension. The deal will carry an annual average value (AAV) of $7.6 million per season, and will last until 2032-33.

Nashville Hockey Now: I mean, what a day for the Nashville Predators. They stole Jonathan Marchessault right out from under the nose of the Devils, inked Steven Stamkos, and signed Brady Skjei. Barry Trotz is cooking up something special in Tennessee.

Chicago Hockey Now: There was more Chicago Blackhawks news than free agency on Monday and it involves a part of the past which both directly and indirectly led to the Blackhawks decisions to rebuild both on and off the ice. Per a release from the NHL, former general manager Stan Bowman, assistant general manager Al MacIassac, and Joel Quenneville will all be reinstated on July 10th after being ineligible for the past two and a half years.

Buffalo Hockey Now: The Buffalo Sabres had a bit of a day on Monday. They were linked to a few big names on the open market, but only came away with Jason Zucker and Sam Lafferty — among some other minor moves.

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