NHL Free Agency is today! Players over 27 years-old on expiring contracts and various other categories of players like RFAs who did not receive qualifying offers from their team can sign with any team they want today! It’s chaos! And the Maple Leafs might be at the at the center of all of it based on a slew of rumours to come out in the past few weeks.
Related
What does and does not need to happen for the Leafs to land Pietrangelo in free agency
Spending the money if Pietrangelo doesn’t sign with the Leafs
Rumours surface of Maple Leafs interest in Wayne Simmonds
Alex Pietrangelo is of course the big prize, and we have written a lot about him already. Will they sign him? We’ll see after noon today. Or maybe tomorrow. In fact, this Pietrangelo drama could go on for a week, or even longer—just like the draft. In fact, it’s entirely possible the Leafs do nothing at all today. Be prepared for a long afternoon.
However, there are other names floating out there linked to the Leafs, including Wayne Simmonds, and Vinnie Hinostroza. Anthony Duclair is also available and we agree he would be a fantastic pickup.
And, of course, there’s a brilliant defenceman available from the Hurricanes. Trevor van Riemsdyk. Do it, Kyle! He’s perfect for the team. Even JvR thinks so! Just listen.
And he’s cutely scared of lemurs. Dawwwww.
Meanwhile some of the Leafs new prospects from the draft are playing hockey right now, including Rodion Amirov.
Just as Cody Ceci is leaving, the Leafs draft someone who can handle his breakout passes. https://t.co/GPs1si4KZW
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) October 8, 2020
Other News
Now on to the fun part: free agency rumours!
Two sources confirm the #NHLJets are close to striking a deal for C Paul Stastny from the Vegas Golden Knights. Sounds like picks are involved going the other way.
— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) October 9, 2020
Stastny has one-year left on a deal making him $6.5 million per year.
The expectation is that the Blackhawks will sign Malcolm Subban over the next few days after not qualifying him. Chicago will go with their young guys in goal next season.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 9, 2020
Sounds like the #NHLBruins have held firm on their 6 x $6.5 million offer to pending UFA D Torey Krug. He's expected to hit the market tomorrow, but the Bruins have left the door open for them to reconnect once Krug sees what's out there.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 9, 2020
Hearing #CBJ are trading D Ryan Murray to #NJDevils
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 9, 2020
Note the above trade has now happened.
Predicting the Destinations of the Top 50 NHL Free Agents - MLHS
Kevin Papetti has predictions!
Panthers acquire defenseman Markus Nutivaara from Blue Jackets - Litter Box Cats
To quote Katya “I don’t like Florida with a smart GM.”
I'm told ECHL plan for a return to play will come tomorrow. As I've said, it'll be staggered, as in not all teams are going to start in December. Varies state to state, city to city; also, some teams more willing to lose big money than others; I expect at least 1 team to opt out.
— Justin A. Cohn (@SportsiCohn) October 9, 2020
This is your obligatory free agency day reminder to look for the checkmark before re-posting a Tweet where someone confirms a signing.
Will the Leafs win free agency?
| Yes! Because they will sign Pietrangelo to a great contract and sign TvR! | 66 |
| Yes! They will win by NOT signing Pietrangelo, but they will sign TvR! | 95 |
| Yes! Because they will sign TvR! | 28 |
| Nope. They will not sign TvR and Species will be very sad. | 180 |
