Five Minute Major

*Photo from Reuters*     There's a little splash in Ottawa here. The Ottawa Senators and RW Vladimir Tarasenko have agreed to a one year, $5 million contract, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network. The Senators have confirmed the contract.    A former first round draft pick, Tarasenko turned down offers from 3 other teams by signing with the Senators. All $5 million owed to Tarasenko comes as base salary. He also gets a full no trade clause for the one season in Ottawa.    Tarasenko has played for the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers in 11 NHL seasons since being drafted in 2010. He has 270 goals and 304 assists for 574 points, averaging 17:27 of ice time with a +61 rating in 675 regular season games. Tarasenko also has 44 goals and 20 assists to go with a -23 rating in 97 playoff games.    After trading Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings, Tarasenko effectively replaces DeBrincat in the lineup, though not having the same goal scoring...

*Photo from Sporting News*     One of the NHL's best is calling it a career. Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is retiring from playing in the NHL, according to an announcement by both Bergeron and the Bruins on Tuesday.    Right as Bergeron turned 38, he announced the end of his NHL career after almost two decades in the league. Bergeron was the captain of the Bruins for the past 3 seasons after previous captain Zdeno Chara departed in free agency.    Bergeron said in a statement that "For the last 20 years I have been able to live my dream every day. I have had the honor of playing in front of the best fans in the world wearing the Bruins uniform and representing my country at the highest levels of international play. I have given the game everything that I have physically and emotionally, and the game has given me back more than I could have ever imagined. It is with a full heart and a lot of gratitude that today I am announcing my retirement as...

*Photo from BVM Sports*     There's a reunion happening in Raleigh. The Carolina Hurricanes and D Tony DeAngelo have agreed to a one year, $1.675 million contract, according to an announcement by the Hurricanes on Monday.    DeAngelo said of re-signing in Carolina that "I think the way the team plays kind of fit my style more so than I'd ever had before. I'd probably say coaching, more than anything was a big reason. I got along with Rod more than I got along with any other coach that I've played for in my career. That's the kind of guy he is and I feel like we were a good match for one another."    Last season was DeAngelo's only year with the Philadelphia Flyers. He ended the season with 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points, averaging 22:04 of ice time over 70 games, posting a rather ugly looking -27 rating in that time.    This will be DeAngelo's second stint with the Hurricanes after playing there on a $1 million deal in 2021-2...

*Photo from Sportsnet*     One of the cup champions is getting a new deal. The Vegas Golden Knights and C/LW Brett Howden have agreed to a two year, $3.8 million contract, according to an announcement by the Golden Knights.    Last season was Howden's second season with the Golden Knights after being traded by the New York Rangers. Howden potted 6 goals with 7 assists for 13 points, posting a +5 rating while averaging 13:04 of ice time over 54 regular season games. Howden added 5 goals with 5 assists over 22 playoff games, posting a +4 rating.    With free agency underway, Howden was an RFA with arbitration rights and had a hearing set for arbitration. His new contract has a $1.9 million AAV over both years, with a $1.375 million signing bonus for year one, which drops his base salary down to $775,000 for the first year of the deal.    A former first round draft pick, Howden was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Rangers as part of the JT ...

*Photo from the Hockey News*     Talk about a nice reward for a good season. The Seattle Kraken and D Vince Dunn have agreed to a 4 year, $29.4 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Friday.    With Dunn set for an arbitration hearing, both sides came to an agreement on a new contract to avoid arbitration. He set career highs in goals, assists, points, power play points, and plus/minus while playing in all but one regular season game. He eclipsed his previous career high in points by 29 and had a plus/minus turnaround of 49 from 2021-2022 to last season.    The new contract for Dunn has a $7.35 million AAV over all 4 years. He has a full no trade clause for the second year of the contract, followed by a modified no trade clause for the final two years in the form of a 16 team no trade list.    Last season marked Dunn's second year with the Kraken after being chosen in the expansion draft. He finished the regular season with ...

*Photo from Elite Sports NY*     The goalie of the future is now getting paid like it. The New York Islanders and G Ilya Sorokin have agreed to an 8 year, $66 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the Islanders.    After being named a Vezina trophy finalist and helping to lead the Islanders to the playoffs, Sorokin gets rewarded with a new contract. This upcoming season, he will play out the final year of a 3 year, $12 million contract signed before the 2021-2022 season.    Beginning in 2024-2025 is the new contract for Sorokin. That deal has a $8.25 million AAV, with all $66 million coming in salary. He has a full no movement clause for the first 4 seasons of the contract. Starting in the 2028-2029 season, he gets a modified no trade clause in the form of a 16 team no trade list. The contract expires at the end of the 2031-2032 season.    New York GM Lou Lamoriello said of the extension that "It's obvious that you don't want...

*Photo from LA Kings Insider*     This case is closed for a few years. The Winnipeg Jets and C/RW Gabe Vilardi have agreed to a two year, $6.875 million contract, according to an announcement made by the Kings.    An RFA with an arbitration hearing scheduled, that hearing is no longer necessary for Vilardi and the Jets, who have agreed to a new deal. Vilardi was acquired in June as part of the return in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade.    Vilardi said of the trade that it "did take me by surprise a little bit, but it's just part of hockey, that's the way it goes. You go where you're wanted kind of thing, so I'm super grateful the Jets believe in me and wanted me, and I'm hopeful I can prove them right, keep growing my game and become an even better player."    After playing out a one year, $825,000 contract last season, Vilardi's new contract has a $3.4375 million AAV, with no incentives or trade protections included. At the end of the 2024-...

*Photo from the Boston Globe*     New Jersey keeps on adding pieces. C/LW Tomas Nosek and the New Jersey Devils have agreed to a one year, $1 million contract, according to an announcement by the team on Wednesday.    Nosek hit free agency after the expiration of a two year, $3.5 million contract with the Boston Bruins. Now, he's off to the Devils on a short term contract in hopes of continuing his chase for a Stanley Cup championship.    Over his career, Nosek has played for the Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Vegas Golden Knights. In that time, he has accumulated 42 goals and 59 assists for 101 points, averaging 12:13 of ice time while posting a -2 rating in 398 regular season games. Nosek has an additional 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 52 playoff games.    Asked about signing with the Devils, Nosek said "At my age when you get older you think all about winning so I want to do is win and that's why I'm here. I'm excited for the oppo...

*Photo from the Rink Live*     The goalie tandem on the Island is now secured. The New York Islanders and G Semyon Varlamov have agreed to a 4 year, $11 million contract, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network. The Islanders have confirmed the move.    After playing on a 4 year, $20 million deal, Varlamov takes a pay cut to stay with the Islanders. The new deal has a $2.75 million AAV and has a full no trade clause for the first two seasons. The final two seasons have a modified no trade clause in the form of a 16 team no trade list.    The contract for Varlamov raised some eyebrows, particularly because he is a 35 year old goalie who is now under contract through his age 39 season. However, the Islanders like the relationship between Varlamov and starting goalie Ilya Sorokin, who are both originally from Russia.    Islanders president of hockey operations Lou Lamoriello said "Unless you were here, you really couldn't appreciate the communicat...

*Photo from the Star Tribune*     More turnover is happening in the music city. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the Nashville Predators and LW/RW Gustav Nyquist have agreed to a two year, $6.37 million contract. The Predators have confirmed the news.    The Predators will be the 5th NHL team and 3rd western conference team Nyquist will play for in his career. The contract does not include any incentives or trade protections and has a $3.185 million AAV for both years, running through the end of the 2024-2025 season.    Nyquist has played for the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Minnesota Wild in his career. He has 175 goals and 253 assists to his name, posting a -13 rating while averaging 16:54 of ice time in 703 regular season games. Nyquist also has 5 goals and 21 assists to go with a +8 rating in 71 playoff games.    Last season, Nyquist played for both the Blue Jackets and Wild following a trade deadlin...

*Photo from D Magazine*     More defensemen are on the move this offseason. The New Jersey Devils have acquired D Colin Miller from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2025 Draft, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network. Both teams have confirmed the trade.    The trade comes in the middle of a two year contract for Miller. He is on the second year of a two year, $3.7 million contract he signed before the 2022-2023 season, with the Devils taking on the entire contract. He has a $1.85 million cap hit for the upcoming season.    Last season was Miller's only year with the Stars, who were his 4th NHL team in his career. He scored 6 goals and added 15 assists for 21 points, playing in 79 regular season games with a +23 rating while averaging 16:46 of ice time. Miller had no goals and one assist to go with a -2 rating in 10 playoff games.    A native of Ontario, Miller won a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship with Team Ca...

*Photo from The Hockey Writers*     Trades are still coming through. The Washington Capitals have acquired D Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 3rd and 7th round draft pick in 2024, according to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff. The trade has been confirmed by both teams.    The 2023-2024 season will be the final year of a 4 year, $14 million contract for Edmundson. He is due $3.5 million this season, which includes a $2 million signing bonus and also has a 10 team no trade list. Montreal is retaining 50 percent of Edmundson's cap hit as part of the trade.    Edmundson said of the trade that "This summer, I kind of had a feeling that something might go down just the way Montreal, the team was forming. They want to go young. They want to build something this year. Obviously, the draft passed. I thought something might have happened there. Then, I got the news early July 1 that I'm coming to Washington and me and my fiancée are v...

*Photo from the Tampa Bay Times*     The retool continues in Northwest Canada. Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff reports that the Vancouver Canucks and D Ian Cole have agreed to a one year, $3 million contract. The Canucks have confirmed the move.    Half of the $3 million due to Cole will be a signing bonus of $1.5 million, with the other $1.5 million being standard salary. Cole has played for 7 NHL teams in his career, with the Canucks now set to become the 8th.    Last season was spent with the Lightning for Cole, his 7th NHL team. He tallied 3 goals with 14 assists for 17 total points, posting a +13 rating in 78 games, averaging 19:23 of ice time. In the playoffs, Cole added one goal and two assists in 6 games, with the Lightning losing in the first round.    Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said of Cole that "Ian brings a lot of experience to our hockey team and will definitely bolster our blueline. He knows what it takes to be successful in ...

*Photo from Bleacher Report*     The young kid is going around the block and then some. C/LW Ryan Donato and the Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a two year, $4 million contract, according to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff. The deal has been confirmed by the Blackhawks.    Donato's contract pays him $2 million annually and does not include any incentives or trade protections. A 27 year old Massachusetts native, the Blackhawks are now Donato's 5th NHL franchise and second Original 6 franchise.    Over his career, Donato has played 6 seasons for 4 different teams, most recently the Seattle Kraken. Donato has tallied 65 goals and 70 assists, notching a -15 rating while averaging 12:28 of ice time in 325 regular season games. Donato has no goals and two assists with a -4 rating while averaging 9:30 of ice time in 19 career playoff games.    Chicago GM Kyle Davidson said of the signing in a statement that "Ryan adds depth and versatility to our ...

*Photo from Boston Hockey Now*     There's some 4th line grit going to Broad Street. The Philadelphia Flyers and RW Garnet Hathaway have agreed to a two year, $4.75 million contract, according to an announcement by the Flyers.    In his contract, Hathaway receives a $1 million signing bonus for next season that knocks $1 million off his salary. He has a $2.375 million AAV over both seasons but does not have any trade protections included in the contract.    Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere said of Hathaway that "He helps with our young guys, another physical presence, a guy that can skate, that can kill penalties. There's a lot of assets. His presence, especially as a veteran and the way he's liked on all the teams that he's played on, how tough he is to play against as well. It just helps I think with the development of our young guys up front as well."    Last season, Hathaway played for the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins. He combined f...

*Photo from the Globe and Mail*     Going from Canada to Arizona has to be a good change of climate. Forward Alex Kerfoot and the Arizona Coyotes have agreed to a two year, $7 million contract, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX sports. The Coyotes have confirmed the deal.    Kerfoot's contract carries an AAV of $3.5 million for both seasons, with all $7 million due to him being in base salary. He has a modified no trade clause for both seasons as well, in the form of a 10 team no trade list.    Across 6 seasons in the NHL, Kerfoot has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. In that time, he has amassed 74 goals and 145 assists, averaging 14:34 of ice time with a +11 rating in 442 regular season games. Kerfoot also has 6 goals and 12 assists in 48 career playoff games.    Originally chosen in the 5th round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, Kerfoot gives the Coyotes reliable middle six scoring depth for the next two ...

*Photo from NHL.com*     A little change of scenery can help someone out. The Colorado Avalanche and C/LW Jonathan Drouin have agreed to a one year, $825,000 contract, according to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff. The team has confirmed the deal.    After what was largely viewed as a disappointing tenure with the Montreal Canadiens, Drouin is off to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to join the Avalanche, who won the Central Division by one point last season, just edging out the Minnesota Wild.    Drouin said of joining the Avalanche that "I think I needed a fresh start. Obviously, there was a lot of ups and downs in my six years in Montreal, so I'm super excited to get a fresh start somewhere new, and like I just said, it's a great team and has been a great team for a lot of years. I'm just hoping to help them in any way I can and try to find my game again. I know it's there. It's just a matter of confidence, and like I said, it's going to be a fre...

*Photo from the Washington Post*     Texas is loading up on some forward depth. The Dallas Stars and RW Craig Smith have agreed to a one year, $1 million contract, according to NHL Network's David Pagnotta. The Stars have confirmed the signing.    Smith's contract is a low risk signing, being on a cheap cap hit and only for one year. $200,000 of the contract is a signing bonus, which brings his salary down to $800,000 but keeps the cap hit at $1 million. He'll be able to test free agency again at the end of next season.    Debuting in the 2011-2012 season, Smith has played for 3 different teams over 12 seasons in the league. In that time, he has racked up 200 goals and 214 assists for 414 total points, averaging 14:33 of ice time with a +95 rating in 853 regular season games. Smith also has 9 goals and 12 assists in 69 career playoff games.    Dallas GM Jim Nill said of bringing on Smith that "Craig brings a wealth of experience and leadership to ...

*Photo from ESPN*     Some scoring help is going to Florida. The Tampa Bay Lightning and LW Conor Sheary have agreed to a 3 year, $6 million contract, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The addition has been confirmed by the Lightning.    Sheary said of signing with the Lightning that "I think a lot of guys in the League have Tampa circled, their sustained success has been something I wanted to be a part of. The feeling that they wanted me as much as I wanted them really made the decision easy."    Over his career, Sheary has played for 3 teams in 8 NHL seasons, debuting in 2015-2016. Sheary has accumulated 120 goals and 132 assists for 252 points, averaging 14:16 of ice time while posting a +8 rating over 531 games in the regular season. Sheary has an additional 7 goals and 16 assists in 72 playoff games.    The contract for Sheary pays him $2 million annually over all 3 years, running through the 2025-2026 season. Sheary has ...

*Photo from the Miami Herald*     A breakout goalie of last season is on the move. The Detroit Red Wings and G Alex Lyon have agreed to a two year, $1.8 million contract, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The team has confirmed the move.    Throughout his career, Lyon has been a journeyman, having played for 3 teams in his short NHL career. Last season, Lyon exploded when he got a chance in Florida, backstopping the team to the playoffs after Spencer Knight entered the player assistance program of the NHLPA. It wasn't Lyon in net for most of the playoffs, but he is arguably the biggest reason they made it there.    Lyon's contract is $1.8 million over the two years of the agreement, which pays him $900,000 annually. There are no incentives or trade protections in the contract, making the $1.8 million entirely in base salary, which runs through the end of the 2024-2025 season.    The Florida Panthers were Lyon's 3rd NHL team in his career...

*Photo from the Hockey Writers*     If you need an enforcer, Toronto took one off the market. The Toronto Maple Leafs and RW Ryan Reaves have agreed to a 3 year, $4.05 million contract, according to NHL Network's David Pagnotta. The Maple Leafs have confirmed the signing.    The contract for Reaves runs through the end of the 2025-2026 season, with no incentives or trade protections attached. He gets a $1.35 million AAV over all 3 years, with the Maple Leafs set to be his 4th team in 4 years.    Over the course of Reaves's 13 seasons in the NHL, he has played for 5 different teams. Since his debut, he has accumulated 59 goals and 70 assists for 129 points. He's averaged 8:51 of ice time in a 4th line role while posting a -34 rating in 828 regular season games. Reaves also has 3 goals and 5 assists to go with a +2 rating in 108 playoff games.    Joining the Maple Leafs, Reaves has a chance to win a Stanley Cup. He got to the Final in 2017-2018 with...

*Photo from Causeway Crowd*     Cliffy Hockey is on his way to New York. Defenseman Connor Clifton and the Buffalo Sabres have agreed to a 3 year, $10 million contract, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. The deal has been confirmed by the Sabres.    Last season, Clifton set career bests in goals, points, and assists for the Boston Bruins. He ended the season with 5 goals and 18 assists for 23 points, averaging 17:51 of ice time with a +20 rating in 78 games. He went without a point in 3 playoff games.    Clifton said of signing with the Sabres that "They're dynamic. I think they're fun to watch. Honestly, fun to play against too. You know you've got a high-scoring game. You've got a bunch of grade-A chances you're going to give up to them because they just play that style. And obviously, I think everyone feels it, they've been building something special the past couple of years, and I'm excited to be part of it. They could have easily made ...

*Photo from TheScore*     After all these years, he's coming back. The Boston Bruins and LW Milan Lucic have agreed to a one year, $1 million contract, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network. The Bruins have confirmed the move.    After starting his career in Boston and playing the first 8 years of his career with the Bruins, Lucic returns on a one year deal for his age 36 season. He has a $1 million salary with $500,000 available in performance bonuses and a full no movement clause included.    Asked about going back to the Bruins, Lucic said that "Obviously it's a place that's close and dear to my heart. Having an opportunity to come back, you can see the smile on my face right now. It feels like I'm going home. I've always felt like I've always been a Bruin and I'm just so happy and thankful for the opportunity to be a Bruin again."    Last season, Lucic played his 4th year with the Calgary Flames following a trade from the Edmonton Oi...

*Photo from Sportsnet*     The Ducks are starting to bulk up. The Anaheim Ducks and D Radko Gudas have agreed to a 3 year, $12 million contract, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The Ducks have confirmed the signing.    Hitting the open market after his 3 year contract with the Florida Panthers expired, Gudas is changing coasts and joining the Ducks on an identical deal in terms of years. It's also the first time in his career that Gudas will play for a western conference team, having played for 4 eastern conference teams previously in his career.    Last season was Gudas's 3rd with the Panthers. He scored two goals and added 15 assists, averaging 17:22 of ice time with a +14 rating in 72 regular season games. Gudas had no goals and 3 assists over 21 playoff games, averaging 17:01 of ice time in the Panthers run to the Stanley Cup Final.    The contract between Gudas and the Ducks pays the right shot defenseman $4 million annually, with ...

*Photo from the Globe and Mail*     There's a goaltending change in the city of Angels. The Los Angeles Kings and G Cam Talbot have agreed to a one year, $1 million contract, according to Kevin Weekes of ESPN. The Kings have confirmed the addition.    Talbot said of going to the Kings that "When this opportunity came up to sign here now, it just kind of seemed like a no-brainer. Like I said, this team is built to win right now. They are very goalie friendly with the system that they play, and I'm just going to step in and make it as seamless as possible and try to give them some good outings."    While he's only making $1 million, Talbot gets a full no trade clause in his contract, essentially locking him in for the entire season. The signing of Talbot comes after Joonas Korpisalo signed with the Ottawa Senators. He has a $225,000 signing bonus and $1 million available in performance bonuses.    Last season, Talbot suited up for the Ottawa Se...