Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Updated Daily.

August 10, 2021

Philadelphia Flyers: Re-Sign Carter Hart G to 3-year $11.397-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Carter Hart dominated in 2019-2020. He struggled last year to the point of getting demoted to the AHL. These next three years will be make or break for Hart. As long he gets the Flyers to two out of three playoff appearances or one Stanley Cup, he should get extended again after this. Otherwise, he'll probably sign somewhere else as a UFA in three years.

Winnipeg Jets: Re-Sign Neal Pionk D to 4-year $23.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Neal Pionk was third on the Winnipeg Jets in assists in 2020-2021 only trailing first line center Mark Scheifele and team captain right winger Blake Wheeler. Pionk also led defenseman on the Winnipeg Jets in points. Pionk finally showed enough maturity and leadershp to anchor the blue line for the Winnipeg Jets last season. Unfortunately, this blue line won't have the same depth next season and could be thin outside of Neal Pionk which is why the Jets had to pay Pionk.

Detroit Red Wings: Re-Sign Jakub Vrana RW to 3-year $5.25-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Detroit re-signed their first line right winger that they got in a trade with the Washington Capitals. Vrana and Filip Zadina the top two right wingers on this team are back. If Lucas Raymond, the fourth pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft can win the line 2 left winger job, then Detroit has a chance to make a case for one of the wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Kings: Sign Brandt Clarke D to 3-year $2.775-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Los Angeles signed the eighth pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft to an entry-level contract. What makes this no ordinary rookie deal is that Clarke will get $10,500 if he returns to the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League for up to two more seasons. Also since this is a three-year two-way contract, the Kings can decide whether to pay Clarke $80,000 for each year he's in the AHL instead of $925,000 in the NHL if he fails to make the jump to the NHL in three years from now. I doubt he's in the AHL in three years with the Ontario Reign because Clarke was my third best overall player and my second best defenseman in this draft behind top pick Owen Power. You can go to the 2021 NHL Draft Results page for grades on 2021 NHL draft picks.

August 9, 2021

New York Rangers: Re-Sign Igor Shesterkin G to 4-year $22.6-million dollar deal A+ Grade

New York's 2014 fourth round pick panned out this year having a .916 save percentage and 2.62 goals against average. New York gave their 25-year-old goalie a four year contract extension that he deserves.

Anaheim Ducks: Re-Sign Maxime Comtois LW to 4-year $4.075-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Maxime Comtois led Anaheim with an anemic 16 goals. Anaheim chose to bring their leading goal scorer back after passing on both Dylan Guenther and William Eklund in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Re-Sign Ross Colton LW to 2-year $2.25-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Tampa Bay brought back Ross Colton. Colton will take over for Barclay Goodrow as the teams third line left winger. Colton showed traits of being a second line left winger during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Washington Capitals: Re-Sign Ilya Samsonov G to 1-year $2-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Washington wisely brought back Ilya Samsonov their 2015 first round pick on a cheap team friendly deal. They lost their backup goalie to the Expansion Draft to Seattle. Also, Henrik Lundqvist who missed the entire season due to an injury is an unresticted Free Agent still, so while Samsonov is back under contract, a backup is needed.

August 8, 2021

Boston Bruins: Sign Fabian Lysell RW to 3-year $3.28-million dollar deal A+ Grade

The Boston Bruins drafted Fabian Lysell in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He becomes the second rookie after Colorado Avalanche first round pick Oskar Olausson to sign his rookie deal. Olausson is getting the typical rookie contract which will take effect when he's done in Sweden. Lysell is making a little more than Olausson after the once top 10 prospect Lysell, fell to the Boston Bruins. It's sounding like Lysell could be one rookie from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that sees ice time right away since Boston played David Pastrnak right away after taking him twenty fifth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Boston believes Lysell is another Pastrnak and to be fair he's their best player at right wing since David Pastrnak. You can go to our 2021 NHL Draft Results Page for grades on the Lysell and Olausson picks in the back half of the first round.

August 7, 2021

Edmonton Oilers: Re-Sign Stuart Skinner G to 2-year $1.5-million dollar deal C+ Grade

Edmonton re-signed their 2017 third round pick Stuart Skinner to a two-year $1.5-million dollar deal. The contract is a two-way deal that allows Skinner to play in the NHL as a backup or in the AHL on the Bakersfield Condors. Maybe Edmonton is hoping that Skinner can be the goalie of the future, but I see an NHL backup at best since he did well in the WHL and ECHL, but it took him three years to become a reliable AHL goalie. Skinner is 22-years-old, so there is still time for him to turn things around. Right now this signing warrants a C+ grade.

August 6, 2021

Edmonton Oilers: Re-Sign Darnell Nurse D to 8-year $74-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Lots of people in the NHL have been critical of Darnell Nurse receiving this much money. The reason I believe he deserves just slightly less than what Seth Jones with Nurse getting $9,250,000 per year compared to the $9.5-million Jones made is because Nurse has four consecutive seasons of 20 assists or more. Also Darnell Nurse has been the most durable defenseman in the NHL the last four years playing with two 82 game regular seasons, a 71 game regular season before Covid-19, and he played all 56 games during the regular season with Edmonton since he's a first line defenseman on the Edmonton Oilers.

New York Islanders: Re-Sign Adam Pelech D to 8-year $46-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Hard to believe the Islanders drafted Griffin Reinhardt and Ville Pokka in the first two rounds before taking Pelech back in the third round back in 2012. I praised the Islanders for this draft because I felt very confident they'd hit on all three players. The Islanders missed on Reinhardt, but they traded him to Edmonton for the sixteenth pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft which was used to select Matthew Barzal. Barzal and Pelech are going to be the two faces of the Islanders going forward as Pelech put together his fourth consecutive season with a +/- ratio in the positive with the New York Islanders. New York extended their guy long-term in Pelech without overpaying him.

Seattle Kraken: Re-Sign Vince Dunn D to 4-year $8-million dollar deal A+ Grade

I remember when Vince Dunn was a 2015 NHL Draft prospect. Great move by Seattle to pay Dunn what he deserves.

New Jersey Devils: Re-Sign Brandon Hagel LW to 3-year $4.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

The 22-year-old Brandon Hagel showed some promise this season as a back 6 left winger on a third or fourth line. I like this team friendly deal for both parties.

Seattle Kraken: Re-Sign Connor Timmins D to 2-year $1.7-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Connor Timmins was part of the trade that sent Darcy Kuemper to Colorado. He'll be playing either the same third line role or perhaps a bigger role on a Coyotes team that is kind of thin on defense with team captain Oliver-Ekman Larsson gone.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Marcus Johansson C to 1-year $1.5-million dollar deal C- Grade

Marcus Johansson is nothing more than a back six player. It's almost like Ron Francis said, let's get a stop-gap until Matthew Beniers leaves Michigan to sign his rookie contract with us.

August 5, 2021

New Jersey Devils: Sign Tomas Tatar LW to 2-year $9-million dollar deal A+ Grade

New Jersey needs wingers. Getting a veteran like Tomas Tatar on a two-year deal is a good move for New Jersey.

Nashville Predators: Re-Sign Dante Fabbro D to 2-year $4.8-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Nashville gets Dante Fabbro back. Fabbro is a guy that may be the best defenseman on Nashville so this a great move for them.

New Jersey Devils: Re-Sign Yegor Sharangovich C to 2-year $4-million dollar deal A+ Grade

New Jersey brought back their 2018 fifth round draft pick after he posted 16 goals, 14 assists, and 30 points in 2020-2021. Yegor Sharangovich will play a line 1 right winger role this upcoming season after playing on the second line last year. It's possible that him and Tomas Tatar are line mates at the wing on New Jersey's top line with either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier getting those two the puck.

Seattle Kraken: Re-Sign Will Borgen D to 2-year $1.9-million dollar deal F Grade

Will Borgen had 0 points with Buffalo last year in ten games. In fact, Borgen has 0 career NHL points. I honestly have no clue why Seattle took him in the Expansion Draft. He's not even a top six defenseman on this team even though Seattle is incredibly loaded on the blue line thanks to their expansion draft. Seattle is hoping Borgen is what to the Kraken what Shea Theodore was to Vegas.

August 4, 2021

Arizona Coyotes: Sign Travis Boyd LW to 1-year $750,000 dollar deal A+ Grade

Travis Boyd won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals. Arizona is gambling on Boyd with a one-year prove it deal.

August 3, 2021

St. Louis Blues: Re-Sign Jordan Kyrou RW to 2-year $5.6-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Jordan Kyrou is a young and emerging right winger on the St. Louis Blues. The 2016 second round pick had 109 points in his final OHL season. I love this move for the St. Louis Blues as Kyrou put together a career high 14 goals, 21 assists, and 35 points in the NHL last season with the St. Louis Blues.

August 2, 2021

Colorado Avalanche: Sign Ryan Murray D to 1-year $2-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Colorado filled the void on their blue line. Colorado now has Cale Makar and Devon Toews on their first line. THe Avalanche also have Erik Johnson when healthy and Samuel Girard on the second line. Bowen Byram who Colorado drafted fourth overall in 2019 should be able to anchor the third line, but he needed a line mate on that third line. Ryan Murray's best play came in a number six role complimenting a third line defenseman in both Columbus the team that drafted him second overall, and New Jersey where he played this same role on the Devils a season ago. Great move by Sakic getting Ryan Murray for cheap. The Avalanche also have Jacob MacDonald if someone gets injured next season.

Dallas Stars: Re-Sign Jerad Rosburg D to 2-year $1.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Dallas brought back Jerad Rosburg on a 2-year two-way contract after having 1 goal, 6 assists, and 7 points in 36 AHL games with the Texas Stars. He had a great NCAA career at Michigan State before Dallas signed him as a UDFA after he graduated from Michigan State. Dallas has had such a huge offseason that team captain Jamie Benn is talking about Dallas potentially winning the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals next season.

August 1, 2021

Tampa Bay Lightning: Re-Sign Sean Day D to 1-year $750,000 dollar deal A+ Grade

Sean Day, was drafted by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after once being considered a 2016 first round prospect. After struggling with the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL on the Rangers AHL team, Tampa Bay signed him to a one-year contract. Day did well with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay's AHL team. Now Tampa Bay brings back Day on a 1-year 2-way contract.

July 31, 2021

Edmonton Oilers: Re-Sign Warren Foegele LW to 3-year $8.25-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Warren Foegele had 10 goals, 10 assists, and 20 points with Carolina last year. Edmonton traded Ethan Bear to get Warren Foegele, but the Oilers are still pretty deep defensively. Foegele will be a third line left winger on Edmonton this season.

Dallas Stars: Re-Sign Joel Kiviranta LW to 2-year $2.1-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Dallas re-signed their fourth line left winger. Kiviranta was huge in the second round series against the Colorado Avalanche during the Stanley Cup Playoff bubble.

Carolina Hurricanes: Sign Derek Stepan C to 1-year $1.35-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Derek Stepan was a first and second line center on Ottawa last season. He will probably be a third or fourth line center in Carolina.

July 30, 2021

Columbus Blue Jackets: Re-Sign Zach Werenski D to 6-year $57.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Columbus gave their best defenseman a huge extension despite the fact that he suffered a season ending injury the day before Super Bowl Sunday. After losing Seth Jones to Chicago and failing to keep most of the teams star players past their rookie deals, this was a move that Columbus absolutely had to make. Erik Karlsson of San Jose and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings are the only defenseman who make more per year than Werenski now. Seth Jones the former line mate of Werenski became the third highest paid defenseman in the NHL prior to Werenski's extension. Cale Makar who was fourth behind Seth Jones prior to this extension by Columbus is now the fifth highest paid defenseman.

Colorado Avalanche: Re-Sign Tyson Jost C to 2-year $4-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Colorado got their third line center back behind Nate MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri. When Kadri got suspended for his dirty play against the St. Louis blues, Jost stepped up on the second line and showed he could be a viable second line center. It only costs Colorado Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic a meager $2-million in cap space for the next two seasons to keep Jost.

Detroit Red Wings: Trade for Mitchell Stephens C A+ Grade

Steve Yzerman drafted Mitchell Stephens when he was the Tampa Bay Lightning's GM. He gave up a 2022 sixth round pick to bring him to Detroit.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Trade for 2022 sixth round pick A+ Grade

Tampa Bay is a team that has hit on late round picks. They send Detroit a guy Yzerman drafted in the second round back in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft who hasn't quite flourished yet. The Lightning get a 2022 sixth round pick in return.

July 29, 2021

St. Louis Blues: Sign Brandon Saad LW to 5-year $22.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Some people are criticizing the Blues for overpaying Brandon Saad. I'm not, because the Blues managed to secure Saad for $4.5-million a year.

New York Rangers: Re-Sign Filip Chytil LW to 2-year $4.6-million dollar deal A+ Grade

New York re-signed their 2017 first round pick to a cheap two-year deal. Chytil is a solid two-way forward that can play left wing or center with his versatility.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Re-Sign Jake Bean D to 3-year $7-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Columbus got Jake Bean extended on a cheap team friendly deal. This was a smart move by Columbus.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Sign Corey Perry RW to 2-year $4-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Tampa Bay got Corey Perry to play the role that Blake Coleman played on Tampa Bay for the last two seasons for a fraction of what Coleman was getting paid. Great move by Tampa Bay here.

Dallas Stars: Sign Jani Hakanpaa D to 3-year $4.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Jani Hakanpaa has a wicked shot. He also fits in nicely with the defensemen from Finland that Dallas has. This guy has the shooting power and shooting accuracy on both his wrist shot and slap shot. Dallas has John Klingberg, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Ryan Suter for their first two lines which allows Jani Hakanpaa to thrive in a third line role anchoring the blue line on the third line while Andrej Sekera remains the number six defenseman on this team.

Dallas Stars: Sign Michael Raffl to 1-year $1.1-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Dallas got Michael Raffl on a cheap one-year prove it deal. Nice move by Jim Nill.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Re-Sign Callan Foote D to 2-year $1.7-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Tampa Bay extends Callan Foote here. Foote, Tampa Bay's 2017 first round pick will replace David Savard on the third line of Tampa Bay's blue line.

New York Rangers: Trade for Ryan Reaves RW A+ Grade

New York got the toughest enforcer on the Vegas Golden Knights. This was a great pickup for the Rangers

Vegas Golden Knights: Trade for 2022 third round pick A- Grade

Vegas got the New York Rangers 2022 third round pick. If the Golden Knights had gotten a second round pick from the Rangers, they would be the team with the A+ grade. This third round pick may come in handy in an extremely deep 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

July 28, 2021

Colorado Avalanche: Re-Sign Gabriel Landeskog LW to 8-year $56-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Colorado got their team captain back as he's under contract for the next eight years. The Avalanche only have to pay their team captain $7-million a year.

Colorado Avalanche: Re-Sign Cale Makar D to 6-year $54-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Colorado got their top defenseman back for six more years. Cale Makar is making $9-million a year now. Makar could be a Norris Trophy Winner in the future for NHL's top defenseman.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Re-Sign Brayden Point C to 8-year $76-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Tampa Bay now has Brayden Point until 2029-2030. Point will make 9.5-million per year starting in 2022-2023. Point was a player Tampa Bay needed to retain at any cost after his two brilliant playoff performances which helped the Lightning repeat where he was the teams first line center.

New Jersey Devils: Sign Dougie Hamilton D to 7-year $63-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Dougie Hamilton was the only Free Agent with experience to anchor a blue line on a first line. He was worth every penny New Jersey paid him.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Phillip Grubauer G to 6-year $35.4-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Seattle got Phillip Grubauer for under $6-million dollars. Seattle got a strong blue line in the Expansion Draft. Now they get a really good goalie to go with that blue line. Seattle was my front runner to pick first in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but with this signing now Seattle has a chance to compete right away. I don't expect a playoff team, but I also do not see the Kraken being a bottom feeder.

Edmonton Oilers: Sign Zach Hyman LW to 7-year $38.5-million dollar deal B Grade

Edmonton got a left winger that can compliment either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will also have competition for the first line left winger job.

Los Angeles Kings: Sign Phillip Danault C to 6-year $33-million dollar deal B Grade

Phillip Danault was a third line center on Montreal. If he stays in that role this could be a solid move. Otherwise, I'd argue the Kings are overpaying for his services. He should be able to help the young guys out.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Jaden Schwartz LW to 5-year $27.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Seattle got a first line left winger for a bargain rate. Most first line players command at least $6-million.

Vegas Golden Knights: Re-Sign Alec Martinez D to 3-year $15.75-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Vegas gave Alec Martinez a three year extension. This extension allows the Vegas Golden Knights to keep all of their top 6 defenseman.

Nashville Predators: Sign Mikael Granlund C to 4-year $20-million dollar deal C Grade

Mikael Granlund had a career low in points in a minimum of 51 regular season games. The decision by Nashville to give him $5-million per year for four years puzzles me.

Boston Bruins: Sign Linus Ullmark G to 4-year $20-million dollar deal B- Grade

Linus Ullmark was the starting goalie on the Buffalo Sabres. He gets out of Buffalo and re-unites with two former Sabres who got traded to the Bruins by joining forces with Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar. If Jack Eichel isn't traded by the time his contract runs out in Buffalo, we could see him end up on Boston if he ever hits the market as an unrestricted Free Agent.

Minnesota Wild: Sign Alex Goligoski D to 1-year $5-million dollar deal C Grade

Minnesota is overpaying for Goligoski. Ryan O'Rourke and Daemon Hunt two 2020 draft picks by the Minnesota Wild were going to make the jump to the NHL this season had it not been hte signing of Goligoski. Now one of those guys will return to juniors while Goligoski holds the Wild back a year.

Calgary Flames: Sign Blake Coleman RW to 6-year $29.4-million dollar deal C Grade

Blake Coleman is a third line right winger. Calgary is paying him to be a second line right winger.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Jamie Oleksiak D to 5-year $23-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Seattle got a defenseman who was in Stanley Cup Finals with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Dallas Stars. The former Norhteastern Huskie will be an integral piece to the Seattle Kraken.

Colorado Avalanche: Trade for Darcy Kuemper G C+ Grade

Colorado gave up Connor Timmins and a 2022 first round pick for starting goalie Darcy Kuemper. Luckily Colorado still has Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, Erik Johnson, and Bowen Byram. One more defenseman is needed as Jacob MacDonald is more of an AHL defenseman than an AHL one. Colorado also has Pavel Francouz who started against Dallas in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff bubble as a backup to Kuemper despite losing Grubauer to Seattle and Devan Dubynk to Free Agency.

Arizona Coyotes: Trade for Connor Timmins D and 2022 1st B- Grade

Arizona got a guy who can get more minutes on their blue line in Connor Timmins. The Coyotes also got a 2022 first round pick from the Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal Canadiens: Sign Mike Hoffman LW to 3-year $13.5-million dollar deal B Grade

Montreal is getting good value with Mike Hoffman. He may not be a star, but this is a solid addition for Montreal.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Alexander Wennberg C to 3-year $13.5-million dollar deal C Grade

Wennberg's point total has dropped each season since he posted a career high 59 points back in 2016-2017. Seattle won't sniff the playoffs unless Wennberg puts a career high 60 points together this year.

Carolina Hurricanes: Sign Frederik Andersen G to 2-year $9-million dollar deal B- Grade

Frederik Andersen's best years are behind him. He will have a much weaker blue line in Carolina than he had in Anaheim or Toronto.

New Jersey Devils: Sign Jonathan Bernier G to 2-year $8.5-million dollar deal B Grade

New Jersey bought out goalie Cory Schneider at the end of last season. Backup goalie was a huge problem for New Jersey this season as they didn't have an answer behind starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Jonathan Bernier gives New Jersey a good backup after showing he could be a viable starter in Detroit. He also provides a bridge for Nico Daws the New Jersey Devils 2020 third round pick at goalie as the signing of Bernier allows Daws more time to develop.

Anaheim Ducks: Sign Ryan Getzlaf C to 1-year $4.5-million dollar deal A Grade

Anaheim gets their captain back on a cheap deal. The mentorship Getzlaf provides to Trevor Zegras and Isac Lundstrom will be invaluable this season.

Chicgao Blackhawks: Sign Jake McCabe D to 4-year $16-million dollar deal C- Grade

Jake McCabe was the only defenseman on the Sabres with a positive +/- ratio. That doesn't change the fact that he only played 13 games.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Adam Larsson D to 4-year $16-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Seattle got a defenseman who was an alternate captain on the Edmonton Oilers. Great signing by the Seattle Kraken.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Sign Peter Mrazek G to 3-year $11.4-million dollar deal B Grade

Peter Mrazek is a good replacement for Frederik Andersen. Toronto has a good starter in Jack Campbell. They got a quality backup in Peter Mrazek.

Dallas Stars: Sign Ryan Suter D to 4-year $14.6-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Dallas now has four defenseman with experience on the first line. John Klingberg, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Ryan Suter. Dallas knows their window of opportunity to win a Stanley Cup closes this year when Klingberg becomes an unrestricted Free Agent. I admire that General Manager Jim Nill is doing everything he can to help the Dallas Stars win now.

Montreal Canadiens: Sign David Savard D to 4-year $14-million dollar deal B Grade

Montreal is getting good value with David Savard. They needed someone with Shea Weber out for this season.

Seattle Kraken: Sign Chris Chris Driedger G to 3-year $10.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Seattle got the Florida Panthers backup goalie who did well for $3.5-million per year. He's going to remain a quality backup goalie for the Seattle Kraken.

Detroit Red Wings: Sign Pius Suter C to 2-year $6.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Steve Yzerman got a line 2 center behind Dylan Larkin that could help Detroit now. Pius Suter had 14 goals, 13 assists, and 27 points as an undrafted forward with the Chicago Blackhawks in his rookie NHL season. Now he'll

Los Angeles Kings: Sign Alexander Edler D to 1-year $3.5-million dollar deal A+ Grade

I love this move for the Kings Alexander Edler is the perfect stop-gap player while their 2021 first round pick Brandt Clarke develops.

Edmonton Oilers: Sign Cody Ceci D to 4-year $13-million dollar deal A- Grade

Edmonton got a defenseman here with Cody Ceci. The Oilers had to do something after losing Adam Larsson. This is a good move as Ceci will make $3,250,000 per year.

Boston Bruins: Sign Derek Forbort D to 3-year $9-million dollar deal C- Grade

Derek Forbort, the Los Angeles Kings 2010 first round pick needed six years to make the NHL which is too many. Forbort may be the most durable defenseman among the Free Agents. He has 0 career power play goals in the NHL. Boston should have pursued someone better. This signing felt like a reach on Boston ends, but paying him under $10-million is what keeps this signing from a D grade.

Vancouver Canucks: Re-Sign Travis Hamonic D to 2-year $6-million dollar deal A Grade

Great job by Vancouver extending Travis Hamonic. You could argue that after Quinn Hughes he was the most effective defenseman on Vancouver's roster last season.

Vancouver Canucks: Sign Jaroslav Halak G to 1-year $3-million dollar deal C- Grade

Jaroslav Halak is a downgrade from Braden Holtby. It also doesn't help that Holtby signed for a cheaper deal.

Carolina Hurricanes: Sign Ian Cole D to 1-year $2.9-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Ian Cole is a reliable third line defenseman. Good move by Carolina securing him on a cheap one-year deal.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sign Brock McGinn LW to 4-year $11-million dollar deal B Grade

Solid move for Pittsburgh. Brock McGinn was a line 2 penalty killer on Carolina. This is a good replacement for Jared McCann.

Vancouver Canucks: Sign Tucker Poolman D to 4-year $10-million dollar deal D Grade

Tucker Poolman only had 1 assist and a -2 +/- ratio in 39 games. I'm not sure what the hell Vancouver is thinking giving him a 4-year contract. If Vancouver gave this guy a 1-year deal like Carolina did with Ian Cole, this pick probably gets a higher draft grade.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Sign Sean Kuraly C to 4-year $10-million dollar deal D Grade

Sean Kuraly only had 9 points in 47 games. That's why Columbus got a D grade for giving Kuraly a 4-year contract.

New York Rangers: Sign Patrik Nemeth D to 3-year $7.5-million dollar deal C Grade

Patrik Nemeth is a guy I'd give a 1 or 2 year deal to at the most. He may be an upgrade over Anthony DeAngelo also known as Tony DeAngelo at a cheaper price.

Boston Bruins: Sign Erik Haula LW to 2-year $4.75-million dollar deal C- Grade

Boston overpaid Haula. It's not a terrible move in hindsight though.

Vegas Golden Knights: Sign Laurent Brossoit G to 2-year $4.65-million dollar deal F Grade

I have more confidence in Logan Thompson the two time AHL goalie of the month in the Vegas Golden Knights farm system than I do in Laurent Brossoilt. That's why this signing got an F grade.

San Jose Sharks: Sign James Reimer G to 2-year $4.5-million dollar deal F Grade

San Jose overpaid another mediocre backup goalie. He's just a stop gap until Benjamin Gaudreau is ready for the NHL.

San Jose Sharks: Sign Nick Bonino C to 2-year $4.1-million dollar deal B Grade

San Jose is at least getting value with Nick Bonino. He's not the player he was in Pittsburgh, but Doug Wilson could use a player like this for a few years on his third or fourth line.

Ottawa Senators: Sign Michael Del Zotto D to 2-year $4-million dollar deal C Grade

Michael Del Zotto is no longer in his prime. Still, he's a solid addition to a team that desperately needs defense.

Ottawa Senators: Sign Antti Raanta G to 2-year $4-million dollar deal C- Grade

Antti Raanta is a solid backup. He's a downgrade over Jonathan Bernier who Carolina did not make any attempt to bring back after getting Bernier in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings leading up to the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Vegas Golden Knights: Re-Sign Mattias Janmark to 1-year $2-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Vegas got Mattias Janmark on a very cheap deal. I can get behind this move.

Dallas Stars: Sign Brayden Holtby G to 1-year $2-million dollar deal A+ Grade

Dallas made another awesome move by signing Brayden Holtby. He gives Dallas a third goalie with Ben Bishop set to begin the season on the long-term injured reserve list.

Philadelphia Flyers: Sign Martin Jones G to 1-year $2-million dollar deal B+ Grade

A change of scenery may be what Martin Jones needed. The Flyers are getting him on a one-year prove it deal as a backup to Carter Hart.

July 27, 2021

Washington Capitals: Re-Sign Alex Ovechkin LW to 5-year $47.5-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Washington got their captain back for five more years. Ovechkin could end up surpassing Wayne Gretzky in career goals if he plays all 82 games for five more seasons without getting injured.

Chicago Blackhawks: Trade for Marc Andre-Fleury G A+ Grade

Chicago finally got their starting goalie. Worst case scenario, the Blackhawks gave up a minor league player assuming Flower decides to call it a career and retire.

Vegas Golden Knights: Trade For Mikael Hakkarainen C F Grade

Vegas gave up Fleury for a minor league prospect with no draft picks in return. This warrants the first F grade of the offseason.

Vancouver Canucks: Trade for 2022 third round pick B Grade

Solid move for Vancouver. I felt like they could have gotten more in a pretty deep 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Winnipeg Jets: Trade For Nate Schmidt D A Grade

Great job by Winnipeg getting a player that could bolster their defense. Nate Schmidt and Paul Statsny two teammates from Vegas two years ago are now re-united in Winnipeg.

Florida Panthers: Re-Sign Brandon Montour D to 3-year $10.5-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Brandon Montour was someone that Florida needed to bring back. Great move by the Florida Panthers.

Boston Bruins: Re-Sign Mike Reilly D to 3-year $9-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Mike Reilly is an ideal third line defenseman for Boston. This is about what he should be getting paid. Nice move by Boston.

July 26, 2021

Florida Panthers: Re-Sign Sam Bennett C to 4-year $17.7-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Sam Bennett struggled in Calgary. Once he got traded to Florida he played like the guy that went in the top 5 of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Bennett was a huge success in Florida and will continue to be a good second line center behind Barkov.

July 25, 2021

Detroit Red Wings: Re-Sign Marc Staal D to 1-year $2-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Steve Yzerman brought back Marc Staal on a one-year prove it deal. Staal proved he warranted a second year in Detroit with his play this past season.

July 24, 2021

Chicago Blackhawks: Re-Sign Seth Jones D to 8-year $76-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Chicago gave Seth Jones a long-term extension. This is a great news for Chicago. Jones makes $9.5-million per year under this extension with Chicago after being traded from Columbus to Chicago.

Florida Panthers: Trade for Sam Reinhart RW A+ Grade

Florida got a good right winger to add to their core with Sam Reinhart. This is a great move for Florida. Their 2022 first round pick is top 10 protected.

Buffalo Sabres: Trade for Devon Levi G C Grade

Buffalo got Florida's 2022 first round pick top ten protected as well as their 2020 seventh round pick Devon Levi. Florida fleeced Buffalo in this trade.

Philadelphia Flyers: Trade for Cam Atkinson RW A+ Grade

Florida got a good right winger to add to their core with Sam Reinhart. This is a great move for Florida. Their 2022 first round pick is top 10 protected.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Trade for Jakub Voracek RW A+ Grade

I felt this trade between Philadelphia and Columbus was equally fair for both teams. It's rare to see that.

July 23, 2021

Chicago Blackhawks: Trade for Seth Jones D A+ Grade

Chicago traded for Seth Jones. They gave up quite a bit, but got Jones to agree to a huge extension giving Chicago stability on their blue line for years.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Trade for Adam Boqvist D A+ Grade

Columbus got Adam Boqvist the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, who Chicago drafted and a 2022 first round pick. I feel like Columbus got an excellent return for Seth Jones.

Vancouver Canucks: Trade for Oliver Ekman-Larsson D A+ Grade

Vancouver got Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland in this trade. The team captain of the Arizona Coyotes and Conor Garland go to Vancouver. It's also worth mentioning that Garland got extended prior to the start of Free Agency.

Arizona Coyotes: Trade for 9th pick in 2021 NHL Entry Draft A+ Grade

Arizona didn't have a 2021 first round pick due to getting busted by the NHL for interviewing players before the 2020 NHL Combine without the leagues consent. They did manage to trade their team captain for the ninth pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Arizona used that ninth pick on my second best player Dylan Guenther.

Philadelphia Flyers: Trade for Rasmus Ristolainen D C+ Grade

Philadelphia traded for a guy who had a negative +/- ratio in all eight seasons in Buffalo. The former TPS defenseman who played hockey in Finland prior to the 2013 NHL Entry Draft gets a second chance in Philadelphia.

Buffalo Sabres: Trade for 13th pick in 2021 NHL Entry Draft B- Grade

Buffalo should be thrilled about getting a first round pick for Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres reached big time by taking Isak Rosen at 13. If they had drafted one of the two goalies in my top 10, this would be an A+ grade.

July 22, 2021

New York Rangers: Re-Sign Barclay Goodrow LW 6-year $21.85-million dollar extension A+ Grade

New York traded Brett Howden and a 2022 seventh round pick to Tampa Bay to Barclay Goodrow so both teams would avoid losing players to the Expansion Draft. New York extended Goodrow, the third line left winger on Tampa Bay's two Stanley Cup teams the day before the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Boston Bruins: Re-Sign Taylor Hall LW to 4-year $24-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Boston is paying Taylor Hall $6-million a year for the next four years. This is a move that will especially help if David Krecji leaves.

Detroit Red Wings: Trade for Alex Nedeljkovic G A+ Grade

Steve Yzerman gave up Jonathan Bernier and pick 94 to get Alex Ndeljkovic. Then he extends the goalie that showed so much promise as a rookie in Carolina to a two-year deal.

Carolina Hurricanes: Trade for 94th pick in 2021 NHL Entry Draft F Grade

Carolina got Jonathan Bernier who they made no effort to extend before he signed elsewhere and the 94th pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. All Nedeljkovic wanted was $3.5-million and Carolina only offered him $1.5-million.

July 17, 2021

Dallas Stars: Re-Sign Miro Heiskanen D to 8-year $67.5-million dollar extension A+ Grade

Dallas hit on Miro Heiskanen when they drafted him third overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Now he's got a huge contract.

Detroit Red Wings: Trade for Nick Leddy D A+ Grade

Steve Yzerman gave up Richard Panik and the worst of their three 2021 second round picks to get Nick Leddy. This was a fantastic trade by Steve Yzerman.

New York Islanders: Trade for Richard Panik RW A+ Grade

This wasn't a bad return for the Islanders. They got Richard Panik and Aatu Raty the preseason number one prospect before he fell all the way to 52 with the pick they got from the Detroit Red Wings.

San Jose Sharks: Trade for Adin Hill G A+ Grade

San Jose got rid of their crappy backup goalie and got a goalie that I liked in Adin Hill. This was a great move for San Jose.

Arizona Coyotes: Trade for Josef Korenar G A+ Grade

This wasn't a bad return for the Coyotes. They got a backup goalie, but they also got San Jose's 2022 second round pick.

Vancouver Canucks: Trade for Jason Dickinson LW A+ Grade

Vancouver gave up their 2021 third round pick to get Jason Dickinson. This is a good return for Vancouver as Dickinson is an upgrade over Antoine Roussel..

Dallas Stars: Trade for 2021 third round pick A+ Grade

Dallas got Ayrton Martino a left winger on the Omaha Lancers with the third round pick they got from Vancouver. It's worth pointing out that I had a second round grade on Martino.

Tuukka Rask, G, Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins 2021 Offseason Outlook: Boston has $1,089,327 in cap space for 2021. Boston re-signed left winger Taylor Hall, center David Krecji, and defenseman Mike Reilly. Boston got Linus Ulmark at goalie.

2021 Boston Bruins Offseason Needs

Riley Sheahan, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Tobias Rieder, RW, Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres 2018 Offseason Outlook: Buffalo has $28,441,667 for 2021. Buffalo already traded Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhardt. Team captain Jack Eichel may be next. Eichel is unhappy and wants out of Buffalo.

2021 Buffalo Sabres Offseason Needs

Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, Detroit Red Wings

Valtteri Filppula, C, Detroit Red Wings

Bobby Ryan, RW, Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings 2021 Offseason Outlook: Detroit has $27,152,777 for 2021 at the moment. Detroit has three good lines of forwards, two good lines of defense, a goalie for the short-term. Detroit also secured more assets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

2021 Detroit Red Wings Offseason Needs

Florida Panthers 2021 Offseason Outlook: Florida has $9,328,373 for 2021 at the moment. Florida should bring up Anton Lundell who they drafted eighth overall in 2020 to fill the void of their centers. Florida brought back Brandon Montour despite losing Keith Yandle and Anton Stralman.

2021 Florida Panthers Offseason Needs

Eric Staal, C, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens 2021 Offseason Outlook: Montreal has $1,123,630 for 2021 at the moment. Montreal will have stability at goalie. The rest of the roster has a few players they need to add despite getting to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

2021 Montreal Canadiens Offseason Needs

Artem Anisimov, C, Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators 2021 Offseason Outlook: Ottawa has $30,501,667 for 2021. Ottawa still needs a first line center for their young wingers. Overall Ottawa is a total rebuild at the moment.

2021 Ottawa Senators Offseason Needs

Tampa Bay Lightning 2021 Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay has $-870,833 for 2021 at the moment. The Lightning have to figure out a way to sign their RFA's without going over the cap. Tampa Bay traded Tyler Johnson and a 2023 second round pick for Brent Seabrook who remains on the long-term injured reserve. Tampa Bay is currently in the negative for cap space so they may not be done moving contracts to save cap space.

2021 Tampa Bay Lightning Offseason Needs

Alex Galchenyuk, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Ben Hutton, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 Offseason Outlook: Toronto has $-1,394,783 for 2021 at the moment. Toronto made some moves for a team that had limited cap space.

2021 Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Needs

Carolina Hurricanes 2021 Offseason Outlook: Carolina has $12,582,667 to spend on Free Agents in 2021. Carolina lost a lot of key pieces. Personally, I don't think the Hurricanes were aggressive enough during this years Free Agency.

2021 Carolina Hurricanes Offseason Needs

Columbus Blue Jackets 2021 Outlook: Columbus has $11,234,076 for 2021. The Blue Jackets are in a rebuild still.

2021 Columbus Blue Jackets Offseason Needs

Nikita Gusev, LW, New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils 2021 Offseason Outlook: New Jersey has $22,153,335 million to spend in 2021. The Devils signed Dougie Hamilton. I will have to adjust the cap number as Hamilton's exact signing number comes in

2021 New Jersey Devils Offseason Needs

Travis Zajac, C, New York Islanders

Casey Cizikas, C, New York Islanders

Kyle Palmieri, RW, New York Islanders

Brayden Coburn, D, New York Islanders

New York Islanders 2021 Offseason Outlook: New York has $17,670,812 to spend on Free Agents in 2021. The Islanders lost Jordan Eberle to the Expansion Draft. New York also traded Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings.

2021 New York Islanders Offseason Needs

Jack Johnson, D, New York Rangers

New York Rangers 2021 Offseason Outlook: New York will have $12,912,699 in cap space in 2021. New York has quite a bit to spend and needs a first line center, some winger depth, as well as bodies on the blue line.

2021 New York Rangers Offseason Needs

Tyler Wotherspoon, D, Philadelhpia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers 2021 Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia will have $8,010,477 in 2021. The Flyers had the top seed in the playoff bubble two years ago when they won the round robin round. Now Philadelphia needs more bodies on the wing, some guys who could be on the third line of this defense, and a backup goalie now that Brian Elliott is in Tampa Bay. Martin Jones is replacing Elliott in Philadelphia.

2021 Philadelphia Flyers Offseason Needs

Mark Jankowski, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Colton Sceviour, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins 2021 Offseason Recap: Pittsburgh will have $2,646,795 in cap space for 2021. Pittsburgh lost some guys to the Expansion Draft. The Penguins still have four good centers even with the three Free Agents they lose. Pittsburgh is thinner at the wing heading into the offseason despite still having a deadly top 6.

2021 Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Needs

Washington Capitals 2021 Offseason Outlook: Washington has $2,668,740 for 2021 at the moment. Washington only loses one Free Agent who had 11 points. The rest of their core is back. Washington is deep at forward despite potentially losing Raffl.

2021 Washington Capitals Offseason Needs

Top 8 Eastern Conference Teams heading Into 2021 1. Tampa Bay Lightning, 2. New York Islanders, 3. Florida Panthers, 4. Philadelphia Flyers, 5. Montreal Canadiens, 6. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7. Washington Capitals, 8. Toronto Maple Leafs.

Derick Brassard, C, Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes 2021 Offseason Outlook: Arizona has $13,111,383 for 2021 at the moment. Arizona should be in a rebuild this season after trading their team captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson to Vancouver.

2021 Arizona Coyotes Offseason Needs

Chicago Blackhawks 2021 Offseason Outlook: Chicago has $0 for 2021 at the moment. The Blackhawks have a lot of pieces. This could be a comeback year for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2021 Chicago Blackhawks Offseason Needs

Devan Dubnyk, G, Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche 2021 Offseason Outlook: Colorado has $2,668,740 for 2021. The Avalanche extended their team captain and their young defenseman Cale Makar. Colorado also traded for Darcy Kuemper and got Ryan Murray. Pavel Francouz is the backup goalie now.

2021 Colorado Avalanche Offseason Needs

Dallas Stars 2021 Offseason Outlook: Dallas has $-2,972,073 to spend in 2021. Dallas did a good job getting up to 8 top 150 players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Dallas also signed Ryan Suter to replace Oleksiak as well as Brayden Holtby on a one year prove it deal. Luke Glendening provides depth at center on the back 6. Tampa Bay had the least amount of cap space last season and won the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals to repeat, a year after defeating Dallas.

2021 Dallas Stars Offseason Needs

Zach Parise, LW, Minnesota Wild

Matt Bartkowski, D, Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild 2021 Offseason Outlook: Minnesota has $19,714,746 to spend on Free Agents for 2021. Minnesota is keeping most of their core together next season. Minnesota has drafted well for the second year in a row.

2021 Minnesota Wild Offseason Needs

Brad Richardson, LW, Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators 2021 Offseason Outlook: Nashville will have $19,208,588 in cap space for 2021. They got a lot of cap space. Unless the Predators are aggressive in Free Agency, I expect a rebuild next season.

2021 Nashville Predators Offseason Needs

Tyler Bozak, C, St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues 2021 Offseason Outlook: St. Louis has $6,331,151 for 2021 at the moment. St. Louis still has a lethal blue line and steady goaltending. More offense is needed. It doesn't help that Tarasenko may want out.

2021 St. Louis Blues Offseason Needs

Jordie Benn, D, Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets 2021 Offseason Outlook: Winnipeg has $6,216,022 for 2021 at the moment. Winnipeg needs to do something after getting swept by Montreal in the second round.

2021 Winnipeg Jets Offseason Needs

David Backes, C, Anaheim Ducks

Carter Rowney, D, Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks 2021 Offseason Outlook: Anaheim has $16,930,000 to spend on Free Agents for 2021. Anaheim has a solid core of centers and defenseman. This team needs wingers and perhaps a goalie to push John Gibson.

2021 Anaheim Ducks Offseason Needs

Michael Stone, D, Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames 2021 Offseason Outlook: Calgary has $12,925,000 for 2021 at the moment. Calgary added Blake Coleman from Tampa Bay.

2021 Calgary Flames Offseason Needs

James Neal, LW, Edmonton Oilers

Tyler Ennis, C, Edmonton Oilers

Dominik Kahun, C, Edmonton Oilers

Alex Chiasson, RW, Edmonton Oilers

Slater Koekkoek, D, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers 2021 Offseason Outlook: Edmonton has $-1,548,968 for 2021 at the moment. Edmonton added Zach Hyman from Toronto at forward and Cody Ceci from Pittsburgh on defense to boost the blue line.

2021 Edmonton Oilers Offseason Needs

Los Angeles Kings 2021 Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles has $1,116,287 for 2021 at the moment. The Kings got Phillip Danault and Alexander Edler to bolster their center and blue line. Edler is a good stop-gap while Brandt Clarke develops.

2021 Los Angeles Kings Offseason Needs

Patrick Marleau, LW, San Jose Sharks

Ryan Donato, C, San Jose Sharks

Marcus Sorensen, RW, San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks 2021 Offseason Recap: San Jose has $5,419,999 for 2021 at the moment. Doug Wilson has done a better job this offseason with the NHL Draft and the Free Agent additions he's made. Nick Bonino and Andrew Cogliano are two good signings.

2021 San Jose Sharks Offseason Needs

Seattle Kraken 2021 Offseason Recap: Seattle has $16,393,334 for 2021 at the moment. Seattle did well loading up on the blue line in the Expansion Draft. They added Jaden Schwartz in Free Agency as a first line left winger to go with Jordan Eberle. Seattle also signed Philipp Grubauer from Colorado.

2021 Seattle Kraken Offseason Needs

Jake Virtanen, RW, Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks 2021 Offseason Recap: Vancouver has $8,076,347 for 2021 at the moment. Vancouver brought in Tucker Poolman, Travis Hamonic, Luke Schenn, and Brady Keeper to compliment Quinn Hughes and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. This blue line will be stacked. Vancouver replaced Holtby with Halak.

2021 Vancouver Canucks Offseason Needs

Vegas Golden Knights 2021 Offseason Outlook: Vegas has $5,212,561 for 2021 at the moment. Vegas managed to bring back Alec Martinez.

2021 Vegas Golden Knights Offseason Needs

Top 8 Western Conference Teams heading Into 2021 1. Vegas Golden Knights, 2. Colorado Avalanche, 3. Dallas Stars, 4. Calgary Flames, 5. Vancouver Canucks, 6. Chicago Blackhawks, 7. Minnesota Wild, 8. Edmonton Oilers.