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T.J. Tynan Signs With Colorado Avalanche

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12:05pm: The Avalanche have officially announced the deal, along with two-way contracts for Dan Renouf and Jayson Megna. Renouf will be on a two-year contract while Megna and Tynan will just get one season.

10:26am: One of the most prolific scorers in the minor league is heading to Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche have signed T.J. Tynan to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700K at the NHL level according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Tynan was an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 27-year old forward has spent nearly his entire professional career in the minor leagues, but has been a consistent offensive threat since leaving Notre Dame in 2014. Last year saw him record 71 points in 71 games, leading the entire AHL with 59 assists. Just 22 of those came with the man advantage, making Tynan one of the most efficient even-strength playmakers in the league. This isn’t the first time he’s earned that moniker, as he has recorded 208 assists over his five-year, 364-game AHL career.

Undersized at 5’9″ 165-lbs, Tynan was nevertheless drafted 66th overall in 2011 by the Columbus Blue Jackets and dominated offensively at the NCAA level. All his success has still not earned him much of a chance in the NHL though, as he has just three games under his belt. While that fit might still not come with the Avalanche, at the very worst the Colorado Eagles are adding one of the best weapons in the AHL for their 2019-20 season.

Calgary Flames Sign Justin Kirkland

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The Calgary Flames have added an interesting prospect to their minor league ranks, signing Justin Kirkland to a one-year, two-way contract according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Kirkland became an unrestricted free agent when the Nashville Predators decided not to issue him a qualifying offer last week. The deal is worth $700K at the NHL level.

Kirkland, 22, was a third-round pick of the Predators five years ago and has played in their minor league system for the past three seasons. In 2018-19 he recorded 30 points in 75 games, but failed to get a sniff at the next level. The 6’3″ forward is a former WHL champion with the Kelowna Rockets, a team that also included Flames forward Dillon Dube and several other NHL players (Leon Draisaitl and Josh Morrissey immediately come to mind).

There’s no guarantee that Kirkland ever becomes more than a depth player at the minor league level, but at his young age there’s very little risk in finding out. The Flames will have to pass him through waivers in order to loan him to the Stockton Heat, but without any NHL experience that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

New York Islanders Sign Cole Bardreau

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The New York Islanders have added some minor league depth, signing Cole Bardreau to a two-year, two-way contract. Bardreau was a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer after failing to receive an opportunity at the NHL level with the Philadelphia Flyers. The deal carries an average annual value of $700K at the NHL level.

Bardreau, 25, was signed by the Flyers out of Cornell University in 2015 and jumped immediately into the professional ranks with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. A former member of the USNTDP and World Junior gold medalist, Bardreau has played the part of reliable two-way center for the Phantoms for the last several years but never received a chance at the NHL level. He’ll have to clear waivers to be sent down to the minors this year, but that shouldn’t be a problem if the Islanders choose to lend him to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the season.

Dalton Prout Signs With San Jose Sharks

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The San Jose Sharks have added another depth defenseman, signing Dalton Prout to a one-year $800K contract according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Prout was an unrestricted free agent after spending last season with the Calgary Flames organization.

The 29-year old Prout has bounced around the last few years, providing a physical presence for the Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Flames in short stints but never hits the ice for any consistent playing time. In 20 games last season for the Flames he recorded one goal and one assist, but certainly isn’t known for his offensive contributions.

It’s his fighting skill that mostly got Prout noticed in Columbus, where he totaled 19 scraps over the years. He never did get a chance to drop the gloves in Calgary, but will likely be asked to serve that role if he ever gets up to the NHL level with the Sharks. In the bruising Western Conference, GM Doug Wilson has often brought in some toughness as the playoffs near to give his team a little bit of an edge on the ice.

Patrik Berglund Signs In Sweden

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After considering a return to North America, former Buffalo Sabres forward Patrik Berglund will be staying in Sweden. He has signed a one-year contract with Djurgardens in the SHL.

Berglund, 31, famously walked away from more than $10MM on his final contract with the Sabres in 2018 due to mental health issues, leaving the team suddenly. He had played just 23 games for Buffalo since being included in the return for Ryan O’Reilly, and scored just four times during his time there. The three remaining seasons on his contract were terminated, and Berglund disappeared from the public eye for some time.

While he recently started exploring options to return, a year in Sweden to prove he is dedicated and productive again might have to be the first step. Once a consistent third-line center for the St. Louis Blues, Berglund is now several years removed from his last 20 goal season.

Free Agent Frenzy 2019: Day 1 Signings By Team

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Here are all of the signings of day one of the free agent frenzy, broken down by team, with a link to the individual stories:

Anaheim Ducks:

(none)

Arizona Coyotes:

F Beau Bennett – One year, $700K (link)
F Andy Miele – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Aaron Ness – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
G Ivan Posvetov – Three years, $2.775MM (link)*

Boston Bruins: 

F Ryan Fitzgerald – One year, $700K (link)
F Brendan Gaunce – One year, $700K (link)
G Maxime Lagace – One year, $700K (link)
F Brett Ritchie – One year, $1MM (link)
F Par Lindholm – Two years, $1.7MM (link)
D Connor Clifton – Three years, $3MM (link)

Buffalo Sabres:

F Curtis Lazar – One year, $700K (link)
D John Gilmour – One year, $700K (link)
G Andrew Hammond – One year, $700K (link)
F Jean-Sebastien Dea – Two years, $1.4MM (link)

Calgary Flames:

F Byron Froese – One year, $700K (link)
D Brandon Davidson – One year, $700K (link)
G Cam Talbot – One year, $2.75MM (link)

Carolina Hurricanes:

G Petr Mrazek – Two years, $6.25MM (link)

Chicago Blackhawks:

F David Kampf – Two years, $2MM (link)
F Ryan Carpenter – Three years, $3MM (link)
G Robin Lehner – One year, $5MM (link)

Colorado Avalanche: 

F Jayson Megna – One year, $700K (link)
F Colin Wilson – One year, $2.6MM (link)
F Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – Two years, $3.6MM (link)
F Joonas Donskoi – Four years, $15.6MM (link)

Columbus Blue Jackets:

G Joonas Korpisalo – One year, $1.15MM (link)
D Ryan Muray – Two years, $9.2MM (link)
F Gustav Nyquist – Four years, $22MM (link)

Dallas Stars: 

D Reece Scarlett – One year, $700K (link)
G Landon Bow – One year, $700K (link)
F Tanner Kero – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Andrej Sekera – One year, $1.5MM + $500K performance bonuses (link)
F Corey Perry – One year, $1.5MM + $1.75MM performance bonuses (link)
F Joe Pavelski – Three years, $21MM (link)

Detroit Red Wings:

G Calvin Pickard – Two years, $1.5MM (link)
D Patrik Nemeth – Two years, $6MM (link)
F Valtteri Filppula – Two years, $6MM (link)

Edmonton Oilers:

F Gaetan Haas – One year, $925K* (link)
F Tomas Jurco – One year, $750K (link)
F Markus Granlund – One year, $1.3MM (link)
G Mike Smith – One year, $2MM (link)
F Jujhar Khaira – Two years, $2.4MM (link)
F Alex Chiasson – Two years, $4.3MM (link)

Florida Panthers:

D Ethan Prow – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Tommy Cross – Two years, $1.45MM (link)
F Noel Acciari – Three years, $5MM (link)
F Brett Connolly – Four years, $13MM (link)
D Anton Stralman – Three years, $16.5MM (link)
G Sergei Bobrovsky – Seven years, $70MM (link)

Los Angeles Kings:

F Martin Frk – One year, $700K (link)
D Joakim Ryan – One year, $725K (link)

Minnesota Wild: 

F Luke Johnson – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Gabriel Dumont – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Ryan Hartman – Two years, $3.9MM (link)
F Mats Zuccarello – Five years, $30MM (link)

Montreal Canadiens:

F Riley Barber – One year, $700K (link)
G Keith Kinkaid – One year, $1.75MM (link)
F Sebastian Aho – Five years, $42.27MM -OFFER SHEET- (link)

Nashville Predators:

F Daniel Carr – One year, $700K (link)
F Matt Duchene – Seven years, $56MM (link)

New Jersey Devils: 

D Dakota Mermis – One year, $700K (link)
F Ben Street – One year, $750K (link)
D Matt Tennyson – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Wayne Simmonds – One year, $5MM (link)

New York Islanders:

G Semyon Varlamov – Four years, $20MM (link)
F Anders Lee – Seven years, $49MM (link)

New York Rangers:

F Greg McKegg – Terms not disclosed (link)
F Daniel O’Regan – Terms not disclosed (link)
F Artemi Panarin – Seven years, $81.5MM (link)

Ottawa Senators:

F Jordan Szwarz – One year, $800K (link)
F Tyler Ennis – One year, $800K (link)
D Ron Hainsey – One year, $3.5MM (link)

Philadelphia Flyers:

F Kurtis Gabriel – One year, $700K (link)
F Kyle Criscuolo – One year, $700K (link)
G Jean-Francois Berube – One year, $700K (link)
D Tyler Wotherspoon – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Chris Bigras – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Nate Prosser – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Andy Welinski – One year, $750K (link)
F Andy Andreoff – Two years, $1.5MM (link)

Pittsburgh Penguins:

F Andrew Agozzino – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D David Warsofsky – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Brandon Tanev – Six years, $21MM (link)

San Jose Sharks: 

D Tim Heed – One year, $960K (link)
F Timo Meier – Four years, $24MM (link)

St. Louis Blues:

F Evan Polei – Two years, $1.85MM (link)*
F Michael Vecchione – One year, $700K (link)
F Nick Lappin – One year, $700K (link)
D Jake Dotchin – One year, $700K (link)
D Derrick Pouliot – One year, $700K (link)
F Nathan Walker – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Sammy Blais – One year, $850K (link)

Tampa Bay Lightning:

F Chris Mueller – One year, $700K (link)
G Spencer Martin – One year, $700K (link)
G Scott Wedgewood – On year, $700K (link)
D/F Luke Witkowski – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
D Luke Schenn – One year, $700K (link)
G Curtis McElhinney – Two years, $2.6MM (link)

Toronto Maple Leafs:

F Jason Spezza – One year, $700K (link)
D Kevin Gravel – One year, $700K (link)
F Nick Shore – One year, $750K (link)
F Kenny Agostino – Two years, $1.4MM (link)

Vancouver Canucks:

F Tyler Graovac – One year, $700K (link)
G Zane McIntyre – One year, $700K (link)
D Oscar Fantenberg – One year, $850K (link)
D Jordie Benn – Two years, $4MM (link)
D Tyler Myers – Five years, $30MM (link)

Vegas Golden Knights:

D Jaycob Megna – One year, $700K (link)
D Brett Lernout – One year, $700K (link)
F Tyrell Goulbourne – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Patrick Brown – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
F Tomas Nosek – One year, $1MM (link)
F Brandon Pirri – Two years, $1.55MM (link)

Washington Capitals: 

F Philippe Maillet – Two years, $1.4MM (link)
G Vitek Vanecek – Three years, $2.15MM (link)
F Brendan Leipsic – One year, $700K (link)
F Garnet Hathaway – Four years, $6MM (link)
F Richard Panik – Four years, $11MM (link)

Winnipeg Jets:

D Cameron Schilling – One year, $700K (link)
D Nathan Beaulieu – One year, $1MM (link)

*Indicates entry-level contract
Indicates two-way contract

Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire Tyson Barrie

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round selection. The Avalanche will also be retaining 50% of Barrie’s contract, which results in the Maple Leafs only being responsible for a $2.75MM cap hit for the offensive defenseman.

For some time now the Maple Leafs have been looking for an upgrade on the right side of their blue line, and will get it in Barrie who is coming off another incredible offensive season. The 27-year old had 14 goals and 59 points for the Avalanche and has been one of the league’s top puck-movers since entering the league back in 2011-12. Through 484 career games, Barrie has 307 points and could form a solid one-two punch with Morgan Rielly who is also coming off a career-best 72-point season. The team now projects to have a brand new right side with Barrie joining Cody Ceci who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators earlier today.

The Leafs have actually cleared even more cap space with this deal for the time being, as Kadri had three years left on his contract and carried a $4.5MM hit. That may change quickly however as Kerfoot is a restricted free agent coming off consecutive 40+ point seasons after signing out of Harvard University. The 24-year old decided not to join the New Jersey Devils who originally drafted him and instead went to Colorado where he has enjoyed a healthy opportunity playing both center and wing. Kerfoot has recorded 31 of his 85 career points on the powerplay, but may not get quite the same chance to touch the puck in Toronto with the man advantage given their glut of talented forwards.

For Colorado, this deal is all about securing a legitimate second-line center to play behind Nathan MacKinnon. Though Kadri was limited to just 16 goals and 44 points last season with the Maple Leafs that was more about opportunity and usage than talent. The seventh-overall pick from 2009 had consecutive 32-goal seasons prior to Toronto’s signing of John Tavares which bumped him down in the lineup, and he should get close to that again if given the chance in Colorado. The fact that he is cost-controlled for three more seasons at a more than reasonable $4.5MM makes him an extremely valuable piece for the Avalanche who have added a fair amount of scoring prowess in the last few days.

The biggest reason Barrie was even available is the way the Avalanche have built out their blue line, with names like Cale Makar, Bowen Byram and Conor Timmins all looking like they will be real contributors next season. The Maple Leafs meanwhile will hope that they can maintain some level of depth down the middle with the signings they made today, adding Jason Spezza and Nick Shore to the mix. William Nylander and Kerfoot also have experience at center, while Auston Matthews and John Tavares will obviously dominate the playing time and matchups.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Panthers Sign Defensemen Tommy Cross And Ethan Prow

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The Florida Panthers are re-tooling their blue line and that goes beyond simply adding Anton Stralman. The team also needs more talent among their depth options and have accomplished that by adding a pair of capable AHL defenders. The Panthers announced that Tommy Cross and Ethan Prow have both agreed to two-year, two-way contracts. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cross, 29, was a Boston College standout and long-time Boston Bruins prospect before signing a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer. Cross plays a sound defensive game, which allowed him to be a capable emergency option for Boston on a few occasions, but has mostly made his name on being a very offensively productive minor league defenseman for many years.

Prow, 26, enjoyed a breakout season at the right time, as he entered a contract year having yet to establish himself as a pro. In 74 AHL games last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he recorded 50 points and showed that he can be an effective puck-mover at the pro level. He’s turned that into a nice opportunity to fight for NHL appearances with Florida.

New Jersey Adds Tennyson, Mermis, Street

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The New Jersey Devils have made some major additions this summer in the likes of No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes, superstar defenseman P.K. Subban, and today’s big free agency addition, forward Wayne Simmonds. It’s now time to fill out the organizational depth chart, and the team has done just that. The Devils have announced the signings of three veteran fringe players, defensemen Matt Tennyson and Dakota Mermis and forward Ben Street. The trio all signed two-way deals, with Tennyson signing on for two years while Mermis and Street will be under contract for just one.

Tennyson, 29, may be best known for his constant dance between the minor leagues and NHL the last several seasons. He was involved in 15 separate transactions last season for the Buffalo Sabres, popping back and forth from the Rochester Americans but only actually suiting up four times in the NHL. He may not get a lot more opportunity than that in New Jersey, but at least he’ll get some stability with a two-year contract.

Mermis meanwhile would likely kill for even that opportunity in the NHL. The 25-year old has played just ten games with the Arizona Coyotes and instead spent the rest of his professional career in the minor leagues. In 62 games for the Tucson Roadrunners last season the defenseman recorded 24 points, but ended up a Group VI unrestricted free agent looking for work this summer. He too will likely report to the Binghamton Devils to start the year.

Street, 32, had the most NHL experience last year out of the group, suiting up for 21 contests with the Anaheim Ducks when they found themselves lacking any semblance of center depth. The veteran minor league forward has been a top scoring threat for years in the AHL but has just eight points in 56 career NHL games. That likely won’t change much next season with the Devils, but he will be there in case they face any injury troubles throughout the year.

Vancouver Canucks Sign Tyler Graovac, Zane McIntyre

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The Canucks have had a singular focus for much of the day and that has been defense, signing Tyler Myers, Jordie Benn, and Oscar Fantenberg. However, the team has made some depth additions in other areas as well. Center Tyler Graovac has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract, as has goaltender Zane McIntyre. Both players spent all of last season in the AHL, but do have NHL experience.

Graovac, 26, is actually coming off an excellent season in the minor leagues, scoring 50 points in 65 games with the Stockton Heat. The seventh-round pick has carved out a nice professional career even if his NHL experience is limited, and should be a key player for the Utica Comets this season. In 62 NHL games he has just nine points meaning the Canucks shouldn’t be relying on him for any offense at that level, but a 6’5″ center with a minor-league scoring touch is never a bad thing to add to the organization.

McIntyre meanwhile will give the organization some more goaltending depth, though it’s not clear exactly how things will shake out at this point. The Canucks now have six goaltenders in the organization, including top prospect Michael DiPietro who will need ample playing time to continue his development. The 26-year old McIntyre played eight games for the Boston Bruins in 2016-17, but has spent the last two seasons entirely in the AHL. This past one wasn’t particularly good, though he still is an experienced hand that can help fill out the organizational chart.

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