The Phil Kessel trade and new deals for the likes of Francois Beauchemin, Michael Frolik, Mike Green, Paul Martin, and Andrej Sekera ruled the headlines on Day 1 of NHL free agency. Oh, but there was so much more.
July 1, 2015 could accurately be described as a frenzy. No one is going to hold it against you if a trade or signing slipped through the cracks.
In case you missed it, here is a roundup of several of the day’s stories that may have been lost in the news cycle.
Glen Sather steps down
After 15 years on the job, Glen Sather will make way for Jeff Gorton to take over as general manager of the New York Rangers.
While he didn’t raise the Stanley Cup during his tenure with the Rangers, Sather’s resume is an impressive one.
The 71-year-old will remain in his role as the Rangers president.
Vermette and Michalek stricken with the maroon and white disease
Maybe it’s the brick red and white disease…whatever the case, Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek share an affinity for the desert.
Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney shipped Vermette to the Chicago Blackhawks and Michalek to the St. Louis Blues at the 2015 trade deadline. Both players returned to the Coyotes on two-year deals Wednesday.
And just like that the salary cap floor is within reach for Maloney and Co.
Flyers solidify goaltending with Neuvirth
Michal Neuvirth emerged from 27 appearances with the woeful Buffalo Sabres sporting an above league average .918 save percentage last season. After a brief post-deadline stint with the New York Islanders, Neuvirth has elected to join the Philadelphia Flyers on a two-year, $3.25 million deal.
A suave move by Hextall to add some insurance on the heels of a career year from No. 1 goaltender Steve Mason.
Maple Leafs are in it to Winnik
Daniel Winnik was one of the more consistent Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014-15. He performed admirably enough to find his way to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade at the deadline in exchange for Zach Sill and a pair of draft picks.
Winnik, something of an analytics darling, has reunited with the Maple Leafs on a two-year deal worth $4.5 million.
The Penguins recouped the second-round pick they sent to Toronto for a Winnik rental via the Kessel trade.
Bruins ink Beleskey to a reasonable contract
Coming off a career-best 22-goal season, former Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey was a candidate to run away with a considerable overpayment from a potential suitor.
Instead, the Bruins signed the 27-year-old to a very reasonable five-year deal worth $19 million.
Panthers acquire Marc Savard’s contract in trade with Bruins
The Florida Panthers acquired forward Reilly Smith and the final two years of Marc Savard’s contract in exchange for 6-foot-6 winger Jimmy Hayes.
Savard, who has not played in the NHL since 2011 due to concussion related problems, is owed just $575,000 in each of the next two seasons. He counts for $4,027,143 against the cap for a Panthers team that is now well clear of the cap floor.
As for the Bruins…
Oops.
…And the winner of the Kassian-Hodgson trade is the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators?
The Montreal Canadiens acquired Zack Kassian and 2016 fifth-round draft pick from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Brandon Prust on Wednesday.
Adding further hindsight hilarity to the 2012 trade that saw the Canucks acquire Kassian from the Buffalo Sabres for Cody Hodgson, the latter inked a one-year, $1.05 million deal with the Nashville Predators after being bought out by the Sabres.
Mission of Burmistrov
Finally, after two years with Kazan AK-Bars of the Kontinental Hockey League, Alexander Burmistrov has come back to Winnipeg. The 23-year-old centre inked a two-year, $3.1 million deal with the club.
Burmistrov totalled 20 goals and 63 points in 107 games over two seasons in the KHL. Here’s to North American Fame and Fortune for the 6-foot-1 Russian.
Capitals hope to solve Game 7 woes with “Mr. Game 7”
“Mr. Game 7” or “Corsi Jesus,” whatever you want to call him…Justin Williams is a player who delivers under pressure.
The 2014 Conn Smythe Trophy winner signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Washington Capitals late Wednesday.
There’s a decent chance this deal could look like the best bargain of the 2015 free agent season.
