Free agency in the NHL begins on Saturday morning, our time. It’s that point where the proverbial floodgates will open, and players with expired contracts will have varying degrees of freedom to seek a new deal.
It’s come to our attention that quite a few UMD men’s hockey alumni have expiring deals, so here’s a handy-dandy guide to what happens from here.
After a quick run-through of pertinent terminology, we will list — by most recent NHL organization — each UMD alum in the league, and we’ll update each player’s status as signings happen. Bookmark this page and check back!
NOTE: This list only encompasses UMD men’s hockey alumni who spent 2022-23 in NHL organizations on one- or two-way contracts (explained below).
All contract info courtesy CapFriendly.com unless noted.
Brief glossary of terms
–AAV: Average annual value. On a multi-year contract, the AAV determines the player’s salary cap number at the NHL level.
–One way deal: Player will make NHL salary even if sent to AHL.
–Restricted free agent (RFA): Can negotiate a new contract with old team, as long as old team issued a qualifying offer to retain player’s rights. Other teams have to sign player to an offer sheet, which old team has an opportunity to match, with draft pick compensation should the old team decide not to match. Some RFAs have arbitration rights, meaning either the player or the team can request a hearing with an independent arbitrator to determine salary.
–Two way deal: Contract pays player less money in AHL than NHL. Veterans often get a “minors guarantee,” meaning that player will make the guaranteed amount even if he spends the whole year in the minors.
–Unrestricted free agent (UFA): Free to negotiate with any team.
–Unrestricted free agent – Group 6 (UFA G6): Unrestricted free agent because player did not accrue enough games at NHL level by age 25 to remain a RFA.
BOSTON
D Nick Wolff (UFA G6)
CHICAGO
F Joey Anderson (re-signed 6/22, 1yr/2way/$800k NHL/$425k minor guarantee)
G Alex Stalock (UFA)
D Andy Welinski (UFA)
COLUMBUS
F Justin Richards (signed with BUFFALO 7/1, 1yr/2way/$775k NHL/$250k minor guarantee)
DALLAS
F Riley Tufte (signed with COLORADO 7/1, 1yr/2way/$775k NHL)
MINNESOTA
F Nick Swaney (re-signed 6/30, 1yr/2way/$775k NHL/$150k minor guarantee, per Michael Russo of The Athletic)
PHILADELPHIA
F Jackson Cates (UFA G6)
F Noah Cates (RFA ARB)
ST. LOUIS
D Scott Perunovich (re-signed 6/24, 1yr/1way/$775k)
SEATTLE
D Carson Soucy (signs with VANCOUVER 7/1, 3yr/$3.25m AAV, per Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet)
TAMPA BAY
F Cole Koepke (re-signed 6/14, 1yr/2way/$775k NHL/$100k minor guarantee)
WASHINGTON
G Hunter Shepard (re-signed 7/1, 2yr/2way/$775k NHL/$350k minor guarantee)
WINNIPEG
F Karson Kuhlman (UFA)
D Dylan Samberg (RFA ARB)
F Dominic Toninato (re-signed 4/19, 2yr/2way/$775k NHL/$350k minor guarantee)
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