The opening of free agency is already shaping up to be busy for a handful of familiar names, with several teams trying to keep their own pieces in place while others prepare to chase the market.
In Florida, the Panthers believe they can get newly acquired defenseman Radko Gudas signed, and the same goes for the Anaheim Ducks and A.J. Greer, according to David Pagnotta. Elliotte Friedman also noted that Greer is “looking for term.”
Friedman added another Ducks free agent note, saying forward Jeffrey Viel is seeking either three years at $4 million or four years at $3 million.
Anders Lee, meanwhile, is headed to the open market. Pierre LeBrun reported that Lee informed the New York Islanders this morning that he is going to free agency.
The Islanders had improved their offer last night, but it still wasn’t enough. That said, LeBrun noted it doesn’t rule out a return after Lee sees what else is out there.
The issue appears to have been term. Stefen Rosner reported that Lee was looking for three years, while the Islanders did not want to go beyond two.
If Lee does test the market, Michael Russo expects the Minnesota Wild to be among the teams interested. Russo also said Lee could take his time before making a decision and might not sign quickly on July 1st.
Patrick Kane is another name expected to draw attention. Chris Johnston said on TSN that there’s going to be “a fair amount of interest” in the pending UFA.
Johnston pointed to the Buffalo Sabres and a possible return to the Chicago Blackhawks, while also mentioning a rumored fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He added that, at this point, that Leafs possibility does not seem likely to materialize.
In Ottawa, the Senators are trying to keep Claude Giroux from reaching free agency. Bruce Garrioch reported that the Senators are working to re-sign the forward before he becomes a free agent.
In Other News...
Senators Could Target Two Leafs Fits Fans Never Expected
Ottawa has already done business with Toronto this offseason, bringing in goalie Samuel Ersson for a 2027 fifth-round pick, and the next question is whether the Senators are willing to keep looking north of the border for help. Even without a qualifying offer in hand, Ersson is expected to sign with Ottawa, which only adds to the sense that the Senators are still mining the Maple Leafs for affordable roster fits as they try to round out the lineup.
Two names keep surfacing in that conversation: Nick Robertson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Robertsons scoring touch and Ekman-Larssons veteran impact make for a curious pair of targets, especially for a Senators team searching for players who can slide into the right role without forcing a bigger overhaul, and the appeal is obvious enough that it is worth watching how far Ottawa is willing to push this idea. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Suddenly Have A Toronto Scoring Target Worth Debating
After adding William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky this offseason, the Senators still look like a club that could use more help up front, especially if they want their forward group to feel deeper than just the recent splash moves. One name that makes some sense in that conversation is Matias Maccelli, a Toronto winger whose season offered enough production to keep him on the radar as a possible fit for Ottawa.
Maccellis value for the Senators would come less from star power than from versatility, since he can slide into the middle six and give a coach another option to mix into the second or third line. He also brings the kind of puck-moving skill that tends to travel well in a top-nine role, which is exactly why he is the sort of player Ottawa may have to decide whether to chase before the market gets busy. [Read more 🡒]
Senators May Be Eyeing A Division Swing Fans Will Debate
Theres a local angle to the latest Senators trade chatter that is easy to see why it would resonate. Ottawa has reportedly shown interest in Buffalo forward Jack Quinn, the Ottawa native and former 67s player who has built enough of a profile to be viewed as a possible fit higher up in the lineup. He is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to reach restricted free agency next summer, which only adds to the appeal for a team still sorting out its long-term forward mix.
The Sabres, for their part, are said to be open to moving him if the return helps them address another need, and that is where the talks get more interesting for Ottawa. Buffalo may be looking for a prospect such as Logan Hensler, a right-shot defenceman from its 2025 draft class, as it tries to strengthen a thin defensive pipeline. It is the kind of framework that can make sense on paper, even if the real challenge is finding the exact price that works for both sides. [Read more 🡒]