NHL News

Forward Steven Stamkos is leaving his longtime home in Tampa Bay to join the new-look Nashville Predators, who signed him to a four-year, $8 Million AAV contract on July 1. Stammer joins a suddenly dangerous-looking Predators team that also added Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. The Lightning legend wasn't offered what he was looking for from Tampa, so he decided to head off to Nashville instead. Although he is 34, Stamkos is coming off a 40-goal, 81-point season and has posted over a point-per-game in seven straight years (not including the COVID-shortened season). He will be a massive boost to the Predators' offense and should be drafted in the first four rounds of fantasy drafts.

The Tampa Bay Lightning made one of the biggest free agency acquisitions by signing winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year, $9 Million AAV contract on July 1. The Lightning weren't playing around in their pursuit of Guentzel, as they traded stud defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and lowballed longtime captain Steven Stamkos in order to gain the cap space needed to sign Guentzel. The 29-year-old had 77 points in 67 games last year and has topped a point-per-game in four of his last five seasons, making it easy to see why Tampa coveted him. He will slot into their lethal top six and first powerplay unit, making him a target in the second or third round of fantasy drafts.

The Seattle Kraken have made a big splash in NHL free agency, signing defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year, $7.14 Million AAV deal. The 30-year-old earned this contract a few years ago when he obliterated his career highs in points, goals, and assists, posting 73 points (16 goals, 57 assists) in 80 games with the Florida Panthers in 2022-23. He wasn't as good last year, but still collected 33 points in 66 games. The Kraken will hope that he returns to his form from two years ago, but either way he should be a solid top-four option and will challenge Vince Dunn for powerplay time. It will be hard to navigate this competition for fantasy purposes, but both Dunn and Montour should be drafted in the 125-150 range.

Winger Tyler Toffoli has signed a four-year, $6 Million AAV deal with the San Jose Sharks. Toffoli cashed in after a solid few years where he put up 73 and 55 points in 82 and 79 games respectively. He scored over 30 goals in both seasons and the Sharks need scoring badly, so this signing makes sense for them. The 32-year-old likely could've taken less to go to a contender, but it also might be his last chance to cash in. He should slot into the Sharks first line and first powerplay unit, and with that opportunity he should be given a look early in fantasy drafts, likely within the top 100 picks.

The Washington Capitals made a big splash on the first day of free agency, trading for former Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun. The Caps sent over Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick in return. While Chychrun wasn't incredible for the Sens last season, this return feels awfully light for a player who managed to put up 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) from the back end in 2023-24. Chychrun will likely slot into a top pairing role alongside John Carlson and could get some time on the second powerplay unit as well. He is a decent depth defenseman for fantasy with major upside if Carlson gets injured.

The Seattle Kraken have signed center Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year deal worth $6.25 Million AAV. Stephenson will be signed through his age-37 season, giving him some long-term security. The silky centerman has put up some solid season in Vegas, collecting 215 points in 286 games in his last four seasons. He hasn't eclipsed the 65-point mark and likely tops out as a second-line player, but can still be a solid complimentary piece when surrounded by the right players. He shouldn't be drafted in fantasy until the very late stages in standard leagues.

The Nashville Predators have signed right winger Jonathan Marchessault to a five-year, $5.5 million AAV deal. In conjunction with their signing of Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei, the Preds handed out over $100 million in contracts on July 1. They should immediately turn into contenders with their new additions. For his part, Marchessault brings the ability to finish and some grit along with it. He scored 42 goals last year and added 27 assists, 266 shots, and 107 hits. He will fit into Nashville's top six and first power-play unit in all likelihood and should be looked at within the top 100 of fantasy drafts.