Predators add Stamkos, Marchessault in blockbuster moves; NHL teams drop US$1B in free agent frenzy

On the first day of free agency, NHL teams committed a record US$1.12 billion in contracts as more than 100 players changed teams.

The Nashville Predators made a huge splash when free agency opened Monday by signing Stanley Cup champion forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in a series of moves topping US$100 million that made Smashville the centre of attention on a record-setting, billion-dollar day across the NHL.

Stamkos left Tampa Bay after 16 seasons, two Cup titles and two additional trips to the final to sign a four, year $32 million contract with Nashville.

"By no means did I ever envision that a day like today would happen, but it did," Stamkos said. "It was definitely a bitter pill to swallow when it really started to materialize that it wasn't going to work in Tampa."

Stamkos turned to the Predators, made his decision and got a call from Marchessault asking if he was signing with them too, worried it was one or the other. "He said, 'No Stammer, I'm coming, too,"' Stamkos recalled.

Marchessault got $27.5 million for the next five seasons less than 13 months since earning playoff MVP honors in leading Vegas to its first championship. The two will have company: Defenceman Brady Skjei signed with Nashville for seven years and $49 million, and Scott Wedgewood came in at $3 million for two years to back up franchise goaltender Juuse Saros.

General manager Barry Trotz called it "a massive day for the future of our organization." The Predators at $111.5 million became the first team to surpass $100 million committed to new players in free agency since the Florida Panthers five years ago started building toward the championship they won last week.

"It's huge because it's a statement, I think, for the rest of the league that these players will come to Nashville," Trotz said. "These players see what we're doing with our franchise. We have lots to offer, and we're very determined to win. We're committed to that."