Stamkos bolts Tampa for Nashville as Predators spend big in free agency
CBC
The Nashville Predators made a big splash in the opening moments of NHL free agency Monday by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.
Stamkos said he was signing with the Predators, leaving Tampa Bay after 16 seasons that included winning the Stanley Cup twice and making two other trips to the final. It was not immediately clear what the 34-year-old forward was getting in terms of years or dollars.
Marchessault, the 2023 playoff MVP and another standout veteran forward, got a five-year deal worth $27.5 million (all figures US), according to a person familiar with the contract. The Predators also signed defenceman Brady Skjei to a $49 million, seven-year contract according to a different person with knowledge of the contract. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals have not been announced.
Jake Guentzel signed a $63 million, seven-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after they acquired his rights from Carolina over the weekend. Guentzel will count $9 million against the salary cap through 2031.
"Things just didn't work out in Carolina, and then I heard Tampa might be trading for my rights, so obviously I got really excited because everyone hears how good of a team and good of a spot this is," Guentzel said. "The pedigree behind Tampa Bay, the winning culture — just a lot of high-end players that really make it intriguing to come to Tampa."
Hours after a rainy rally celebrating the first championship in franchise history, Florida beat the midnight buzzer to re-sign 57-goal scorer Sam Reinhart to an eight-year contract worth $69 million (all figures US).
Cross-state rival Tampa Bay beat the rush to have the chance to negotiate exclusively with Jake Guentzel over the weekend, then signed the point-a-game playoff player to a $63 million, seven-year deal. That is well worth the third-round pick the Lightning sent Carolina for Guentzel's rights, especially after realizing they would be parting ways with Stamkos, their longtime captain who has been around since 2008.
Chris Tanev and the Toronto Maple Leafs agreed to a six-year, $27-million US contract Monday. The 34-year-old defenceman, whose deal is worth $4.5 million per season, had two goals and 19 points in 75 games in 2023-24 with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, but his value comes at the other end of the rink in a shutdown role.
The Leafs also signed goaltender Joseph Woll, a restricted free agent, to a three-year extension for just under $11 million.
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Shekai Mills-Knight, a freshman running back for Ole Miss, will earn some attention Thursday night when his Rebels take on the Miami Hurricanes in an NCAA semifinal football game in Glendale, Ariz., but he first made news a decade ago as a grade-schooler deemed too big for the local little league.