The Minnesota Wild got a two-time Stanley Cup champion for nothing on the eve of NHL free agency, and the New York Islanders locked up one of their top young players to a long-term contract.
The Wild acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings on Monday for future considerations.
The Islanders re-signed defenceman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract that a person with knowledge of the extension said is worth $50 million US.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms were not disclosed. Romanov will count $6.25 million against the salary cap through the 2032-33 season.
Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $4.75 million.
He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St. Louis’ championship run in 2019.
The Utah Mammoth also traded young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. It turns into a second-rounder in 2029 if Maccelli has 51-plus points and the Maple Leafs make the playoffs next season.
“We appreciate everything that Matias has done for the organization,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He is a great person, consummate professional, and we wish him all the best.”
The moves came with the league awaiting what happens with Leafs pending free agent Mitch Marner and who the back-to-back defending champion Panthers are able to bring back between Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. They already re-signed Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract.
The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed winger Kasperi Kapanen to a one-year, $1.3-million contract ahead of the opening of NHL free agency Tuesday.
Kapanen, 28, had 13 points in 57 regular-season games and added six more in 12 playoff appearances after being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.
The Oilers also signed centre Noah Philp on Monday to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Philp, 26, appeared in 15 games for Edmonton last season and recorded two assists.
The Canmore, Alta., native had 35 points, including 19 goals, in 55 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
Edmonton forwards Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Jeff Skinner, along with defenceman John Klingberg, remain unsigned and are set to become unrestricted free agents, while star blueliner Evan Bouchard is a pending restricted free agent.
