By Neil Becker

July 1^st marks the start of NHL Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) signing season, a highly anticipated time for hockey fans and teams alike. The month of July symbolizes a crucial time for teams and fans as one right move can put a team on course to compete for the Stanley Cup.

Key Forwards Available in 2024 UFA Market:

• Jonathan Marchessault, 33: Coming off a career-best season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he scored 42 goals and totaled 69 points. (Signed with Nashville Predators).
• Steven Stamkos, 34: The two-time Stanley Cup champion and former first overall pick scored 40 goals and 81 points last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Signed with Nashville Predators).
• Elias Lindholm, 29: The two-way Center pivot posted 15 goals and 44 points in 75 games split between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks last season. (Signed with Boston Bruins).
• Teuvo Teravainen, 29: The offensive winger is coming off a career-best 25 goal campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes. (Signed with Chicago Blackhawks).
• Tyler Toffoli, 32: A veteran with Stanley Cup experience, Toffoli netted 33 goals last season with the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets. (Signed with San Jose Sharks).
• Jeff Skinner, 32: Scored 24 goals with the Buffalo Sabres and brings valuable scoring depth. (Signed with Edmonton Oilers).

Key Defensemen Available in 2024 UFA Market:

• Brandon Montour, 30: A Stanley Cup-winning offensive defenseman who logged 8 goals and 33 points last season with the Florida Panthers. (Signed with Seattle Kraken).
• Brett Pesce, 29: Known for his defensive reliability, Pesce totaled 13 points (3G, 10A) in 70 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes. (Signed with New Jersey Devils).     
• Brady Skjei, 30: A two-way defenseman who can skate, Skjei showed offensive prowess last season with13 goals and a career-best 47 points with the Carolina Hurricanes. (Signed with Nashville Predators).   
• Shayne Gostisbehere, 31: The 31-year-old had 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) in 81 games for the Red Wings last season. (Signed with Carolina Hurricanes).

Impact of UFA Signings on Stanley Cup Success:

Historically, UFA signings have often provided the missing pieces for teams to win the Stanley Cup. Examples include:

• Scott Niedermayer: A four-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall of Famer, Niedermayer left the New Jersey Devils in 2005 to sign with the Anaheim Ducks, leading them to their first Stanley Cup in 2007. He contributed both on offense and defense, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP.
• Zdeno Chara: Signed by the Boston Bruins in 2006, Chara brought leadership and defensive prowess, guiding the team to a Stanley Cup in 2011, and finals appearances in 2013 and 2019. His toughness and clutch performances cemented his status as a fan favourite in Boston.
• Ed Belfour: In 1997, the Dallas Stars signed Belfour, who led them to a Stanley Cup in 1999 and two Presidents’ Trophy wins with his stellar goaltending.

Again, these are just three of the many fascinating scenarios of UFA players who signed with a team and went on to provide that missing element in helping them achieve that goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Canadian Team Significant Signings:

This past July all seven Canadian teams made some signings as they look to pump up their fan base, get more competitive and get some momentum heading into training camp.

Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers bolstered their scoring depth and defensive toughness, adding veteran leadership and skill to their lineup:

• Jeff Skinner (LW) – Signed a one-year, $3 million contract. Skinner brings speed and offensive upside, coming off a season with 24 goals and 46 points with the Buffalo Sabres.
• Viktor Arvidsson (RW) – Agreed to a two-year, $4 million per-season deal. Arvidsson, a two-time 30-goal scorer, is healthy and ready to contribute after an injury-plagued season.
• Connor Carrick (D) – Signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000, adding depth and toughness to the blue line.
• Collin Delia (G) – Signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 to provide goaltending insurance.

Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks made headlines with several high-profile signings to strengthen their forward group and add depth on defense:

• Jake DeBrusk (LW) – Inked a seven-year, $38.5 million contract. DeBrusk brings scoring depth and speed, coming off a season with 19 goals and 40 points with the Boston Bruins.
• Danton Heinen (LW) – Signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal, adding versatility and secondary scoring.
• Kiefer Sherwood (RW) – Agreed to a two-year, $3 million contract, bringing experience and tenacity.
• Daniel Sprong (RW) – Added on a one-year deal to provide additional offensive punch.
• Derek Forbort (D) – Signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract, bringing defensive stability.
• Vincent Desharnais (D) – Agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract, adding toughness and shot-blocking ability.
• Jiri Patera (G) – Signed a two-year, two-way contract to add depth in goal.

Calgary Flames: The Flames aimed to inject grit and scoring into their lineup, along with adding depth throughout the roster:

• Ryan Lomberg (LW) – Signed a two-year, $4 million contract, bringing energy and Stanley Cup-winning experience.
• Anthony Mantha (LW) – Inked a one-year, $3.5 million deal to boost the Flames’ offense.
• Martin Frk (RW) – Signed a one-year, two-way contract after playing in Switzerland.
• Jake Bean (D) – Secured a two-year, $3.5 million deal, adding offensive skill and mobility to the blue line.
• Devin Cooley (G) – Added on a two-year deal to bolster goaltending depth.

Winnipeg Jets: The Jets focused on adding goaltending depth and solidifying their defensive corps:

• Eric Comrie (G) – Signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract to provide goaltending depth.
• Kaapo Kahkonen (G) – Added on a one-year, $1 million contract as a backup goalie option.
• Collin Miller (D) – Signed a two-year deal worth an average of $1.5 million, bringing experience and a physical presence to the blue line.
• Logan Stanley (D) – Extended for two years with an average annual value of $1.25 million, maintaining a key defensive piece.
• Haydn Fleury (D) – Signed a one-year, two-way contract to add depth on defense.
• Mason Shaw (C) – Agreed to a one-year, two-way contract, providing depth up front.
• Jaret Anderson-Dolan (C) – Signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract, adding a versatile forward to the mix.

Ottawa Senators: The Senators brought in leadership and offensive depth, looking to bolster their forward lines:

• David Perron (LW) – Signed a two-year, $8 million contract. Perron adds veteran leadership and scoring punch, coming off a solid season with the Detroit Red Wings.
• Michael Amadio (C/RW) – Signed a three-year, $7.8 million contract to provide a reliable presence in the bottom six.
• Noah Gregor (C) – Signed a one-year, $850,000 deal to add depth at center.
• Nick Cousins (F) – Signed a one-year, $800,000 deal to add depth in the bottom six. Won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24.
• Adam Gaudette (C) – Agreed to a one-year, two-way contract, bringing versatility and depth.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Maple Leafs made some notable signings, as they looked at goaltending and defensive depth:

• Chris Tanev (D) – Signed a six-year, $27 million contract. Tanev adds a veteran presence and shot blocking.
• Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) – Signed a four-year, $14 million contract to add defensive depth and veteran leadership. Won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24.
• Anthony Stolarz (G) – Signed two-year, $5 million contract to add soldi goaltending depth who will push for starts. Won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24.
• Jani Hakanpaa (D) – Signed a two-year, $3 million contract to add defensive depth.
• Dakota Mermis (D) – Signed a one-year, $775,000 deal, bringing defensive depth.
• Philippe Myers (D) – Signed a one-year, $775,000 contract, bringing in physicality and depth on defense.
• Cedric Pare (F) – Signed a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract, adding forward depth.

Montreal Canadiens: A very quiet off-season for the Canadiens, making only a couple depth signings due to an excess of upcoming prospects.

• Alex Barre-Boulet (F) – Signed a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract to add depth at forward.
• Connor Hughes (G) – Signed a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract to add depth at goaltending.

Conclusion:

As hockey fans know, a Canadian hockey team hasn’t triumphally lifted the Stanley Cup since June 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings. Since that time, the Oilers and Canucks have made it to the Stanley Cup finals on a couple of occasions with both teams losing a heartbreaking Game 7. Time will tell how these UFA signings will work out for these seven Canadian teams who head into the season full of optimism that they could surprise and have a successful year.