NHL Rumors: Jonathan Quick signs with New York Rangers
Jonathan Quick is now the backup goalie for the New York Rangers in the 2023-24 season.
The terms of the deal were announced when free agency opened on Saturday with Quick signing a one-year, $825,000 deal.
Quick, 37, has had an impressive career with a GAA of 2.47 and a .911 save percentage. Quick is two weeks removed from his third Stanley Cup, winning one as the backup to Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights. He spearheaded two Stanley Cup triumphs with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. The latter one was at the Blueshirts' expense.
As the years have worn on, Quick's numbers have naturally dropped off a bit, with a 3.50 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage in his final season with the Los Angeles Kings.
He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline before being flipped to Vegas. Quick posted a .901 save percentage and a 3.13GAA in ten starts for Vegas.
Quick, who comes from Connecticut, grew up a Rangers fan. He will replace Jaroslav Halak as Igor Shesterkin's backup. Halak, 38, signed a one-year deal with the Blueshirts for $1.5 million last offseason and will now need to sign elsewhere.
NHL Rumors: Milan Lucic returns to Bruins
As expected, the "strong possibility" of a reunion between Milan Lucic and the Bruins reported by NHL Insider Chris Johnston on Friday came true on Saturday. Lucic picked up a one-year, $1 million deal with Boston.
Lucic, who was drafted by the Bruins in 2006 and played for them until 2015, is known for his physicality and scoring ability.
During his time with Boston, he played 566 games and scored 139 goals, earning 342 points and 772 penalty minutes. When the Bruins won the Cup in the 2010-11 season, he led the team in goals with 30 and tied for the team lead in points with 62.
Lucic remains close with many of his former teammates in Boston, so it's no surprise that the power forward might take a page out of David Krejci's book and opt to return to the Bruins on a low-cost, short-term deal.
Lucic used to be a top-six player, but now he plays as a fourth-liner with a focus on being more physical. Even with this change in role, he still maintains his reputation as one of the most intimidating players in the NHL.
Facing financial difficulties, Boston needs to fill the gap left by Nick Foligno's departure. He was traded to the Blackhawks, along with Taylor Hall, before agreeing on a one-year $4 million pact with them this week. As a replacement on the fourth line, Lucic can provide more physicality and resistance at a more affordable cost.
NHL Rumors: Blake Wheeler and Matt Duchene buy outs explained
On Friday, two prominent forwards, Blake Wheeler and Matt Duchene, were bought out of their respective contracts. Wheeler has been a member of the Jets since 2011, dating back to when they were the Atlanta Thrashers, and holds the franchise records for games played, points scored and assists. He served as team captain for six seasons until coach Rick Bowness opted not to have a captain last season.
The Jets must pay Wheeler two-thirds of his remaining salary over two years, owing him $2.75 million in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Wheeler entered free agency and signed with the NY Rangers. According to Wheeler's agent Matt Keator, the winger prefered playing in the Eastern Conference due to less travel and a desire for a new experience. Wheeler is the second core player the Jets have moved out. Earlier this week, Pierre Luc-Dubois was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
Duchene, 32, like Wheeler, a two-time All-Star, has been with the Predators for four seasons
and is two seasons removed from a 43-goal season. Duchene had 22 goals last season, and Wheeler had 16. Duchene, 32, signed a seven-year $56 million deal in 2019. He has scored 84 goals and 113 assists in 249 regular-season games, with 43 goals in the 2021-22 season. The move gives the Predators $24.2 million in cap space for free agency.
Duchene landed with the Dallas Stars on a one-year, $3 million deal, per Pierre LeBrun.
If an NHL player is 26 or older, a team can buy out their contract for two-thirds of the remaining amount. If the player is younger than 26, the team can buy out the contract for one-third of the remaining amount. The buyout amount is spread over twice the years left on the contract. Signing bonuses are not included in the buyout. The team's cap hit consists of the buyout amount for each year.
For example, Wheeler has one year left on his contract at $8.25 million, and his buyout amount is $5.5 million, spread over two seasons. Duchene has three years left on his contract at $20 million, with a $8 million cap hit, and $6 million is in signing bonuses. His buyout amount is $9,333,333, which is spread over six seasons.
It's important to note that there will be a cap hit of over $5.5 million in 2024-25 and over $6.5 million in 2025-26. Defenseman Mike Reilly, who is 29 years old and bought out by the Bruins, has one year left on his $4 million contract with a $3 million cap hit. His buyout amount is $1,333,333, spread over two years. Forward Kailer Yamamoto, 24, who the Detroit Red Wings bought out after they acquired him and Klim Kostin from Edmonton in a cap dump, has one year left on his $3.2 million contract with a $3.1 million cap hit. His buyout amount is $1,066,667 over two years.
NHL Rumors: What Corey Perry's Blackhawks deal means for Chicago
Corey Perry signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The team acquired his negotiation rights by trading a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023 NHL draft.
Perry, 38, has played in the NHL for 18 years, most notably with the Anaheim Ducks, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He also has earned two All-Star nods, one Hart Trophy and one Richard Trophy.
Perry's signing is hoped to benefit the team's predominantly youthful roster that just added first-overall pick and generational talent, Connor Bedard.
Perry will reunite with head coach Luke Richardson, who previously worked with him during his time with the Montreal Canadiens. Last season, Perry recorded 25 points in 81 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
