FTB: As NHL Free Agency gets closer, more player signings and deals are getting done

Given the impact on the League of the Expansion Draft, the small cap increase, and the arrival of the new picks from the standard NHL Draft, a lot has changed for each team in the past week. everything is in flux right now, and there are rumours about players moving everywhere.

The NHL’s Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) players are now in the middle of the ‘Interview Period,’ which means they can talk, just talk, to any NHL club who has interest in them. The players and clubs cannot formally discuss contracts, but they can talk about expectations, tour facilities, and meet the management and coaching staff.

I would say it’s basically designed to create more drama.

Next Saturday all of this will be settled once and for all. It will be a crazy Free Agency day, with the fun starting at noon EDT.

A big question left unresolved is who will be the Maple Leafs backup goalie? Antoine Bibeau was not given a Qualifying Offer (QO) which means he will become a UFA. Now, that doesn’t guarantee that he will not be signed again by the Leafs, but it means it’s very unlikely. This leaves at the top of the roster depth in goal Frederik Andersen — obviously the starter — and Garret Sparks. Below that is Kasimir Kaskisuo and those yet to turn pro like Joseph Woll. Curtis McElhinney has not yet signed anywhere, and could still come back. Do you want him?

What is your preferred option? Vote in the poll below.

But before you vote, check out what has been written by us and our associates across SB Nation and the rest of the Barilkosphere in the past 24 hours!

ICYMI

5 UFAs not named Kevin that are worth a look - Katya
This year’s UFA group is not going to get you a big star, but stars aren’t what you should be looking for. Bargains are.

Vancouver is after Hunwick: Tuesday free agent rumours - Katya
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a Chris Tanev swap.

Hyvää juhannusta🔥

A post shared by Leo Komarov (@komarovleo47) on Jun 23, 2017 at 1:18pm PDT

McGregor Thrilled To Be Drafted By Favourite Team - BlackburnNews.com
It was a day Ryan McGregor had thought about since he first laced up his skates as a young kid in Burlington, and it couldn’t have gone any better for the Sarnia Sting forward.

Other News

Hossa the best free agent signing in Chicago sports history - Second City Hockey
How was this even a discussion?

Replacing Neal now main priority for Predators - On the Forecheck
It’s been nearly a week since the Nashville Predators lost James Neal to the expansion draft. What now?

Goodbye, Brandon Saad - The Cannon
A not-so-objective look back on Saad’s time in Columbus.

2017 draft class exposes Flyers scouting weaknesses - Broad Street Hockey
Let’s have a conversation about the Flyers and their drafting strategy because it is all the way messed up.

Report: Radulov earning a lot of interest around the league - Eyes On The Prize
The talented winger has several options heading into free agency.

Spencer Foo to sign with Flames - Matchsticks and Gasoline
The highly-sought after collegiate free agent is almost certainly a Calgary Flame

Ron Low, first Capitals goalie, has expansion advice for Golden Knights - ESPN
No one knows better than Ron Low, the Capitals' first goaltender, about the trials and tribulations of playing for an expansion franchise.

Gorton’s master plan remains to be seen - Blueshirt Banter
This was one of the craziest weeks for the New York Rangers in recent memory, but what is the plan?

Coyotes part ways with Associate Coach Jim Playfair - Five For Howling
Just when we though the big Coyotes offseason moves were over.

Rick Hansen continues to make moves building an inclusive and accessible country - G&M
Paralympian, activist and founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Canada’s Man in Motion explains his goal to make Canada fully accessibike by 2050.

Who should backup Frederik Andersen next season?