Several major NHL deals sneak in right before Free Agency opened

The NHL free agency window officially opened on July 1, but several teams moved quickly in the hours and minutes leading up to the deadline to secure their own players before they could test the open market.

The flurry of pre-free agency signings highlighted how eager certain organizations were to avoid bidding wars. Here are the notable deals that came together just before the floodgates opened.

The biggest name to ink a deal was Nico Hischier, who according to Kevin Weekes is closing in on a five-year contract extension with the New Jersey Devils. Sources indicate the deal will land just shy of $12 million in average annual value, keeping the center locked in as the franchise cornerstone for years to come. Weekes had previously speculated the two sides would settle on a medium-term extension somewhere in the $11 million to $13 million range, and that projection appears to have been accurate.

Bowen Byram

The Chicago Blackhawks also made a massive move, reportedly signing defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million extension, after acquiring him from the Buffalo Sabres. That deal is a stunning commitment from a franchise that has been aggressively building toward its next competitive window.

Ivan Demidov

Fans in Montreal will be happy to hear that the Canadiens have signed forward Ivan Demidov to an eight-year extension, carrying a $9.125M AAV. The news was broken by his own agent Dan Milstein, minutes before the opening of free agency. He is getting $58M in signing bonuses and a 10-team no-trade clause over final three years.

Radko Gudas

On Monday, the Florida Panthers acquired the rights to defenseman Radko Gudas in exchange for the rights to AJ Greer as both teams got a jump on the free-agent market on Monday. Right before the opening of free agency on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Florida was extending him long-term. Gudas signed a six-year deal, worth $1.5M AAV, per Elliotte Friedman.

Dan Vladar and Tyson Foerster

While the deal will be registered at noon today, goalie Dan Vladar agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Flyers on a 5-year ($5.5mm AAV) extension.

The Flyers also managed to sign Tyson Foerster: 8 years, approx $7M AAV, locking in some talent as Free Agency opens.

Nick Cousins

The Ottawa Senators also re-signed pesty forward Nick Cousins to a two-year extension. The contract carries an AAV of $1.5875. Cousins had a gritty and productive bottom-six campaign in Ottawa. He posted 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists), 92 penalty minutes, and 169 hits in 81 games, and his play earned him this new deal.

Bobby Brink

In Minnesota, the Wild quietly locked up forward Bobby Brink on a one-year, $2.75 million contract. Brink, 24, had been set to become an unrestricted free agent after the Wild declined to extend a qualifying offer. The Minnetonka native posted 15 goals and 30 points in 68 games last season split between the Philadelphia Flyers and Wild after being acquired at the trade deadline. He also chipped in an assist during four playoff games before Minnesota's second-round exit.

Brink had previously been on a two-year deal worth $3 million with a cap hit of $1.5 million. His new contract nearly doubles that annual number, reflecting his solid production down the stretch and in the postseason.

Eetu Luostarinen

In Florida, the Panthers and Eetu Luostarinen are finalizing an 8 year $5M cap hit extension. The new deal will keep him in Miami through the 2034-35 season, when he’ll be 36 years old.

Olen Zellweger

After swinging a trade for Olen Zellweger in Anaheim, the Buffalo Sabres extended him before the opening of free agency, a deal which is believed to be a three-year deal worth around $9MM, per Elliotte Friedman.

These signings represent just the early wave. With the market now officially open, dozens of unrestricted free agents are available, and general managers across the league are working the phones.