Last-Minute NHL Signings Right Before the Season Opener
With the NHL season only a couple of days away from kicking off in North America, teams are signing the last few players to form their teams and we have all the info.
As teams look to narrow down their rosters and put the finishing touches on their squads toward their journey to the Stanley Cup, there are still contracts to sign, players to put through waivers and last-minute reassignments to be given out. Here at Hockey Patrol, we take a look at some of the bigger names who have signed so far (minus Jeremy Swayman) and what their season will look like.
Max Pacioretty signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs
It was a big question mark when the Maple Leafs signed Max Pacioretty to a PTO this summer, as many fans questioned whether or not the 35-year old would be able to recover from injuries and get back to his previous form. He silenced critics this preseason looking as quick as ever and adding the scoring touch Toronto needs. So it was no surprise they signed Pacioretty on Monday:
Pacioretty signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs for $873,770 plus an additional $626,230 in bonuses for games played; the milestones being 10 and 35 games throughout the season. It's a steal for the Maple Leafs if he's able to keep that preseason form and avoid any serious setbacks; having a potential 20-goal scorer on your third line is huge, and the chemistry he could find with John Tavares and either Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann could be a massive boost to a long Maple Leafs playoff run.
He's coming off a tough couple of years with Washington and Carolina dealing with injuries but with his time in Vegas averaged 24 goals per season and has been incredibly consistent throughout his entire career, including the postseason. It's a great signing for Toronto to shore up their veteran scoring depth at a minimal cost.
Steven Lorentz signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Another person who joined the Maple Leads on a PTO and translated it into a contract is Steven Lorentz, a faceoff machine who plays a fantastic defensive game, and someone who head coach Craig Berube will rely upon more than people anticipate. He's crafty and always knows where to be, he can score a bit, he wins faceoffs, he forechecks hard, he throws the body; he's everything the Maple Leafs need and then some.
While he dealt with injuries at the start of camp, Lorentz came into the preseason and proved he was the gritty, bottom-line forward the team needed. He wasn't particularly flashy, although he did have a nice little top-shelf goal against Detroit in their final preseason game.
https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/video/det-tor-lorentz-scores-goal-against-ville-husso-6362892703112
Lorentz's deal comes at a cost of $775,000, the league minimum. While he won't receive any bonuses like Pacioretty, it's still a victory for a player who flies under the radar a lot of the time and deserves to play. Teams need players like Lorentz to do the dirty work a lot of other players wouldn't, and these types of players are crucial to playoff success where every game matters.
Austin Watson signs with the Detroit Red Wings
It's been a journey for Austin Watson since being drafted 18th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2010. He's always been a bottom-six forward however he's been incredibly efficient in his role as a no-nonsense, hit-first player. The Red Wings may feel like they had themselves a new Darren McCarthy in Watson, someone who isn't afraid to drop the gloves and has a towering presence at 6'4. Detroit enjoyed his grittiness in the preseason, especially when he manhandled Ottawa Senators player Jan Jenik while fending off a linesman and Senators player Zach MacEwan and signed him to a one-year, two-way contract for the league minimum:
Watson was never known as a scorer in his career, however, he can put the puck in the net, as evidenced by his 14-goal outburst in 2017-2018. He's only managed 118 points in 515 games but where he shines is the hit department; having over 1200 hits in his career and averaging 193 hits over his 10-year NHL journey. He blocks shots, is fairly good at faceoffs if Detroit needs him in an emergency, and is defensively sound even if not flashy. Watson harkens back to an era where big boys were throwing their bodies around but also played smartly and weren't reckless for the sake of going viral. It'll be interesting to see how his career in Detroit pans out this season.
Cade Webber extends contract with Toronto Maple Leafs
Much hype was surrounding Cade Webber, a 6'7 defenseman the Maple Leafs acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes, and his future role with the team, many feeling he could be a key piece in the Maple Leafs long-term plans. He didn't make the team out of camp but the team liked his development by not only assigning him to the Marlies but by extending his contract on Monday:
Webber signed with Toronto on a two-year, $1.65M deal with the two-way contract turning into a one-way in 2025-2026, so clearly they are hopeful he can make the jump either sometime this season or make a statement next season at camp after another year of pro hockey.
The former Boston University standout enjoyed a successful collegiate career using his towering size and length to disrupt opponents and has an intimidation factor unlike any other. Webber is still a bit light for his height but he will be able to gain some muscle and become even scarier. He didn't score much in the NCAA but he added 16 points in 123 games so it's not unlikely that he'll be able to put a puck or two in the net, or at least take some shots and let his offense try for a rebound or tip in.
Toronto acquired Webber for a 2026 6th-round pick from the Carolina Hurricanes and has already translated that deal into a contract with the Leafs. Carolina may have some seller's remorse when it comes to Webber, especially if he's able to fast-track his development and make the Maple Leafs a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
Kailer Yamamoto signs with the Utah Hockey Club
It's been a rollercoaster career so far for Kailer Yamamoto since being taken 22nd overall in 2017. He's had some successful years (20 goals, 41 points in 2021-2022) and some down years (8 goals, 16 points in 2023-2024) but hasn't yet truly found his footing in the NHL even though he's played his fair share of games. Utah thinks he still has potential as they signed Yamamoto to a one-year, two-way contract:
He's been around the league for seven years and will provide great leadership for a Utah club that is heading into its first season in the NHL and has a fairly young core at its heart. Look for Yamamoto to be called upon to chip in when necessary and could provide a fantastic insurance policy if any of Utah's players go down.
Kevin Labanc signs with the Columbus Blue Jackets
Kevin Labanc came out hot as a 21-year-old for the San Jose Sharks, adding 20 points his rookie season then adding a blazing 157 points over the next four seasons with the Sharks. As quick as he rose, he swiftly dropped, only having 48 points over the last three seasons (helped heavily by a 33-point affair in 2022-2023) and hasn't found his way back to regular minutes.
He took it personally and decided to score five preseason goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets, blowing everyone out of the water and looking like the Labanc of old; and the Jackets noticed, signing Labanc to a one-year deal at the league minimum:
Columbus is looking to rise from the Metropolitan Division and they hope Labanc can be another veteran voice in the locker room who can contribute offensively. Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Sean Kuraly, and James Van Riemsdyk; are all veterans that Columbus has acquired to give them the best chance come playoff time. Labanc does have 14 playoff points in his career in limited time, so he could be a dark horse factor for the Blue Jackets this year.
Tyson Barrie signs with the Calgary Flames
The 13-year veteran Barrie finds himself with a contract from the Calgary Flames after a solid preseason with three assists in four games and the Flames would like Barrie to be somewhat of a reclamation project; hoping he can reclaim his form with Colorado where he averaged nearly 39 points a game, including back to back seasons with 45+ assists.
Barrie played last season with the Predators and added 15 points last season. After leaving Colorado he signed with the Maple Leafs although his tenure was less than stellar, often being criticized for defensive lapses and not being the same player he was in Colorado. Edmonton picked him up for two seasons where he was better offensively but still lacked defensively at times which led Edmonton to trade Barrie to Nashville for Mattias Ekholm.
It will be fun to watch Barrie play with names like Mackenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, and Jake Bean; and will provide a big veteran voice in the locker room alongside Anthony Mantha, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri, something Calgary needs with their litany of younger defenders.
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