Let the frenzy begin.
Monday marks the official turning of the page in the NHL, as the 2023-24 campaign comes to an end and the 2024-25 season begins. Contracts have expired, and players are hitting the open market as free agents.
The madness did not wait for July 1. On the second day of the 2024 NHL Draft, there were plenty of trades, including Utah landing two key members to its blue line, the Leafs giving themselves a better chance to land one of the top available defensemen, and the Lightning clearing some cap space for the captain.
There are going to be plenty of new deals being inked between now and the start of the season. For now, the Sporting News is handing out grades for all the major transactions to start the summer.
2024 NHL DRAFT: RESULTS | GRADES
NHL free agency signings, trade grades 2024
Mikhail Sergachev trade to Utah
Utah: A-
Utah isn’t messing around. The newest NHL franchise wants to contend as quickly as possible, and landing a stud like Sergachev to anchor the blue line is an excellent first step.
The club needed to upgrade its blue line for next year. The team has not had a bona fide No. 1 since the days of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and none of their young defensemen have taken the reins as that true leader. By bringing in Sergachev, Utah gets a 26-year-old who has shown everything it takes to be a horse on the back end but has rightfully played second fiddle to Victor Hedman in Tampa Bay.
Lightning: B-
Look, I get it — the Lightning had to do everything possible to keep Steven Stamkos. You don’t just let the longtime face of the franchise who has brought you two Stanley Cups walk after an 81-point season.
With that said, Tampa Bay is committing an awful lot to its aging core group. Sergachev was supposed to be a part of an influx of young talent who will allow the Lightning to lengthen out this age of contention. Instead, they ship him off in order to clear cap space for Stamkos. It’s also not a coincidence that the Lightning have made it known they want to re-sign Victor Hedman to an extension once eligible this summer and will need money for that deal.
Jon Marino trade to Utah
Utah: B+
Utah doesn’t land just one top-four defenseman on Saturday. The club swings a deal with the Devils for the young defenseman. This is a strong deal by Utah to buy low on a promising puck mover who fell out of favor with the Devils. Marino should be able to get more minutes on Utah HC, with a chance to secure a top-pairing role.
Devils: C
The Devils and Marino partnership never worked out. New Jersey’s blue line is full of young, up-and-coming defensemen, and the team needs more of a veteran presence for that unit. They have been tied to Brett Pesce, and by losing Marino’s contract, the Devils should have room to sign the former Hurricane.
Chris Tanev’s rights traded to the Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs: B
It’s no secret the Maple Leafs were looking to get tougher on the blue line. The club was tied to Tanev for quite some time before electing to pull the trigger on his rights. He’s the definition of a pure shutdown defenseman who is excellent in his own zone. It’s been a rotating cast of characters filling that role in Toronto, but this gives the Leafs one of the best in the business at shutting down offenses.
Stars: A-
The Stars weren’t going to afford to bring back Tanev, losing him for nothing at the start of free agency. They add a late draft pick, picking up something for nothing in the process, which never hurts. It’s a tidy bit of business by GM Jim Nill, taking advantage of Toronto’s desperation to sign Tanev.
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