The Fourth Period Magazine

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed restricted free agent forward Cole Sillinger to a three-year, $13.875 million contract, avoiding arbitration. “Cole is a hard-working, reliable two-way forward who plays the game the right way, has outstanding character and continues to grow and improve,” said Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell.

The Detroit Red Wings are in search of a new General Manager, as Steve Yzerman has resigned from his role as Executive Vice President and GM. Yzerman, who will continue to oversee the day-to-day hockey operations of the club until a replacement is hired, will remain wwith the organization as senior advisor to Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitch.

The New Jersey Devils have signed unrestricted free agent forward Anthony Mantha to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. Though his annual average value is $4.75 million, he will earn $5.4 million in actual salary this season and $4.1 million in salay in 2027-28. Mantha, 31, recorded 33 goals and 31 assists for 64 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, marking his first 30-goal campaign in the NHL.

The Detroit Red Wings continue to navigate the trade waters for star centre Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade from the team this off-season. Larkin, who has five years remaining on his contract, initially informed the Red Wings that he would only accept a trade to three teams – Florida, Minnesota & Vegas – but he appears willing to waive his no-trade clause for Dallas, as well.

The Utah Mammoth have matched the New Jersey Devils’ offer sheet to forward Barrett Hayton. As a result, the Mammoth have signed Hayton to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $4.775 million. “Barrett is a key piece of our team and important to what we are building here in Utah,” said Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong. “He’s strong in the face-off circle, plays both sides of the puck and can play with anyone in our forward group.

The Calgary Flames have signed restricted free agent defenceman Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25 million contract. Nemec, a native of Liptovsky Mikulas, SVK, skated in 68 games for the New Jersey Devils last season, posting a career-best 26 points from 11 goals and 15 assists along with 26 penalty minutes.

The Anaheim Ducks have agreed to terms on a new five-year, $36 million contract with restricted free agent defenceman Pavel Mintyukov that will see him earn $7.2 million per season. Mintyukov, 22, played in 73 games with the Ducks last season and registered eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points, along with 17 penalty minutes.

The bar is now set. As we wait to see if the Anaheim Ducks are going to match the five-year, $90 million qualifying offer Leo Carlsson signed Friday with the Philadelphia Flyers, eyes are shifting to what some of the NHL’s other young stars are going to generate on their new contracts. As TFP reported last month during the Stanley Cup Final, the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard re-engaged in contract discussions and the early word was that Bedard is looking for a significant bump in contract.

The Montreal Canadiens continue to explore the trade market in hopes of bringing in another impact forward, preferably a centre, to their top-six. During Thursday’s DFO Rundown Insider Edition free agency recap special with Irfaan Gaffar and David Pagnotta, the duo discussed what the Canadiens are looking for and Pagnotta reported the Habs are open to possibly trading centre Kirby Dach for an upgrade on the roster.

Multiple teams are believed to have interest in pitching restricted free agent defenceman Pavel Mintyukov an offer sheet, as the Anaheim Ducks evaluate potentially losing another player via this approach. On Friday, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Ducks star centre Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet. The Ducks have six more days to match the offer or take four first-round draft picks as compensation.