2023 NHL free agency scout: Tyler Bertuzzi signs with Maple Leafs, Ryan O’Reilly picks Predators
It’s July, which means the 2023 NHL free agent frenzy is underway. In the first few hours after free agency began, many of the biggest names on the market agreed to new contracts.
After the Nashville Predators acquired Matt Duchene on Friday, he signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with their division rival, the Dallas Stars. The Predators had some openings to fill after parting ways with Duchene and Ryan Johansen this offseason, so they inked center Ryan O’Reilly to a four-year, $18 million deal.
Dmitry Orlov may be the most attractive defenseman on the open market, and he put a solid 2023-24 season into a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. His former Boston Bruins teammate Tyler Bertuzzi signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
With some teams going up against the salary cap, free agent signings may not be the only thing we see once the market officially opens. Some big names will be moved in trades, especially with players like Alex DeBrincat and Connor Hellebuyck reportedly on the block.
Stay tuned here at CBS Sports as we track the most important moves in the NHL offseason.
