Old faces, new places: a look at NHLers on new teams as the season begins

Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg heard the rumbling. It was unlikely that Steven Stamkos would re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Music City was a possible destination.

Forsberg’s teammate, defenseman Luke Schenn, won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 with the Tampa captain and franchise icon. The veteran blueliner was dialed in.

“(Schenn) texted me,” Forsberg recalled of the July 1 start of NHL free agency. “Just like, ‘Hey, Stammer’s coming.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, okay, great.'”

Predators general manager Barry Trotz then made two more big moves, signing defenseman Brady Skjei and winger Jonathan Marchessault.

“Really good day for the franchise,” Forsberg said.

Like any NHL offseason, there were a lot of players on the move. The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the big names changing addresses this summer as a new season approaches.

STEVEN STAMKOS

The forward signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Predators after a public split with the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2008 draft. Stamkos, 34, led Tampa to three consecutive Finals appearances and those two victories, and twice won the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy as the league’s top scorer, with a high-water mark of 60 in 2011-12.

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BRADY SKJEI/JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT

Skjei, 30, signed a seven-year, $49 million deal to join Nashville’s blue line led by Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi following his departure from the Carolina Hurricanes. Marchessault, 33, agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million pact after the Vegas Golden Knights allowed one of the few remaining original “Golden Misfits” to walk.

JAKE GUENTZEL

Stamkos’ plug-and-play replacement signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Lightning. The 29-year-old Guentzel should benefit from joining the likes of Hart Trophy finalist and Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov after starting his career in Pittsburgh working for Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who won two Cups with Tampa, is also back with the Lightning after a spring trade with Nashville.

JAKE DEBRUSK

The winger signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks after spending his first seven seasons with the Boston Bruins. DeBrusk, 27, had just 40 points in 80 games in 2023-24, but Vancouver is counting on him to find chemistry on the West Coast with Elias Pettersson.

JAKOB MARKSTROM

The New Jersey Devils hope they finally have their goalie. The club acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames in a long-rumored deal that should solidify New Jersey’s position behind a talented core led by star center Jack Hughes. The Devils also strengthened their defense with the additions of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon.

ELIAS LINDHOLM

The Bruins added the center to a seven-year, $54.25 million pact to play alongside David Pastrnak on Boston’s top line. The 29-year-old Lindholm should see an uptick in production after recording 44 points in 75 combined games with Calgary and Vancouver last season.

BRANDON MONTOUR

The defenseman barely had time to celebrate a Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers before making a big decision about his future. Montour, 30, signed a seven-year, $50 million deal with the Seattle Kraken to be their anchor on the back end. Seattle also signed 30-year-old center Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year contract worth $43.75 million.

MIKHAIL SERGACHEV

The defenseman was dealt from Tampa to the Utah Hockey Club – formerly the Arizona Coyotes – in the hours before free agency opened to free up salary cap space. Sergachev was hampered by injuries last season but should give Utah a strong presence in its new market.

CHRIS TANEV

The Toronto Maple Leafs made their big move by acquiring the rights to the hard-hitting defenseman from the Dallas Stars before free agency. The 34-year-old Tanev then agreed to a six-year, $27 million contract with his hometown team. This should strengthen the blue line in Toronto, which has been one of the club’s weak spots in recent years. The Leafs also added defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year, $14 million contract after he won the Cup with Florida.

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