Pens Points: Free Agency Kickoff

Good morning one and all. Happy Canada Day to everyone north of the border!

Free agency period kicks off at noon Eastern today. After the biggest fish already opted to stay put, here is the list of top 16 free agents on the open market and where they might be headed. [Sportsnet]

Today figures to be a quiet day for the Pens. They are in good hands of a wise old man who knows what he's doing. [PPG]

The Oilers lost Taylor Hall in a terrible trade. They look to replace him with Milan Lucic for 7 years, who in the end almost certainly won't be worth the money. In the short term, though, having added Puljujarvi and Larsson, things might not be that terrible. [Sportsnet]

The Panthers do the necessary and lock up franchise cornerstone Aaron Ekblad for 8 years. [Miami Herald]

The Bruins sign Torey Krug to a lucrative 4-year deal. [CBS Sports]

There were quite a few contracts bought out to make room for Aaron Ekblands and Torey Krugs of the world. Here is the full roundup of who was bought out. [CBC]

Happy trails to Sergei Plotnikov, who is heading back to Russia following an unimpressive 1-year stint in the NHL. He signed a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg. [SKA]

Joining him in St. Petersburg is Alexander Khokhlachev, who evidently didn't want to play for Providence for the rest of his life. [NBC Sports]

Could be an interesting day for the New York Islanders, who have new majority owners but also stand to lose Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen in free agency. New owners have expressed full confidence in Snow and Capuano. [NBC Sports]

Several high-profile young players, like Johnny Gaudreau, Jacob Trouba, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov and Rasmus Ristolainen, will be without a contract Friday but on a restricted status. Will this year be the year when some team (winking at you, Bruins) takes a run at a high-profile RFA? [Buffalo News]

Everything that you need to know about the summer goalie market. [Sportsnet]

It's gonna be an eventful day, for sure. Have a fun long weekend and as always, beware of fake "insider" accounts!