Flurry of action in NHL free agency as Maple Leafs lose O'Reilly, Senators sign Korpisalo
Joonas Korpisalo, seen above with the Kings, signed a five-year deal with the Senators worth $20 million US on Sunday. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/File)The Toronto Maple Leafs waved goodbye to a number of familiar faces.And added some big-time toughness up front along with skill on defence.The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, have a new No. 1 goaltender.Ryan O'Reilly bolted Toronto as free agency opened Saturday, signing a four-year, $18-million US contract with the Nashville Predators after he was acquired via trade in February from the St. Louis Blues.THE BUZZERLet the free-agent frenzy beginROUNDUPGolden Knights re-sign Stanley Cup-winning goalie Adin Hill to 2-year dealThe Predators also plucked Luke Schenn from Toronto, inking the bruising defenceman to a three-year, $8.25-million deal. He had returned to the team that drafted him in 2008 from the Vancouver Canucks.Michael Bunting then departed the Leafs for the Carolina Hurricanes on a three-year, $13.5-million contract. Toronto als
The Toronto Maple Leafs waved goodbye to a number of familiar faces.
And added some big-time toughness up front along with skill on defence.
The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, have a new No. 1 goaltender.
The Predators also plucked Luke Schenn from Toronto, inking the bruising defenceman to a three-year, $8.25-million deal. He had returned to the team that drafted him in 2008 from the Vancouver Canucks.
Michael Bunting then departed the Leafs for the Carolina Hurricanes on a three-year, $13.5-million contract. Toronto also lost defenceman Justin Holl to the Detroit Red Wings, who signed the polarizing blueliner to a three-year, $10.2-million deal.
The Penguins added centre Noel Acciari, who also came to Toronto in the O'Reilly deal, to a three-year, $6-million contract as Pittsburgh president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas — fired as Leafs general manager in May — made a series of splashes.
Toronto responded by adding hulking forward Ryan Reaves to a three-year term worth $4.05 million, while puck-moving defenceman John Klingberg heads to hockey's biggest market for one season at $4.05 million.
The Leafs also lost Alexander Kerfoot to the Arizona Coyotes, who signed the forward to a two-year contract. Terms of the new agreement were not disclosed. Last season the 28-year-old recorded 10 goals and 22 assists in 82 games for Toronto.
"You need character in your team, and sometimes you need some characters," Leafs GM general manager Brad Treliving said before later adding of Klingberg: "John would be probably the first one to tell you it didn't go with exactly the way he wanted it to go last year, but he's a really good player."
The Senators, meanwhile, are hoping to have finally settled their long-term crease issues after inking Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year, $20-million contract.
"Goaltending was probably our biggest need," Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said. "We feel we've addressed it."
We got a good one in Joonas
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