Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie has solidified his place in the team with a new six-year, $33 million contract, as was announced on Sunday evening. At 26 years old, Geekie recorded personal bests with 33 goals and 57 points in 77 games, achieving these milestones under the two-year deal he secured upon first joining the Bruins. Entering his fifth full NHL season, Geekie was set to become a restricted free agent, aligned with the official signing period commencement on Tuesday.
In other NHL developments, the Ottawa Senators made a significant decision regarding their experienced forward Claude Giroux, retaining him for an additional season. Meanwhile, defenseman Dante Fabbro secured his future with the Blue Jackets by accepting a four-year contract in Columbus.
The Nashville Predators were involved in a noteworthy trade, acquiring defenseman Nicolas Hague while sending center Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to the Vegas Golden Knights. According to an insider, the agreement included the Predators consenting to a four-year, $22 million deal for Hague, although official announcements have yet to be made. Details of the trade initially surfaced through TSN.
Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Lightning chose to release forward Conor Sheary, intending to end his contract by placing him on unconditional waivers. Geekie, a free agency recruit by Boston two years ago, found success this season alongside David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm. His tenure with the Bruins has seen him score 50 goals and tally 95 points across 153 games, adding to the 25 goals and 67 points accumulated over his 142 games representing Carolina and Seattle. Additionally, the Bruins re-secured center Marat Khusnutdinov and defenseman Michael Callahan earlier that Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Senators reached an agreement with 37-year-old Giroux for a one-year $2 million contract, which also includes potential incentives totaling $2.75 million. Giroux boasts 18 seasons of NHL experience, spending his initial 15 years with Philadelphia where he held captaincy. Last season, he recorded 15 goals and 35 assists over 81 games, reaching 50 points for the 13th time while aiding the Senators in reaching the playoffs for the first time in eight years. “Claude brings veteran leadership and a competitive edge to our group and has been a consistent presence on and off the ice,” noted Steve Staios, the Senators’ general manager.
Following a successful acquisition from waivers in November, the Blue Jackets retained Fabbro on a four-year, $16.5 million contract. The 27-year-old achieved a career-high with 26 points, including nine goals and 17 assists, across 62 games for Columbus after failing to register any points in his six appearances for Nashville. General Manager Don Waddell expressed, “Dante was a great addition to our team last season, and keeping him in Columbus was a priority.”
The Lightning, meanwhile, have chosen to part ways with Sheary, who participated in only five games last season due to cap space limitations. The 33-year-old was contracted for an additional year worth $2 million. Sheary boasts a successful career start with back-to-back Stanley Cup wins during his initial seasons in Pittsburgh, followed by roles in Buffalo and Washington, cumulatively reaching 124 goals and 267 points in 593 games. Should he remain unclaimed, Sheary will be available as a free agent.
Colorado Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin’s future lies in free agency, as stated by his agent, Allan Walsh. The 30-year-old is transitioning out of his one-year contract after two seasons in Colorado, combined for 30 goals and 93 points over 122 games. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken have opted to buy out the contract of forward Joe Veleno by placing him on unconditional waivers, waiving his remaining contract year valued at $2.275 million. Veleno, who has played five NHL seasons—mostly in Detroit—recently joined Seattle in a trade involving Andre Burakovsky and Chicago, totaling 38 goals and 81 points over 306 games.
Lastly, the Anaheim Ducks bolstered their goaltending options by securing Ville Husso on a two-year extension. Husso offers a secure backup strategy for projected starter Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek, the latter acquired in a swap sending John Gibson to Detroit. Husso boasts a cumulative record of 71-46-19, having participated in four games for Anaheim, where he achieved a 1-1-1 record following a February trade from Detroit. He spent the remainder of the season in the minors.