The Canucks sign Daniel Sprong, an updated list of the best remaining unrestricted free agents, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Daniel Sprong to a one-year contract on Saturday. The cap hit is $975K, leaving the Canucks with only $15,833 in cap space with 23 active roster players under contract. However, they could garner $2.5 million in cap relief if defenseman Tucker Poolman remains on long-term injury reserve.
Vancouver Canucks sign Daniel Sprong (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are Sprong’s sixth club since his NHL debut in 2015-16. He’s coming off an 18-goal, 43-point performance last season with the Detroit Red Wings. Sprong enjoyed a career-best 21 goals and 46 points with the Seattle Kraken in 2022-23.
THE SCORE: Before Sprong’s signing, he was among the best available forwards in the UFA market. The remaining notables include James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler, Max Pacioretty, Kyle Okposo, and Tyler Johnson.
Noteworthy defensemen include Tyson Barrie, Tony DeAngelo and Oliver Kylington. Goalies include Martin Jones, Antti Raanta and Kevin Lankinen.
SPORTSNET: The Nashville Predators and defenseman Spencer Stastney remain apart in contract talks amid arbitration. Stastney seeks a one-year, one-way deal worth $950K while the Predators want a two-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The arbitration period began on July 20 and runs to Aug. 4.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Liam Greentree to a three-year entry-level contract. Greentree, 18, was chosen in the first round (26th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft.