Two Big Signings in NHL Free Agency: Montour to the Kraken and Stephenson Re-ups with Vegas

The recent NHL free agency frenzy saw two significant signings that captured the attention of hockey fans across the league. Firstly, following a Stanley Cup win with the Panthers, defenseman Brandon Montour decided to continue his career with the Seattle Kraken. The seasoned player agreed to a lucrative seven-year deal worth $50 million, with an annual salary of $7.14 million. This move marks a new chapter for the 30-year-old who spent the past three seasons in Sunrise after signing a three-year contract averaging $3.5 million annually.

Later in the day, the Kraken also made headlines by securing center Chandler Stephenson for the next seven seasons. Stephenson, a 30-year-old veteran, is set to earn around $6.25 million per season, a substantial increase from his previous contract that averaged $2.75 million per season. His presence on the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights in the last five seasons has been notable, with 16 goals and 51 points in 75 games during the previous season alone. A Stanley Cup champion in 2018 with the Capitals and in 2023 with Vegas, Stephenson has played 495 NHL games and amassed 89 goals and 270 points overall, with impressive seasons in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 with over 60 points each.