The Oilers have traded Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Sabres for Matt Savoie. McLeod looked okay as a bottom-6 forward for the Oilers during the playoffs, but Savoie seems like a lot for the Sabres to give up for a return of McLeod and mid-level prospect Tullio. Savoie was the Sabres' first-round pick (9^th overall) in 2022, who just came off a 71-point season in just 34 games in the WHL. That's two points per game! From the Prospects Report, only nine players have scored at least two points per game in the Dub over the past 25 years.

Maybe the Sabres are thinking short-term and like the element that McLeod brings to their lineup. Trades also take time to play out, and we sometimes forget that prospect success is never guaranteed. But right now, it's hard not to think that the Oilers won this deal. It's been a tough offseason for Sabres fans, considering that their most significant signing is Jason Zucker after clearing a bunch of cap space with the Jeff Skinner buyout. For more on Savoie, see his Dobber Prospects profile.

The Sabres also extended Henri Jokiharju, signing him to a one-year deal worth $3.1 million. Jokiharju played in 74 games in 2023-24, recording 20 points. From a scoring or multicategory perspective, he doesn't hold a lot of fantasy value.

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The Kraken have re-signed RFA Eeli Tolvanen to a two-year extension with a $3.475 million AAV. Tolvanen is starting to deliver on some of the promise that made him a late first-round pick in 2017, finishing 2023-24 with a career-high 41 points (16 G – 25 A) in 81 games. Tolvanen also factors into bangers leagues, as he finished second on the Kraken with 210 hits.

The Kraken also signed first-round pick Berkly Catton to his three-year, entry-level contract. Catton was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft.

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First-round pick Zayne Parekh also signed his three-year, entry-level deal with the Flames, as did Matvei Gridin and Etienne Morin.

Other first-round picks to sign their ELCs include Terik Parascak (Washington) and Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim).

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Here is the list of players that have filed for arbitration:

These 14 NHL players elected for salary arbitration before today's deadline: pic.twitter.com/CsfLlj78Hv

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 5, 2024

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This week – particularly Monday July 1 – has been extremely busy with signings, trades, and other news. You can read through any or all of the fantasy implications of the major transactions in the Fantasy Take – Latest NHL Moves page.

The goalie market on July 1 wasn't that significant relative to other positions. For the most part, teams have a plan in net for the coming season. Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark were the biggest names on the block, and they were both traded before the playoffs had finished. That doesn't mean there weren't goalie signings, though. Many goalies signed contracts on July 1 and even the days after.

With the tidal wave of signings that usually occur on July 1, we simply didn't have time to break down the goalie situations that day. I'll discuss a few goalies that switched teams, but not goalies that re-signed with their existing team (eg. Juuse Saros, Joseph Woll). I'll also focus on goalies with the highest cap hit and/or goalies that will take on the most significant workload.

Ilya Samsonov to Vegas (1 year, $1.8 million cap hit)

Samsonov couldn't really cash in after signing the one-year "prove it" contract with the Leafs last summer. He'll get another crack at a larger multi-year contract by signing for one year with the Golden Knights. The Knights also acquired Akira Schmid while trading Logan Thompson. Schmid is expected to be the third-string goalie who will start the season in the AHL.

Adin Hill is the much higher-paid goalie ($4.9 million cap hit) with the Stanley Cup ring as well, so he's likely still the opening-night starter. Hill has had his share of injuries and has never played more than 35 games in a season (which was in 2023-24), so Samsonov should receive more than just the odd start beyond back-to-backs. He may thrive under a less-pressured environment than he faced in Toronto. The question still remains whether he is the Samsonov of his first season in Toronto (2.33 GAA, .919 SV%, 17.66 GSAA) or his second season in Toronto (3.13 GAA, .890 SV%, -14.56 GSAA).

Laurent Brossoit to Chicago (2 years, $3.3 million cap hit)

Yes, you read that right on the cap hit. Lifetime backup Brossoit received a contract with a $3.3 million AAV. But it looks like he earned it. Brossoit has posted a .927 SV% in back-to-back seasons, and he had a 2.00 GAA as Connor Hellebuyck's backup in Winnipeg last season. Brossoit also earned 16 quality starts with just two really bad starts as well for the Jets.

The Blackhawks might actually have decent goaltending this coming season. Petr Mrazek is probably still the starter after playing 56 games and posting 29 quality starts as opposed to seven really bad starts. Brossoit was likely signed so that Mrazek could rest more often, as Arvid Soderblom wasn't up to the task last season (3.89 GAA, .880 SV%) and is likely AHL-bound. Brossoit probably loses value with the move to Chicago, but that might be partially offset by the increase in volume that he should receive. Expect him to blow past his career high of 24 games.

Anthony Stolarz to Toronto (2 years, $2.5 million cap hit)

In this particular scenario, it's worth mentioning that Woll has just signed a three-year extension with a cap hit of $3.66 million. This extension will start next season, with Woll earning $775,000 for the coming season.

By locking Woll up for four more years, the Leafs have committed to him as either their starter or as a timeshare option. Injuries have been an issue for the 25-year-old Woll, as has a lack of track record at the NHL level. Woll has never played more than 25 games in a season.

Stolarz is older (age 30), but he has never played more than 28 games in a season himself as a career backup to this point. His numbers with Florida (2.03 GAA, .925 SV%) in 27 games were outstanding, but questions remain about how he would handle a larger workload should Woll be injured or simply not up to the task.

I was also a bit surprised to learn that the Leafs have also re-signed Matt Murray to a one-year, $875,000 contract. His injury issues are well documented, as he did not play in the NHL last season following hip surgery. He's really an unknown quantity at this point, although the fact that he was signed might point to good health.

Cam Talbot to Detroit (2 years, $2.5 million cap hit)

The Detroit goaltending situation is confusing and even dare I say a mess that you should avoid, unless more news is on the way. In addition to signing Talbot, the Red Wings also have Ville Husso and Alex Lyon under contract for one more season. Not only that, but they grabbed the recently bought out Jack Campbell (1 year, $775,000) from the discard pile as a possible reclamation project. Add to that Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine, who are solid prospects but don't seem likely to be anywhere near the NHL this season. Cossa in particular illustrates why even top-tier goalies are a long wait. 

If I had to guess, I'd say Talbot is the opening night starter. Husso was sidelined with a lower-body injury for much of 2023-24, and I'm not sure if he'll be completely healthy to start the season. Husso was also nearly as likely to get tagged with a really bad start than a quality start when he was in the lineup. Lyon has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the last couple seasons, but his play trended in the wrong direction later in the season. The Wings needed to upgrade their goaltending, and Talbot seems like a decent choice when factoring in his experience and reasonably affordable cap hit. 

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Don't forget about the Fantasy Hockey Guide, which will be available on July 29. Everything that you've come to know and love about the guide is included again this season – its 19^th year. Preorder yours today!

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