Deen’s Daily: Avs UFA Board; Florida Runs it Back; Vegas Getting Marner; Everything is Happening!

Free agency starts tomorrow and pretty much all the names at the top of the board have been taken off. The Avs have holes to fill, will they pay premium UFA prices? Also, Florida is running it back and the Golden Knights just got stronger.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 30.

Colorado Hockey Now

There were so many things announced around the league after Sam Malinski re-signed that it’s become a mere footnote. Even for Avs fans.

Malinski locked in a one-year deal that will walk him to unrestricted free agency in 2026. He’s basically a sure bet No. 3 right-shot defenseman on the Avalanche’s blueline next year. Hopefully this time he’ll have a better partner than Calvin de Haan and gets a chance to take another big step.

Read More: Avalanche Sign Sam Malinski To One-Year Deal

In other news, I released an Avalanche UFA board earlier this morning and highlighted some of the players the Avs can target in free agency. The first name on my list was Ivan Provorov, but he’s since signed a seven-year deal to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His new AAV is a whopping $8.5 million.

It’s a bit high for my liking, but I’m happy for the Blue Jackets and their fan base. They don’t have to watch another key piece of their lineup walk in free agency like in years past.

Anyway, my UFA targets board is below. Keep in mind when going through the list that the Avalanche haven’t signed a UFA to a contract worth more than $4 million AAV since 2018. They don’t often get the big names.

Read More: Avalanche UFA Board: Finding the Right Fits on July 1 — Defense Options Available

Around The NHL

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are keeping the band back together. When you win a Stanley Cup(s), and you have something that works, you need to do what ever you can to keep those guys together. Florida has the tax advantage, and I do believe it matters in some scenarios (like this one).

Like I've said time and time again. The no-state tax advantage only works if you're already good. And once you're good, your top guys stay for less and it prolongsyour window.

So yes, it's absolutely a factor. But you have to build a good team for it to matter. https://t.co/QuutCNpRLs

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 30, 2025

Not only did Aaron Ekblad take a stunningly discounted contract for the max term, but Brad Marchand, who will turn 38 next season, signed a six(!!!) year deal to keep the AAV down. It’s a clever way to circumvent the cap in a way, but it’s a reminder that teams that win do what they need to do to keep their guys.

I honestly have no idea how anyone in the East is going to get through Florida next year. They’re better than they were to start the 2024-25 season.

Gotta find a way to keep your guys.

Your… 'dawgs,' as Nazem Kadri once said (remember him?) https://t.co/xCQ3LQ3MMO

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 30, 2025

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights did it. They are trading for Mitch Marner and signing him to the same contract Mikko Rantanen got. It’s yet another example of a great team getting better. You can’t sit back and wait for deals to come to you. Being aggressive is the only way.

I hate to beat a dead horse but if you told me 12 months ago Avs wouldn't have Rantanen or Marner and they'd be playing for Dallas and Vegas I'd have laughed and told you you're crazy.

Both those guys make $12M for max term now. Keep that in mind if or when Avs sign Necas

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 30, 2025

By the way, I do subscribe to the theory that the Knights made this deal to avoid being investigated for tampering. It feels like they’ve been after Marner for a long time, and the rumors were starting to get a little too suspicious for the NHL’s liking. The Leafs are going to get Nic Roy as part of the deal for Marner’s sign-and-trade.

Before dealing him, they also got a really solid return for Nic Hague from the Nashville Predators. I love that trade for the Knights, too.

NYI Hockey Now: Alex Romanov also locked in a max-term contract extension with the Islanders at a number that, quite frankly, isn’t all that bad.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings made a cap-clearing trade with Minnesota, and then signed a couple of young RFA’s. What else do they have brewing, and is K’Andre Miller part of those plans?

Boston Hockey Now: Boston Signed Morgan Geekie yesterday, and followed it up with three more contracts on Monday.