NHL Teams Make Splashes In Opening Hour Of Free Agency

As for his tough-guy style, much has been made about the wear and tear Lucic’s game takes on a body. “Milan is an impactful player who will change a lot of things here”. And while Oilers fans were delighted, it’s a high-risk contract -$42 million over seven years – because it is almost buyout-proof, with half of it protected by signing bonuses. The Boston Bruins traded Lucic to the Kings last summer for the No. 13 pick in the 2015 draft, goalie Martin Jones (traded to San Jose shortly after) and prospect Colin Miller. The expectation for Lucic is that he will protect Connor McDavid, score 20-plus goals and mentor the young players on how to become champions.

“With a special player like that, it’s inevitable that he’s going to do something great. With Detroit losing Datsyuk, it opened up a spot for me to play with some special players”. “An opportunity to play with a player like that doesn’t come around too often”.

He watched as Chiarelli built a cup-winning team in Boston and has no doubt he can do the same in Edmonton.

The forward-heavy Oilers traded Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson this week, and while Lucic is capable of putting up points, he brings a far different skill set to the table than Hall rather than replacing him.

Trotman is a 25-year-old IN native who appeared IN 38 games with Boston Bruins last season scoring seven points to go with 22 penalty minutes.

After spending his entire, 10-season career in St. Louis, David Backes (five years, $30 million) bolted to play for the Bruins. While he’s not in Hall’s class when it comes to scoring, he’s expected to provide physical protection for McDavid. “I think the Oilers have been missing a little bit of attitude and a little big of swagger the last few years and that’s something I bring to a team as well”.

“Getting a chance to play with one of the best players that I’ve seen since I’ve been in the National Hockey League is something that, as a player, is a lot to look forward to”, Lucic said to TSN.

A direction he hopes to lead. “I know it’s not going to happen overnight”.

Several teams were interested in the former Bruin, including their long-time rivals the Montreal Canadiens.

It was another interesting gamble for the Canadiens, who dealt P.K. Subban to Nashville for Shea Weber earlier in the week, also trading for and signing Andrew Shaw to a lengthy deal.