Oh whaddup. Welcome to July 1st, bitches. For most teams around the National Hockey League, it is the most wonderful time of the year. A clean slate for some. An opportunity to make a splash and start new. Teams who feel like they are just one or two pieces away from completing the puzzle get to go out there and try to land their guy. It’s an exciting time for sure. Unless, let’s just say for example, you’re a fan of the New York Islanders. In which case today could very easily be one of the worst days of your life as the face of your franchise is almost definitely packing his shit and skipping town today. Poor Frankie, you really have to feel terrible for the guy….NOT!!!

As of writing this blog at 9:15am on July 1, there is still zero update on the Tavares Watch. Which should be extremely unsettling for Islanders fans because if he was going to re-sign with New York, you’d have to imagine they would have got it done before last night so they could sign him for 8 years as opposed to the maximum of 7 he can sign for starting today. But literally nobody knows what’s going on with this situation. None of the teams involved. None of the big guys like Bob McKenzie or Dreger. So there are definitely some big moves in the works (i.e. an Erik Karlsson trade) that are getting a little held up by this Tavares decision. Teams need to figure out where Tavares lands and for how much and all that other jazz. But it’s not like Tavares is holding everything up. Already we have a bunch of names off the board so here are the early crop of signings on July 1, and keep in mind that none of these are official until noon.

JvR to Philly on a 5-year deal at $7M AAV.

Everybody is hating on this Jack Johnson signing by the Penguins. Which makes me really nervous because most people are dumb and it’s one of those signings that could end up having a lot of people on Freezing Cold Takes. But yeah, 5-years for a guy who was getting healthy scratched in the playoffs is bizarre. Either way, hope they like banana pancakes in Pittsburgh.

Perron back to the Blues on a 4×4.

Khudobin to the Stars on a 2-year deal ~$2.5M AAV

B’s replace Khudobin with Jaro Halak.

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A few whatever signings for some Canadian teams out west. Nothing here moves the needle.

Thomas Vanek is heading back to Detroit. Signed with the Red Wings on July 1, 2016. Since then he has played for Detroit, Florida, Vancouver, Columbus, and now Detroit again. Plus on a 1-year deal, that almost guarantees Vanek will get moved at the deadline again this year.

**Mid-Morning Update: 2 hours until Free Agency officially opens up**

Did Paul Stastny ruin the NHL? It would appear so as he’s pulling a KD and signing with the Vegas Golden Knights.

***12pm EST: The 2018 NHL Free Agency Period Has Officially Opened***

Tyler Bozak to St. Louis. Makes sense considering the Maple Leafs have to make some room at center for Tavares. Bozak will sign in St. Louis for 3 years, $5M AAV.

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Speaking of Tavares, the Islanders have finally made the announcement that they are re-signing their guy.

Not exactly the guy that everybody is waiting to hear about but it looks like the Thomas Hickey sweepstakes are over.

Ian Cole is a rich guy now. He can thank Drew Doughty for that after driving up the price of blueliners.

This is an absolutely hilarious batch of signings for the Chicago Blackhawks today.

Kunitz for one year. Ward for one year. Brandon Manning for 2. I am rolling on the floor laughing right now.

A few more signings here.

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Ryan McDonagh will most likely finish out his career in Tampa.

For that amount of money, you have to imagine that Tampa is no longer in the running for Tavares.

And now it looks like we can pack things up and call it a day. Free agency is officially over after Zac Rinaldo has made his decision and will sign with the Nashville Predators. Huge get.

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TAVARES UPDATE:

John Tavares is officially gone. The Islanders are out of the running and the 27-year-old will be wearing a new sweater for the first time in his career next season. Un-fucking-believable. Russia takes down Spain. LeBron is coming to the Sixers. Tavares is leaving the Islanders. What a day. What. A. Day.

(He’ll probably end up with Toronto at this point)