Writer STEPHEN WHYNO and WILL GRAVES, AP Game Writers

The recent Stanley Cup winners became the first day for the free NHL to re-sign key players on long-term contracts.

Colorado Avalanche reigning champions have backed Josh Manson with the signing of moveable winner Artturi Lehkonen. The team he last played for, Tampa Bay Lightning, developed Anthony Cirelli and defenders Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak for eight years each. The St. Louis Blues kept blue Nick Leddy around for another four years and developed future talent for Robert Thomas until 2031.

Manson earned $ 18 million in a four-year deal worth $ 4.5 million against the cap cap. Lehkonen, who had no restrictions, also received the same.

Finding Manson and Lehkonen in the final was one of the ways in which Colorado won the first Cup since 2001.

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Manson, a 6-foot-3, 218-pound defender who turned 31 before opening the night, gave the Avalanche power over the win and had eight points to follow with a huge hit in 20 playoff games. Lehkonen scored the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 against Lightning and also scored for Colorado to reach the final.

Tampa Bay, which won the previous two NHL titles, signed for Sergachev $ 68 million, Cirelli $ 50 million and Cernak $ 41.6 million, until 2031. General Manager Julien BriseBois said it was significant when he sold former Ryan McDonagh to Nashville in the past. this month.

Lightning added defender Ian Cole and brought back winner Vladislav Namestnikov on a one-year contract. Cole signed for $ 3 million and Namestnikov for $ 2.5 million.

St. Louis, who won the 2019 Cup and has made his blue line since then, re-signed Leddy for $ 16 million over four years. The Blues acquired Leddy from Detroit last season and put him in the fastest-growing division with the most skill since he competed three years ago.

The Blues have signed Thomas, who is just 23 years old, to a $ 65 million deal worth $ 8.125 million.

Ron Hextall kept his word. So did Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. As a result, long-time Pittsburgh Penguin Letang, Malkin and Sidney Crosby must remain steadfast throughout their careers.

Letang signed a six-year contract, $ 36 million earlier this month. Malkin finally agreed to a four-year deal, $ 24.4 million Tuesday night to stay with the team that helped lead the three Stanley Cups. The move allowed Hextall to focus on the most important “actions” on his list when the general manager entered his second season with Penguin.

“They’re not really good players, they’re just good players,” Hextall said Wednesday. “They make the players around them better. We still feel like we are in the top team in the league.

Hextall called the talks with Malkin “good,” although it appeared earlier this week that Malkin was testing the market. In the end, the 2012 Hart Trophy winner and two-goal scorer decided to keep the contract he formed with Letang and Crosby.

Despite having three players in his mid-30s, Hextall pointed to Pittsburgh’s play since he was hired in February 2021 as proof that the Penguins remain in the top league competition. The Penguins lost a series of tough games starting at the end of the last two fountains, including a seven-game losing streak to the New York Rangers in May a series marked by injuries to top Pittsburgh players Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith as well. such as Crosby and forward Rickard Rakell.

“Looking back over the past two years, it gives us confidence that the team still has a chance to do something spectacular,” Hextall said.

Mason Marchment signed with Dallas Stars with a heavy heart a week after Mr Bryan died unexpectedly at the age of 53 on his way to the NHL draft as a scout for the San Jose Sharks.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” he told TSN in Canada. “I have never felt this way before. But when I go to a place like Dallas where I know the coaches there and I know what they want from me, I am excited to go and start a new topic in Dallas. “

Marchment was close to signing with the Carolina Hurricanes before receiving $ 18 million over four years from Dallas. He said getting to know his friend and assistant coach Steve Spott and other Stars players helped him make the decision.

“I just want (want) to be around people we know during this difficult time,” Marchment said. “It just seemed so good.”

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