![NHL teams making moves, not waiting for top free agents](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/NgeN-I5AyxF4KAb4_-_-Tcbc954=/1600x1032/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NQIXOOS6ZZGENGC6AKYSPHNYMU.jpg)
NHL teams making moves, not waiting for top free agents
A handful of the top free agents are still available, but NHL teams aren't waiting for those big fish to sign to make other moves. Koivu signed for $1.5 million for next season, and they need to re-up top center Pierre-Luc Dubois and other restricted free agents. Teams have to move money, and in order to move money, they might have to move some really good players.โSome good free agents found new homes Saturday. The Buffalo Sabres signed center Cody Eakin to a $4.5 million, two-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. Buffalo later Saturday signed defenseman Brandon Montour to a $3.85 million, one-year deal.
![Trade action heats up at NHL draft ahead of free agency](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/6v_YcuSKaR5dA1aCF4RHvkVXUOQ=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TIXXGEL5C5FEVFAJCEU7WORR5Q.jpg)
Trade action heats up at NHL draft ahead of free agency
The Penguins got the action started on the second day of the NHL draft by trading goaltender Matt Murray to the Ottawa Senators. โYou just know on days like these if you get a phone call from your GM, itโs usually a trade,โ Bonino said. The Penguins previously traded winger Patric Hornqvist to Florida, and Chicago traded defenseman Olli Maatta to Los Angeles. Vegas is looking to trade the 35-year-old and even sweeten the deal with a pick but has to deal with an overflowing goalie market. Bonino and new Predators forward Luke Kunin will be swapping jerseys after the trade that continues the Wild's makeover.