Fantasy Hockey Free Agency Signings and Trade Breakdowns: Mikael Granlund, K'Andre Miller and More

Free agent frenzy was just that, a frenzy.

Let's break down the rest of the big blockbuster signings, plus all the trades that took place on July 1.

There is a lot more to cover here, so let's get into it!

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Blockbuster Signings

Mikael Granlund - Anaheim Duck - $7M AAV - Three Years

What a win for the Ducks. They are trying hard to bolster their roster with firepower, and it's showing. Granlund will be a huge addition and log monster minutes while playing a top six role, getting both powerplay and penalty kill time.

Granlund had 22 goals, 44 assists, and 19 powerplay points in 83 games as a forward. He also had 169 shots on goal, 57 hits, and 60 blocked shots.

John Klingberg - San Jose Sharks - $4M AAV - One Year

This is a medium risk. Klingberg hardly played any regular season games after hip surgery, which rendered him out long term before returning, and although he did go to the Stanley Cup Finals, his production was quite low for a powerplay quarterback. Let's see how he makes out with the Sharks on this short-term tryout deal.

Klingberg had one goal, three assists, and eight penalty minutes in 11 games as a defenseman. He also had 19 shots on goal, five hits, and 13 blocked shots.

Will Cuylle - New York Rangers - $3.9M AAV - Two Years

The Rangers have lost a lot of players in the past year, so it's nice to see them sign some up and coming talent. Cuylle scores, hits like a truck, and doesn't take a single shift off. This is a great move, if even for only two years.

Cuylle had 20 goals, 25 assists, and 42 penalty minutes in 82 games as a forward. He also had 152 shots on goal, a league-leading 300 hits, and 50 blocked shots.

K'Andre Miller - Carolina Hurricanes - $7.5M AAV - Eight Years

Miller is an unexpected, and unreal pickup. The Canes blueline gets even deeper, and locking up Miller for eight years is a stellar move for the franchise. While Miller never be the upper echelon of elite defensemen, he is still young, consistent, and will chip in offensively and physically. 

Miller had seven goals, 20 assists, and 22 penalty minutes in 74 games played as a defenseman. He also had 110 shots on goal, 106 hits, and 110 blocked shots.

Free Agent Frenzy Trades

Oilers and Bruins Trade

To the Edmonton Oilers: Fifth-round draft pick (2027)

To the Boston Bruins: Viktor Arvidsson

I am surprised that the Oilers let Arvidsson go, considering they are supposed to be bringing talent in to entice Connor McDavid to stay. He has one year left on his contract, and for a fifth-round draft pick, this is a good price to pay for the now rebuilding Bruins, who desperately need offensive contributors on their depleted squad.

Arvidsson had 15 goals, 12 assists, and three powerplay points in 67 games as a forward. He also had 158 shots on goal, 32 hits, and 23 blocked shots.

Canadiens and Blues Trade

To the Montreal Canadiens: Zachary Bolduc

To the St. Louis Blues: Logan Mailloux

Both players here are on the last year of their entry level deals, and with the blueline of the Canadiens getting deeper, it was unlikely Mailloux was going to crack the NHL anytime soon. Further, Mailloux still has some behavioural baggage that is still attached to his name, which is quite controversial. Bolduc is a good depth pickup for the Canadiens, who I believe won this deal by a large margin.

Bolduc had 19 goals, 17 assists, and 12 powerplay points in 72 games as a forward. He also had 120 shots on goal, 108 hits, and 36 blocked shots.

Mailloux had two goals, two assists, and six penalty minutes in seven games as a defenseman. He also had 10 shots on goal, nine hits, and eight blocked shots.

Blackhawks and Sabres Trade

To the Chicago Blackhawks: Sam Lafferty

To the Buffalo Sabres: Sixth-round draft pick (2026)

A nothing burger trade, really. Lafferty is a bottom six forward who plays more of a physical game than a scoring one, but the Blackhawks do need roster players who can help protect their franchise player, Connor Bedard. This is a cheap price to pay for just that. Zero fantasy league impact here.

Lafferty had four goals, three assists, and 28 penalty minutes in 60 games as a forward. He also had 50 shots on goal, 88 hits, and 16 blocked shots.

Penguins and Sharks Trade

To the Pittsburgh Penguins: Third-round draft pick (2028)

To the San Jose Sharks: Alex Nedeljkovic

Considering the lack of depth in the blue paint in San Jose, this move makes sense. I can honestly see Ned taking the crease unless another deal is made. I don't believe that Yaroslav Askarov is ready to be a starter, so at best for him this will be a tandem, but it's more likely that Ned will get the majority of the starts, which should increase his fantasy league value based on starts alone. Look for him late as a sneaky pick based on workload.

Nedeljkovic had 14 wins in 35 starts. He also had an .894 save percentage, 3.12 goals against average, and one shutout.

Hurricanes and Rangers Trade

To the Carolina Hurricanes: K'Andre Miller

To the New York Rangers: Scott Morrow, conditional first-round draft pick, second-round draft pick (2026)

How is it the Canes keep getting better with every move? They've won the offseason this year, in my opinion. They continue to add big names and contributors to the roster, and still have depth in the system. We know their coffers are stocked with picks, and to be able to put through a sign-and-trade deal to get eight years out of Miller is a solid move.

Miller will join the ranks of Jaccob Slavin and Shayne Gostisbehere. While it may not be the best defensive core, it is very well rounded. This seems to be a theme with the Canes. While not the best, their well-rounded roster makes it work.

It's also noted that the Rangers did get a decent return on a player they weren't going to keep in what seems to be a continuation of a retool - that looks an awful lot like a rebuild.

Morrow had one goal and  five assists in 14 games as a defenseman. He also had 23 shots on goal, three hits, and 16 blocked shots.