Right before free agency started t noon on Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman Ryan Johnson to a three-year $2.33 million contract. Johnson will receive $775,000 per season, but the last two years are one-way.

Sam Lafferty is returning to Chicago for a second go-around with the Blackhawks. Buffalo has shipped the 30-year-old centre to the Blackhawks for a sixth-round pick in 2026, the Sabres announced Tuesday. Lafferty has one year left on a two-year, $4-million deal.

The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has acquired forward Sam Lafferty from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

With Brock Boeser, Vancouver took one of the more high-profile free agents off the board in what was already regarded as a depleted pool of talent.

The New York Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov — considered the top defensive free agent available after three seasons with the Kings — to a seven-year contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Brock Boeser to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract Forward Brock Boeser is staying put in Vancouver, after the Canucks opened the NHL’s free agency period Tuesday by re-signing one of their own.