Canucks re-sign Boeser, Rangers land Gavrikov and trade Miller to Carolina to open NHL free agency

Brock Boeser stayed put in Vancouver. The New York Rangers retooled their blue line by landing free agency’s top defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and trading K’Andre Miller to Carolina.

And Nikolaj Ehlers is taking his time before determining his future.

The frenzy of multiple signings when NHL free agency opened Tuesday was tempered by a free agent class thinned by teams making pre-emptive moves to keep top talent.

“The list wasn’t deep,” Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said, before assessing how active he intended to be in the coming days. “No, I would say that where we’re at now, we’re comfortable with where we’re at if you look at our group here.”

That group includes defenseman Ivan Provorov, who was signed to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.

Taking advantage of a record $7.5 million jump in the salary cap, the Vegas Golden Knights landed the biggest prize in a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Mitch Marner on Monday. On the same day, the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers used “home Cup” advantage to re-sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Brad Marchand.

“It’s easy to want to stay here, and then the culture of winning is just a huge draw,” Ekblad said. “We’ve all been taken care of very well.”

Boeser, a six-time 20-goal-scorer, elected to stay in Vancouver by agreeing to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract a half hour into the signing period.

Soon after, the Rangers signed Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract. New York then acquired defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional first-round draft pick and a 2026 second-rounder in trading Miller, a restricted free agent and potential candidate to attract an offer sheet.

The Hurricanes signed the 25-year-old Miller to an eight-year, $60 million contract, at a time they expect to lose blue-liners Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns to free agency.

“It was important for us to find a way to do it without giving up any major pieces off our roster if we could,” Carolina GM Eric Tulsky said of acquiring the fifth-year player. “He is just approaching his prime and we are confident that he will excel in a Hurricanes sweater.”

California's three franchises were the most active, shelling out more than $60 million in salaries combined. And that included Corey Perry’s return to Southern California, this time with the rival Los Angeles Kings after spending the first 14 seasons in Anaheim.

“Now they’ve got to get on my side, and hopefully we can do that early,” the 40-year-old said of winning over Kings fans accustomed to booing him.

The Ducks missed out on the biggest names in free agency despite billionaire owner Henry Samueli’s guarantee of a blank check but still added consistent scoring forward Mikael Granlund to a team that finished 30th in the NHL in goals last season. The Finnish veteran signed a three-year deal worth $21 million.

San Jose, which entered the day $20 million below the salary cap floor, got a little closer by signing defenseman John Klingberg to a $4 million contract for next season.

As the dust settled, the top players available seven hours in were Ehlers, fellow wingers Andrew Mangiapane and Anthony Beauvillier and Orlov. Ehlers, who scored 20 or more goals in eight of his 10 seasons in Winnipeg, has informed teams he might take a day or two to decide where he'll sign.

Several teams turned to the trade route to improve their rosters, with the Bruins acquiring winger Viktor Arvidsson from Edmonton for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

A division-by-division look:

New Jersey re-signed backup goaltender Jake Allen for $9 million over five years and added winger Connor Brown for four years at $12 million.

Philadelphia filled its center void by signing Christian Dvorak for $5.4 million for next season and also got a goalie in a thin market, signing Dan Vladar for $6.7 million over two years.

The Islanders signed forward Jonathan Drouin to a two-year, $8 million contract, and also landed goalie David Rittich to back up Ilya Sorokin.

Carolina signed young forward Logan Stankoven to an eight-year extension worth $48 million. Stankoven, acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline as part of the return for Mikko Rantanen, will count $6 million against the cap from 2026-2034.

The Rangers re-signed restricted free agent forward Will Cuylle to a two-year contract worth $7.8 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.

The Panthers also re-signed fourth-liner Tomas Nosek for the league-minimum $775,000 and shored up their backup goalie spot by signing recently acquired Daniil Tarasov for $1.05 million.

Boston signed rugged forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year, $17 million contract.

The Buffalo Sabres were shopping defenseman Bowen Byram, while adding goaltending depth in Alex Lyon, and signing restricted free agent Ryan McLeod to a four-year, $20 million contract.

St. Louis got bigger up front by signing Nick Bjugstad for $3.5 million over the next two years. The Blues also sent forward Zachary Bolduc to Montreal for defenseman Logan Mailloux in a swap of 2021 first-round picks.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt to a three-year, $10.5 million deal. He’s a 12-year veteran who won a Cup in Florida this season. Utah also signed forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract worth $7.5 million.

Center Radek Faksa returned to Dallas, where he spent his first nine NHL seasons, by signing a three-year, $6 million deal after playing in St. Louis last year.

Two-time Stanley Cup winner Nico Sturm returned to his original team on a two-year, $4 million contract that gives the Wild some needed depth at center. The 30-year-old from Germany spent parts of four seasons with Minnesota before being traded to eventual champion Colorado in 2022, and also won the Cup last month with Florida.

Ken Holland began placing his stamp on the Kings in his new role as general manager with five free agent additions. Aside from Perry, the Kings also signed defensemen Cody Ceci (four years, $18 million) and Brian Dumoulin (three years, $12 million), and forwards Anton Forsberg and Joel Armia.

Seattle signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren for four years and $18 million.

The Canucks also reached agreements in re-signing goalie Thatcher Demko to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension and forward Conor Garland to a six-year, $36 million contract extension.

AP Sports Writers Tim Reynolds, Greg Beacham, Aaron Beard and Dave Campbell, and AP freelance writer Denis Gorman contributed.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

FILE - New York Rangers' K'Andre Miller plays in an NHL hockey game, Nov. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

FILE - Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) watches a shot go wide of the net as Conor Garland (8) helps against pressure from Dallas Stars right wing Evgenii Dadonov (63) in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE - Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin in the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

FILE - Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser in action during an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Oct. 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, file)

FILE - Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) in action in the first period of Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - Ottawa Senators' Fabian Zetterlund (20) and Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) shoots past Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (34) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 30, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, file)

FILE - Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers plays during an NHL hockey game, Thursday, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

FILE - Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser, right, celebrates after scoring past St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, left, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, March 20, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills fans arrived early and lingered long after the game ended to bid what could be farewell to their long-time home stadium filled with 53 years of memories — and often piles of snow.

After singing along together to The Killers' “Mr. Brightside” in the closing minutes of a 35-8 victory against the New York Jets, most everyone in the crowd of 70,944 remained in their seats to bask in the glow of fireworks as Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World” played over the stadium speakers.

Several players stopped in the end zone to watch a retrospective video, with the Buffalo-based Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” as the soundtrack while fans recorded selfie videos of the celebratory scene. Offensive lineman Alec Anderson even jumped into the crowd to pose for pictures before leaving the field.

With the Bills (12-5), the AFC's 6th seed, opening the playoffs at Jacksonville in the wild-card round next week, there's but a slim chance they'll play at their old home again. Next season, Buffalo is set to move into its new $1.2 billion facility being built across the street.

The farewell game evoked “a lifetime of memories,” said Therese Forton-Barnes, selected the team’s Fan of the Year, before the Bills kicked of their regular-season finale. “In our culture that we know and love, we can bond together from that experience. Our love for this team, our love for this city, have branched from those roots.”

Forton-Barnes, a past president of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, attended Bills games as a child at the old War Memorial Stadium in downtown Buffalo, colloquially known as “The Rockpile.” She has been a season ticket holder since Jim Kelly joined the Bills in 1986 at what was then Rich Stadium, later renamed for the team’s founding owner Ralph Wilson, and then corporate sponsors New Era and Highmark.

“I’ve been to over 350 games,” she said. “Today we’re here to cherish and celebrate the past, present and future. We have so many memories that you can’t erase at Rich Stadium, The Ralph, and now Highmark. Forever we will hold these memories when we move across the street.”

There was a celebratory mood to the day, with fans arriving early. Cars lined Abbott Road some 90 minutes before the stadium lots opened for a game the Bills rested most of their starters, with a brisk wind blowing in off of nearby Lake Erie and with temperatures dipping into the low 20s.

And most were in their seats when Bills owner Terry Pegula thanked fans and stadium workers in a pregame address.

With Buffalo leading 21-0 at halftime, many fans stayed in their seats as Kelly and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed addressed them from the field, and the team played a video message from 100-year-old Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy.

“The fans have been unbelievable,” said Jack Hofstetter, a ticket-taker since the stadium opened in 1973 who was presented with Super Bowl tickets before Sunday’s game by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “I was a kid making 8 bucks a game back in those days. I got to see all the sports, ushering in the stadium and taking tickets later on. All the memories, it’s been fantastic.”

Bud Light commemorated the stadium finale and Bills fan culture with the release of a special-edition beer brewed with melted snow shoveled out of the stadium earlier this season.

In what has become a winter tradition at the stadium, fans were hired to clear the stands after a lake-effect storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the region this week.

The few remaining shovelers were still present clearing the pathways and end zone stands of snow some five hours before kickoff. The new stadium won’t require as many shovelers, with the field heated and with more than two-thirds of the 60,000-plus seats covered by a curved roof overhang.

Fears of fans rushing the field were abated with large contingent of security personnel and backed by New York State troopers began lining the field during the final 2-minute warning.

Fans stayed in the stands, singing along to the music, with many lingering to take one last glimpse inside the stadium where the scoreboard broadcast one last message:

“Thank You, Bills Mafia.”

AP Sports Writer John Wawrow contributed.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) remains on the field to watch a tribute video after the Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Fans celebrate after the Buffalo Bills scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Fans celebrate and throw snow in the stands after an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Aga Deters, right, and her husband Fred Deters, walk near Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Michael Wygant shoves snow from a tunnel before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Alec Anderson (70) spikes the ball after running back Ty Johnson scored a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

FILE - The existing Highmark Stadium, foreground, frames the construction on the new Highmark Stadium, upper right, which is scheduled to open with the 2026 season, shown before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, Oct. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Salt crew member Jim Earl sprinkles salt in the upper deck before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)