Former Rockets busy as NHL’s 2021 free agency period opens up
A handful of former Rockets are either on the move or have decided to stay put as the NHL’s 2021 free agency period opened up on Wednesday.
Restricted free agents Cal Foote (TBL), Dillon Dube (CGY), Kole Lind (SEA), Carsen Twarynski (SEA), Justin Kirkland (CGY), Calvin Thurkauf (CBJ) and Lucas Johansen (WSH) were all issued qualifying offers.
Below you can find a list of former Rockets who have signed deals.
All stats posted are from 2020-21 season, include regular season + playoffs
Devante Stephens |
Tampa Bay |
-> |
Vancouver |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Syracuse Crunch (AHL) | 26 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 14 |
| Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) | 16 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 5 |
Reporter Rick Dhaliwal reported that defenceman Devante Stephens is headed back to British Columbia, inking a one year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
The White Rock, BC product has spent the last two seasons within the Tampa Bay Lightning’s farm system following a trade from the Buffalo Sabres to Tampa in 2019.
Canucks have signed White Rock D native DeVante Stephens.
Former Kelowna Rocket
Agent Rich Evans confirms.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 28, 2021
Gage Quinney |
Vegas |
-> |
Vegas |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Henderson Silverknights (AHL) | 22 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 13 |
Gage Quinney, a member of the Rockets 2015 WHL Championship team, is staying put with his hometown team. The forward inked a one-year, two-way deal with the team.
Our #VegasBorn guy is staying in the Valley 😁
Gage Quinney is back on a one-year, two-way contract!!! pic.twitter.com/DvoWiuyQp9
— 🏆 – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 28, 2021
Tyson Barrie |
Edmonton |
-> |
Edmonton |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Edmonton Oilers (NHL) | 60 | 8 | 41 | 49 | 10 | 5 |
Former Kelowna Rockets captain Tyson Barrie hit the market but decided to return to the Oilers on a three-year extension.
The Rockets all-time leader in points among defencemen led all NHL defencemen in scoring last season with eight goals and 40 assists over 56 games.
BARRIE'S BACK
The #Oilers have signed defenceman Tyson Barrie to three-year extension.#LetsGoOilers
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 28, 2021
Luke Schenn |
Tampa Bay |
-> |
Vancouver |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) | 46 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 60 | 3 |
After winning back-to-back cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Luke Schenn is returning to the Vancouver Canucks for his second stint with the organization. He appeared in 18 games with the Canucks during the 2018-19 season.
Welcome back Luke!#Canucks GM Jim Benning announced today that the club has signed defenceman Luke Schenn to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $850,000.
DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/4ppLMtgJLA pic.twitter.com/OJpm3ODxuT
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 28, 2021
Alex Edler |
Vancouver |
-> |
Los Angeles |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Vancouver Canucks (NHL) | 52 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 58 | -8 |
The final member of the Canucks 2011 Stanley Cup run has departed for the Los Angeles Kings.
Alex Edler in LA, one year deal, $3.5M
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021
Nick Merkley |
San Jose |
-> |
San Jose |
| TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| Assat (Liiga) loan | 19 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 2 |
| New Jersey Devils (NHL) | 27 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 7 | -5 |
| Binghamton Devils (AHL) | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -3 |
Nick Merkley’s rights were dealt to the San Jose Sharks from the New Jersey Devils earlier this week. The Sharks failed to issue the restricted free agent a qualifying offer, allowing him to become a free agent today.
According to Sharks beat reporter Kevin Kurz, the Sharks signed Merkley to a one-year, two-way deal.
A couple minor signings: The Sharks have agreed to two-way contracts with Jaycob Megna and Nick Merkley, per a source. Both deals carry $750k salaries at the NHL level.
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) July 28, 2021
