The big fish is gone, so now teams will circle around the other targets when NHL free agency opens Friday.
Even with Steven Stamkos staying with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a $68 million, eight-year deal, the free agent market presents plenty of big-time players from forwards Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson and Kyle Okposo to defensemen Brian Campbell and Dan Hamhuis.
“There’s some high-end guys this year and it’ll be interesting to see what they get paid,” Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “I think the market will fall into place after those guys find destinations and establish the top salary level.