NHL free agency began Wednesday at noon, although the Boston Bruins actually began the day with a trade, sending goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers in a salary-clearing move.
Here's a tracker of everything else they're doing throughout the day:
Clifton returns
The Bruins signed defenseman Connor Clifton to a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $2.25 million. Clifton, now 31, spent his first five NHL seasons in Boston from 2018-23. He then spent two years in Buffalo and this past season in Pittsburgh.
As he was through his first stint in Boston, Clifton is still a solid third-pairing, right-shot defenseman. He's a physical, defense-first player who's a pretty good skater capable of leading the occasional rush the other way.
Clifton's signing could signal the end of Andrew Peeke's time in Boston, although that door hasn't officially been shut given that Peeke has yet to sign elsewhere as of 2:20 p.m. It's also fair to wonder if Henri Jokiharju could be on the move, as he also profiles as nothing more than a third-pairing D on the right side.
In a Zoom call with media, Clifton said he and his wife were still coming back to Boston every summer and that he had kept his condo near TD Garden. Current Bruin Alex Steeves has actually been renting said condo; Clifton said he might let Steeves stay there because his own family - which now includes a two-year-old daughter - probably needs more room.
Harris sticks around
The Bruins re-signed defenseman Jordan Harris on a one-year contract worth $850,000.
The Bruins had not issued Harris a qualifying offer while he was a restricted free agent, making him unrestricted and free to sign with anyone. Ultimately, though, the two sides circled back and worked out a new contract for the league minimum.
Harris, a 25-year-old Haverhill native who played his college hockey at Northeastern, got off to a good start last season but then suffered a fractured ankle in late October that cost him four months. He was used sparingly down the stretch and struggled in his one playoff appearance.
If healthy, Harris can give the Bruins what they expected to get last season: a depth puck-mover who can play the left or right side.
Gaunce adds AHL leadership
In a pretty cool moment, TSN's Cameron Gaunce broke the news live on-air that his brother, Brendan Gaunce, is signing with the Bruins.
Gaunce, 32, was most recently captain of the AHL Cleveland Monsters. He also played 25 NHL games with Columbus last season and has 214 NHL games to his name over the course of his career. Gaunce spent the 2019-20 season in the Bruins organization, playing 52 games in Providence and one in Boston.
The Providence Bruins are in the process of turning over much of their roster, including captain Patrick Brown moving on. Gaunce can help replace that AHL leadership.
Arvidsson signs with Detroit
Viktor Arvidsson has found a new home, signing a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings that carries an annual cap hit of $5 million.
It's an interesting one from a Boston perspective, as that is a very reasonable deal given Arvidsson's strong play in a bounce-back season with the Bruins. Boston's trade for JJ Peterka may have diminished their interest in keeping Arvidsson, though. With approximately $7.6 million in cap space to work with as of 2:30 p.m., the Bruins may be planning to spend whatever they have left on a defensive upgrade.
