July 1 is a fun time to be a hockey fan. For one thing, a lot of hockey fans are Canadians. Happy Canada Day, Flames Nation! Here's to pancakes and beer and moose and whatever else that's quintessentially Canada you want to celebrate. (Also, Calgary Stampeders home opener tonight!)
But one of the best parts about it? It's the official start of the new season in the NHL. The 2015-16 season is dead, and the 2016-17 has come to take its place. Up first: starting right now, as of 10 a.m. MT, all unrestricted free agents are available to be signed by anyone.