NHL teams aren’t waiting for the top free agents to sign.
Saturday, on Day 2 of free agency, Boston paused its pursuit of Taylor Hall to sign wing Craig Smith (three years, $9.3 million); Columbus shored up its center depth by inking center Mikko Koivu (one year, $1.5 million) and Carolina added speedy forward Jesper Fast (three years, $6 million).
Top free agent Alex Pietrangelo flew to Vegas to visit the Golden Knights, who have been clearing salary cap space to try to accommodate the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning defenseman.
Also, Detroit added goaltender Thomas Greiss and defenseman Troy Stecher; Dallas got defenseman Mark Pysyk (one year, $750,000); Chris Tanev joined Calgary (four years, $18 million); Buffalo signed center Cody Eakin (two years, $4.