NHL free agents take high-priced hit in stagnant cap era

FILE - In this May 20, 2017, file photo, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler plays against the Nashville Predators during the first period of Game 5 in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks have signed Fowler to an eight-year, $52 million contract extension through the 2025-26 season on Saturday, July 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) FILE - In this May 20, 2017, file photo, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler plays against the Nashville Predators during the first period of Game 5 in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals in Anaheim, Calif. The Ducks have signed Fowler to an eight-year, $52 million contract extension through the 2025-26 season on Saturday, July 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

By Associated Press July 1, 2017 4 min read

Aside from defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner attracting $20-plus-million contracts, NHL free agency isn’t what it used to be. Not in a stagnant salary-cap era.

Though plenty of players switched teams once the signing period opened Saturday, missing were the high-priced, long-term contracts that were once the norm.

Shattenkirk, considered the top free agent available, signed a four-year, $26.6 million contract with the New York Rangers. And after nine seasons in Washington, Alzner signed a five-year, $23.1 million deal with Montreal.

Alzner acknowledged he had few options beyond Montreal, which was the only city he visited this past week.

The expansion Vegas Golden Knights didn’t make a peep after spending the past two weeks stocking their roster through the expansion and entry drafts, and trades.