After more than four days of ballot-counting following record voter turnout, Joe Biden was projected Saturday to win the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Notable athletes, including LeBron James, quickly took to social media to react to the news:
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green noted to James that White House visits - something many championship teams avoided under President Donald Trump - might soon resume:
YO we back up in there my G!!! I’m taking my tequila and vino too! 😁😁😁 🥃🥃🍷🍷
The count in Pennsylvania - specifically the Philadelphia area - put Biden over the top. The drawn-out procedure tested the patience of many, but 76ers center Joel Embiid reminded everyone that it was a process:
For the most part, the 2020 free-agent frenzy is over. The next step for fans and pundits is to look ahead to next year's class.
We don't know when exactly the next signing period will take place, but here are some of the top players currently scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next offseason.
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Current cap hit: $9.54 million 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 48 G, 19A
The mammoth 13-year pact Ovechkin signed with the Capitals in 2008 is nearing its end. The three-time MVP recently said he'll only play for the Capitals until he returns to Moscow to close out his career. There's clearly enough left in the 35-year-old's tank for him to make a serious charge at the all-time goals record. Ovechkin has carried the Capitals for a long time, and he's in the driver's seat to fetch any contract he desires.
Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks Current cap hit: $8.25 million 2019-20 stats: 69 GP, 13 G, 29 A
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He's past his prime, but Getzlaf was still able to muster 0.61 points per game on a lousy Ducks team at 34 years old this past season. Getzlaf may want to close out his career with the only team he's ever known, but he'd be an attractive and cheap depth center for a contending club.
Taylor Hall, Sabres Current cap hit: $8 million 2019-20 stats: 65 GP, 16 G, 36 A
Hall was one of the biggest names on the open market this past offseason, but he bet on himself to the surprise of many, taking a one-year deal in Buffalo. The Sabres will likely do anything they can to retain a reliable running mate for Jack Eichel, but if Hall's Western New York experiment doesn't work out, he'll again be one of the league's premier talents up for grabs.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oilers Current cap hit: $6 million 2019-20 stats: 65 GP, 22 G, 39 A
Nugent-Hopkins was enjoying a career season before the pause (0.94 points per game), and he's reportedly making progress on a long-term extension with the Oilers. The center is a vital cog in Edmonton's offense, and he seems likely to re-sign rather than test his options.
Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche Current cap hit: $5.57 million 2019-20 stats: 54 GP, 21 G, 23 A
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There's an interesting scenario facing the Avalanche with their captain. Landeskog has long been a bargain on Colorado's books, but finances are going to get tight quickly for GM Joe Sakic. Rookie sensation Cale Makar needs a new deal as well next offseason, and perennial MVP candidate Nathan MacKinnon's contract expires in 2023. Those two pacts could easily combine to be worth over $20 million. Does Sakic let Landeskog walk and then prepare for the future?
Jaden Schwartz, Blues Current cap hit: $5.35 million 2019-20 stats: 71 GP, 22 G, 35 A
Schwartz is a strong two-way player, and he could plug into virtually any top-six forward group. He also boasts a ton of playoff experience. The winger would slide in well on a lot of contending teams, but the Blues are a contender and only one season removed from a championship. They're projected to hold $25 million in cap space next offseason, making it likely Schwartz stays put.
Tomas Tatar, Canadiens Current cap hit: $4.8 million (Golden Knights retain $500K) 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 22 G, 39 A
Tatar has been an excellent fit since joining the Canadiens, but he could be deemed expendable after Montreal added Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli this offseason, while also signing Brendan Gallagher to a long-term extension. Tatar has been a reliable scoring option throughout his career - save for a brief stint in Vegas - and plenty of teams will be interested if he's forced to leave Montreal.
David Krejci, Bruins Current cap hit: $7.25 million 2019-20 stats: 61 GP, 13 G, 30 A
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Krejci has flown under the radar despite being a vital piece of the Bruins' core for more than a decade. He'll be 35 years old by next summer, but the veteran has stepped up for the club when it matters most, accumulating the league's seventh-most playoff points (102) from 2010 to 2020.
It's tough to picture Krejci suiting up elsewhere. Following the route of Boston captain Zdeno Chara - who's signed a slew of one-year, team-friendly contracts to ease the strain on the Bruins' budget - seems more likely.
Brandon Saad, Avalanche Current cap hit: $5 million (Blackhawks retain $1M) 2019-20 stats: 58 GP, 21 G, 12 A
Saad looks like a tremendous addition for the Avalanche, but because of the team's forthcoming cap crunch, his tenure in Colorado could be a one-off. However, that might not be a bad thing for Saad, who would get a chance to rack up points on a loaded Avs roster and increase his value before hitting the market.
Other notables: Kyle Palmieri, Nick Foligno, Tyler Bozak, Nikita Gusev, Phillip Danault, Zach Hyman, Paul Stastny
Defensemen
Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes Current cap hit: $5.75 million 2019-20 stats: 47 GP, 14 G, 26 A
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Hamilton is easily the top defenseman who could be available next offseason. He'll be only 28 years old, and should comfortably become one of the league's highest-paid blue-liners. He's a top-pair right-shooting rearguard who posts dominant underlying numbers, and Hamilton can produce elite offensively, too. He looked destined to be a Norris Trophy finalist prior to an injury this past season, and the Hurricanes better be ready to pony up if they hope to keep him in Carolina.
David Savard, Blue Jackets Current cap hit: $4.25 million 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 0 G, 11 A
Savard isn't as flashy or offensively gifted as Hamilton, but he'll be coveted to fill a key role if the 30-year-old decides to leave the Blue Jackets. He plays the right side, isn't afraid to be physical, and can be relied on in his own zone at even strength and as a penalty killer.
Adam Larsson, Oilers Current cap hit: $4.17 million 2019-20 stats: 49 GP, 1 G, 5 A
Like Savard, Larsson is a stay-at-home, dependable defenseman who will get a market-value boost for shooting right. He shouldn't cost interested teams too much against the cap, but the Oilers might be wise to keep him around, as there isn't a right-side blue-liner signed in Edmonton beyond 2021.
Alec Martinez, Golden Knights Current cap hit: $4 million 2019-20 stats: 51 GP, 3 G, 13 A
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The Golden Knights acquired Martinez just prior to last season's trade deadline to strengthen their back end, and then followed that up by signing Alex Pietrangelo to a monster free-agent deal this offseason. The team's big-ticket signing will create cap issues, making it safe to assume Martinez departs. He's a steady middle-pairing option who shouldn't be too pricey.
Other notables: Alexander Edler, Tyson Barrie, Nicklas Hjalmarsson, Ian Cole, Brandon Montour, Jamie Oleksiak
Goalies
Tuukka Rask, Bruins Current cap hit: $7 million 2019-20 stats: 41 GP, 26 W, .929 Sv%
Rask's decision to leave the bubble in Toronto during the playoffs to tend to a family matter made many Bruins supporters sour, but it would still be a stunner to see him wave goodbye to Boston. There's no NHL-ready prospect on the Bruins to take the reins from Rask, and the 33-year-old is still among the league's best netminders. He was the Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2019-20 after leading the NHL in goals-against average (.922) and goals saved above average (22.51).
Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs Current cap hit: $5 million 2019-20 stats: 52 GP, 29 W, .909 Sv%
Andersen has regularly been one of the league's busiest goaltenders in terms of shots and scoring chances against since joining the Maple Leafs. But for the most part, he's been up to the task while establishing himself as an upper-echelon starter. However, he often goes through spells of inconsistency throughout the regular season, and Andersen has also been prone to playoff lapses. If the Leafs can't get past the first round again this season, an extension for Andersen might not be in the cards.
Jordan Binnington, Blues Current cap hit: $4.4 million 2019-20 stats: 50 GP, 30 W, .912 Sv%
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Binnington signed a two-year bridge deal with the Blues after leading them to a Stanley Cup win in 2019. He'll need to produce better results in the second season of his contract for St. Louis to make a long-term commitment. The 27-year-old wasn't nearly as dominant in his sophomore campaign, posting worse stats across the board before struggling in the playoffs with an .851 save percentage over five starts.
Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche Current cap hit: $3.33 million 2019-20 stats: 36 GP, 18 W, .916 Sv%
Colorado is the only team with three players on this list, but unlike the forwards above who could become expendable, the Avalanche can't get by without spending some money between the pipes. Grubauer has been consistent since becoming a starter for the Avs, registering a .916 save percentage across two seasons. Despite past performances, his contract year will determine if there's a future for him with an organization primed to be a regular cup contender.
Other notables: Devan Dubnyk, Antti Raanta, James Reimer, Petr Mrazek, Jaroslav Halak
It appears Oscar Klefbom's 2020-21 campaign is in jeopardy.
The Edmonton Oilers defenseman is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that general manager Ken Holland says could keep him off the ice next season.
"I’m planning for 2020-21 that Oscar is not playing and anything other than that will be a surprise. A pleasant surprise," Holland said, according to the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson.
Klefbom, 27, has already undergone multiple shoulder procedures over his seven-year career, most recently leaving the team for surgery in March 2018. The injury kept him out for nine contests toward the end of the 2019-20 regular season, but he appeared in all four of the club's postseason games this summer.
The 6-foot-3 blue-liner is an integral piece of the Oilers' defense corps and one of the league's premier minute munchers. Klefbom has paced the club in average ice time over four consecutive seasons and ranked fifth among all players in that department (25:25) in 2019-20. He also added five goals and 34 points over 62 games.
Edmonton added rearguard Tyson Barrie in free agency this offseason, but Holland says he doesn't plan on making any more moves to fill the defensive hole.
"Yes, we could always use one more (defenseman), but we’re fine right for now," Holland said. “We’ve got (William) Lagesson signed. If we get (Ethan) Bear signed, then we’ve also (got) Bouchard … I’m watching how Evan’s playing in Europe. He’ll be back for our training camp."
The start date for the 2020-21 campaign remains unclear, but the league's target is Jan. 1.
Weegar, 26, has increasingly played a vital top-four defensive role with the Panthers since making his NHL debut in 2016. He recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 45 games this past season while averaging 20:07 of ice time per game.
The native of Ottawa was one of the Panthers' best possession players in 2019-20. He ranked fourth on the team with a Corsi For rating of 53.25% at five-on-five and second with an expected goals for rating of 54.73%.
Florida drafted Weegar in the seventh round in 2013. He's appeared in 172 career games with the team, tallying 13 goals and 28 assists.
The deal is reportedly for two years and carries an average annual value of $1.55 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The two sides were reportedly heading to arbitration roughly $1 million apart, with Lemieux seeking $2 million annually and the team offering slightly over $1 million.
The physical forward accumulated 164 hits and 111 penalty minutes last season while also racking up six goals and 12 assists in 59 games.
Lemieux was selected with the 31st pick in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He's appeared in 131 career games with the Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, tallying 19 goals and 17 assists. Lemieux ranks ninth in the league in penalty minutes since his NHL debut in 2017.
Seven NHL teams now find themselves without an official leader following the departures of Alex Pietrangelo from St. Louis and Mikko Koivu from Minnesota. With a high number of captain vacancies throughout the league, let's take a look at some of the top candidates for each opening.
Ottawa Senators
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The Senators expressed their utmost confidence in Thomas Chabot by inking the then-22-year-old to a massive eight-year, $64-million extension in 2019. He figures to be a big part of Ottawa's bright future as one of the league's highest-paid blue-liners. It would make sense to put him at the forefront of the Senators' resurgence.
On the other hand, Ottawa turned some heads by taking Brady Tkachuk fourth overall in 2018. Tkachuk has already surpassed expectations by breathing new life into the Senators' lineup as the team's premier forward. The 21-year-old's evident heart and dedication make him a great choice to captain Ottawa for years to come.
New Jersey Devils
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Nico Hischier seems destined to be the team's captain at some point, but he may have to wait to get the "C" stitched onto his jersey. He's still just 21 years old, so it's possible New Jersey would like to see Hischier mature first before putting that kind of pressure on him.
In order to give Hischier time to develop, the team could make veteran Travis Zajac the captain. The 35-year-old - who has just one season remaining on his current deal - has spent his entire 14-year career with the Devils. Giving him the captaincy would be a nice nod to Zajac's devotion to the club before it passes the torch to the future of the franchise.
New York Rangers
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The Rangers have been without a captain since Ryan McDonagh's departure in 2018, but they have a number of good candidates to succeed him. Chris Kreider is a career Ranger who recently inked a seven-year pact. He could inspire the team as a respected veteran who wears his heart on his sleeve.
However, Mika Zibanejad seems destined to become New York's captain. He's one of the Rangers' top players, he's a fan favorite, and he's showcased his ability to step up in critical situations. Zibanejad has all the makings of a great captain in the Big Apple.
St. Louis Blues
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The Blues may not rush to name a captain for next season following Pietrangelo's departure. There are plenty of viable players that are ready to step in and fill the spot, including veteran Brayden Schenn. The 29-year-old is signed through 2027-28 and has been vital for the team throughout his career.
The player that many are pegging to be St. Louis' next captain, though, is Ryan O'Reilly. He's shown an improved attitude and a clear resurgence in play over the past two seasons since the Blues acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres. O'Reilly - who won the Conn Smythe Trophy after helping the Blues capture the Cup in his first season with the club - has all the qualities of a leader.
Detroit Red Wings
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It's clear both Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are set to spearhead a new era in Detroit. After a complete overhaul that's resulted in a ton of young talent, the Red Wings will need either Larkin or Mantha to guide the way.
However, all signs point to Larkin assuming that role. The Michigan native sported an "A" this past season, and he's Detroit's offensive focal point. The 24-year-old will be needed in the locker room to get his young teammates going.
Vegas Golden Knights
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The Golden Knights' choices to be their captain are plentiful. Do they go with a Day 1 player? How about a past captain like Max Pacioretty, who's already spent two seasons with the team?
Mark Stone seems to make the most sense. He's arguably been Vegas' best player since arriving at the 2018-19 trade deadline, and he cemented himself with the team by immediately inking a monster eight-year, $76-million deal. Stone's an elite on-ice force who has previous leadership experience with the Ottawa Senators and Team Canada.
Minnesota Wild
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Minnesota will be without Koivu - the first permanent captain in Wild history - for the first time since his NHL debut in 2005. There may not be a rush to replace him, but Minnesota has a number of savvy veterans to choose from. One of them is Ryan Suter. He's been a pillar on the team since he signed his gigantic 13-year, $98-million deal in 2012. His play may have declined since, but his presence and leadership are still a big part of his role.
Another player to keep an eye on is Jared Spurgeon. The 30-year-old - who's signed through 2026-27 - figures to be the team's premier defenseman for the foreseeable future. He's played with the Wild for his entire career, which helps his case - only five active NHL captains haven't played their entire career for their current club.
