Seattle Free Agency Recap
Signing former Hart Memorial Trophy winner Joe Thornton was a huge coup for Seattle this offseason
August 18th, 2018
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Renegades have announced their 2018 free agent signings, with the team making some expensive moves to reach the salary minimum as well as signing several younger players to fill out their AHL squad.
Headlining the free agents signed by Seattle are center Joe Thornton, winger Mike Cammalleri, and goalie Jonathan Bernier, with all three veterans inking one year deals with the expansion Renegades. Thornton, the 39 year old former MVP and long time San Jose Shark, felt disrespected by the offers he was getting from San Jose after his second straight season coming off of knee surgery and thus left to play elsewhere. He ultimately chose Seattle, with both feeling that the playmaking center would get every opportunity to lead the team in its inaugural campaign. Cammalleri, a career journeyman, was positively stunned at the offer Seattle gave him and immediately joined a team where he has an uncertain role but is sure to provide veteran leadership. Bernier, perhaps best known for praising Nelson Mandela as "one of the most known athletes in the world", was looking for a much longer contract going into his age 30 season but found a willing home in Seattle when offered nearly the total amount of his desired 3 year contract in one year. The goalie looks to lead a rotation in goal with former Blue Jacket Joonas Korpisalo, who was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft.
The Renegades also signed several young UFAs that had been renounced by their former teams to help fill Portland's roster. Among these are former Minnesota Wild defenseman Nick Seeler and former Dallas Star center Gemel Smith, both of whom are young players that Seattle believes can help the NHL squad in a pinch and star for the Aces. The team also signed former Toronto Marlie Frédérik Gauthier, with the 23 year old Gauthier following his former coach to Seattle on a 2 way contract.
RFA Oskar Sundqvist was given an offer by the team that he couldn't refuse, ultimately "returning" to Seattle on a one year deal.
Contracts Signed:
Player | Position | Age | Salary | Years | Total |
Jonathan Bernier | Goalie | 30 | $8,200,000 | 1 | $8,200,000 |
Joe Thornton | Center | 39 | $5,225,000 | 1 | $5,225,000 |
Mike Cammaleri | Left Wing | 36 | $5,000,000 | 1 | $5,000,000 |
Oskar Sundqvist | Left Wing | 24 | $925,000 | 1 | $925,000 |
Nick Seeler | Defense | 25 | $925,000 | 3 | $2,775,000 |
John Persson | Left Wing | 26 | $925,000 | 1 | $925,000 |
Johan Persson | Left Wing | 28 | $925,000 | 2 | $1,850,000 |
Joel Persson | Defense | 24 | $925,000 | 2 | $1,850,000 |
Saku Mäenalanen | Right Wing | 24 | $925,000 | 2 | $1,850,000 |
Filip Pyrochta | Defense | 22 | $925,000 | 2 | $1,850,000 |
Martin Marincin | Defense | 26 | $900,000 | 2 | $1,800,000 |
Clayton Stoner | Defense | 33 | $875,000 | 1 | $875,000 |
Gemel Smith | Center | 24 | $850,000 | 3 | $2,550,000 |
Elvis Merzļikins | Goalie | 24 | $825,000 | 2 | $1,650,000 |
Frédérik Gauthiier | Center | 23 | $825,000 | 2 | $1,650,000 |
Seth Griffith | Right Wing | 25 | $775,000 | 1 | $775,000 |
Micahel McCarron | Right Wing | 23 | $725,000 | 1 | $725,000 |
Elmeri Eronen | Defense | 23 | $700,000 | 2 | $1,400,000 |
Teemu Eronen | Defense | 27 | $675,000 | 2 | $1,350,000 |