Start of NHL’s free agency expected to lack frenzy with many high-profile players off the board

With a majority of the NHL’s top-projected free-agent talent already off the market, the 32 teams face relatively slim pickings entering the league's annual signing period opening Tuesday at noon EDT. A record $7.5 million jump in the NHL’s salary cap led to many teams locking up their own talent to long-term deals in advance of free agency. The Vegas Golden Knights proved the big winners, acquiring Marner in a sign-and-trade deal agreed to Monday with Toronto to land free-agency’s most prized player.