Blues goalie Carter Hutton is expected to sign with the Sabres once the NHL's free-agency period opens Sunday, according to multiple reports.

The two sides are close to having the framework of a deal in place after Hutton visited Buffalo this week, according to reports. Agreements cannot be announced until the signing period begins.

One of the biggest names in NHL free agency has informed teams he's not on the market.

Rick Nash, 34, is taking time to contemplate whether to play in the 2018-19 season due to health considerations, according to his agent, Joe Resnick.

The Capitals have agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with playoff star Devante Smith-Pelly, according to multiple reports.

Smith-Pelly did not receive a qualifying offer from the Caps and had become an unrestricted free agent. But he continued to negotiate and the sides agreed to a deal Wednesday afternoon.

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is turning to an old acquaintance to bolster his team's defense.

According to multiple reports, the Penguins intend to sign unrestricted free-agent defenseman Jack Johnson to a five-year contract when he officially becomes available on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the deal will carry a salary-cap hit of between $3 million and $3.5 million annually.

The San Jose Sharks have declined to issue a qualifying offer to defenseman Dylan DeMelo, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Avalanche have bought out the final contract year for defenseman Brooks Orpik, three days after acquiring him from the Capitals at the NHL draft.

The veteran defenseman, who won Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2009 and the Capitals this past season, is now an unrestricted free agent.

Ilya Kovalchuk has agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced Saturday.

The average annual value of the contract is $6.25 million, a source told ESPN.

"We are excited to add Ilya to the LA Kings organization," vice president and general manager Rob Blake said in a statement. "He gives us an added element of skill and scoring along with a desire to win. We will withhold further comment until July 1."

Barry Trotz thought of mentors and friends when he lifted the Stanley Cup over his head.

The Washington Capitals coach didn't think about his future. It's the same approach he has taken all season and throughout the playoffs.

"I wasn't getting consumed with what was said, what my future holds, whatever," Trotz said. "I'm in a pretty good spot."

Trotz was in as good a spot as imaginable Friday, as he and the Capitals landed back home in the Washington area with the Stanley Cup in tow. The celebration will last through the parade Tuesday, but once that's finished, the work begins for Brian MacLellan to try to re-sign Trotz, top defenseman John Carlson and other free agents.