Staying and going: NHL free agency begins

Minnesota Wild photo

Wednesday was the first day of free agency in the NHL, and a couple of Mavericks were in on the action.

Ryan Carter signed a one-year, $650,000 deal to stay with the Minnesota Wild, according to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo,. The 31-year-old had a solid season last year until an injury set him back. With Kyle Brodziak leaving to sign with the St. Louis Blues, Carter's penalty-killing skills likely will be relied on heavily.

Kael Mouillierat, who made his NHL debut last season, playing six game for the New York Islanders, signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's a one-year (two-way), $575,000 deal, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Will he spend the season in the AHL in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or will he get some time with Sidney Crosby and the gang?

Eriah Hayes was not tendered a qualifying offer by the San Jose Sharks before Wednesday, so he is a free agent looking for a deal. Hayes played in four NHL games this season and 15 the year before that. He has been skating and working out some in Mankato this summer.

Several MSU players are/will be attending NHL development camps. According to information received before the draft, the following were invited to summer camp:

Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh Penguins)*
Jimmy Mullin (Tampa Bay Lightning)*
Zach Stepan (Nashville Predators)*
C.J. Franklin (Winnipeg Jets)*
Bryce Gervais (Detroit Red Wings)
Jon Jutzi (Calgary Flames)
Dylan Margonari (New York Rangers)
Carter Foguth (Calgary Flames)
Casey Nelson (Philadelphia Flyers)
Brad McClure (Minnesota Wild)

* = draft pick

There was some thought that freshman defenseman Daniel Brickley was going to get drafted last week. That didn't happen, but he's getting a chance to show his stuff to the New York Rangers, according to that team's camp roster. Margonari, however, is not listed. He was not skating with the Mavericks last week, but was shooting by himself in the dryland area due to an injury. Perhaps that's keeping him away from New York right now.

As for former Mavericks, Stephon Williams will be attending the New York Islanders' camp, and I'd assume Zach Palmquist will be with the Wild.