Vincent Lecavalier, Danny Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov have injected some more intrigue into NHL free agency.

Lecavalier kicked off the annual signing period Tuesday, three days before it officially starts, by agreeing to a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia Flyers thought to be worth upwards of $25 million.

Lecavalier unexpectedly became available after the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the remainder of a long-term contract with their 33-year-old captain last week.

The Flyers did the same by cutting ties with Briere, a 35-year-old forward, and Bryzgalov, a 33-year-old goaltender.

Lecavalier, who also spoke with Boston over the weekend, didn't mesh with Tampa Bay's plans - or at least his contract didn't - with seven years and $45 million remaining on it.

By buying out the player they selected No 1 in the 1998 draft, the Lightning saved more than $7.7 million cap space for the upcoming season.

The move cost Philadelphia $32 million over 14 years because he is due two-thirds the value of his deal.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins also made a splash Tuesday, announcing two major signings before the free agent frenzy.

A few hours after confirming an eight-year, $58-million deal to keep defenseman Kris Letang in Pittsburgh, the Pens announced winger Pascal Dupuis had agreed to a four-year deal worth $15 million.

(China Daily 07/04/2013 page22)