The Minnesota Wild got a two-time Stanley Cup champion for nothing on the eve of free agency, and the New York Islanders locked up one of their top young players to a long-term contract.

The Wild acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations. The Islanders re-signed defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract that a person with knowledge of the extension said is worth $50 million.

Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $4.75 million. He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St. Louis’ championship run in 2019.

In another move on the eve of the opening of free agency, defenseman Aaron Ekblad is staying with the Florida Panthers.

Ekblad is re-signing with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions on an eight-year contract worth $48.8 million, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.

Ekblad re-signing on a deal that pays him an average of $6.1 million a season comes after the Panthers also brought back playoff MVP Sam Bennett. He had been making $7.5 million a year on his last deal and appeared to leave money on the table and give the only NHL organization he has ever been a part of a hometown discount.

It remains to be seen if they can also keep Brad Marchand before the 37-year-old winger can hit the open market today.

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AP Sports Writers John Wawrow and Tim Reynolds contributed.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl