Brock Boeser stayed put in Vancouver. The New York Rangers retooled their blue line by landing free agency’s top defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and trading K’Andre Miller to Carolina.

And Nikolaj Ehlers is taking his time before determining his future.

The frenzy of multiple signings when NHL free agency opened Tuesday was tempered by a free agent class thinned by teams making pre-emptive moves to keep top talent.

Taking advantage of a record $7.5 million jump in the salary cap, the Vegas Golden Knights landed the biggest prize in a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Mitch Marner on Monday. On the same day, the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers used “home Cup” advantage to re-sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Brad Marchand.

Boeser, a six-time 20-goal-scorer, elected to stay in Vancouver by agreeing to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract a half hour into the signing period.

The Rangers signed Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million contract. New York then acquired defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional first-round draft pick and a 2026 second-rounder in trading Miller, a restricted free agent and potential candidate to attract an offer sheet.

The Hurricanes signed the 25-year-old Miller to an eight-year, $60 million contract, at a time they expect to lose blue-liners Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns to free agency.

California’s three franchises were the most active, shelling out more than $60 million in salaries combined. And that included Corey Perry’s return to Southern California, this time with the rival Los Angeles Kings after spending the first 14 seasons in Anaheim.

The Ducks missed out on the biggest names in free agency despite billionaire owner Henry Samueli’s guarantee of a blank check but still added consistent scoring forward Mikael Granlund to a team that finished 30th in the NHL in goals last season. The Finnish veteran signed a three-year deal worth $21 million.

Stars hire Gulutzan

The Dallas Stars have hired Glen Gulutzan as their head coach 12 years after he was fired from his first stint with them by the general manager who is still there.

GM Jim Nill, who in 2013 had been with the Stars for only two weeks when he decided not to retain Gulutzan, said that the coach is returning to the organization. He replaces Pete DeBoer, who was fired after all three of his seasons with Dallas ended in the Western Conference final.

Delvecchio dies at 93

Alex Delvecchio, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times in the 1950s, has died. He was 93.

Delvecchio died at his home in Rochester, Mich., according to a Red Wings spokesperson. A cause of death was not immediately available, though his family said in a statement released by the team that Delvecchio died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Delvecchio spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings from 1951-73, recording 1,325 points in 1,671 regular-season and playoff games. Playing alongside “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, he was part of championship teams in 1952, ‘54 and ’55, won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times and was a two-time All-Star.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, Delvecchio decades later was named one of the 100 greatest players in league history. During the ‘70s he had multiple stints as Detroit’s general manager, head coach or both.

NFL

Dolphins nab Waller out of retirement

The Miami Dolphins are acquiring Darren Waller from the New York Giants, about a year after the veteran tight end announced his retirement from the NFL.

The Dolphins are sending a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Giants for a 2027 seventh-rounder and the 32-year-old Waller, who will come out of retirement to play in Miami on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed. NFL Network first reported the trade.

MILB

Saints defeat Gwinnett; Ramirez makes debut

After getting ahead early, the Saints defeated the Gwinnett Stripers 4-2 Tuesday.

Travis Adams started for the Saints, allowing three hits and two earned runs over his 2.2 innings. Michael Tonkin (2-0) relieved him and secured the win, allowing no hits over 1.1 innings. Erasmo Ramirez followed Tonkin, allowing two hits and striking out three in two shutout innings.

Anthony Misiewicz, last on the mound for the Saints, pitched a perfect ninth and got his seventh save of the season.

COLLEGE SPORTS

NCAA settlement era begins, two opt-outs

The NCAA’s House settlement era launched Tuesday, with athletic programs across the country free to start paying millions to their athletes in the biggest change in the history of college athletics. It’s the death of the NCAA’s longstanding amateur model.

There were very few opt-out announcements, but among them were Nebraska-Omaha and Montana.

Omaha cited Title IX compliance as a reason, which according to attorney Mit Winter should be a legitimate concern for universities opting in.

Another noteworthy opt-out is Montana, who will save revenue-sharing dollars as a result, but Montana’s arch-rival, Montana State, has opted in.

SOCCER

Mbappé in, Real Madrid up in Club cup

Breakout tournament star Gonzalo García scored his third goal of the Club World Cup to power Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 in the round of 16 and into the quarterfinals.

García has started all four of Real Madrid’s matches. The 21-year-old broke a second-half tie with a header in the 54th minute, giving him a goal contribution in every match of the tournament.

García subbed out in the 68th as star striker Kylian Mbappé checked in, making his Club World Cup debut after he was briefly hospitalized with the illness. He missed Real Madrid’s three group stage matches.

— From news services