TSN Hockey Personalities Share Why They’re Excited for the Annual FREE AGENT FRENZY Special, July 1

The annual Canada Day hockey tradition from Canada’s Sports Leader returns next week with TSN FREE AGENT FRENZY presented by Harvey’s, airing Tuesday, July 1 beginning at 11 a.m. ET on TSN, TSN Radio 1050 Toronto, TSN.ca, and the TSN app, and for the first time, on TSN’s official YouTube channel. TSN’s live FREE AGENT FRENZY broadcast is also available in the United States on ESPN+ from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. The six-hour FREE AGENT FRENZY special is a summertime staple for hockey fans, as the network’s Hockey Insiders and analysts break down all the key signings throughout the day. As the hockey world gears up, a number of TSN Hockey personalities shared why they’re excited for the network’s annual free agency special: James Duthie, Host, TSN Hockey: “TRADECENTRE probably gets more attention and hype, but FREE AGENT FRENZY is usually a much more consequential day and show. On trade deadline day, we hope something will happen. On July 1st, it’s a guaranteed avalanche of signings as soon as we hit 12 noon eastern — signings that often alter the futures of multiple NHL teams. This year, Mitch Marner and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett lead the large group of free agents available. We’re ready for what should be a very exciting show. (Oh, and there’s one other reason we love The Frenzy….it’s the last day of work for many of us before summer vacation!)” Darren Dreger, TSN Hockey Insider: “We call it FREE AGENT FRENZY for a reason, and this year I have great confidence that the end results will match the hype. With the expectation of significant trades leading up to the NHL Draft and the circus-like buzz that is sure to follow the step-by-step process of each of the top pending Unrestricted Free Agents, hockey fans will get a steady diet of news and speculation on all TSN platforms. Buckle up. We’re in for a wild ride in the days ahead!” Cheryl Pounder, TSN Hockey Analyst: “I’m looking forward to a chaotic yet entertaining day with the TSN Hockey crew. There’s a pulse in the studio, but also a lightness knowing summer lies ahead. Insiders with their phones working tirelessly, analysts being told to stay seated, and camera operators hitting 30,000 steps, while James Duthie gets none. James is the day’s virtuoso conductor, masterfully orchestrating the entire team for a full day of live television, including side segments to keep everyone on their toes (hope I don’t knock over his lunch this year!). I’m personally intrigued with a few storylines, including the age 34+ club of Brad Marchand, Corey Perry, and John Tavares – what their impact will be, whether they stay with their current teams or move on; Florida’s UFA crop; and which team will take a swing for Mitch Marner. And there will be lots of interesting conversations around contract term and dollars with an increasing cap. Happy Canada Day!” Craig Button, TSN Hockey Director of Scouting: “Season’s end means a new season begins. Disappointment for teams has abated for the most part. The task now is finding ways to improve your team so you can build a sense of joy, whether that means qualifying for the playoffs, going further in the playoffs, or winning the Stanley Cup. Free agency is a new beginning, and with opportunities presented and opportunities taken advantage of, the actions of July 1 will position teams to take steps towards becoming Stanley Cup champions.” Frankie Corrado, TSN Hockey Analyst: “The biggest thing I’m looking at for this year’s FREE AGENT FRENZY is how aggressive teams are going to be now that the salary cap has had its first significant increase in quite some time. It’s going to jump up $7.5 million this year. For years, we were stuck in a flat-cap world where teams were hamstrung, but now they have quite a bit more wiggle room to spend. Are there going to be some bad contracts handed out? Probably. But there are teams with real a sense of urgency to get better, and they’ll have to be aggressive with this new money to spend.”   Leading up to and throughout the special, TSN.ca provides updates with daily off-season blogs, an updated list of the Top 50 available unrestricted free agents, reporting on all the latest news on the top free agents, as well as a signing tracker, trade tracker, video analysis, and player interviews. Also on July 1, TSN’s BarDown team delivers timely reaction videos to all of the biggest free agent signings on the BarDown YouTube channel, led by fan-favourite personalities including Luca Celebre, Thomas Pocrnic, and Daniel Zakrzewski. Beyond TSN FREE AGENT FRENZY and throughout the summer, SPORTSCENTRE, TSN Radio, TSN.ca, and the TSN app are fans’ prime destinations for breaking free agent signings as well as the latest news from around the league.