NHL general managers are doing more than trying to improve their teams by making trades before Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.

They are also trying to get some of their pending free agents under contract.

If potential sellers can't get a deal done before Friday's trade deadline, it's possible a player could be moved to get something in return. That's what happened with the Nashville Predators' Gustav Nyquist and the New York Rangers' Ryan Lindgren during the weekend.

Contenders, meanwhile, can know their salary cap situation going forward if they get their free agents under contract.

Players to watch: Carolina's Mikko Rantanen and the New York Islanders' Brock Nelson.

Here are the key signings in the NHL in the week leading up to the trade deadline:

Jake Evans gets four years with a $2.85 million average. This has to disappoint NHL teams because he would have had a lot of suitors if he hadn't reached a deal with the Canadiens. Evans is heading to career highs with 12 goals and 28 points. He's known for his speed and has three short-handed goals this season, plus five game-winners.

The Florida Panthers and forward Jesper Boqvist agreed to a two-year deal. He has a career-best 12 goals.

Charlie Lindgren gets three seasons with a $3 million average. The deal keeps the Capitals' highly successful goalie tandem together for years. Logan Thompson earlier signed a six-year extension averaging $5.85 million. The two had been alternating starts and the Capitals get them signed to reasonable deals.

Olli Maatta gets three years with a reported $3.5 million average. The Utah Hockey Club had acquired him early in the season because of injuries to defenseman Sean Durzi and John Marino, who since have returned. He has provided steady play, averaging more than 20 minutes a night.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL trade deadline: Who has signed extensions