Positive, yearly brings us a number of horrible free-agent signings, however what about among the good ones? Loads of NHL groups discover worth and market inefficiencies on July 1, and this 12 months was no totally different. Let’s take a look at among the greatest UFA signings of the 2024 offseason so far.
A Trio of Oilers Signings
Jeff Skinner
It appeared like a foregone conclusion that Jeff Skinner would signal with a playoff workforce after the Buffalo Sabres purchased him out. In spite of everything, he’s performed 1000 profession regular-season video games with out showing within the playoffs. However that ought to change subsequent season after he signed a one-year deal value $3 million with the Edmonton Oilers.
Skinner just isn’t with out his flaws. His defensive shortcomings are very actual, however he’s nonetheless a plus offensive participant who will put up factors. Skinner has averaged 32 targets and 67 factors per 82 video games over the past three seasons, and he’s been one of the vital environment friendly five-on-five objective scorers over that stretch, averaging 1.25 targets per 60 minutes. That’s a top-10 charge amongst forwards with 1000 minutes logged at five-on-five.
You must think about Skinner will play alongside one in all Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. If these effectivity charges stick, he could possibly be in line for an enormous 12 months in Edmonton, making him value nicely greater than $3 million.
Viktor Arvidsson
Not solely did the Oilers add Skinner to their high six, however Viktor Arvidsson will possible play an element, too. He signed a two-year deal at a cap hit of $4 million, and although accidents are a priority, he additionally has the potential to be a major scoring improve for the Oilers.
Arvidsson has averaged 26 targets and 68 factors per 82 video games over the past three seasons and has been an environment friendly five-on-five scorer, averaging 1.92 factors per 60 minutes. The bottom line is his well being, but when he can keep on the ice, he could possibly be one other 60-point scorer for the Oilers. They struggled with depth a season in the past, so Skinner and Arvidsson ought to present a major enhance. However wait. There’s extra.
Adam Henrique
OK, this isn’t a UFA signing per se since Henrique completed the 2023-24 season with the Oilers after getting traded to Edmonton from the Anaheim Geese. However he did re-up with the Oilers for 2 years at a cap hit of $3 million, which is actually lower than he might have gotten on the open market on July 1.
Associated: 8 Worst Contracts Handed Out in Free Company 2024
Henrique completed this previous season with 24 targets and 51 factors and is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down at 34. He does a little bit of every part, from taking part in on the penalty kill, profitable attracts and having the flexibility to play left wing or heart. I don’t suppose he has the footspeed to play alongside McDavid or Draisaitl for prolonged stretches, however having him in a middle-six position ought to do wonders for a workforce that was already one win away from profitable the Stanley Cup.
Erik Gustafsson
OK, that’s sufficient in regards to the Oilers. There have been different high quality signings in free company this 12 months, and naturally, Erik Gustafsson was one in all them once more. After signing with the New York Rangers for under $800,000 final offseason, he obtained a bump in pay with the Detroit Crimson Wings, signing for 2 years at a cap hit of $2 million.
Nonetheless, that’s in all probability a discount for what Gustafsson affords. He does have his shortcomings defensively and is turnover-prone, however so long as the Crimson Wings preserve his minutes sheltered, he ought to thrive in a third-pair position whereas getting some power-play time. His total recreation was value a complete targets above substitute (GAR) of 6.6 in 2023-24, so there’s a invaluable participant right here if the Crimson Wings discover the proper position for him because the Rangers did.
Erik Brannstrom
Was I stunned the Ottawa Senators didn’t qualify Erik Brannstrom? Maybe a bit, however I used to be much less stunned when the Colorado Avalanche signed him to a one-year deal value $900,000. Brannstrom was a extremely touted prospect who got here to Ottawa as a part of the Mark Stone commerce in 2019. It didn’t work out in Ottawa, however don’t be stunned if he pops with the Avalanche.
Brannstrom goes to a significantly better workforce within the Avalanche, which helps, however his underlying numbers recommend there’s a participant. Just like Gustafsson, Brannstrom is turnover-prone, however a take a look at his RAPM chart from Evolving Hockey exhibits that he’s had a typically constructive two-way affect at even power over the past three seasons:
For $900,000, taking a flyer on Brannstrom makes a ton of sense, particularly for a workforce capped out just like the Avalanche. They should discover worth with UFA bargains to bolster their depth, and I’d wager on them discovering a correct position for Brannstrom to thrive in as a result of that’s what they have a tendency to do. Perhaps this can be a stretch, however there’s potential for him to be among the best worth signings of this offseason when trying again on it a 12 months from now.
Mike Reilly
The New York Islanders haven’t had one of the best offseason, however re-upping Mike Reilly was one of many higher strikes a workforce has made this month. He completed with 24 factors in 61 video games in 2023-24 — a 32-point tempo over 82 video games. He was additionally one of many Islanders’ extra invaluable gamers, as his play was value a complete GAR of 6.8, and he’s not simply an offensive defenseman. He can defend, too, even when it’s simply in a bottom-pair position.
Reilly re-signed with the Islanders for only one 12 months and a cap hit of $1.25 million. It’s a pleasant story for somebody who appeared like he could be out of the NHL not even a 12 months in the past. And if he performs the way in which he did for the Islanders this previous season, they possible get extra bang for his or her buck than the $1.25 million they re-signed him for.
Shayne Gostisbehere
The Carolina Hurricanes could have a a lot totally different look subsequent season, particularly on protection. Gone are Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei and in are Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere. Whereas I believe there’s an argument that Walker could possibly be one of many higher signings of this offseason, too, Gostisbehere takes the cake for me.
There’s loads to love about Gostisbehere’s recreation, particularly offensively. He completed this previous season with ten targets and 56 factors in 81 video games for the Crimson Wings, together with his even-strength offense value an anticipated GAR of 6.6. His total recreation was value a complete xGAR of 12.6, nicely above his precise GAR (5.3), and because the Hurricanes’ system tends to be excellent for defensemen, I’d anticipate him to place up some spectacular outcomes.
The Hurricanes signed Gostisbehere for 3 years at a cap hit of simply $3.2 million. He’ll possible play third-pair minutes since Jaccob Slavin and Dmitry Orlov are forward of him on the depth chart. However even for $3.2 million yearly, that’s nice worth for a defenseman who has 50-point upside.
Matt Duchene
I’m unsure how the Dallas Stars did it two years in a row, however they managed to maintain Matt Duchene on an similar one-year, $3 million deal. He was glorious for the Stars in 2023-24, totaling 25 targets and 65 factors in 80 video games whereas taking part in a second-line position.
For context’s sake, Evolving Hockey had Duchene signing a three-year deal at a cap hit simply above $7 million. Even on a one-year contract, Evolving Hockey had him incomes $4.017 million, so the Stars obtained some worth in re-upping him. It helps while you’re a profitable group that’s made the Western Convention Closing two consecutive years. They’re shut, and I’m positive that’s why they retained him on the identical worth they signed him for an offseason in the past.
Discovering Worth Is the Approach to Go in Free Company
The Oilers deserve props for his or her offseason, however they weren’t the one workforce who discovered some worth within the free-agent market. Even signings like Anthony Mantha (Calgary Flames), Dmitry Kulikov (Florida Panthers) and Anthony Duclair (Islanders) might show fruitful, although I wouldn’t go so far as to say they had been among the many better of the offseason. And with a few notable UFAs (James van Riemsdyk and Daniel Sprong) nonetheless obtainable, there might nonetheless be some bargains available in free company.
* * *
Superior stats from Pure Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey
