Final week, we checked out which groups fared finest in free company. Right now, we’ll take a look at some groups who took the mistaken method or possibly didn’t enhance their rosters as a lot as it could appear. Of be aware, this text solely contains UFA signings, so in case your favourite group made some trades, these transactions won’t be mentioned in nice element.
Boston Bruins
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Elias Lindholm: 7 years, $7.75 million AAV
- Signed Nikita Zadorov: 6 years, $5 million AAV
The Boston Bruins made just a few depth additions, however their most notable acquisitions have been signing Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to some fairly expensive contracts. Middle depth was an issue for the Bruins this previous season after the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci final offseason. It’s not a shock they signed Lindholm, however in doing so, they might have handed out one of many worst contracts of the summer season.
Associated: 5 NHL Groups That Improved in Free Company
Lindholm has been declining since a 40-plus purpose season in 2021-22, and it’s been a steep dropoff. He completed this previous season with 15 objectives and 44 factors in 75 video games, and his underlying metrics don’t counsel this can be a fluke. As a substitute, it appears like his finest days could also be behind him:
The Bruins have a knack for figuring this stuff out, and Lindholm may rebound by centering an elite play driver like David Pastrnak. But it surely’s laborious to see him turning into a participant who lives as much as a $7.75 million annual common worth (AAV). Time will inform, however this contract may simply backfire on the Bruins.
The identical is true for Zadorov. A $5 million AAV isn’t the worst for him, however six years for a No. 4 or 5 defenseman might be problematic in a few years. Nonetheless, I’d guess on him serving to the Bruins greater than Lindholm. Zadorov is an underrated puck-mover who defends nicely, however his contract is a bit of too wealthy for me for the kind of defenseman he’s. That’s top-four cash, and he’s not a lock as a top-four defender.
Dallas Stars
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Ilya Lyubushkin: 3 years, $3.25 million AAV
- Signed Matt Dumba: 2 years, $3.75 million AAV
- Signed Colin Blackwell: 1 yr, $775,000
- Re-signed Matt Duchene: 1 yr, $3 million
- Signed Brendan Smith: 1 yr, $1 million
- Signed Casey DeSmith: 3 years, $1 million AAV
Stars common supervisor Jim Nill is coming off a GM of the Yr Award, however he had an fascinating offseason, and never essentially in a great way. Re-signing Matt Duchene for one yr at $3 million was probably the greatest contracts handed out on July 1, however the remainder of Nill’s strikes didn’t make a lot sense to me, particularly on protection.
Re-signing Chris Tanev all the time appeared like an extended shot, however they might have gone about a greater route to switch him. Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin are shells of what they was and have been among the many least useful defensemen within the NHL this season. Dumba’s play was price a complete objectives above substitute (GAR) of minus-8.2, whereas Lyubushkin’s was price a complete GAR of minus-6.9.
Each gamers acquired time period, and I’m undecided why. Apart from their poor metrics, Lyubushkin and Dumba can’t transfer the puck, and their defensive video games have fallen off a cliff. It looks like the Stars wished to get bodily for the sake of getting bodily on the again finish, however they didn’t add gamers who’ll have a optimistic impression. Brendan Smith suits that mildew, too, however he ought to be tremendous since he’ll possible be their seventh defenseman.
The Stars are nonetheless one of many Western Convention’s high groups due to the expertise they’re returning for 2024-25, however it’s laborious to take a seat right here in the present day and say they’re a greater group than they have been final season after their free-agent signings. If something, they acquired worse.
Los Angeles Kings
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Joel Edmundson: 4 years, $3.85 million AAV
- Signed Warren Foegele: 3 years, $3.5 million AAV
- Re-signed Pheonix Copley: 1 yr, $825,000
The Los Angeles Kings weren’t notably lively in free company this offseason, however that looks like a missed alternative. Certain, not doing something in free company is usually one of the best ways to go. However for a Kings group that’s misplaced to the Edmonton Oilers in Spherical 1 of the playoffs three years in a row, they should take a step ahead subsequent season.
Sadly for Kings followers, that doesn’t appear like it’ll be the case. And in attempting to enhance their group this offseason, GM Rob Blake additionally handed out one of many worst contracts by signing Joel Edmundson for 4 years at an AAV of $3.85 million. Edmundson’s sport has fallen off a cliff within the final three years, along with his play price a complete GAR of minus-6.8 over that stretch. Signing him to a one-year deal would’ve been tolerable, however 4 years is unacceptable, even when the AAV isn’t notably burdensome.
No less than signing Warren Foegele to an inexpensive contract will enhance their ahead group. He’s coming off a 20-goal, 41-point season with the Edmonton Oilers and can add extra scoring to the highest 9. In any other case, it’s laborious to see how the Kings improved this offseason.
Their goalie tandem can be Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich, which doesn’t encourage a lot confidence. Blake might have gotten out of the Pierre-Luc Dubois contract, however the Western Convention will most likely be a massacre subsequent season. It’s laborious to see the Kings popping out unscathed, and it wouldn’t be a shock in the event that they missed the playoffs.
Detroit Purple Wings
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Vladimir Tarasenko: 2 years, $4.75 million
- Signed Tyler Motte: 1 yr, $800,000
- Signed Jack Campbell: 1 yr, $775,000
- Signed Erik Gustafsson: 2 years, $2 million AAV
- Signed Cam Talbot: 2 years, $2.5 million AAV
- Re-signed Patrick Kane: 1 yr, $ 4 million AAV
Steve Yzerman has gained a status as one among the NHL’s most overrated GMs, and this offseason hasn’t executed something to remove that feeling. It’s not that the Detroit Purple Wings essentially had a foul offseason, however their NHL additions proceed to be puzzling.
Vladimir Tarasenko continues to be participant, however is he what the Purple Wings’ roster wants, particularly after re-signing Patrick Kane? Erik Gustafsson ought to be a strong substitute for Shayne Gostisbehere, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in free company. Nonetheless, their protection is a piece in progress slowed down by the Ben Chiarot and Jeff Petry contracts.
Cam Talbot posted a .916 save share with the Kings final season, however the Purple Wings now have three goalies with him, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso. One thing must give there. Are the Purple Wings a greater group after the strikes Yzerman made? Perhaps barely, however to me, they appear like the identical group they have been a season in the past. And that was a not-very-good one that nearly lucked their means into the playoffs on some unsustainable capturing and save percentages.
Seattle Kraken
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Chandler Stephenson: 7 years, $6.25 million AAV
- Signed Brandon Montour: 7 years, $7.14 million
The Seattle Kraken had an analogous offseason to the Bruins in that they made a bunch of depth signings however handed out two of the priciest UFA offers on July 1. And just like the Bruins, they might have agreed to 2 of the worst contracts signed in free company this summer season.
There’s actually no excuse for signing Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year deal. One) He’s coming off a down season that noticed him publish 16 objectives and 51 factors with some regarding underlying metrics. That proper there ought to be sufficient motive to look elsewhere, however even when he weren’t coming off a down yr, Stephenson is a second-line middle at finest. Giving him seven years at an AAV of $6.25 million will possible trigger the Kraken issues down the highway.
Likewise, Brandon Montour acquired top-pair cash, signing for seven years and an AAV of $7.14 million. The most effective years of his profession got here with the Florida Panthers, however they discovered the fitting position for him on the second pair behind Aaron Ekblad, who logged the tougher defensive minutes. Is that how the Kraken will use Montour? I doubt it, given the cash they gave him, which can be an issue.
What it looks like to me is the Kraken panicked a bit this offseason. They took a step again in 2023-24 after making the playoffs the yr earlier than and wanted to do one thing to re-energize their fanbase. Sadly, they possible made the mistaken strikes in handing out two of the worst contracts of the summer season.
Vegas Golden Knights
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Victor Olofsson: 1 yr, $1.075 million
- Signed Ilya Samsonov: 1 yr, $1.8 million
It could be remiss of me to not point out among the Vegas Golden Knights’ departures when speaking about their free company as a result of it’s performed an enormous half of their offseason. Out are Stephenson, Logan Thompson, Michael Amadio, Jonathan Marchessault, and in are…nicely, actually nobody. They did purchase Alexander Holtz from the New Jersey Devils, however the former top-10 choose has but to interrupt out within the NHL.
The Golden Knights’ lone UFA signing up entrance was Victor Olofsson, who has struggled to supply at five-on-five within the NHL. It’s unlikely he and Holtz will fill the scoring voids left by Stephenson, Amadio and Marchessault, and this was a group that completed seventh within the Western Convention final season.
Additionally they signed Ilya Samsonov to switch Thompson, who they traded to the Washington Capitals. Samsonov struggled mightily this previous season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, however did publish a .918 SV% in 2022-23. The Golden Knights hope he can regain a few of that type subsequent season.
Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon was all the time going to be up towards it this offseason as a result of wage cap. It’ll be fascinating to see if prospects like Pavel Dorofeyev and Brendan Brisson can lastly break by way of within the NHL as a result of the Golden Knights will want that to occur to remain within the playoff hunt.
Buffalo Sabres
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Jason Zucker: 1 yr, $5 million
- Signed Sam Lafferty: 2 years, $2 million AAV
- Signed James Reimer: 1 yr, $1 million
- Signed Nicolas Aube-Kubel: 1 yr, $1.5 million
Like many groups this offseason, the Buffalo Sabres appeared to take the harder-to-play-against method to enhancing their roster. Along with buying Ryan McLeod from the Edmonton Oilers, they signed bottom-six regulars Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel to short-term contracts. Aube-Kubel is among the finest forecheckers within the NHL, whereas Lafferty will add 10-15 objectives and loads of hits in a fourth-line position.
GM Kevyn Adams additionally signed Jason Zucker to a one-year deal, although at an expensive $5 million. Zucker had a so-so season between the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators, however did produce a 23-goal tempo with the Predators after getting dealt there on the commerce deadline. If he can add that to the Sabres’ roster, he ought to assist, however him being their principal addition appears a bit underwhelming.
There’s quite a lot of strain constructing in Buffalo. They missed the playoffs by one level in 2022-23 however took a step again final season and didn’t come as shut as many hoped they’d. They’ve the longest playoff drought within the NHL (12 years), tied for first with the New York Jets for the longest in North American sports activities. But it surely doesn’t really feel like they did sufficient this offseason to finish their playoff drought in 2024-25.
New York Rangers
Notable UFA Signings
- Re-signed Chad Ruhwedel: 1 yr, $775,000
- Signed Sam Carrick: 3 years, $1 million AAV
Apart from buying Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was a surprisingly quiet offseason for the New York Rangers. Elliotte Friedman linked them to Tyler Toffoli and Teuvo Teravainen forward of July 1. However Toffoli signed with the San Jose Sharks for 4 years, whereas Teravainen returned to the Chicago Blackhawks on a three-year deal.
In any other case, Rangers GM Chris Drury didn’t make any notable additions apart from the Smith commerce. That’s to not say the Rangers will fall off a cliff and miss the playoffs subsequent season. They’re the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners and are returning nearly everybody from final season’s squad. They’ll be greater than tremendous, particularly in a Metropolitan Division that doesn’t look as fierce because it as soon as did.
Nonetheless, I assumed the Rangers could be extra lively after coming two wins away from successful the Jap Convention. As constructed, it looks like this group has gotten so far as they’ll within the postseason. Igor Shesterkin can solely carry them up to now, and gamers like Artemi Panarin, and particularly Vincent Trocheck, might not repeat profession years. So it looks like a missed alternative to solely come away with Smith as their high addition.
Nashville Predators
Notable UFA Signings
- Signed Steven Stamkos: 4 years, $8 million AAV
- Signed Jonathan Marchessault: 5 years, $5.5 million AAV
- Signed Brady Skjei: 7 years, $7 million AAV
- Signed Scott Wedgewood: 2 years, $1.5 million AAV
- Re-signed Alexandre Provider: 3 years, $3.75 million AAV
Oh boy, Alex. You’re ending this text on a spicy be aware. I’ll one hundred pc eat crow on this a yr from now if I’m mistaken, however I don’t suppose the Predators had as nice an offseason as everybody thinks. Sure, they signed loads of massive names and doubtless did get higher. However how significantly better? They usually did hand out some questionable contracts.
Steven Stamkos is coming off a 40-goal, 81-point season, however he’s beginning to present some indicators of decline. He’s not the five-on-five scorer or play driver he was, with practically half of his factors (40) approaching the ability play this previous season. There’s no Nikita Kucherov to set him up on the person benefit anymore, so will that proceed in Nashville? Time will inform, however he may not essentially be the improve that he appears, and an $8 million AAV for 4 years carries a good quantity of danger at his age.
Marchessault is coming off a 42-goal season, however he’s unlikely to do this once more. He’s nonetheless most likely good for round 25-30 objectives, however his skating has fallen off, and that often spells hassle for smaller gamers corresponding to him. The contract isn’t the worst, however I’m additionally not sure if it will work out in addition to some suppose.
Lastly, there’s the seven-year, $7 million AAV deal they signed Brady Skjei to. He’s coming off a profession yr with the Carolina Hurricanes and is a legit top-four defenseman. Nevertheless, seven years at an AAV of $7 million appears a bit wealthy for him, particularly since he’s leaving a Hurricanes system that’s tailored for defensemen.
It’s additionally price noting that the Predators downgraded in web by changing Kevin Lankinen with Scott Wedgewood. Lankinen completed this previous season saving 4.1 objectives above anticipated, whereas Wedgewood allowed 9.4 objectives above anticipated; Lankinen continues to be a UFA, by the way in which. The Predators might have had a flashy offseason, however that will simply be it. They’ve most likely lapped the Winnipeg Jets within the division, however are they higher than the Stars and Colorado Avalanche, who additionally didn’t have nice offseasons? I don’t suppose you may make that argument.
Swing and Miss
Swings and misses occur in free company on a regular basis, and most of the time, they arrive again to chew groups, even when it isn’t within the following season. Time will inform how these groups fare, however they might wrestle greater than anticipated in 2024-25.
