Here is an update on all of the top free agents in the NHL:
1. C John Tavares, New York Islanders
Tavares took the amazingly fortunate news of the Islanders landing Barry Trotz as head coach and trashed it, as he bolted for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on a 7 year, $77 million deal. The Islanders went from elation, and an expectation of Tavares coming back, to wondering what may be next.
2. LW James Van Riemsdyk, Toronto
Tavares in, and Van Riemsdyk out. He bails for a 5 year deal worth $35 million with the Flyers, meaning that Wayne Simmonds is on his way out in Philly, as Simmonds is coming off his worst season since 2011/12. Toronto can absorb his loss now better than the Islanders can without Tavares.
3. C Paul Stasny, Winnipeg
Stasny decided that if he could not beat them, he would join them, and heads to Vegas on a 3 year deal worth $19.5 million. It helps Vegas absorb the loss of James Neal, to be discussed later in this post. Stasny is a huge get for the shocking Western Conference champs.
4. C Joe Thornton, San Jose
He is 39, and his best days are behind him. Still, he may be one of the best Centers in the league, even now. He gets a team friendly one year deal to stay in San Jose, and will get $5 million for his trouble.
5. James Neal, Vegas
Neal was largely one of the heart and soul players behind the shocking Vegas run, but that was not enough, as he follows David Perron out the door, and signs a 5 year deal with Calgary. It's a big loss for the Golden Knights, and a huge gain for the Flames.
6. LW Rick Nash, Boston
One of the best two way players in the league, his best days are behind him, but he can still really help someone by scoring somewhere around 20 goals. He remains unsigned, and may yet retire.
7. D Mike Green, Detroit
Finished with a -20 in 2017/18, and is far from his peak. Still, he was one of the best defensemen in a not great market for defense. He is solid on the power play still, and can fire it from the blue line. He remains unsigned.
8. LW David Perron, Vegas
He was spectacular during the regular season, as he was good for 66 points in 70 games. He was absentee in the postseason, especially in the Stanley Cup Finals. He returns to St. Louis on a 4 year, $16 million deal. Which guy shows up?
9. LW Thomas Vanek, Florida
Vanek is the guy who gets moved at the trade deadline, but should give the Red Wings a solid presence on the left side that is worth a no trade clause on a one year deal worth $3 million.
10. C Tyler Bozak, Boston
Bozak has never been very good without Phil Kessel playing on his line. He has, however, racked up some good numbers while playing with Kessel, and it was enough to convince St. Louis to bring him in with David Perron on 3 year deal worth $15 million. The Blues are desperate to get back to the playoffs.
11. D Calvin De Haan, Islanders
He played in just 33 games this past season, but is still solid on potential...enough to earn this ranking. The Islanders would like to get him back on a short, team friendly deal, but he remains unsigned.
12. G Carter Hutton, St. Louis
He was the best goalie in the league when it came to GAA average for those who played over 20 games. St. Louis was not ready to break the bank based on that, and now he has left for Buffalo, who hopes that his short season work can translate to a longer season and bigger work load.
13. Robin Lehner, Buffalo
With Hutton likely being his replacement in Buffalo, he needs a new home, and remains unsigned after a terrible team left him out to dry in 2017/18. He still has a decent history, and has to be better than what he displayed last season.
14. LW Patrick Maroon, New Jersey
The Devils acquired him from Edmonton last season, and he appears to be slowing down some, but he is still a big guy that can produce offensively, and there is a market for that. He had 27 goals 2 years ago for the Oilers.
15. D Ian Cole, Pittsburgh
One of the more fearless shot blockers in the business. He does not have a ton of shiny on him, but he does the dirty work that helps teams win. Colorado valued that, and signed him to a 3 year deal worth $12.75 million.
16. RW Michael Grabner, NY Rangers
He has tremendous speed, which will help young play makers in Arizona appreciate him as he can really spread the ice out. He no longer fit into the plans of the rebuilding Rangers, so the Coyotes get a fast veteran for $10.05 million over 3 years.
17. C Riley Nash, Boston
Nash picked up 41 points in a career year for the Bruins. He has always been considered a second tier player, and Columbus is cool with that, as they sign him to a 2 year deal with team friendly financial terms ($5.2 million). Remember, the Blue Jackets had tremendous issues early last season with health within the forward ranks. Call this insurance.
18. G Jonathon Burnier, Colorado
He is basically a platoon Goalie, but he gives solid effort across the board, and does not kill you with poor play in net. It's a thin goalie market, so Detroit was forced to shell out more than they would have liked at 3 years and $9 million.
19. D John Moore, New Jersey
He was a second line defender for the Devils last season, but he gets marked up because it is a thin crop of defensemen this summer. He will likely settle in as a 3rd liner, and should work like a charm there, but will get overpaid in that role. Boston gave him $13.75 million over 5 seasons.
20. C Derek Ryan, Carolina
He scored 15 goals last season for the Hurricanes, and that will earn him some cash as a 2nd or 3rd line Center who is maybe just coming into his own. The late bloomer was able to parlay his work into a deal with Calgary for 3 years at $9.375 million.
No comments:
Post a Comment