After nearly $800MM in contracts was handed out on the first day of free agency, and another $133MM the next, things have finally started to quiet down. Just 14 of our top 50 free agents are still available, and several of those names are expected to already be in agreement with the New York Islanders–who will release contract details when they’re good and ready.
Though a few more deals may come down the pipe, the true difference-makers are almost all spoken for. So who had the best free agent frenzy?
The Boston Bruins were unable to convince David Krejci to return, with the veteran forward deciding to head back to the Czech Republic instead, but they still had a pretty impressive haul. Nick Foligno, Erik Haula, Linus Ullmark, Derek Forbort, and Tomas Nosek all should figure into their NHL plans for next season, giving the team some pretty impressive depth options behind the still-imposing core.
The New Jersey Devils added the best player on the market in Dougie Hamilton, bringing in a veteran goaltender in Jonathan Bernier as well. That young core will now be asked to turn the corner from rebuilding to contender, given how much money the front office doled out. The Carolina Hurricanes meanwhile used the space created by Hamilton’s departure to add several players, including a brand new goalie tandem of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. Fan-favorite Jordan Martinook is also back after seeing what else was out there on the open market.
Ryan Suter may already be 36, but he was chased by several teams before the Dallas Stars landed him on a four-year deal. Dallas also brought in Braden Holtby, Luke Glendening, Jani Hakanpaa and Michael Raffl in a strong showing. While that certainly doesn’t make their roster any younger, it does provide some added depth to a team that was in the Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
The Edmonton Oilers spent a lot of money, bringing in Zach Hyman, Cody Ceci, and Derek Ryan, while re-signing Tyson Barrie, but some will still argue they aren’t improved enough. Time will tell on the decision to go back to a Mike Smith–Mikko Koskinen goaltending tandem while spending the cap space elsewhere–unless of course, GM Ken Holland makes a trade to further solidify the crease.
Adding David Savard, Mike Hoffman, Cedric Paquette and Mathieu Perreault to a roster in Montreal that just made the finals will excite fans, but the Canadiens were also forced to bid adieu to Philipp Danault. It’s tough to know if Montreal has done enough to contend for the Stanley Cup again, or if the loss of captain Shea Weber will be devastating to their overall play.
There are several other teams who could be in the mix for the “winners”, including the Seattle Kraken who shelled out more than $75MM on three players, and the St. Louis Blues who replaced some outgoing talent by signing Brandon Saad on day two, but who do you think had the best free agent frenzy? Cast your vote below and make sure to leave a comment explaining your thoughts.
[Mobile users click here to vote]
While the Bruins definitely had the best free agent class losing Krejci leaves a huge hole. They should definitely kick the tires on Eichel. Buffalo fans would you take a deal featuring Studnicka, Debrusk and let’s say 2 firsts for Eichel?
Very unlikely
Not the Rangers.
Bruins had the best signings but their core keeps getting older think their window is shrinking significantly and maybe have 1-3 years left before its rebuild time
I believe their goaltending will digress this year. And that core is no doubt aging.
I would’ve said Boston but not getting Krejci back and now having such a big hole with no cap space or prospects to fix that problem really turned their offseason from a B to a D
The only reason you bring Hall back is to play with a great player maker not a bum like Coyle and you sure as hell don’t break up the best line in hockey either M,B,P line
Also it’s not like they have anyway to get cap space either only move they have is trading a useless DeBrusk at 3.3 and maybe Griz but neither have any good trade value
So paying 3+ million on some 6-7 defenseman each and 5 million on a goalie who maybe be alright even though you had 2 good looking goalie prospects and to top it all off you bring in Backes 2.0
Not to mention all the young guys that they never give a chance like Frederic, Kuhlman, Studnicka , Beecher, Vaakanainen, Blidh, Zboril, Senyshyn, sure some of these are trash but you never know if the don’t get playing time
For me ay least, it came down to Boston and Montreal and I gave the Bruins the edge. Defense and goaltending is deep, they just need to find one of those players to take the 2nd line center spot. But the Habs added alot of good pieces too.
But whoever that one person who voted for the Preds having the best free agency week, I need to have a talk with you!
Of the teams mentioned here, I like what Montreal did. Depending on who centers him, Hoffman in particular could be a nice bargain. He has the best shot on the team. Him and Toffoli on each circle during a PP could be lethal.
But, I think Tampa did the best. Sure, it’s easier when you reigning two time champs, but they got some nice depth pieces cheap. After losing their third line and with two years of fatigue, I was ready to more or less write off TB next year…and while still unlikely, adding Bellemare, Perry and Bogosian cheap gives them a shot. Not a fan of Elliot, but wasn’t really a fan of McIllheney, he’ll be fine given how little will likely be asked of him.
Also thought TOR did OK. Given the corner they painted themselves in, Kase and Ritchie are decent buy low bets. Bunting, too. Not a fan of their Campbell and random 1B strategy, but given that that is how they chose to go, Mrazek is an OK choice.
TB added a couple of guys in Perry and Bogosian who find it hard to keep up with the pace of play. Both have their value but don’t compensate for the players lost. But that still remains a formidable team.
ARZ easily had the best week IMO. Cleared up a huge amount of long term commitment while adding some short term plus a HUGE amount of assets. Does anyone have a 2nd round pick besides them next year?
I’m patiently waiting for the “who had the worst free agent frenzy” post. David Poile is in my crosshairs. ;)
The post praising ARZ is obviously including trades and not just free agency, so I started thinking who had the best overall offseason so far.
And with all due respect to the quality rebuild Armstrong is doing in the desert, I don’t care who has the most second round picks, I care about who got themselves closer to being a legit Cup contender.
Did anyone?
I’m looking at the list and I can’t really find one (I don’t mean improving generally, NYR or PHI did that, but neither is actually on the cusp of being a legit contender).
Two of the teams I mention as having good offseasons, TB and MTL, literally just played in the Final. And while both had good off seasons given the players they lost or had to lose, neither is a better team than a month ago. COL is weaker. VGK is weaker. Not sold on TOR or CAR’s goaltending.
Maybe FLA and WPG walked up to the line of contention, but hardly favorites? I don’t see anyone who moved from “has a chance” to “one of the favorites” like most off seasons.
I do have to give Dallas an honorable mention here. Rounded out their D nicely with Suter and Hakanpaa, brought in two helpful bottom 6 forwards in Raffl and Glendening and have lots of depth in goal. Subtle but effective moves. Like the balance in their lineup now.
… with Landeskog in play, HAMILTON was the best player available?
(dissolves in fits of giggles)
the Islanders