A quick thought on every notable NHL signing

We’re back! For what’s gotta be the, I dunno, 10th time at least, here’s my two-sentence take on every free agent signing of relevance spanning June 30 to July 1. The cut-off for “of relevance” was “earns at least a million per season,” or “seems like someone a Canadian fanbase would want to hear about,” or “I just had something about that guy I wanted to say.”

These are listed from oldest to the most recent signings, roughly.

Patrick Kane, Detroit, RW: three years, $3 million AAV

It’s a shame that “performance bonuses” gum up the salary cap pictures for teams so bad, as they don’t have cost certainty which can result in overages that hurt you the next year. This sort of deal is great for Kane (and would be for many players), and you’re happy to pay him if he’s healthy and his game doesn’t fall off a cliff, which you’re covered for by structuring a deal like this.

Declan Chisholm, Washington, D: two years, $1.6 million AAV

I like seeing players who’ve walked the path of development without breaking stride, and Chisholm deserves credit for doing just that. A good OHL career followed by a good couple years in the AHL, followed by establishing himself in the NHL, so I like the bet on him making good on this contract.

Ivan Provorov, Columbus, D: seven years, $8.5 million AAV

Despite a great on-ice season, Columbus still has to pay a bit of a premium to sign big names until they can gain even more on-ice momentum. As much as this is a big ticket for Provorov, there’s very few quality defencemen available out there and the club can’t afford to take steps backward in their quest to move forward, so he kinda had them over a barrel.

Steven Lorentz, Toronto, C: three years, $1.35 million AAV

Lorentz is better than just a fourth-liner (I actually think he deserved more opportunity up the lineup last year), and he carries the intangibles every team loves in that he’s a proud Leaf and an easy-going guy. They could get value here by playing him on a third line, and the deal carries almost no risk.

Andrei Kuzmenko, Los Angeles, LW: one year, $4.3 million AAV

It’s fascinating to me that Kuzmenko could only get a one-year deal, but presumably that was a choice so he could prove himself and land a more significant contract next summer. These are the contracts where teams can get value out of an inconsistent but talented player on a “prove it” deal while they’re in their prime (you just don’t want to be the team to give him the big deal after he has a great year).

Brad Marchand, Florida, RW: six years, $5.25 million AAV

It’s obviously a great thing for the Panthers to bring Marchand back, and the rising cap is allowing Florida the chance to do what the Tampa Bay Lightning never were afforded the chance to do, which is to just keep running it back until someone can stop them (Tampa had to trade players due to the flat cap). That said, this contract is an insincere sham, as the two oldest forwards in the NHL last year were 39, and this deal would pay Marchand over $5 million per season until he’s 43.

Mitch Marner, Vegas, RW: eight years, $12 million AAV

This will be a great value contract for Vegas, as Marner’s low-impact game is one I’d expect to age well, and with the big market pressure off his back I’d expect the best years of his career. Also slotting in where he deserves to be by pay, married and with a new baby, I think Vegas will get a very comfortable player who’ll be impactful for them for the bulk of this contract.

Evan Bouchard, Edmonton, D: four years, $10.5 million AAV

The only reason this deal doesn’t feel like a win for the Oilers is that they only got him for four years – the number doesn’t bother me in the slightest. That said, I’ve long advocated for the best players to sign shorter deals like this, as Bouchard will now be able to assess if he wants to stay in a few years, and will still have the opportunity to sign a monster deal under a much higher cap when he’s 29.

Aaron Ekblad, Florida, D: eight years, $6.1 million AAV

Ivan Provorov just signed for 8.5 million, so I’ll ask you, if you’re starting a playoff series today, which guy would you want on your team? Point is, Ekblad took a ton below his market value, but this is what contracts are supposed to be, more about making good life decisions for yourself than squeezing every last nickel you can get out of your employer.

Alexander Romanov, NY Islanders, D: eight years, $6.25 million AAV

At just 25, Romanov has offered up the best years of his career to the Isles, and for a reasonable price for a good second pair D-man. He probably has a little more offensive upside yet to be found, but at 210 pounds his ability to lay the body will always have value.

Arshdeep Bains, Vancouver, LW: two years, $775,000 AAV

A good story for a talented local kid who finally got himself a little security with the franchise. With more opportunity for the player, they should get value out of this deal.

Aatu Raty, Vancouver, C: two years, $775,000 AAV

Raty is a 6-foot-2 forward who’s still just 22 years old, and has worked his way up to being a point-per-game player in the AHL where he played 43 games (people are never immediately impressed by that, but for context, 73 points led the AHL this year).

Kasperi Kapanen, Edmonton, RW: one year, $1.3 million AAV

Honestly really surprising Kapanen can’t get more term than one year (unless he’s looking to “bet on himself” with a deal like this). Six points in 12 playoff games, physical, he was a good player for Edmonton.

Michael DiPietro, Boston, G: two years, $812,500 AAV

One of the best goalies in the American League, this is a well-earned contract. Curious to see how they use him, with Swayman and Koorpisalo under longer-term contracts.

Henri Jokiharju, Boston, D: three years, $3 million AAV

He’s 26 with 400-plus games of NHL experience under his belt. At some point, real NHL players cost some money, not sure how the Bruins get “value” here, but the deal isn’t completely out of line with reality.

Nicolas Hague, Nashville, D: four years, $5.5 million AAV

When you look around at the available free agents, and you actually want to improve your team, there weren’t a lot of options. So getting a giant 26-year-old who’s shown he can handle real minutes in meaningful games is pretty darn good, even if the dollars feel higher than what you’d like to spend.

Morgan Geekie, Boston, C: six years, $5.5 million AAV

A 6-foot-3, 26-year-old coming off a 33-goal season, I’d say that’s a great contract for the Bruins. Geekie has a strong chance to live up to and exceed that number, and he gets some much desired security in the process.

Matthew Knies, Toronto, LW: six years, $7.75 million AAV

This is exactly what both sides should have been after. The Leafs got Knies at a number that, if he’s healthy, he’ll be immediately more valuable as it ages and the cap rises, while Knies gets himself to unrestricted free agency at 28 with a monster salary cap and a chance to cash in again.

Claude Giroux, Ottawa, RW: one year, $2 million AAV

I mentioned this when talking about the Kane contract: I love these deals for older guys. They’re going to be unpredictable in that they can be really good until the year they just can’t keep up and it goes south, so these deals allow the team to guarantee they either get value or don’t pay.

Dante Fabbro, Columbus, D: four years, $4.125 million AAV

The Blue Jackets surely want to improve, and you just can’t if you let good players go. Fabbro helped Zach Werenski to the best year of his career, so it’s smart to bring him back.

Brock Boeser, Vancouver, RW: seven years, $7.25 million AAV

Was genuinely surprised to see Boeser not just return to Vancouver, but to do so at what’s probably at least a million less per year than he could’ve got on the open market. Boeser is the type of guy who, if you lose him, you suddenly realize is very hard to replace, so it’s great that the Canucks won’t have to solve that problem.

Parker Kelly, Colorado, C: four years, $1.4 million AAV

A young, physical, reliable player signed to an almost no-risk number here. You don’t have to go four years, but the team is obviously happy and secure with him in their bottom six, and the player gets himself some guaranteed Real Money.

Noah Juulsen, Philadelphia, D: one year, $900,000 AAV

I love that Rick Tocchet went to Philly and was like “Hey go get me this depth guy, he’s great at the bottom end of your d-corps.” When you can get a security blanket for your coach on the cheap, you gotta do it.

Colin Blackwell, Dallas, C: two years, $775,000 AAV

Blackwell deserves heaps of praise for being the size he is (not big), yet being so valuable in a bottom six role with his speed, work ethic and tenacity. Not every signing can be Mikko Rantanen, and Blackwell’s a good one to fill in with.

Christian Dvorak, Philadelphia, C: one year, $5.4 million AAV

At first this one felt strange to me, in that if you think a guy is worth $5.4 million, you probably want him for more than one season. But for Dvorak, I can totally see the idea of signing somewhere where there is going to be real opportunity (read: a weak forward group) so you can put up some numbers and still get a bigger deal before you age out of that option.

Jake Allen, New Jersey, G: five years, $1.8 million AAV

Feels like a fair deal for the Devils, who likely get a good goalie for cheap, or he’ll retire. And if he’s just bad and wants to keep playing, it’s a cheap and movable contract or, at worst, mostly bury-able.

Logan Stankoven, Carolina, RW: eight years, $6 million AAV

These are the type of contracts where an organization can separate itself by having legitimately different management that’s willing to take a risk. This is a big bet on a guy who just turned 22, but if they so truly believe in him – and his numbers at every level indicate they’re smart to – you could be looking at years of a guy producing real offensive numbers while earning well below his market value.

Daniil Tarasov, Florida, G: one year, $1.05 million AAV

My goal was to write about everyone who made a million or more, so here’s Tarasov. Big, young, had had good numbers in other leagues on his way up.

Joel Hanley, Calgary, D: two years, $1.75 million AAV

Hanley is the prototypical depth journeyman D who’s somehow managed to get better even in his 30s. Pretty low risk deal here.

Tony DeAngelo, NY Islanders, D: one year, $1.75 million AAV

It’s tough to deny that, for what he costs, DeAngelo provides value. It’s clear the Isles are aiming to ice a team with more skill than they have in the past, and DeAngelo certainly has that.

Conor Garland, Vancouver, RW: six years, $6 million AAV

I’m Team Conor Garland, as any player who makes every opponent go “God I want to punch that guy” is doing something right. Two things can be true: he’s a great competitor who the Canucks are smart to keep, and the contract is about two years too long.

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver, G: three years, $8.5 million AAV

Either Demko plays, in which case $8.5 million is a good deal for an elite goalie, or he doesn’t due to injury, and insurance pays him. This does bring into question what they do in net behind him though, as Kevin Lankinen signed a big ticket deal and Arturs Silovs seems NHL-ready behind them.

Tomas Nosek, Florida, LW: one year, $775,000 AAV

I’m actually very surprised Nosek signed for so cheap and short. He demonstrated to the league he can be a fourth-line contributor on a Cup winning team. You’re telling me that isn’t worth a nickel more than minimum (I guess he really likes Florida, as many of these guys do).

Tanner Pearson, Winnipeg, LW: one year, $1 million AAV

There’s value in being a reliable guy who can not hurt a team at the bottom of their lineup, and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way. But to me, Pearson doesn’t have a clear utility beyond plugging a hole – he might score 5-10 goals, might play 10-12 minutes – but sometimes you just need a hole plugged.

Cole Koepke, Winnipeg, LW: one year, $1 million AAV

I like Koepke and what he can provide further down a lineup. In terms of who they’ll get more out of this year at the same price – Pearson or Koepke – I’d lean towards the younger fella here.

Radek Faksa, Dallas, C: three years, $2 million AAV

The Stars are much more worried about filling out their team with elite game-breakers – hence the interest in Marner – than the depth spots. Part of the reason is they trust they’ve got some good ones, which includes Faksa.

Jonathan Drouin, NY Islanders, LW: two years, $4 million AAV

Watching the Islanders the past year or two has been hard at times, because if they fell behind in games – or god-forbid got a power play – it just felt like they had no chance to make a game-opening play unless it came from Mat Barzal. I don’t know what you’re going to get out of Drouin in his early 30s, but at $4 million a year, he’s a good bet for a player who can actually make some plays and get the puck to places for others to shoot it in the net.

Anton Forsberg, Los Angeles, G: two years, $2.25 million AAV

A good bet here. I think he can handle more responsibility in the NHL.

Brian Dumoulin, Los Angeles, D: three years, $4 million AAV

Yeah? Letting Vladislav Gavrikov go and then filling the hole with Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin hardly feels like they’ve made their back-end better.

Cody Ceci, Los Angeles, D: four years, $4.5 million AAV

This is a player who is totally fine and can help a team on their second or third pairs (he’s played in big playoff games too), provided you’re not asking too much of him. But this deal implies they’re going to ask a lot of him, and I’d be a bit worried about that.

Jeff Petry, Florida, D: one year, $775,000 AAV

A good buy low reclamation project for the Cats with Nate Schmidt on his way out. For all the talk about “heaviness,” this is a team that recognizes you have to have some defenders who can skate and make passes.

James van Riemsdyk, Detroit, LW: one year, $1 million AAV

Not even really about JVR here, but like, what are the Red Wings doing? They’ve been bad for a long time now, and when you look at that roster you still wonder: when is it supposed to turn around?

Sean Kuraly, Boston, C: two years, $1.85 million AAV

Once a very effective Bruin, I like the guy’s speed and tenacity (it’s clear the Bruins felt soft last year). But I don’t think he’s getting better than what he’s shown in the league, which doesn’t move the needle much.

Nate Schmidt, Utah, D: three years, $3.5 million AAV

You love Schmidt on a buy-low prove it deal like the one Florida had him on. This one comes with more expectations, but I do think his style of play should age well, particularly getting the puck up to a lot of fast, shifty forwards.

Brandon Tanev, Utah, LW: three years, $2.5 million AAV

It’s another deal where Utah has to pay a bit to land the guy, but he’s competitive and tenacious and helps them. They’re clearly trying to turn the corner next year.

Sammy Blais, Montreal, LW: one year, $775,000 AAV

As league minimum signings go, you can’t do much better than Blais. Montreal’s made some good moves lately.

Parker Wotherspoon, Pittsburgh, D: two years, $1 million AAV

Pittsburgh is the one team aiming to rebuild, but they have to be conscious of tearing it too far down, and you can’t be soft in the years when you’re losing a lot. Wotherspoon isn’t a soft player, and is an age where if he takes a step, they could keep him after this deal.

Nick Bjugstad, St. Louis, C: two years, $1.75 million AAV

Bjugstad seems to make the rounds of teams expecting him to take a step and be better than he is, but he’s on a deal where that ask isn’t priced in. A decent bottom six centre at this point.

Kaapo Kahkonen, Montreal, G: one year, $1.15 million AAV

Sam Montembault and Jakub Dobes are currently ahead of him on the depth chart. That said, teams seem to need three goalies these days, so he’s a great fit in that spot.

Michael Pezzetta, Toronto, LW: two years, $787,500 AAV

The Leafs are more physical than people think – they’re pretty big, and hit a lot – but they’re just way too nice. A lot of their fourth line “tough guys” in the past (think Ryan Reaves or Wayne Simmonds) were at their career end and didn’t really want to fight anymore but, well, 27-year-old Pezzetta is unafraid and legitimately “wants that smoke,” which will be something fun for league minimum as their 12th or 13th forward.

Nick Cousins, Ottawa, C: one year, $825,000 AAV

He’s earned a reputation for dirty play at this point, but he’s also been a good depth player when he can clean it up. At that price, it’s a fine deal.

Tanner Jeannot, Boston, LW: five years, $3.4 million AAV

As much as I like Jeannot, this seems like an overreaction to losing Trent Frederic. You need your $3 million-plus players to chip in, and it’s at least noteworthy that multiple teams have been willing to let this fighty-scorey “unicorn” go.

Gage Goncalves, Tampa Bay, C: two years, $1.2 million AAV

Here’s a player who started to matter for the Lightning by the end of last year. He’s got a chance to take a step and provide value at this number.

Connor Brown, New Jersey, RW: four years, $3 million AAV

Brown came back from his knee injury slowly, and some were initially worried that at half a step slower he couldn’t be effective anymore. But I love this for the Devils and the player, because for $3 million a year New Jersey got a competitor, a high-IQ hockey player, and a good dude.

Martin Fehervary, Washington, D: seven years, $6 million AAV

Fehervary is the type of player you don’t appreciate until he’s in your market and you see him play every day. At just 25 years old, they were smart to lock him into a totally manageable cap hit (particularly when you see some of the bigger deals that were signed).

Vladislav Gavrikov, NY Rangers, D: seven years, $7 million AAV

It’s interesting that the Rangers made such an effort to get out from Jacob Trouba’s deal, and basically reassigned the lot of it to Gavrikov. What they did get is a pure defender, the type of guy who can be to Adam Fox what Mattias Ekholm is to Evan Bouchard.

Joel Armia, Los Angeles, RW: two years, $2.5 million AAV

A high potential player who never quite clicked for me because of pace/consistency. Fine dollars for an OK depth piece.

Dan Vladar, Philadelphia, G: two years, $3.35 million AAV

Love this for Philly, and super cheap for a guy who could be a Bonafide No. 1. At just 27 years old, a really savvy bet here (who the Flames should’ve traded last year).

Corey Perry, Los Angeles, RW: one year, $2 million AAV

Perry has earned the right to go play his 40-year-old season somewhere warm, where there’s still a chance to compete for a Cup. It’s too bad it’s to the Oilers’ direct competitor, but I guess this is what you get when you sign up to root for a guy who goes by “The Worm”.

William Eklund, San Jose, LW: three years, $5.6 million AAV

The Sharks are building, and Eklund is a big part of that. I’d worry about where the length of this deal leaves him for his next contract though, as a few big years – which are expected – could launch the next deal way beyond these numbers.

Matt Murray, Seattle, G: one year, $1 million AAV

Murray is just 31, his hips are apparently functional again, and he’s had big success in the NHL. There’s a lot of one year times $1 million deals out there that don’t offer upside like this.

Dakota Mermis, Toronto, D: two years, $812,500 AAV

One thing’s for sure: the Leafs like this guy and feel if there are a couple injuries, he’s a good fit to play some games and not hurt the team. At that spot on the depth chart, they’re right.

Isac Lundestrom, Columbus, C: two years, $1.3 million AAV

Super low risk on a still-young centre. They could get value here.

Adam Gaudette, San Jose, RW: two years, $2 million AAV

Good to see a guy like Gaudette at least get a second year of security. He’s got a good nose for the net and at 28 years old, is a great bottom six fit for the Sharks.

John Klingberg, San Jose, D: one year, $4 million AAV

As the Sharks aim to turn things around, adding legitimate talent is a good thing. I wouldn’t be shocked if a healthy Klingberg turned this opportunity into a good point total and a better contract.

Philip Tomasino, Pittsburgh, C: one year, $1.75 million AAV

The Penguins are about the only team in the league that seem to be playing a true long game. At 23, Tomasino needs to take some strides, but if he does, he could be a part of their plans for a while.

Mikael Granlund, Anaheim, C: three years, $7 million AAV

This reminds me of the Alex Killorn deal, in that the Ducks have cap space galore, need to get better, and need legitimate players. The market is thin, so they throw money at a guy who isn’t worth that deal, yet at the same time, makes them better.

Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay, RW: two years, $1.55 million AAV

This is a super weird outcome for Holmberg, who seemed closer to a fringe NHLer than a candidate for a multi-year UFA deal at times last season. But I guess the Leafs felt that what he provides is fairly replaceable every year in UFA, and I’d argue they’re probably right.

Lars Eller, Ottawa, C: one year, $1.25 million AAV

Eller feels like a depth centre you’d grab right as you think you’re on the verge of the Cup, and maybe he spots in on your fourth line. I’d say if the Sens intend to use him for more than that, it’s not a great sign for what they’ll be.

Nico Sturm, Minnesota, C: two years, $2 million AAV

They had him, he left and won two Stanley Cups, and now he’s returned. A pretty good deal for a depth player with a swath of experience.

Alex Lyon, Buffalo, G: two years, $1.5 million AAV

There are only 64 chairs for goalie jobs in the NHL, so Lyon couldn’t be overly demanding on a contract offer, which is a win for the Sabres. He’s easily worth this, and should provide quality work when UPL doesn’t go.

Andrew Mangiapane, Edmonton, LW: two years, $3.6 million AAV

This is where “you’ll have a chance at the Stanley Cup” shows up as such a great recruitment tool. As value goes, this feels insanely good for the Oilers, and the exact type of depth guy who could make that one extra play in a tight playoff game to push one more win across the line.

Phillip Di Giuseppe, Winnipeg, LW: one year, $775,000 AAV

I like this depth move for the Jets, who have just a really solid forward group top to bottom. He can contribute.

Mike Reilly, Carolina, D: one year, $1.1 million AAV

Good underlying numbers, the type of cheap D you feel comfortable having as your 6/7 type guy. At a bury-able number, he’s a no risk, real upside add.

Justin Brazeau, Pittsburgh, RW: two years, $1.5 million AAV

Kyle Dubas was involved with Brazeau earlier in his career, so I’m not surprised when he’s looking at his rebuilding his club that he gave the big 27-year-old a shot. I’m not sure Brazeau lines up perfectly with whatever a rebuild timing is, but you can’t just have straight up bad players, you need some talent.

Simon Holmstrom, NY Islanders, RW: two years, $3.625 million AAV

Holmstrom took that step the Isles needed from “Hey he can play in the league” to “oh this guy can move the needle.” The Isles have felt old and slow, Holmstrom is young, can skate, is big, and has a 2- goal season on his resume, so I see him as a part of the direction they want to go.

Alex Steeves, Boston, C: one year, $850,000 AAV

The Toronto Marlies all-time leading goal scorer got himself one-way NHL money. At just 25, he deserves somebody to give him a real look.

K’Andre Miller, Carolina, D: eight years, $7.5 million AAV

Carolina is consistently a playoff team, meaning they traded a mid-to-late first-round pick and a second to acquire the best years of Miller’s career. He’s had a dip in his play, but we constantly talk about how D take some time to find their game, and with his 6-foot-5 frame and skating ability, and at an extremely reasonable cap hit, the Canes have the potential for real upside for years to come here.

Reilly Smith, Vegas, RW: one year, $2 million AAV

Smith has felt like a Golden Knight even when he played other places. He’s a smart player who doesn’t hurt you down the lineup.

Michael Eyssimont, Boston, C: two years, $1.45 million AAV

Boston’s signings felt like they looked at themselves and said “we’re too easy to play against.” Eyssimont isn’t a tough guy, but he competes and annoys and will fight if he has to.

Brandon Saad, Vegas, LW: one year, $2 million AAV

Vegas clearly stays in “win now” mode, and while it feels like Saad has been around forever, he’s an experienced pro who’s won before. He can still contribute, and this is cheap enough that it’s no crisis if he’s only OK.

Will Cuylle, NY Rangers, LW: two years, $3.9 million AAV

This feels like a short-sighted move for the Rangers, as Cuylle is the rare “unicorn” type player, in that he’s a physical force while also being an offensive threat. It’s a nice number now, but if he keeps getting better, he’s going to get real, real expensive.

Vitek Vanecek, Utah, G: one year, $1.5 million AAV

That’s Stanley Cup champion Vitek Vanecek to you. A good cheap bet at 29 years old.

Ryan McLeod, Buffalo, C: four years, $5 million AAV

Yeah McLeod is the type of guy you know you’ll enjoy having during his prime years. Skates like the wind, works, has some offence, and he’s committed to staying in Buffalo, these are all good things.

Evgenii Dadonov, New Jersey, RW: one year, $1 million AAV

Either there’s gas left in the tank to help offensively, or there isn’t. Cheap roll of the dice, but I’m skeptical he’s got a great year ahead of him.

Philipp Kurashev, San Jose, C: one year, $1.2 million AAV

At age 25, there’s a chance Kurashev puts it together with some real opportunity in San Jose. If he can do that, he can be a part of the next phase of their rebuild (competing for playoffs) given his young age.

Travis Boyd, Toronto, C: one year, $775,000 AAV

I suppose this has him poised to mostly play in the AHL, which helps them (and in turn, helps their developing players). If he’s needed to play NHL games, he can certainly handle that and not look out of place.