NHL Free Agency Day 1: Assessing the Winners and Losers, as the Hurricanes Level the Playing Field

NHL Free Agency Day 1 Winners and Losers

Introduction

The first day of the NHL free agency signing period has come to a close, and it was a day marked by the impact of a salary cap that increased by only $1 million. This had significant consequences, leading to short-term and low-dollar contracts for many players. Additionally, there were numerous buyouts and non-qualifications of restricted free agents that expanded the pool of available free agents. While some deals are still in progress, let’s assess the early winners and losers of free agency.

Winners

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes made some impressive moves on Day 1 of free agency. They secured top defenseman Dmitry Orlov on a two-year, $15.5 million contract, further bolstering their already strong defensive lineup that includes Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Brett Pesce, and Brady Skjei. The Hurricanes also made smart moves in goal, re-signing Frederik Andersen for two years at $6.8 million and adding Antti Raanta on a one-year, $1.5 million deal. These bargain deals provide Pyotr Kochetkov with more time to develop. Additionally, the Hurricanes added Michael Bunting, a 23-goal scorer known for his feisty play. Overall, the Hurricanes‘ free agency moves have solidified their position as a strong contender in the upcoming season.

Detroit Red Wings

General Manager Steve Yzerman has been active for the second consecutive year in free agency. The Red Wings made several key acquisitions, including puck-moving defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and right-shot defenseman Justin Holl. J.T. Compher, coming off a career season, reunites with former University of Michigan teammates Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp. In addition, the Red Wings added 20-goal scorer Daniel Sprong to their lineup. While the team still has work to do to reclaim a playoff spot, Yzerman’s aggressive approach gives Red Wings fans hope for the future.

Nashville Predators

New General Manager Barry Trotz has wasted no time in changing the look of the Predators roster. The team said goodbye to Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene and added former playoff MVP and Selke Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly, along with physical defenseman Luke Schenn. Gustav Nyquist will provide additional secondary scoring. These changes indicate a new direction for the Predators and may help them regain their competitive edge.

Anaheim Ducks

Although the Ducks finished last in the league, they are making smart moves to rebuild for the future. Their young core, including Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, and Leo Carlsson (the No. 2 overall pick), shows promise. The Ducks also added forward Alex Killorn and defenseman Radko Gudas, providing experienced leadership and skill to guide the young players. Killorn, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and Gudas, known for his physical play and solid defense, bring valuable experience to the team. While the Ducks may not be contenders yet, their focus on development and strategic acquisitions shows a commitment to rebuilding.

Other Winners

In addition to the aforementioned teams, there were other winners on Day 1 of free agency. The New York Islanders secured a lucrative eight-year extension for Vezina Trophy finalist goalie Ilya Sorokin, providing stability in goal. The Pittsburgh Penguins added defenseman Ryan Graves, strengthening their top-four defensive lineup.

Losers

Players Who Took Big Pay Cuts

With many contending teams having limited cap space, some players were willing to take substantial pay cuts in exchange for a chance at a Stanley Cup. Notable examples include defenseman John Klingberg, who went from a $7 million contract to $4.15 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Other veterans, such as Blake Wheeler, Jonathan Quick, James van Riemsdyk, and Milan Lucic, signed contracts in the $1 million range. While these players may have made sacrifices for a shot at a championship, their financial loss is worth monitoring in the long term.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins made several solid moves in free agency, adding players like Milan Lucic, James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Brown, Morgan Geekie, and Kevin Shattenkirk. However, it’s important to consider the players they lost, including Taylor Hall (traded before the draft) and trade deadline acquisitions Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov, and Garnet Hathaway. The uncertainty surrounding the returns of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci further complicates the Bruins’ outlook. While the Bruins set NHL records last season, their roster changes indicate a potentially different team dynamic and the need to prove themselves once again.

Washington Capitals

The addition of Max Pacioretty to the Capitals is a positive move, but his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon means he will miss the start of the season. Another issue for the Capitals is that almost all the players they traded last season ended up back in the Metropolitan Division, including Orlov, Hathaway, Lars Eller, and Erik Gustafsson. These circumstances raise questions about the Capitals’ ability to compete in a division that has grown more competitive.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild remained relatively quiet on Day 1 of free agency. This restraint may be due to the impact of dead cap hits from buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. They also need to negotiate with restricted free agent goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who impressed last season. While the Wild may have strategic reasons for their lack of activity, it leaves fans waiting for further moves to solidify the team’s playoff aspirations.

Other Losers

In addition to the aforementioned teams, there were other losers on Day 1 of free agency. The length of Pierre Engvall’s seven-year deal with the New York Islanders and Tristan Jarry’s five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins raise concerns, considering injuries and inconsistent performances. Additionally, technical issues on Twitter during the day made it challenging for fans to follow the latest developments.

Conclusion

Day 1 of NHL free agency was marked by the impact of a modest increase in the salary cap, leading to many players accepting short-term and low-dollar contracts. Nevertheless, several teams made smart moves to strengthen their rosters and position themselves for success in the upcoming season. Conversely, other teams faced challenges, including players taking significant pay cuts and uncertainties surrounding the futures of key players. As the free agency period continues, fans and analysts will closely watch further moves and their impact on the league’s playing field.