Free Agent Frenzy Discussion Thread

[RGM81]

One of the craziest (and usually remorse-filled) days of the NHL calendar has arrived!

Post the latest signings, trades, and feedback here.

Did your team get the player you wanted?

[30ranfordfan]

I can only hope that Edmonton isn't finsihed.

So far they've swapped out Adam Larsson & Ethan Bear for Duncan Keith & Cody Ceci on the blueline. In both cases, this is a downgrade. I didn't mind the overall group last year - but it certainly wasn't what anyone would consider "strong".

Tyson Barrie was resigned, to a very good contract IMO.

This now means that Evan Bouchard, and his 23 games of NHL experience, will certainly be in the opening night roster. Penciling in one of him, Philip Broberg (0 GP), or William Lagesson (27 GP) would be fine - but likely two of those guys are in the top 7 now, along with Kris Russel (who should be no higher than 7th). Also assuming that neither Slater Koekkoek nor Dimitri Kulikov are brought back.... though I wouldn't mind seeing one of them return on a cheap deal.

The forwards? RNH resigned, Zach Hyman brought in. Warren Foegele brought in. Jujhar Khaira, Alex Chiasson, James Neal, Dominik Kahun, Gaetan Haas, Joakim Nygard are all gone.

They still need a 3C, unless Nuge is going to move down the lineup, they're going to stick a rookie there, or Turris is going to get another shot. I like none of those options. Hyman (in theory) should solidify the top 6 (McDavid, Hyman, Puljarvi... RNH, Draistle, Yammamoto). Foegele is the kind of player they need for the 3rd line, even if Ethan Bear was an overpayment. Him, Archiblad, and a new C could make for a decent 3rd line..... leaving Kassian to play on the 4th line with (likely) Devin Shore & Ryan McLeod.

Assuming they can add one more piece (3C) - The forward group does look significantly better to me.


The goaltending carousel is almost complete, and the Oilers still have both Mike Smith and Mikka Koskinen. They have to make a chance still, and I'm wondering if a Koskinen-for-Kuemper swap to still happen (same cap hit, but Kuepmer makes more money).

[RGM81]

Habs additions today are nothing spectacular but good depth acquisitions. I've already got YG's incoming for Savard & Wideman, and Paquette's SPA FW as well.

Really hope that they are able to re-sign Perry.

Fare thee well, Phil Danault.

[Nickwire]

Grubauer to Seattle is iut of left field for me who knows what aves were offering but its gotta be hard to leave a stacked team.whats sakic going to do in net now? Try for fleury?

[piper1]

Habs additions today are nothing spectacular but good depth acquisitions. I've already got YG's incoming for Savard & Wideman, and Paquette's SPA FW as well.

Really hope that they are able to re-sign Perry.

Fare thee well, Phil Danault.

To be fair Savard is more than a depth acquisition, and would you have paid Danault $5.5M a season?

[RGM81]

To be fair Savard is more than a depth acquisition, and would you have paid Danault $5.5M a season?

Most of the depth charts I've seen posted today have him on the 2nd or even 3rd pairing. Time will tell, of course, but it is what it is.

On Danault, he'll be missed for his shut-down capabilities but no way is he worth that AAV on that type of term for what he brings. Good player, but he's going to enjoy the LA scene a lot, though he's walking right into a similar situation as far as his role on the depth chart at C goes. Obviously Kopitar is their #1 and Byfield projects as a #2....so he's going to be a 3C on that squad too. However, it's a little more palatable when you're paying lower taxes, warmer climate, and far less media attention. So yeah, good on him.

[RGM81]

Also...I really like the Hoffman signing. He's a PP specialist and that's one of our key needs at this point. Team was not great at all with the man advantage last year, and the loss of Shea Weber takes out a key element of our PP unit. So that's good.

Yeesh, though, guy only has four low-end Panini RC and an Ultimate RC /399. Not much for rookie content!

[30ranfordfan]

I can only hope that Edmonton isn't finsihed.

So far they've swapped out Adam Larsson & Ethan Bear for Duncan Keith & Cody Ceci on the blueline. In both cases, this is a downgrade. I didn't mind the overall group last year - but it certainly wasn't what anyone would consider "strong".

Tyson Barrie was resigned, to a very good contract IMO.

This now means that Evan Bouchard, and his 23 games of NHL experience, will certainly be in the opening night roster. Penciling in one of him, Philip Broberg (0 GP), or William Lagesson (27 GP) would be fine - but likely two of those guys are in the top 7 now, along with Kris Russel (who should be no higher than 7th). Also assuming that neither Slater Koekkoek nor Dimitri Kulikov are brought back.... though I wouldn't mind seeing one of them return on a cheap deal.

The forwards? RNH resigned, Zach Hyman brought in. Warren Foegele brought in. Jujhar Khaira, Alex Chiasson, James Neal, Dominik Kahun, Gaetan Haas, Joakim Nygard are all gone.

They still need a 3C, unless Nuge is going to move down the lineup, they're going to stick a rookie there, or Turris is going to get another shot. I like none of those options. Hyman (in theory) should solidify the top 6 (McDavid, Hyman, Puljarvi... RNH, Draistle, Yammamoto). Foegele is the kind of player they need for the 3rd line, even if Ethan Bear was an overpayment. Him, Archiblad, and a new C could make for a decent 3rd line..... leaving Kassian to play on the 4th line with (likely) Devin Shore & Ryan McLeod.

Assuming they can add one more piece (3C) - The forward group does look significantly better to me.


The goaltending carousel is almost complete, and the Oilers still have both Mike Smith and Mikka Koskinen. They have to make a chance still, and I'm wondering if a Koskinen-for-Kuemper swap to still happen (same cap hit, but Kuepmer makes more money).

Got my answer on the first one.... Derek Ryan, and I like the signing. Oilers have, IMO, upgraded the top 6 (Hyman) and the bottom 6 (Ryan, Foegele). I like that.

I'm still suspicious of the defense. but time will tell.

Goaltending? The answer to my other "wondering" happened too.... Kuemper is a member of the Avs now, so I'm assuming this means the Oilers will keep the same pair of netminders for next year. I don't like it, but I don't see anything else happening now.

[Devlin]

Bye bye, tukka. I liked him. B's overpaid at goalie.......again.

[RGM81]

The Corey Perry era in Montreal has come to an end. I’m sad. I’ve got one heck of a mailday forthcoming that will be a little bittersweet now.