Day 1 of NHL free company was nothing wanting pure chaos. Gamers flew off the board in close to speedy succession as groups loaded up for the 2024 season.
In whole, 185 gamers have been signed on Monday with groups collectively spending greater than $1.2 billion, per CapFriendly. Right here is one of the best and worst from Monday’s free-agent frenzy.
Finest contract:
Matt Duchene, C, Dallas Stars
Contract: one yr, $3 million
Duchene performed on the identical one-year deal in 2023 and produced a 25-goal, 65-point season, the fourth-best of his profession by way of level manufacturing. Transferring again to middle from the suitable wing was a transfer that Duchene wished however by no means bought throughout his time in Nashville, however it’s a place that fits him greatest in Dallas’ lineup.
If the Stars can get one other 20-goal, 60-point season out of Duchene for under $3M this deal will look even higher than it already does.
Worst contract:
Yakov Trenin, RW, Minnesota Wild
Contract: 4 years, $14M (3.5M per yr)
Trenin break up final season between the Predators and Colorado Avalanche, notching simply 12 targets and 17 factors in 76 video games. The 27-year-old Russian has by no means scored greater than 17 targets or 24 factors in a season, and he’s a bottom-six position participant who provides physicality greater than any offensive talent, which makes the Wild’s determination to greater than double his $1.7M wage from final season to play on their third or fourth line a puzzling one.
Finest signing:
Steven Stamkos, C, Nashville Predators
Outdoors of defenseman Roman Josi and ahead Filip Forsberg, the Predators don’t usually boast celebrity scorers. Including Stamkos, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, seven-time All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion who ranks second within the NHL in targets (555) and third in factors (1,137) since 2008, provides them not just some much-needed star energy however a real top-line risk within the offensive zone and on the facility play (his 422 power-play factors is third-most since 2008 as nicely.)