Who is the best NHL free-agent signing ever?
Within the NHL’s 107-year historical past, there have been 208 50-goal seasons. It isn’t an unimaginable feat, however it’s uncommon, and, in Hyman’s case, not the form of manufacturing normally seen from a man who signed a contract for seven years and $38.5 million in 2021 – a median annual worth (AAV) of $5.5 million – tied for the a hundred and seventy fifth highest paid participant within the league.
With 19 gamers making eight figures a yr and a wage cap that is solely increased by $2 million over the past 5 years, discovering high-level manufacturing from mid-salaried gamers is important to constructing a Stanley Cup-winning roster. Hyman is offering exactly that for Edmonton.
Whereas it is too quickly to proclaim him the all-time FA signing, and the Oilers have but to win a Cup with him, who else deserves consideration for the perfect NHL free agent signing?
Biz and Whit talked about Marian Hossa and Zdeno Chara. Ed Belfour and Adam Graves additionally deserve a glance.
Marian Hossa
Hossa signed with the Blackhawks in 2010 after famously losing back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals with the Penguins and Purple Wings. He signed a front-loaded 12-year, $62.8 million contract, a deal so undeniably unscrupulous that it instantly got the Blackhawks in trouble and helped result in a ban on similarly structured deals.
The difficulty was price it when Hossa led them to a Cup title in his first yr, and lengthy forgotten by the point he helped them win their third in six years in 2015.
Abstract: $5.2 million AAV for eight seasons, three Stanley Cup Titles, helped construct a dynasty
Zdeno Chara
Chara had an identical affect on the Bruins after signing a five-year, $37.5 million deal in 2006. He captained them for 14 years, gained the Norris Trophy in 2009 and led the crew to 2 Stanley Cup Finals, winning one in a seven-game collection towards the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 and losing the other to Hossa’s Blackhawks in 2013.
Abstract: Preliminary $7.5 million AAV over 5 years, two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, one Cup win, one Norris Trophy
Ed Belfour
9 years in Chicago noticed him make one Cup Remaining (a 1992 loss to the Penguins) and win two Vezina and three Jennings Trophies. Belfour was traded to the Sharks in January 1997 after GM Bob Pulford determined he could not afford to re-sign him after the season.
Belfour’s Sharks tenure lasted a forgettable 13 video games, however after signing as a free agent with Dallas in 1997 for $10 million over three years, he gained his fourth Jennings and gained his and the Stars’ first Stanley Cup in 1999.
Abstract: $3.3 million AAV for 3 seasons, one Jennings, one Stanley Cup, helped Dallas easy their transition from Minneapolis to Dallas
Adam Graves
Graves signed with the Rangers in 1991 as a restricted free agent at ~$400k yearly for 5 years. Two years into the deal, he scored 52 targets and was important to the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup win, their first in 54 years.
Abstract: ~$400k for 5 years, 52 targets in ’93-’94, one Stanley Cup trophy, 280 targets in 10 years
Conclusion
The “banners grasp perpetually” algorithm provides Hossa a transparent lead, however Hyman may nonetheless catch him with a Cup or two, one thing imminently possible with Connor McDavid on his crew.