OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Vancouver Canucks - 2014

CanuckJohnny · 08-08-2023, 05:35 PM

Free Agency Day 1 Summary

Winners:

BUFFALO SABRES - Key additions: C Bryan Little ($5.14M/3yrs), RD Jeff Petry ($3.96M/3yrs), RW Patrick Eaves ($2.7M/2yrs), RW Patrick Sharp ($6.73M/3yrs) - You could certainly argue they may regret the last year of Sharp's deal, but the Sabres vaulted themselves into legitimacy, acquiring a top six center, a top four defenseman and a playoff experienced top six winger.

EDMONTON OILERS - Key additions: LW Andrew Ladd ($3.87M/5yrs/NTC), LD Francois Beauchemin ($3.29M/2yrs), C Sam Gagner ($4.72M/3yrs), RW Teddy Purcell ($3M/3yrs) - Edmonton added a lot, especially up front, and they avoided overpaying for Andrew Ladd. If he stays healthy that is going to look like a very savvy deal. Beauchemin is a solid veteran to add to their blueline.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - Key additions: RW T.J. Oshie ($4.21M/6yrs), LW David Perron ($4.15M/5yrs/NTC) - Quality over quantity for Pittsburgh, who only made two moves but they were big additions. Both Oshie and Perron have top six upside, are signed long term and should have breakout seasons next to Crosby or Malkin. After coming up one game short last year they are loading up to again be a top contender for Lord Stanley's Cup.

CALGARY FLAMES - Key additions: LW Shawn Matthias ($2.29M/2yrs), G Devan Dubnyk ($6.7M/3yrs), RD Marek Zidlicky ($5.6M/1yr) - The Flames net the best goalie available, pick up a valuable top four veteran blueliner who can still clap bombs for your powerplay all day and make a good value signing with the three year deal for Shawn Matthias for just over $2 million per year.

Losers:

SAN JOSE SHARKS - Key additions: G Michal Neuvirth ($4.67M/3yrs), G Karri Ramo ($2.29M/3yrs), F Melker Karlsson ($1.04M/2yrs) - What are the Sharks doing? They move out a first round pick at the draft for Ryan Miller, instantly moving them from a bubble playoff team to a possible contender. Then at free agency they lose Matthias, acquired at the deadline, for nothing, only to see Calgary sign him to a very reasonable and affordable deal. Then they go out and add not one but two goaltenders, overpaying for a mediocre backup in Ramo and giving both him and Neuvirth three year deals. Maybe they have a plan for Antti Niemi, but they currently have a clear cut number one in Miller, a tandem option with room to grow into a starter in Neuvirth, an NHL backup in Karri Ramo and Niemi, last year's starter who did by the way carry them to the second round of the playoffs. Somebody needs to lay off the goalie juice.

OTTAWA SENATORS - Key additions: LW Erik Condra ($3.82M/3yrs), RW Chris Thorburn ($2.77M/2yrs), RW Jiri Tlusty ($3.67M/3yrs), RW Joel Ward ($3.6M/1yr) - In a free agency day one that saw plenty of overpayment for bottom of the lineup players Ottawa took the cake. Of the four forwards they signed for deals between $2.5 and $4 million, only Tlusty has any significant offensive upside. In one day they effectively handed out almost $14 million per year for bottom six forwards in a master class on cap mismanagement.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS - Key additions: G Thomas Greiss ($1.6M/2yrs/NTC) - For a team looking to stay competitive, and presumably seeking to fill some holes after moving out key pieces already this offseason, Vancouver whiffed on every significant target they were in on. Rumours were circulated that they wanted Shawn Matthias back - well he went to rival Calgary for pennies on the dollar. Reportedly they also went for Paul Martin (to replace Edler in a top four role) but they couldn't or wouldn't meet his ask for a second year and were outbid by the Hurricanes when it came down to the money. Their one notable add was a backup netminder who, yes, had a great run in the Cup Final after replacing Fleury in the Conference Finals, but still is a career backup with unimpressive numbers who somehow got a No Trade Clause. Trevor Linden may look back at his first July first at the helm with regret.

Mushy Middle:

NEW JERSEY - Key additions: LD Keith Yandle ($7.17M/7yrs/NTC), C Brandon Sutter ($3.78M/3yrs), LW Matt Read ($3.7M/3yrs), C Chris Kelly ($5.15M/1yr) - How do you categorize a team that made possibly the biggest signing of the best player of the day, but also went out and blew almost $13 million on bottom six forwards? Confused to say the least. The Devils do like their defensively responsible underrated forwards, and at least Kelly is only signed for one year to a contract that pays him like a solid top six center when he clearly tops out as an average 3C.

DALLAS STARS - Key additions: RW Blake Wheeler ($7.03M/7yrs/NTC), LD Brenden Dillon ($2.84M/3yrs), C Nate Thompson ($3.67M/2yrs) - The Stars joined in on this year's theme of overpaying for low end forwards, giving $3.67 million to career fourth liner Nate Thompson. They also signed probably the top forward in this year's free agency class in Blake Wheeler, which is a win that probably cancels out the Thompson L and then some.

08-08-2023, 05:35 PM	#63
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Free Agency Day 1 Summary Winners: BUFFALO SABRES - Key additions: C Bryan Little ($5.14M/3yrs), RD Jeff Petry ($3.96M/3yrs), RW Patrick Eaves ($2.7M/2yrs), RW Patrick Sharp ($6.73M/3yrs) - You could certainly argue they may regret the last year of Sharp's deal, but the Sabres vaulted themselves into legitimacy, acquiring a top six center, a top four defenseman and a playoff experienced top six winger. EDMONTON OILERS - Key additions: LW Andrew Ladd ($3.87M/5yrs/NTC), LD Francois Beauchemin ($3.29M/2yrs), C Sam Gagner ($4.72M/3yrs), RW Teddy Purcell ($3M/3yrs) - Edmonton added a lot, especially up front, and they avoided overpaying for Andrew Ladd. If he stays healthy that is going to look like a very savvy deal. Beauchemin is a solid veteran to add to their blueline. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - Key additions: RW T.J. Oshie ($4.21M/6yrs), LW David Perron ($4.15M/5yrs/NTC) - Quality over quantity for Pittsburgh, who only made two moves but they were big additions. Both Oshie and Perron have top six upside, are signed long term and should have breakout seasons next to Crosby or Malkin. After coming up one game short last year they are loading up to again be a top contender for Lord Stanley's Cup. CALGARY FLAMES - Key additions: LW Shawn Matthias ($2.29M/2yrs), G Devan Dubnyk ($6.7M/3yrs), RD Marek Zidlicky ($5.6M/1yr) - The Flames net the best goalie available, pick up a valuable top four veteran blueliner who can still clap bombs for your powerplay all day and make a good value signing with the three year deal for Shawn Matthias for just over $2 million per year. Losers: SAN JOSE SHARKS - Key additions: G Michal Neuvirth ($4.67M/3yrs), G Karri Ramo ($2.29M/3yrs), F Melker Karlsson ($1.04M/2yrs) - What are the Sharks doing? They move out a first round pick at the draft for Ryan Miller, instantly moving them from a bubble playoff team to a possible contender. Then at free agency they lose Matthias, acquired at the deadline, for nothing, only to see Calgary sign him to a very reasonable and affordable deal. Then they go out and add not one but two goaltenders, overpaying for a mediocre backup in Ramo and giving both him and Neuvirth three year deals. Maybe they have a plan for Antti Niemi, but they currently have a clear cut number one in Miller, a tandem option with room to grow into a starter in Neuvirth, an NHL backup in Karri Ramo and Niemi, last year's starter who did by the way carry them to the second round of the playoffs. Somebody needs to lay off the goalie juice. OTTAWA SENATORS - Key additions: LW Erik Condra ($3.82M/3yrs), RW Chris Thorburn ($2.77M/2yrs), RW Jiri Tlusty ($3.67M/3yrs), RW Joel Ward ($3.6M/1yr) - In a free agency day one that saw plenty of overpayment for bottom of the lineup players Ottawa took the cake. Of the four forwards they signed for deals between $2.5 and $4 million, only Tlusty has any significant offensive upside. In one day they effectively handed out almost $14 million per year for bottom six forwards in a master class on cap mismanagement. VANCOUVER CANUCKS - Key additions: G Thomas Greiss ($1.6M/2yrs/NTC) - For a team looking to stay competitive, and presumably seeking to fill some holes after moving out key pieces already this offseason, Vancouver whiffed on every significant target they were in on. Rumours were circulated that they wanted Shawn Matthias back - well he went to rival Calgary for pennies on the dollar. Reportedly they also went for Paul Martin (to replace Edler in a top four role) but they couldn't or wouldn't meet his ask for a second year and were outbid by the Hurricanes when it came down to the money. Their one notable add was a backup netminder who, yes, had a great run in the Cup Final after replacing Fleury in the Conference Finals, but still is a career backup with unimpressive numbers who somehow got a No Trade Clause. Trevor Linden may look back at his first July first at the helm with regret. Mushy Middle: NEW JERSEY - Key additions: LD Keith Yandle ($7.17M/7yrs/NTC), C Brandon Sutter ($3.78M/3yrs), LW Matt Read ($3.7M/3yrs), C Chris Kelly ($5.15M/1yr) - How do you categorize a team that made possibly the biggest signing of the best player of the day, but also went out and blew almost $13 million on bottom six forwards? Confused to say the least. The Devils do like their defensively responsible underrated forwards, and at least Kelly is only signed for one year to a contract that pays him like a solid top six center when he clearly tops out as an average 3C. DALLAS STARS - Key additions: RW Blake Wheeler ($7.03M/7yrs/NTC), LD Brenden Dillon ($2.84M/3yrs), C Nate Thompson ($3.67M/2yrs) - The Stars joined in on this year's theme of overpaying for low end forwards, giving $3.67 million to career fourth liner Nate Thompson. They also signed probably the top forward in this year's free agency class in Blake Wheeler, which is a win that probably cancels out the Thompson L and then some.