The NHL free agency Signing period for 2022 is open
ESPN NHL reporters Greg Wyshynski & Kristen Shilton will evaluate each player’s match with their new team, determine if the terms make sense, and award a team grade.
We’ll keep grading the most important moves during the offseason. So check back often for new grades as deals become consummated. The newest grades will be posted first.
More: Free-agency tracker | Trade grades
Recap: Every pick | Takeaways
Please note: Advanced stats are available via Natural Stat Trick And Evolving WildExcept where otherwise noted,
Terms: Five years, $5.25 million average annual value ($26.25,000,000 total)
He is where he belongs: Since their move from the Washington Capitals, they have been searching for a true starting goalie. Braden Holtby. They hoped they either Ilya Samsonov Oder Vitek Vanecek Could be one. They tried to bring in Henrik Lundqvist Before a heart condition ended his NHL season. However, after last season’s disappointing team save percentage of.898, the Capitals decided that they needed to find a true starter. Kuemper made his NHL debut in 57 games. Colorado Avalanche Last season.
Vanecek was sent by the Capitals to the New Jersey Devils. They left Samsonov as a restricted free agent, and he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kuemper was paid the amount they were willing to pay, and Kuemper secured the services of a goalie just weeks after being mobbed by his teammates for winning the Stanley Cup.
Is it logical? It makes sense to scan the goalie market. Kuemper was the true starting goalie in the unrestricted market of free agents — Jack Campbell And Ville Husso Both were tandem netminders. Kuemper was the right guy for what the Capitals required.
Kuemper did the right thing in the playoffs. He won the Avalanche all the games they needed. After getting to know the market, Kuemper was outstanding in the second half. He saved 30.4 goals above the average and added 5.3 wins to the Avalanche. While it’s clear that he is among the top NHL goaltenders, ranking in the 96th percentile of WAR in his last three seasons, some of his numbers show below-average rebound control as well as a low danger save percentage.
Although he is an upgrade over the Capitals, Washington is still a downgrade to what Kuemper was able to do in Colorado. The guy was once the star of the game behind the arc. Arizona Coyotes. He will be alright.
Grade: A-. The NHL is a great place to look. Take a look at the desperate, scrambling moves made in hopes that a backup goalie would become a starter or that an often injured goalie would find stability. It is a coup for Capitals to find Kuemper’s number one starter, let alone one that helped his team win Cup.
Age is a factor. Kuemper is 32. Kuemper will be able to take on most of the load in the short term. He’ll need some help towards the end of the deal. However, the Capitals remain a team for now and Kuemper makes them more competitive. — Greg Wyshynski
Terms: Seven years, $5.625 million average annual value ($39.4 Million total)
He is where he belongs: Just next to Artemi Panarin Rangers’ top six. This is where it all began. Ryan Strome Before he was allowed to walk free, he played four seasons with the Rangers. New York had expected that. Andrew Copp could have played when they bought him at the trade deadline from Winnipeg JetsCopp, however, opted to go on the open market and found a home with the Detroit Red Wings.
This allowed for the acquisition of an agent free of charge at New York’s center. The Rangers were part of the mix. Colorado Avalanche star Nazem KadriTrocheck was a younger and more economical option for Trocheck. Trocheck spent the three previous seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Emily Kaplan reports Vincent Trocheck has signed a seven-year contract with the Rangers. Brian Boucher explains why the Rangers are happy.
Is it logical? Although it doesn’t make sense to give seven years of your life to a second-line centre, that’s exactly what the Rangers did to get Trocheck at $5.625 million. He is now the fourth highest-paid forward on their team. The Rangers now have Mika Zibanejad Both Trocheck and Trocheck signed through 2029. That’s stability.
Trocheck has a knack for flashy playmaking in the middle of ice. He also has strong special team skills. Trocheck’s finisher is better than Strome’s, but Trocheck can bring more tools to the table.
Grade: B. The deal’s terms are coin of realm to secure a solid cap hit at one of the more sought-after centers in the open market. He is well-known by Coach Gerard Gallant. Trocheck’s Florida form could help him get back to his best. At least for the first few seasons. — Wyshynski
Terms: Five years, $5.625 million average annual value ($28.1 million in total)
He is where he belongs: To be truthful, he will fit wherever the Red Wings require him. Andrew Copp’s true value is his ability to be a Swiss Army Knife of a forward. The Winnipeg Jets He was a defensive forward, and he was paired up with the Rangers’ stars. He was honored by the Rangers. Artemi Panarin And Ryan Strome.
Copp is likely to be a second-line center for the Red Wings Dylan LarkinHe could be playing with the likes Jakub Vrana And Filip Zadina for new head coach Derek Lalonde.
Is this logical? Absolutely. The Rangers bought Copp from the Jets just before the trade deadline. It was assumed that he would take over Strome’s place next to Panarin under a new contract. The Rangers had Vincent Trocheck in mind and Copp was allowed to walk free to agency.
Their loss is the Red Wings’ gain. Copp’s versatility is a plus for a team still trying to figure out where their young players fit into the lineup. Copp is not the greatest finisher but he does have a decent shot. He’s a skilled passer and playmaker, but not the best. Even though his offensive numbers may decline by Year 5, he still does so much for the team that it’s worth the investment.
Grade: A-. One time, the Red Wings signed an unrestricted agent named Frans Nielsen A six-year contract, worth $5.25million annually. This contract did not work out. Copp is an underrated forward, and Copp’s signing was a reminder of that. Copp will be required to build on his offensive promise of scoring 53 points in 72 games in the past season. Copp is proving to be an offensive player and I doubt history will repeat itself. Nielsen arrived in Detroit as Detroit was falling apart, while Copp arrives when the Wings are trending again. — Wyshynski
Terms: Three years, $6.5 million average annual value ($19.1 Million total)
He is where he belongs: Giroux is a natural slut for the Senators. This is one reason why coach DJ Smith will love having him join the team.
The line will be started by the 34-year-old project with Tim Stutzle Ottawa’s new prize Alex DeBrincat. This is a formidable top-six unit that the Senators can roll out. Giroux’s versatility means that he can also be used as a checker if needed. He’s just coming off a fantastic season, scoring 21 goals and 65 points over 75 games.
He will also improve Ottawa’s power play (ranked 20th at 19.3% last season) and he is a great face-off man (60% in 2021-22). With 294 goals and 923 assists, he has more than 1,000 NHL games under his belt, which is invaluable.
Is this logical? It’s a fact. That’s it.
Giroux grew in Ottawa, and has called the area home since his youth. The Senators have struggled in the past to attract and keep star players. Now, one of the most highly sought after free agents on the market has decided to play the final years of his amazing career there. It is a boost in confidence for Ottawa.
The Senators have a lot of young talent who will benefit from being around one the NHL’s most respected players. Stutzle, Josh Norris, Shane Pinto Others will also have Giroux as a mentor and sounding board. Philadelphia Flyers He was free to travel from 2013 to Florida last spring.
Giroux’s March decision not to exercise his no-move clause, in order to try to win the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, didn’t work out as planned. If the Senators are able to get back in the playoff picture, they can still benefit from his almost 100 games of postseason experience.
Grade: B-plus. A three-year agreement for a 34-year old is a little risky. But Giroux is worth the risk. While Giroux is going to Ottawa knowing that the Sens won’t be competing for the Cup this year, it’s not unlikely they’ll be back as a playoff-team. Giroux will assist there. He proved last season that he’s not done. The deal is made even sweeter by knowing how much Giroux will impact the franchise’s foundational pieces. Senators are making a great acquisition in Giroux. — Kristen Shilton