The NHL Free Agency Frenzy has come and gone, and the NHL Offseason has come to a screeching halt. With July 1st in the rearview mirror, the only things on the docket right now are for the RFAs to get new contracts or go to arbitration.
Little by little, these RFAs are signing new deals while there are new breaks from the NHL. But it’s summer, after all, these teams need to rest.
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What better time to look back on the craziness of July 1st and break down the NHL Free Agency contracts that got so many people going and left them wondering why?
NHL Free Agency Contracts That Were Too Small
Chandler Stephenson – Seattle Kraken – 7 years x $6.25 million
First, good on Chandler Stephenson for getting a deal like this with safety. However, this could be a contract that the Seattle Kraken will regret in a few years. Although Stephenson is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, one with the Washington Capitals and one with the Vegas Golden Knights, is he worth the money?
For the most part, Stephenson is a second-line center who can play top-line minutes. However, Stephenson broke the 20-goal mark once in his career, and after posting 60-point seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, his point total dropped to 51. who scores a goal.
Seattle struggled on five-of-five field goals. Now, maybe his role will expand under Dan Bylsma, but this NHL Free Agency contract stood out and made him go, Whoa, right there.
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Brandon Montour – Seattle Kraken – 7 years x $7.14 million
Not to pick on the Seattle Kraken, but Brandon Montour at seven years worth $7.14 million is an excellent value for a defenseman. Montour is developing into a solid first-team defender, and recently won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers; however, this could be another contract with a buyout written into it in a few years.
Montour has always been the best player on the ice. However, he will be an anchor in Seattle. There’s no Aaron Ekblad on his other side and no power play capable of racking up 73 points, either. Montour had two great playoff runs and at one point was in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Montour will have to learn a different system and rely on it more. At times he struggled in the playoffs. Again, it’s good that the players are paid, but this is another headache in the deal.
Jake DeBrusk – Vancouver Canucks -7 years x $5.5 million
We hate to keep picking on the Pacific Northwest, but the Vancouver Canucks giving Jake DeBrusk seven years made you double take a minute. AAV at $5.5 million is high, but length is more concerning.
There are many possibilities that can be used with DeBrusk. At times with the Boston Bruins, he looked like a top six forward, but at other times, he looked like a top six forward. Boston didn’t know what DeBrusk was getting.
His best year came in 2022-23, when the Bruins recorded 50 points (27 goals and 23 assists). Last year, he dropped back to 40 points, his career average. The question is whether playing alongside Elias Pettersson, JT Miller, or Brock Boeser allows DeBrusk’s potential to emerge even more.
That will be a real question for a player who has to overcome his inconsistency on the ice.
The relationship between Tampa Bay and Steven Stamkos broke down last summer
Honorable Mention
Pavel Buchnevich – St. Louis Blues – 6 years x $8 million
In the respectable talking point of NHL Free Agency Contracts that made you go whoo in the West is the extension of Pavel Buchnevich with St. Louis Blues.
As NHLRumors.com wrote, the future of Pavel Buchnevich and St. Louis Blues was uncertain. They looked to trade him at the NHL Trade Deadline and even entered the NHL Draft. However, when it became clear that the market was big for him, the Blues worked on an extension.
Buchnevich has been productive for the Blues, having one 30-goal season and missing a few goals in the last two seasons. It averages 60-70 points, which is good for the top six players in the league.
But at first glance, this contract stands out and makes you go, wow!!
Stay tuned for the Eastern Conference edition of the contracts that got you going, yay!!!
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