I was honestly completely surprised that Tyson Barrie re-signed in Edmonton. I thought for sure he'd have gone for a big contract someplace. This gives the Oil a good 3 year window to try to fill in the last few pieces to win a cup. With Leon and Conner hitting their prime years in the next 3-5, it's basically now or never.
Yeah, I thought he was shopping himself around for greener pastures - maybe there weren't any? However, you need goaltending even more than we need depth forwards.
Ok, so my thoughts ....
Players:
Hamilton contract is great for him, terrible for the Devils. He's a $6-$7 guy at most. D-men who are UFAs next year are licking their chops (see, Morgan Reilly, Darnell Nurse, Parayko, Werenski, McAvoy, Klingberg).
Dannault at $5.5 as a defensive specialist?? Is he really as good as he was in the playoffs? I don't think he's worth that kind of dough at that term.
I thought I saw that Krejci was re-signed? Capfriendly says otherwise??
Brayden Point - that's a great contract for Tampa. They are going to be contenders for years with the core of Kuch, Point, Vas, and Hedman/Sergechev.
Based on the TSN interview I saw after the fact, it seemed like Grubauer wanted out of Colorado for whatever reason.
When did Blake Coleman become a $5M player?
Laine still betting on himself I see. I can't help but think he's eventually gonna bust and end up either going to Europe, or being a $2M AAV kinda guy. I just don't see his fit with CBJ.
When did Bernier become a $4M AAV kinda goalie?
Alexander Wennberg - who??
Teams
Leafs did well to shore up the goalie tandem - quality player on a reasonable contract. I really think the loss of Bagosian will pretty big - a tough and hard player like that brings a lot to the defensive equation. I'm sure Tampa will be thrilled to have him back at $850k AAV for 3 years. Leafs are going to be fighting for a wildcard spot
Oil did well on the forwards; D and G are still a train-wreck. Which Mike Smith is going to be between the pipes?? Last year's, or the year before. Koskinen is a dumpster fire - player and contract. Ceci... what the hell, that guy is barely a #6 d-man. He was terrible in Toronto. Have fun with that!
Avs... they're fucked at G. Unless they grab Kuemper, Sakic has some work ahead of him to at least stay flat in between the pipes.
Carolina - I like their goalie signings. Couple of top notch goalies who underperformed last year. I think they easily are as good, if not better than what they let go.
Boston ... they are fucking solid again! Fuck me hard.
Winnipeg is now the best Canadian team.
Philly ... I wonder if the entire city is raging at Chuck Fletcher. I'm so glad the rumours of Martin Jones coming to Toronto didn't come true. *phew*
New Jersey ... added some good players, but overpaid big time.
St. Louis... Did Armstrong take a day-long nap yesterday?