The madness of NHL Free Agency Frenzy has come and gone, and the NHL Offseason has come to a screeching halt. With July 1 within the rearview mirror, the one things on the docket straight away are for RFAs to get latest contracts or go to arbitration.
Little by little, these RFAs are signing latest deals while there are latest breaks from across the NHL. Nevertheless it is summer, in spite of everything, and these teams do need a break.
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What higher time to look back on July 1’s madness and break down the NHL Free Agency contracts that had made many individuals go and left them wondering why?
NHL Free Agency Contracts That Were A Bit Too Much
Chandler Stephenson – Seattle Kraken – 7 Years x $6.25 million
First, good on Chandler Stephenson for getting a deal like this and security. Nevertheless, this may very well be a contract the Seattle Kraken regret in a few years. While Stephenson is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, one with the Washington Capitals and one with the Vegas Golden Knights, is he price this money?
For probably the most part, Stephenson is a second-line center who can play top-line minutes. Nevertheless, Stephenson only cracked the 20-goal mark once in his profession, and after putting up 60-point seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, his point total dropped to 51. Stephenson is more of a set-up guy than a goal-scorer.
Seattle struggled with scoring at five-on-five. Now, possibly his role will increase under Dan Bylsma, but this NHL Free Agency contract stood out and made you go, Whoa, straight away.
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Brandon Montour – Seattle Kraken – 7 years x $7.14 million
Not to maintain picking on the Seattle Kraken, but Brandon Montour at seven years at $7.14 million is a fairly steep price for the defenseman. Montour is progressing into a gentle first-pair defenseman, and he just won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers; nevertheless, this may very well be one other contract with a buyout written on it in a couple of years.
Montour has at all times been a plus player when he has been on the ice. Nevertheless, he’s going to be the anchor in Seattle. There isn’t a Aaron Ekblad on his other side and no high-powered power play to rack up 73 points, either. Montour cashed in off two great playoff runs and was sometimes within the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Montour can have to learn a unique system and be relied upon more. At times, he struggled within the playoffs. Again, it’s good for players to receives a commission, but that is one other head-scratcher of a deal.
Jake DeBrusk – Vancouver Canucks -7 years x $5.5 million
We hate to maintain picking on the Pacific Northwest, however the Vancouver Canucks giving Jake DeBrusk seven years made you are taking a double take for a minute. The AAV at $5.5 million is high, however the length is more concerning.
There may be a lot untapped potential with DeBrusk. At times with the Boston Bruins, he looked great as a six-forward, but other times, he looked like a bottom-six forward. Boston didn’t know what DeBrusk they were getting.
His best yr got here in 2022-23, when the Bruins recorded 50 points (27 goals and 23 assists). Last yr, he dropped back to 40 points, which is his profession average. The query is whether or not playing alongside Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, or Brock Boeser allows DeBrusk’s potential to emerge much more.
That shall be the actual query for a player who has to beat his inconsistencies on the ice.
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Honorable Mention
Pavel Buchnevich – St. Louis Blues – 6 years x $8 million
Within the honorable mention category for NHL Free Agency Contracts that made you go whoa within the West is an extension for Pavel Buchnevich with the St. Louis Blues.
As NHLRumors.com has documented, Pavel Buchnevich’s future with the St. Louis Blues was uncertain. They were trying to trade him on the NHL Trade Deadline and even heading into the NHL Draft. Nevertheless, once it became clear the market was big for him, the Blues worked on the extension.
Buchnevich has been productive for the Blues, having one 30-goal season and missing by a few goals these past two seasons. He averages around 60-70 points, which is suitable for a top-six forward within the league.
But at first glance, this contract stands out and makes you go, whoa!!
Stay tuned for the Eastern Conference edition of contracts that made you go, whoa!!!
