While many associate July 1 with the start of the NBA’s free agency period, the NHL’s free agency period also kicks off on this day every year.
Like in the NBA, funny money is thrown around for teams looking to improve their rosters and continue their push for the playoffs and the Stanley Cup. Unlike in the NBA, NHL teams can confirm their deals today, so here are a few of the bigger deals that have been confirmed in the early hours of free agency where teams have spent $335 million in total on contracts.
– Edmonton signs Milan Lucic, 7 years, $42 million, $6 million AAV: Lucic always seemed like he was going to head to Edmonton from the moment when it became clear he wouldn’t re-sign in LA with the Kings, and so it turned out to be. Lucic in essence replaces the departed Taylor Hall with the Oilers, and should provide not only goal-scoring but a physical presence that the Oil didn’t have in their lineup. Lucic scored 20 goals and 55 points with LA last season, and the Oilers are hoping that he can provide even more playing with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this season.
– Vancouver signs Loui Eriksson, 6 years $36 million, $6 million AAV: After scoring 30 goals and 63 points for a fairly punchless Bruins offense last year, Eriksson, the main piece in the oft-derided Tyler Seguin trade is taking his talents to Vancouver to play with fellow Swedes the Sedin twins. The Canucks are in the weird position of not really being in prime playoff contention but not really rebuilding either, and this contract is proof positive of that. Eriksson should add scoring punch for the Canucks, but there are questions about whether this is the type of move they should be making at this stage.
– Buffalo signs Kyle Okposo, 7 years $42 million, $6 million AAV: The now former New York Islander has always shown the ability to be an incredibly productive offensive force even without playing with John Tavares, and now he gets to play with Jack Eichel in Buffalo. Adding Okposo to a forward group that includes Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane, the aforementioned Eichel, another former Islander in Matt Moulson and other young forwards make the Sabres a very interesting team to watch this season, and in Atlantic division that is fairly shallow, they might well be a legitimate playoff contender.
– New York Islanders sign Andrew Ladd, 7 years $38.5 million, $5.5 AAV: With Kyle Okposo off to Buffalo and Frans Nielsen off to Detroit, the Isles need someone to help fill the void in their top six, and the two time Stanley Cup Champion and former Winnipeg Jets Captain Andrew Ladd might be the answer. While he’s not quite Okposo’s level of offensive talent, he is a productive forward that can chip in between 20-30 goals and playing with John Tavares on the top line in Brooklyn is potentially tantalizing.
– Chicago signs Brian Campbell, 1 year, $2 million: There are many signings for short terms and cap hits that are made on July 1, but none really register quite like this one. Brian Campbell was traded from Chicago to Florida five years ago when the Hawks were in a cap crunch, and Campbell became a cornerstone defenseman for the Panthers. Now that the Cats have thrown big money at other defenseman, Campbell has decided to take a short term, low paying deal for another chance at the Cup with the team he won it with six years ago, and it might be the best signing of July 1. Campbell is a puck possession monster, and playing in controlled minutes with the Blackhawks is a great move for the team and him. Chicago needed some depth big time on the blueline, and now they have it.
Other big signings of note include: G James Reimer signs with Florida for 5 years, $17 million, $3.4 million AAV. David Backes signs with Boston for 5 years, $30 million, $6 million AAV. Troy Brouwer signs with Calgary for 4 years, $18 million, $4.5 million AAV. Eric Staal signs with Minnesota for 3 years, $11 million, $3.5 million AAV.
