2020 NHL free agent signing grades

By Faith Foushee, October 28, 2020

By Noah Stern

Sports Editor

 

The National Hockey League bubble ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning hoisting the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history. But, as soon as the last buzzer sounded, the NHL free agency frenzy began. Many big-name players have been on the move. Here are grades for the biggest offseason moves so far:

 

Alex Pietrangelo, D, Vegas Golden Knights; seven years, $61 million

Pietrangelo was the captain of the St. Louis Blues from August 2016 until this offseason. He led the Blues to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019. The Knights are hoping to get the same from the aging star. A seven-year contract to a 30 year old can be risky, but Pietrangelo hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. The Knights are hoping Pietrangelo will bring in more championship pedigree to their roster to finally capture the Cup. This signing is beneficial for both parties. Pietrangelo received a long-term deal, and the Knights are getting a first-pairing blueliner to improve their already competitive team.

Grade: A-

 

Torey Krug, D, St. Louis Blues; seven years, $45 million

Krug is leaving Boston to go to the team who beat them in the Cup finals in 2019. Boston fans could see this as a snake-like move, but Krug wanted his money, and Boston wasn’t going to give it to him. Krug immediately moves onto the first blue line pairing after Pietrangelo signed with Vegas. This pairing is a good fit. The Blues need someone who can score from the point, and Krug wants to win. In every full season of his NHL career, Krug has scored no less than 39 points. The Blues won the Cup two seasons ago and have all the pieces for another one. 

Grade: A

 

Taylor Hall, LW, Buffalo Sabres; one year, $8 million

This is probably the best signing free agency has had so far. Hall, former MVP of the league, has battled injuries and inconsistency since his breakout MVP season. He was traded from the New Jersey Devils to the Arizona Coyotes in an attempt to lead the Yotes to a Cup run, but he could never find his footing. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 and haven’t won a playoff series since 2007, both the longest droughts in the NHL. They’re hoping that Hall’s one-year deal will allow him to get his footing back. If so, look out. Hall, Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner could be a lethal trio. This is a fantastic signing by Buffalo. If Hall plays well, they can trade him for prospects at the deadline or keep him and sign him to a long-term deal. If not, it’s only a one-year deal, so no harm, no foul.

Grade: A+

 

T.J. Brodie, D, Toronto Maple Leafs; four years, $20 million

The Leafs need any help they can get on the blue line. They wanted either Pietrangelo or Krug, but they weren’t able to sign them. Brodie is a solid player but not the top-flight defenseman that Pietrangelo and Krug are. However, he will help a defense core that is desperate for any type of consistency they can find. The Leafs have had one of the best offensive teams in the NHL for a few years now. They just can’t seem to stop anyone defensively or in net. Brodie will help sure up the back end, but the Leafs need even more help on the blue line if they want to compete for the Cup.

Grade: B

 

Jacob Markstrom, G, Calgary Flames; six years, $36 million

This is another long contract for a 30-year old. The Flames are banking on Markstrom being the consistent goaltender that he was for the Vancouver Canucks until he’s 36 years old. These are demanding hopes for a goalie. Even the greatest goalies in NHL history fizzled out by their mid-to-late 30s. The Flames have had many goaltender issues in recent years, so this contract aims to resolve those issues. Many people have their doubts about this contract, but the Flames’ organization needed it to happen.

Grade: B-

 

Braden Holtby, G, Vancouver Canucks; two years, $8.6 million

Holtby was hoping to come into free agency with many offers, but that didn’t happen. His play fell off dramatically after his heroic efforts helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018. Thatcher Demko looks to be the goaltender of the future for an extremely young Canucks team, so Holtby hopes to be either in a platoon or backup role in Vancouver. It’s a mutually beneficial contract. Holtby gets one more chance at proving he still has it. If not, he brings something a young Canucks team needs on a cheap contract: championship experience. 24-year-old Demko will learn from Holtby, and Vancouver is hoping this contract will push them to a Stanley Cup finals appearance and win.

Grade: B

 

Henrik Lundqvist, G, Washington Capitals; one year, $1.5 million

“The King” is out of New York after 15 seasons. His resumé is basically complete except for a Stanley Cup win. Everyone wishes he could’ve won one with the New York Rangers. Now, Lundqvist is joining one of the Rangers’ biggest rivals, the Capitals, but he leaves no bad memories in New York. This contract is simply boom or bust. He either wins the Cup in Washington, or he’ll retire without one. He’s there to win and mentor the Caps’ 23-year-old netminder, Ilya Samsonov. It’s a one-year deal for almost no money, ideal for both parties. Everyone is hoping that Lundqvist can finally win one, even if it is in one of his biggest rivals’ jerseys.

Grade: A