NHL Free Agency: Day 1
New York Rangers sign Artemi Panarin
Credit: NY Rangers
Well I guess you could say that New York finally gets the star they’ve been after. Kevin Durant may not be headed to MSG but the former Chicago and Columbus stud winger is taking his talents to the New York Rangers for the cool price tag of 7 years $81.5 million ($11.65 million AAV). And to think that the Blackhawks probably could have locked him up a few years ago for around $6 or 7 million, what could have been.
Florida Panthers sign Sergei Bobrovsky
Credit: Florida Panthers
Columbus loses another big one this time with their star goalie heading south to the tune of 7 years $70 million ($10 million AAV). Bobrovsky is now the 2nd highest paid goalie in the league, only behind Carey Price. Bobrovsky fills the goaltending void after Roberto Luongo retired last week.
New York Islanders re-sign Anders Lee
Credit: NY Post
After rumors that Lee could be lured away from New York, the Islanders were able to hang on to their captain, unlike last summer, for 7 years $49 million ($7 million AAV). At only $7 million a year, this deal will be very team friendly, especially beginning of this contract. The Islanders desperately needed to hang on to Lee after they missed on Panarin, which they rumored to be a possible landing spot for.
New Jersey Devils land Wayne Simmonds
Credit: NJ Devils
At 30 years old you would think that Wayne Simmonds would be looking for a multi year deal but the New Jersey Devils were able to land the forward on a 1 year $5 million deal. After a rather rough season for Simmonds this seems to be a prove it type deal. With his point total this past season being half of what it was just 3 seasons prior when he recorded 60 pts, Simmonds definitely needs a bounce back year and what better way to do that than on a 1 year $5 million deal.
Dallas Stars sign Joe Pavelski
Credit: Dallas Stars
After 13 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Joe Pavelski is finally moving on. The Dallas Stars signed Pavelski to a 3 year $21 million contract. While Pavelski is 34 and on the back end of his career, $7 million a year for a guy that put up 64 pts last season is pretty good deal, as long as he can stay somewhat in that range.
Nashville Predators sign Matt Duchene
Credit: Nashville Predators
After bouncing around from Colorado to Ottawa to Columbus over the past 2 seasons, Duchene finally finds a home in Nashville with a 7 year $56 million contract($8 million AAV). At 28 years old and in his prime coming off a career high 70 pts in 73 games, this is a big pickup for the Predators and maybe finally they can get over the hump in their quest for the Stanley Cup.