The NHL free agency began on July 1, and the teams signed most of the marquee players. Some players signed team-friendly deals, while others got paid quite a lot, and fans complained that it was an overpay.
After the first wave of free agency, there were plenty of deals done that were smart moves by teams, and here are three of the best that were handed out.
3 smartest NHL contracts handed out by teams in 2024 free agency
#1, Jonathan Drouin, Colorado Avalanche
Jonathan Drouin signed a one-year $825,000 contract last year to reunite with his former junior teammate Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.
Drouin played well, recording 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points in 79 games. He skated in three playoff games and had three assists. After a nice season, he could have cashed in to get a multi-year deal, likely in the $4-5 million range.
However, he signed a one-year deal with $2.5 million, which is a steal for the Avalanche.
#2, Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars
Matt Duchene was bought out by the Nashville Predators last offseason, and he signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars for $3 million. He didn’t have to make a lot of money as he was still getting paid by the Predators.
Yet, in his first year with Dallas, he recorded 25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points in 80 games. He, like Drouin, could have cashed in, likely getting $5 million a year over multiple years, but decided to sign another one-year deal with $3 million.
#3, Jeff Skinner, Edmonton Oilers
Jeff Skinner was bought out by the Buffalo Sabres this offseason, and when a player gets bought out, they are still paid by that team, so they don’t often sign for a lot of money.
However, Skinner is still a good offensive forward in the NHL, and he opted to sign a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Edmonton Oilers. Skinner has never played in an NHL playoff game before. So, instead of chasing money, he decided to chase a cup with the Oilers.
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Edited by Ribin Peter
