This
past summer’s free agent frenzy got interesting when the Montreal Canadiens
signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a mega contract paying him an AAV over $10
million for the league max term of eight years. Such a big deal in FNHL free
agency has been rare, as players of that caliber still at a prime age do not
often make it to market. How are he and others doing at the 30 game mark of the
season?
Starting on the back end with the aforementioned Werenski, the Habs are not yet
seeing the best possible returns. While he is eating top 6 minutes and playing
with a +6 marker, just 3 goals and 9 assists will not be what the club is
looking for as the cap hit ascends with time.
After that big deal was revealed at the end of phase 1, the market jumped big
time for 29 year old Colton Parayko in phase 2. Signing a very similar deal,
the Dallas Stars are seeing very similar mixed early returns.Just two goals and 11 points are on the
board, which is not too far off his regular pace, but the bashing defender wasn’t
just sign for offensive prowess. Unfortunately,
he is also currently pacing out to have the least amount of hits in his career.
Like with Werenski, it’ll take time to
fit in and neither team is likely seriously concerned at this moment.
The Vancouver Canucks are getting similar production out of Ryan Murray at a
much lower dollar commitment, however he’s really getting bit on the ice early
with a -19 rating.
The lower end of major deals see Adam Larsson of Seattle as the only major free
agent mentioned in this article who is still goalless. But a +5 and otherwise
solid play is on brand for the veteran. Danney Dekeyser now is giving the most
value of all these free agent defenders currently with 11 points and a +8 in
his 30 games, at just a 4 million cap hit.
Brandon Dubinsky of Minnesota entered free agency as one of the highest
skilled players ever to do so. While he is off pace on his playmaking game, he
continues to be one of the league’s most dangerous shooters, top-10 all time,
and still netting pucks with 13 this season so far. The Carolina Hurricanes
however, must be happy to be getting the same production out of Chris Kreider
at half the price.
The best performer overall? Veteran Steve Stamkos was overlooked by all, and ended
up signing last minute on a 1-year deal with the San Jose Sharks. He is on pace
for his 5
90 point season in ten years, is a killer +20 on the
ice, and the best part for him? He’s proving all the GMs that skipped over him wrong,
leading the league in points and dragging the Sharks with him to 1
place in the standings.
Other strong performers in the contract mid-range are Linus Omark of Florida
and David Pastrnak of Minnesota. They have 22 and 21 points respectively while
playing with cap hits just over four million dollars.
If we had to single out a negative amongst the forwards, Nathan MacKinnon
signed a 3-year deal with Pittsburgh hoping to reinvigorate his career after
back to back seasons of declining output. The 32 year old seems to be hitting a
wall however, with just 2 goals and 9 point on the season so far. This would
pace out to the worst season of the former #1 overall’s career. The Penguins
would be wise to up his ice-time from the low average of 15 minutes – there’s
still more in the tank here.
7/24/2026 - 579 words
