2017 Free agency thread.

JVR at $8m? Reminds me of that st00pid deal they gave Horsehead (fan00f). Don’t do it Leafs, or you’ll make the hockey world doubt your competence again.

 

The leafs can't sign him, bye bye jvr.

 

who the hell wants to pay him $8 mil a year ? no one has that spare cash under their cap mattress.

 

I feel like Dallas is ripe for a bad JVR deal. Especially if they can get out of their bad Spezza deal.

 

SJ signs Kane for $7 x 7.

 

Good luck to SJ, they'll need it.

 

Look for JT talks to start heating up soon.

Will lou try to sign him in free agency or will he trade him before that (5 day window).?

 

We should edit the "2017" out of the title for this thread. Anyway...


Up against comparable players, Patric Hornqvist’s contract could be a real bargain

When Hornqvist extended his contract in February, many were wary given his age, injuries, and underlying stats. Now, looking at what comparable players may sign for this offseason, that new deal seems like an absolute steal for the Penguins.
By rjnaugle2@rjnaugle2 May 25, 2018, 9:00am EDT

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Entering the 2018 offseason, the Penguins are facing very little in the way of unrestricted free agents. There are a handful of players heading to restricted free agency, but the Penguins have a bit more say when it comes to whether those guys stay or leave. The team’s only unrestricted free agent at the moment is Carter Rowney, and he’s not expected to return.

There could have been a second player heading to unrestricted free agency, but Jim Rutherford stepped in to make sure that didn’t happen by re-signing forward Patric Hornqvist to a five-year contract extension in late February. Hornqvist’s new deal carries a $5.3 million cap hit and lasts through the 2022-2023 season. The deal also includes a no trade clause for the first three years, then transitions to a modified NTC beginning in year four.

With the Swede now at 31-years-old, Hornqvist’s new contract does carry some risks, but those are outweighed by what he brings to the table when he’s on the ice.

Since coming over from the Nashville Predators in the summer of 2015, Hornqvist has more than proven his worth to the team, getting rewarded for his production with a shiny, new contract. As a major factor in the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup runs, Hornqvist has scored 97 goals in a Penguins uniform with 40 of those coming on the power play. He’s added an additional 19 playoff goals as well.

And who could forget this...

While Hornqvist’s numbers may not light up the box score, there’s much more to his game that people outside of Pittsburgh don’t always take notice to. As a guy never afraid to get a little dirty, Hornqvist is constantly working when he is on the ice — including the areas where other players aren’t willing to go. He’s become a nightmare for defenses and goalies alike with his tenacious style of play.

Whether it’s during even-strength or on the power play, Hornqvist plays his game and is a menace to opposing teams. When goalies see #72 standing in front of them, they know their job is about to get a little more difficult.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
When the Hornqvist extension was announced, many expressed their displeasure with the signing for various reasons. One major reason was his age (Hornqvist will turn 32 next season and be 36 when the deal expires), and that’s a fair point to argue, especially considering how much his ruggedness probably affects his body.

His injury history may also be a slight cause for concern going forward — another symptom of his style. Over the past two seasons, Hornqvist has missed a combined 24 regular season games and additional eight in the playoffs. Though during the 2015-2016 season, Hornqvist played in all 82 regular season games and all 24 playoff games.

Many people from the advanced stats community also voiced their displeasure with the deal citing Hornqvist’s underlying numbers which, like his box score statistics, may not blow you away. For the fans who applauded the deal, this argument made little sense because Hornqvist’s value to the team goes beyond any particular statistic. Also, his non-numerical value is not as bad as some make it out to be.

Simply put, when Patric Hornqvist is on the ice, the Penguins are carrying the majority of the play.

Based on this past season, Hornqvist logged a Corsi For percentage of 53.41, better than both Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Adding to his strong Corsi numbers, he also had a 1.37 points per 60 tally and a 16.97 Corsi For per 60, which lead the team.

A majority of the time Hornqvist was one the ice, he was skating alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, which meant he was playing in a top-six role — something that’s to be expected from him. As part of a line with either Crosby or Malkin, his Corsi For and relative Corsi For percentages shoot even higher.

What drags his overall numbers down was his play when Phil Kessel was on the other wing with Malkin at center. Overall, that line struggled when on the ice together, and as a result, did not see much playing time.

Simply put, when Patric Hornqvist is on the ice, the Penguins are carrying the majority of the play. And that’s a good thing.

 

I'm cringing.

 

he's gotta fall somewhere in between McDavid and Eichel. I'm putting him at 8 years/ $11.5 per.

 

he better score a shitload more goals then. McDavid makes that money and leads the league in scoring. Matthews isn't McDavid and better become a scoring phenom to earn that kind of contract !!!

 

I think he's wotth 9.

 

Eichel is getting $10, Matthews has gotta get more.

 

Ahhh my back!

 

In that case he'll get 11.

 

Lou and son have taken over the isles, total coup. I think the security guards busted into garths office while he was slumped on his desk in front of his coffee and paper and gave him the heave ho.

 

OEL, 8 years $8MM AAV. Done. I think he gave the yotes a discount compared to the potential in the open market.

 

Coyotes general manager John Chayka told NHL.com on June 2 that signing Ekman-Larsson to a long-term extension was a top priority.

"We've been very clear that we're willing to do whatever we possibly can to have him come back, and (we) think he's a heck of a defenseman, heck of a player, heck of a person," Chayka said at the 2018 NHL Scouting Combine. "Really believe in him and what he can bring to our team. Trying to get something done to lock him up long, long term. Build around him and really put together a team he deserves.

"He's had some hard times and we feel we can really surround him with the best people and the best players so that he can show what he's capable of."

Ekman-Larsson had 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 82 games for the Coyotes this season and led them in average ice time with 23:41 per game. He has played all but 12 games during the past seven seasons.
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Solid deal for the Coyotes and I think your right, Dan... he could have possibly milked more from a team with a greater winning potential. Im glad both sides are happy.