Most of the big money has been spent for this free National Hockey League agent season. Overall, the frenzy was far more muted in the early hours and days of free agency.
That does not mean exorbitant dollars were not lavished on NHL players, paired with long-term contracts.
Let’s start wit the most recent signing, Nazem Kadri in Calgary. The Flames signed the winger to a seven-year, $7M contract.
“Calgary was interested from Day One, which is always something I’ve respected and acknowledged,” Kadri said. “It (free agency) was definitely a tricky process, but there were some decisions to be made. Obviously, I’m a Canadian boy (born in London, Ontario). I love the country of Canada, love the city of Calgary, and more importantly, the direction of the team. Really, when it boiled down to decision-making time, those were the aspects of signing with Calgary.
Mikhail Sergachev (98) cross checks Nazem Kadri (91)
“Ultimately, it’s about winning and about being a contender, and I feel that played a huge factor in me coming to Calgary. Just understanding that the time is now, and it certainly could be close with the moves we’ve made and me hopping on board. I’m just excited to meet the guys.”
This writer would gladly place Kadri on any roster, but $7M? For seven years? Kadri is coming off a Stanley Cup Championship with the Colorado Avalanche, and his stock was improved with the Cup. Is he worth that monetary boost and contract length? There is a heavy price to be paid by the Flames in the not too distant future.
“Nazem is a highly competitive, top-six player who makes our center ice position deep,” Calgary general manager Brad Treliving said. “He brings a high skill level and determination to our group combined with his recent experience of a Stanley Cup championship. We look forward to welcoming Nazem and his family to Calgary, and his contributions to our team’s ultimate success.”
Earlier, the Anaheim Ducks made more sensible signings with former New York Rangers’ forwards, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome.
Vatrano was signed to a three-year deal.
“I think you can see all the pieces are there,” Vatrano said. “There are great veterans on the team, guys who have been around a long time, and then you have younger guys who have proven themselves already at such a young age. When you have a good mix of veteran leadership and young players who can push the play, that’s a sign of a great team.”
Strome signed on to a five-year deal.
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets signed former Flames’ star, Johnny Gaudreau, to a seven-year, $68.25M contract. The annual payout will be $9.75M.
“I’ve gotten to play here many times and every time I play here, it’s a lot of fun to play here,” Gaudreau said Thursday. “The fans are into it. They’ve got a lot of buzz there in the arena. I was really excited about that. They’ve got a good young group here, I think that attracted me a little bit too. Me and my wife thought it was a really good fit for us. We looked at some other options, but I think this is the best one for us personally, where we are at in our life. It just made the most sense.”
In Edmonton, Evander Kane signed a reasonable four-year, $20.5M deal with an annual payout of $5.125M.
“Throughout the last 12 months there have been lots of road blocks, tons of adversity and many tough days,” Kane wrote. “I’m grateful for the tremendous amount of support from family, friends, teammates and others who have helped me stay strong through those difficult times.”
The long-term deal made by any club, in any sport, is a long-term liability. Assets age out, and teams are left with shadows of their former stars. All of that influences how players, fans, owners, and handicappers view and wager on NHL picks, players, and outcomes.
Following a trade from the Flames to the Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk signed an eight-year deal to stay in south Florida for Terms were not released, but the Panthers are on the hook for eight years.
“A lot went into it, a lot of thinking,” Tkachuk told “SportsCenter”. “I came to this conclusion of what I wanted to do and go elsewhere probably about a week, week and a half ago, maybe, and kind of just from then, just figuring out where I wanted to go. I had a few teams that I was willing to go to, but a lot had to do with that on ice-off ice lifestyle, everything. I’m at a perfect place, exactly where I want to be right now in Florida. Ecstatic, excited to get down there. I’m going down in a couple of days and can’t wait to see it all.”
Not to be left behind, the Rangers found it necessary to sign a seven-year deal of their own, this one with Vincent Trocheckm formerly of the Carolina Hurricanes.Â
“This was one of just a few teams that we really looked at and thought it was a good fit,” Trocheck said. “Coming in we knew that New York was probably our No. 1 choice, and when they came today it was an easy decision. … Obviously, term and security is something everybody is looking for. To be able to get that was something that important to us and shows the confidence that they have in me.”
Yes the Rangers needed a second line center and some added toughness for the corner work, but seven years?
“We just looked at a lot of different players, a lot of different options [at center],” general manager Chris Drury said. “It’s an important part of any hockey team and it’s a hole we wanted to address. Just excited to have Vincent on board. He’s a real good player, does a lot of different things. We’re excited to have him.”
Today’s gold is often tomorrow’s pewter, hard to sell, you don’t want to show off to visitors, and no one wants to cheer for it. Seven years is a long time to hope that your asset remains an asset and not a liability.
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