Zadorov’s success or Tampa captain’s departure? The best deals to start the NHL offseason
Vladimir Laevsky July 5, 2024, 17:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Select the top contract of early July in the NHL.
The busiest period of the transfer window has come to an end in the NHL. On the first day, a record was set: for the first time in history, teams spent more than a billion dollars on contracts in one day! And in total, they were locked up for an astonishing 399 years.
Such a transfer window could not fail to give rise to many discussions about the fairness and unfairness of certain deals. We have compiled the offers that received the most positive evaluations from experts and fans. The main criterion was the ratio “price – quality – player level”. We invite you to decide which offer was the best at the start of the NHL transfer window!
We have already compiled the worst deals from the beginning of July:
High risk: The 5 worst contracts in the first days of the NHL offseason
The rating depends entirely on the votes of the “Championship” readers and is formed online.
If you want to move an option up in the list, press the up arrow “ ↑. If you think the option should be lower, press the down arrow “↓”.
Important: The “Ranking” feature works only in the standard version of the “Championship”. If you came to this material through a search query, you will see only the generated list without voting buttons.
Ranking: The best deals at the start of the NHL transfer window
Photo: Chris Seward/AP Photo/TASS
Jake Guentzel – from Carolina to Tampa
Contract: seven years, $9 million per year, total amount: $63 million
Günzel was perhaps the main protagonist of this window. The best sniper is in his prime: he will turn 30 in October. The biggest player! Last season, the American forward scored 77 (30+47) points in 67 games for Pittsburgh and Carolina, and scored 9 (4+5) points in 11 games in the playoffs. The forward is effective in any conditions.
Some fans criticized Tampa for such a big contract, but getting a forward who can easily play at a high level for at least another four years is a real success. Therefore, it was almost impossible to spend less on such a hockey player. But now Kucherov and Point will have worthy support: younger than the departed leaders.
Photo credit: ZUMA/TASS
Sam Rinehart – remains in Florida
Contract: eight years, $8.625 million per year, total amount: $69 million
It may not be entirely correct to add to that rating a hockey player who simply re-signed a contract with the current club, but I would like to make an exception. Rinehart really blossomed in Florida last season. The 28-year-old Canadian seems to have found his place. In 82 regular season games, Sam reached the 50+ goal mark, scoring a total of 94 (57+37) points. In the playoffs, the forward scored another 16 points (10+6), including the goal that gave the Panthers the Stanley Cup.
In other words, keeping that forward was the Panthers’ top job, and they accomplished that. They also managed to work out a deal to give the club some wiggle room. Rinehart will likely be a major factor in Florida’s ability to compete for a second straight Stanley Cup.
Photo: David Zalubowski/AP Photo/TASS
Matt Duchaine remains in Dallas
Contract: One year, $3 million per year, total amount: $3 million
It’s not the most obvious deal, but many welcomed the forward’s renewal with enthusiasm. They managed to give up on Duchane, but he unexpectedly became one of Dallas’ leaders. The 33-year-old Canadian scored 65 (25+40) points in 80 regular season games and added another 6 (2+4) points in the playoffs. Excellent performance for his age.
The most important thing is that the Stars managed to retain a leader and an experienced fighter, without overpaying or burdening themselves with unnecessary obligations. If Duchaine maintains his current level, Dallas will only be in the black, having received decent help and an “uncle” for the youngsters. If it doesn’t work out, $3 million under the salary cap, even if it’s only for one season, won’t be a problem.
Dallas needs experienced leaders
“The NHL won’t be the same without him.” Another hockey legend retires
Photo: Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo/TASS
Vladimir Tarasenko – from Florida to Detroit
Contract: Two years, $4.75 million per year, total amount: $9.5 million
Vladdi made another controversial move: renewing his contract with a club that has not made the playoffs in recent years. However, last year it paid off: the forward earned money and, at the end of the term, ended up in a decent team, which later won the Stanley Cup. The logic can be understood: Detroit was willing to pay generously.
Either way, the deal seems beneficial for both sides. The Red Wings got an experienced sniper, a locker room leader and a cup fighter. Tarasenko scored 55 (23+32) points in 76 games in the regular season, adding another 9 (5+4) points in the playoffs. The 32-year-old forward continues to play at a high level. So Detroit, which is actively rebuilding and intends to make the playoffs, is closer to the goal. If you’re unlucky, you can give away the hockey player when the deadline comes and get him something else.
Tarasenko received a nice contract at the same level as last year, he will definitely not be put under pressure and if something happens, the experience of the two-time Stanley Cup winner will be useful to any club. Everything is positive.
Related materials
The Russian NHL champion has moved to the legendary club. What can we expect from the union of Tarasenko and Detroit?
Photo: Karl B. DeBlaker/AP Photo/TASS
Brady Shay – from Carolina to Nashville
Contract: seven years, $7 million per year, total amount: $49 million
The Predators have captured one of the strongest, if not the strongest, defenders on the free agent market. Shay was the main player in Carolina’s defense, and it is even surprising that the Hurricanes were unable to retain such a hockey player in their ranks. The 30-year-old American had his best season in terms of performance, becoming the Hurricanes’ leading scoring defender: 47 (13+34) points in 80 games with a utility rating of “+15”. In 11 playoff games, Shay scored another 9 (1+8) points.
The main thing is that Nashville got a reliable defenseman who can compete with Roman Josi for the title of defensive leader and help him carry the team along at the right time. The club received a characterful and charismatic hockey player who brings value on offense, defense and in the locker room. Well, it did so at a more than reasonable price: Shay won’t even be among the top 30 highest-earning defensemen in the NHL. Brady is just progressing, so he will consolidate his place in the coming years and share his experience with younger players.
Related materials
“It’s not a shock.” Three Russians’ contracts are among the worst in the NHL in the West
Photo: ETHAN CAIRNS/AP Photo/TASS
Nikita Zadorov – from Vancouver to Boston
Contract: six years, $5 million per year, total amount: $30 million
The Russian defender quickly made it clear that he would not remain in the Orca camp. And it was probably the right decision. But Zadorov surprised the public by signing a rather large contract with the powerful Bruins. Although, of course, Nikita could have asked for even more – perhaps the management of the “Bears” worked competently here.
At the end of the season, the 29-year-old Russian scored 20 (6+14) points in 75 games with a utility rating of “0”. Having demonstrated a successful game in the regular season, Zadorov took the lead in the playoffs and dragged Vancouver with him. The defender set several club records, scoring 8 (4+4) points in 13 games with a utility rating of “+3”. Now, Zadorov can easily be considered one of the strongest defenders in the NHL, so Boston was lucky to get a top-level defender at the top, and at a fairly reasonable price.
Related materials
Zadorov is hated in his homeland. But right now he is the best Russian defender in the world.
Photo: Chris O’Meara/AP Photo/TASS
Matt Gryzlik – from Boston to Pittsburgh
Contract: One year, $2.75 million per year, total amount: $2.75 million
The American defender has slowed down a bit in the last season, but he has been playing at a high level for several years now. Gryzlik was one of Boston’s main defenders and even in a bad season he scored 11 (2+9) points in 63 regular season games with a rating of +13. A year ago, he scored 26 (4+22) points in 75 games with a rating of +46.
In any case, Pittsburgh clearly improved by signing a 30-year-old defenseman with a track record of winning big games. Gryzlik is definitely not out of his prime yet, so he will be useful for the struggling Penguins and help strengthen the defense. And the cap and deadline are secure. In case Matt still doesn’t play, the Penguins aren’t risking anything. And if he does play, it will be a clear win. It might even be possible to trade before the deadline and receive assets for the future.
Photo: nhl.com
Steven Stamkos – from Tampa to Nashville
Contract: Four years, $8 million per year, total amount: $32 million
Perhaps the loudest transition is not only this window, but in general in recent years. The leader, captain and face of Tampa left the club. Although until recently it seemed that an agreement with Stamkos would be possible. “Nashville” came to the rescue in time and seized one of the main lots. Yes, Stephen is no longer in his prime – he is 34 years old, last season he became the worst in Tampa in terms of utility (-21). But Stamkos is still extremely effective – 81 (40+41) points in 79 games for his age is an amazing result! In addition, the experience of the two-time Stanley Cup winner has not disappeared. Now the Canadian will probably be even more productive thanks to the new challenge.
Nashville got a top-notch forward, a leader in the locker room and on the ice, a Cup fighter, as well as a man of character – exactly what the Predators, who were mediocrely eliminated from the 2024 playoffs, were missing. What is even more interesting is that management was able to get Stammer for the right price. The timing is such that the “predators” do not risk much, because Stamkos certainly will not regress much in the coming years. And the cap hit is quite acceptable and does not hurt the team’s payroll. Everyone got what they wanted.
Related materials
“Fans are angry and feel betrayed.” Tampa, bravo for parting ways with Stamkos!
Photo: Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo/TASS
Jonathan Marchessault – from Las Vegas to Nashville
Contract: Five years, $5.5 million per year, total amount: $27.5 million
Nashville was able to get a top-class forward who lifted the Stanley Cup over his head a year ago. The departure of the 33-year-old forward surprised many, as Marchessault was the leader of Las Vegas. Last season, Jonathan scored 69 points (42+27) in 82 games with a utility rating of -2.
The forward is already slowly moving towards the end of his career, but he is still capable of being useful in attack. In addition, the Canadian’s experience will be an important factor – probably why Jonathan was largely hired. He became one of the best players of the victorious 2023 Stanley Cup. And Nashville will not spend so much on him. If the Predators win the Cup, Marchessault’s contribution will be huge, and the amount of the contract will not even be considered.
Related materials
Is there a new force in the NHL? Nashville is the main sensation of the transfer market
