Grades for Top NHL Free-Agent Signings from the 2014 Offseason After 1 Year
It's been over a year since the top NHL unrestricted free agents of 2014 signed their respective new contracts. With the frenzy of this summer's UFA market dying down, this is a good opportunity to assess how last year's notable free agents fared in 2014-15 with their new teams.
Several players on this list performed quite well, playing up to expectations. Others struggled for a variety of reasons. For all of them, last season's efforts could be a preview of what to expect over the course of their contracts.
The following slideshow examines the top NHL free-agents signings of 2014 after one year. Their respective contracts and performances through 2014-15 factored into each grade. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.
Mikhail Grabovski, New York Islanders
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Contract: On July 2, 2014, center Mikhail Grabovski signed a four-year, $20 million contract (annual average salary of $5 million) with the New York Islanders.
Performance: In 51 games last season, the 31-year-old Grabovski scored nine goals and 19 points.
Grade: D. Various injuries (including a concussion) sidelined Grabovski for 31 games last season, hampering his performance. As a result, the jury remains out in regard to his overall effectiveness with the Islanders. If Grabovski can avoid injury in 2015-16, he should have a more positive impact.
Dave Bolland, Florida Panthers
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, center Dave Bolland signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract (annual average salary of $5.5 million) with the Florida Panthers.
Performance: In 53 games last season, Bolland scored six goals and 23 points. He missed 21 games due to an early-season groin injury and eight more as a result of a late-season upper-body injury.
Grade: D. Bolland is an effective third-line center, but the 29-year-old is grossly overpaid for his services. Injuries affected his performance throughout last season. It remains to be seen if Bolland, who has a lengthy injury history, can stay healthy throughout next season.
Ales Hemsky, Dallas Stars
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, right wing Ales Hemsky signed a three-year, $12 million contract (annual average salary of $4 million) with the Dallas Stars.
Performance: In 76 games last season, the 31-year-old Hemsky tallied 11 goals and 32 points.
Grade: D. The Stars had hoped Hemsky would rekindle the chemistry he had with center Jason Spezza during their brief tenure together with the Ottawa Senators. Unfortunately, he struggled through much of last season. In April, the Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika reported Hemsky underwent hip surgery. Perhaps after a full recovery, he might regain his offensive form.
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Dan Boyle, New York Rangers
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, defenseman Dan Boyle signed a two-year, $9 million contract (annual average salary of $4.5 million) with the New York Rangers.
Performance: In 65 games last season, Boyle tallied nine goals and 20 points.
Grade: D. An early-season hand injury affected Boyle's performance. Age is catching up with him, as he's no longer capable of consistently logging top-pairing minutes. Depending on the outcome of Derek Stepan's upcoming arbitration case, the 39-year-old Boyle's contract could become a salary-cap headache for the Rangers.
Jonas Hiller, Calgary Flames
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, goaltender Jonas Hiller signed a two-year, $9 million contract (annual average salary of $4.5 million) with the Calgary Flames.
Performance: In 52 games last season, the 33-year-old Hiller sported a record of 26 wins, 19 losses and four overtime losses. He also had a goals-against average of 2.36, a .918 save percentage and one shutout.
Grade: C-minus. While Hiller put up decent stats, inconsistency plagued him throughout last season. At times, he was benched in favor of backups Karri Ramo or Joni Ortio. Entering the final year of his contract, Hiller must re-establish himself as a reliable starting goaltender.
Paul Stastny, St. Louis Blues
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, center Paul Stastny signed a four-year, $28 million contract (average annual salary of $7 million) with the St. Louis Blues.
Performance: In 74 games last season, the 29-year-old Stastny scored 16 goals and 46 points. He missed eight games to a shoulder injury and became the Blues' third-line center for much of the season. Stastny tallied only one point in six playoff games.
Grade: C. Stastny's point total was respectable and his skill and experience bolstered the Blues' forward depth. However, a center earning first-line money shouldn't be skating on the third line. His stats were also below his 25-goal, 60-point effort in 2013-14. Given his expensive contract, Stastny must step up his play in 2015-16.
Matt Moulson, Buffalo Sabres
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, left wing Matt Moulson signed a five-year, $25 million contract (annual average salary of $5 million) with the Buffalo Sabres.
Performance: In 77 games last season, the 31-year-old Moulson tallied 13 goals and 41 points. He led the Sabres in assists and was among their leaders in goals, points and game-winning goals.
Grade: C. Moulson's numbers in 2014-15 were well below his career-best years with the New York Islanders. The Sabres' lack of scoring depth last season contributed to his reduced output. With the recent additions of centers Ryan O'Reilly and Jack Eichel, Moulson will have an opportunity to put up better numbers next season.
Thomas Vanek, Minnesota Wild
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, left wing Thomas Vanek signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract (annual average salary of $6.5 million) with the Minnesota Wild.
Performance: In 80 games last season, the 31-year-old Vanek scored 21 goals and 52 points. He finished third on the Wild in goals and points. Vanek was also held goalless in 10 playoff games, finishing with four points.
Grade: C. Despite Vanek's solid offensive numbers, his production did not meet expectations. On June 8, the Star Tribune's Michael Russo reported Vanek recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia that plagued him over the second half of the season. That could account for his scoring difficulties. With a full recovery, Vanek's stats could improve in 2015-16.
Ryan Miller, Vancouver Canucks
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, goaltender Ryan Miller signed a three-year, $18 million contract (annual average salary of $6 million) with the Vancouver Canucks.
Performance: In 45 games last season, Miller compiled a record of 29 wins, 15 losses and one overtime loss. He also had a 2.53 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. His six shutouts ranked among last season's league leaders.
Grade: C. Despite Miller's solid win-loss record and shutout numbers, his other stats were below those expected of a starting goalie. A knee injury sidelined him for 21 games from late February through early April. If the Canucks hope to reach the playoffs next season, the 35-year-old Miller must elevate his game.
Matt Niskanen, Washington Capitals
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, defenseman Matt Niskanen signed a seven-year, $40.25 million contract (annual average salary of $5.75 million) with the Washington Capitals.
Performance: In 82 games last season, the 28-year-old Niskanen scored four goals and 31 points. He was also among the Capitals' leaders in ice time and blocked shots.
Grade: B. Niskanen was a key addition to the Capitals' defense corps, providing another level of puck-moving skill and experience. His point production was down, but that was mainly because he skated on the second defense pairing. With the Capitals adding more scoring forwards this summer, Niskanen's offensive numbers could improve.
Mike Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, left wing Mike Cammalleri signed a five-year, $25 million contract (annual average salary of $5 million) with the New Jersey Devils.
Performance: In 68 games last season, Cammalleri scored 27 goals and 42 points. He led the Devils in goals, power-play goals and game-winning goals. He also finished second in points.
Grade: B. Despite missing 14 games due to various injuries and illness, Cammalleri performed up to expectations. The Devils' lack of offensive punch didn't adversely affect his play, as his numbers were consistent with those he's put up in recent years. Now 33, it'll be interesting to see if he can maintain that production next season.
Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, right wing Jarome Iginla signed a three-year, $16 million contract (annual average salary of $5.333 million) with the Colorado Avalanche.
Performance: In 82 games last season, Iginla tallied 29 goals and 59 points. He led the Avalanche in goals and points. Iginla was also among their leaders in power-play points and game-winning goals.
Grade: B. Despite a slow start, Iginla's scoring numbers were close to the 30-goal, 60-point average of the past several years. That's impressive for a player in the twilight years of his NHL career. However, Iginla could do little to improve the Avs' sputtering offense last season. Now 38, he could see more of a secondary role in 2015-16.
Brooks Orpik, Washington Capitals
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, defenseman Brooks Orpik signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract (annual average salary of $5.5 million) with the Washington Capitals.
Performance: In 78 games last season, the 34-year-old Orpik collected 19 points. He was also among the Capitals' leaders in hits, blocked shots and ice time per game.
Grade: B-plus. Last July, the Washington Post's Neil Greenberg was among a number of pundits critical of Orpik's contract. The veteran blueliner silenced the doubters, earning a full-time spot on Washington's top defense pairing. Orpik's experience and leadership played a key role in the Capitals' improvement last season.
Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks
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Contract: On July 3, 2014, right wing Radim Vrbata signed a two-year, $10 million contract (annual average salary of $5 million) with the Vancouver Canucks.
Performance: In 79 games last season, Vrbata scored 31 goals and a career-high 63 points. He led the Canucks in goals, power-play goals and game-winning goals, as well as finishing third in points.
Grade: A. Vrbata proved to be a solid addition to the Canucks' offensive attack. His performance was a big reason why they reached the playoffs last season. As a result, the team named him its most valuable player. With one season remaining on Vrbata's contract, however, it remains to be seen if the 34-year-old winger has a long-term future in Vancouver.
Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Contract: On July 1, 2014, defenseman Anton Stralman signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract (annual average salary of $4.5 million) with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Performance: In 82 games last season, the 28-year-old Stralman scored nine goals and 39 points. He led all Lightning defensemen in points and was among the team leaders in ice time per game (21:56).
Grade: A. Stralman built upon his strong 2013-14 performance with the New York Rangers, quickly becoming one of the Lightning's top two defenseman. His dependable all-around skills contributed to Tampa Bay's march to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. Now in his playing prime, Stralman should remain an invaluable part of the Lightning's defense corps over the remaining four years of his contract.
Players stats and info via NHL.com. Salary info via General Fanager.
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