Grades for Top NHL Free Agent Signings from the 2015 Offseason After 1 Year
It's been over a year since the top players in 2015's shallow unrestricted free-agent pool signed their respective contracts. With the 2016 UFA market having grown quiet of late, it's time to grade last summer's top signings.
Salary, player performance, age and injuries factored into these grades. We'll also examine how those elements could affect their 2016-17 campaigns.
Only players signed to multiyear contracts as unrestricted free agents are included in this ranking.
If you'd like to express your opinion on this subject, feel free to do so in the comments section below.
Mike Green, Detroit Red Wings
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Contract
The Detroit Red Wings handed defenseman Mike Green a three-year, $18 million deal on July 1, 2015. The annual average salary is $6 million. He's the Wings' highest-paid blueliner.
2015-16 performance
In 74 games last season, the 30-year-old Green scored seven goals and added 28 assists for 35 points. He was the Wings' highest-scoring rearguard and third on the team in time on ice per game (19 minutes and 36 seconds). He also finished fifth among the Wings in hits (106) and blocked shots (71). In five playoff games, he tallied a goal and an assist.
Grade
Overall, Green earns a C-minus. He had decent regular-season numbers and added some puck-moving skills and experience to the Wings blue line. However, he struggled at times during Detroit's opening-round elimination against the Tampa Bay. His ice time fell to 16:45 per game in that series.
Green cannot be considered a top-pairing defenseman anymore. The Wings have an overpaid, declining blueliner on their hands for two more seasons.
Michael Frolik, Calgary Flames
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Contract
On July 1, 2015, the Calgary Flames signed right wing Michael Frolik to a five-year, $21.5 million contract. The average annual salary is $4.3 million.
2015-16 performance
Injuries limited the 28-year-old Frolik to 64 games last season, but he still managed 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points. Despite the limitations, he finished among the Flames' top-10 scorers while skating third-line minutes (15 minutes and 38 seconds).
Grade
Frolik gets a C-plus for his performance last season. Missing 18 games obviously affected his grade. He was on pace to reach 40 points for the fifth time in his career.
When healthy, he's an effective two-way forward. If he can avoid injury in 2016-17, he should be a more useful contributor for the Flames.
Matt Beleskey, Boston Bruins
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Contract
On July 2, 2015, the Boston Bruins signed left wing Matt Beleskey to a five-year, $19 million deal. The average annual salary-cap hit is $3.8 million.
2015-16 performance
In 80 games last season, Beleskey scored 15 goals and collected 22 assists for 37 points. He tied for fifth on the Bruins in goals and seventh in points. Beleskey was also their hits leader with 260.
Grade
Beleskey's first season with the Bruins earns a B-minus grade. While his goal production was down, he did have a career-best 37 points. He also replaced some of the grit that was lost when the Bruins traded winger Milan Lucic last summer.
While not in the same class as Lucic, Beleskey still performed to expectations. If he keeps averaging 35 points per season while maintaining a physical third-line presence, he should remain a valuable part of the Bruins lineup.
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Paul Martin, San Jose Sharks
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Contract
On July 1, 2015, the San Jose Sharks inked defenseman Paul Martin to a four-year, $19.4 million deal. The average annual salary is $4.85 million, making him the second-highest paid blueliner on the Sharks.
2015-16 performance
Martin appeared in 78 regular-season games for the Sharks in 2015-16. He netted 20 points, finished third in time on ice per game (20 minutes and 43 seconds) and fourth in blocked shots (123). In 24 playoff games, he had five assists, finished third again in ice time (22:04) and second in blocked shots with 66.
Grade
Martin earns a grade of B. He quietly bolstered the Sharks' blue-line depth, providing experience and all-around defensive skills. He was a valuable addition to their roster, helping them reach the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
The 35-year-old Martin is approaching the limits of his effectiveness as a top-four defenseman. With three more seasons left on his contract, Martin could become a steadily declining asset.
Joel Ward, San Jose Sharks
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Contract
On July 3, 2015, the San Jose Sharks signed right wing Joel Ward to a three-year, $9.825 million contract. The annual average salary is $3.275 million.
2015-16 performance
In 79 regular-season games in 2015-16, the 35-year-old Ward scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points. He ranked sixth in team scoring. Though 24 playoff games, he scored seven goals and assisted on six others for 13 points. As in the regular season, he finished sixth among Sharks scorers.
Grade
Ward's efforts earn a B grade. He fit in quickly with the Sharks, providing veteran experience, grit and some timely offense. His addition was among the reasons they marched to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
Ward turns 36 on Dec. 2, but is showing few signs of wearing down. Ward's durability should ensure he remains among the Sharks' key forwards in 2016-17.
Andrej Sekera, Edmonton Oilers
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Contract
The Edmonton Oilers signed defenseman Andrej Sekera on July 1, 2015, to a six-year, $33 million contract. The annual salary-cap hit is $5.5 million, making him the Oilers' highest-paid blueliner.
2015-16 performance
In 81 games last season, Sekera scored six goals and set up 24 for 30 points to lead Oilers defensemen in scoring. He tied for first in power-play points (14) and led the club in blocked shots (156) and total ice time (1,768 minutes and 56 seconds).
Grade
Sekera's efforts earn a B grade. While the Edmonton's defense remained among the league's worst, he gave them a much-needed boost of veteran skill and experience.
Sekera is a very good second-pairing defenseman, but the Oilers need a proven top-two rearguard. That's beyond the 30-year-old's skill set.
Justin Williams, Washington Capitals
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Contract
On July 1, 2015, the Washington Capitals signed right wing Justin Williams to a two-year, $6.5 million contract. The annual average salary is $3.25 million.
2015-16 performance
In 82 games, the 34-year-old Williams scored 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points. He finished fourth among the Capitals' regular-season scorers. In 12 postseason games, he scored three goals and added four assists for seven points.
Grade
Williams' efforts get a B-plus. He delivered top-six scoring depth at right wing for the Capitals for a very affordable price. His experience and leadership should continue to be invaluable for the Caps in their quest for the Stanley Cup next season.
Entering the final season of his current contract, this could be Williams' last opportunity to help the Capitals win their first championship. He'll turn 35 on Oct. 4, but should remain a quality contributor.
Francois Beauchemin, Colorado Avalanche
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Contract
On July 1, the Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Francois Beauchemin to a three-year, $13.5 million deal. The average salary-cap hit is $4.5 million, making him the Avs' second-highest paid defender.
2015-16 performance
Beauchemin, who turned 36 on June 4, proved in 2015-16 that he was still an effective NHL blueliner. In 82 games, he collected 34 points, good for second among Avalanche defenders. He was also their leader in blocked shots (256) and time on ice per game (25 minutes and four seconds).
Grade
Beauchemin gets a grade of B-plus. While the Avalanche were among the league's worst defensive teams, the fault didn't lie with him. He was a solid two-way performer.
However, age will be a concern going forward. There's no guarantee he'll still be as effective over the remainder of his contract as he was in 2015-16.
Stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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