While I sit here and watch The Bachelorette, I can’t help but think to myself how anyone can make these life altering decisions in such a short period of time. I love this show for one reason, and one reason only. The Bachelor/Bachelorette is left to make a very tough decision as are the Free Agents of the NHL on July 1st. Which General Manager will have the balls to make an Offer Sheet to Mitch Marner that will force the Maple Leafs hand? Here is my perception after Day 1 of Free Agency.
I’ll start off by commending Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin for going balls to the wall and making an offer for Carolina Hurricanes RFA Sebastian Aho. The Habs offered Aho a deal that would pay him 700-750k a year but will be front loaded. This means that of the $42 million the Habs will pay Aho $21 million in the first Calendar year.
It seems like the Canes will match the offer but they aren’t happy about it. The Hurricanes Owner Thomas Dundon is stuck in a lawsuit with the failed experiment AAF. The Carolina Hurricanes created a lot of buzz this past season, #Bunchofjerks, but they haven’t brought in the revenue to cover the price of Aho’s contract. Interesting to see what will happen.
The New York Rangers have been tied to Artemi Panarin all year. They finally got their wish and Panarin signed an offer by the Rangers that will see him paid $81.5 million over the next 7 years. Panarin has been the most sought out UFA this season. The Rangers have built something nice and will be contenders for years to come. Additions like Kaako, Fox and Panarin will only help them compete in the Eastern Conference. Here are my winners and Losers so far.
Winners
- Dallas Stars:
- Gain: Joe Pavelski, Corey Perry and Andrej Sekera
- Loss: Mats Zuccarelo and Jason Spezza
- New York Rangers
- Gain: Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba
Losers
- Winnipeg Jets
- Loss: Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba
- Colorado Avalanche
- They traded Tyson Barrie to the Leafs along with Alex Kerfoot for Nazim Kadri and Calle Rosen
Tyson Barrie was a big piece of their D Core. They felt that with Makar, that they didnt need Barrie. The Leafs benefit from this trade since they traded Zaitsev and Hainsey to the Senators.
That’s my Day 1 of NHL Free Agency in a nutshell. Follow me on Twitter @TerryTam