The Losers in NHL Free Agency

On my last blog post, I talked about the winners of NHL Free Agency so far. Well, I haven't talked about the losers yet and while I said I was questioning both the Stars and Blues, they don't fall onto my list of losers. They actually fall onto my list of "Wait-and-See." But right now, we're going to talk about the real losers so far in this free agency. Brace yourselves, puck heads!

New York Islanders
They were in the playoffs last year, am I correct? But now, they have just lost Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin, three players who helped them get to the playoffs. Replacing them? Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera. Ladd comes from a Winnipeg team that failed to make the playoffs last season and has a seven-year deal that he probably won't last through. He's also be 37 when it ends and his production is starting to slip. Chimera is already 37 and already sliding as well. Granted, he was on a good Capitals team, but this two-year deal suggests that someone from the farm will be taking his place very soon. I don't see the Islanders as winners, I see them missing out on the playoffs next season.

Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks lost Dam Hamhuis and got Loui Eriksson. Exactly how is Loui Eriksson a upgrade and how exactly does he get a six-year deal? This team's in rebuilding mode and Loui Eriksson might not have that much more time in the league. He could possibly fit alongside the Sedins and possibly see some playing minutes, but helping a team in rebuilding mode for a long period of time? Probably not going to happen. He played well in Boston, but can't exactly be the difference-maker when it comes to rebuilding. That's usually the job of prospects to realize. The Canucks are missing the playoffs again this year because they still a lot of work and development to do.

Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs were surprisingly quiet on Friday and that's saying something for a team that was the worst team in the league last year. The Matt Martin signing is also puzzling. A four-year deal worth $10 million? What does that say to Leafs fans? They couldn't throw out money to find someone better. Look for the Leafs to miss the playoffs yet again.

Boston Bruins
David Backes joins the Bruins and gives them one of the best groups of centers in the league. The contract is something questionable, though. Five years and $30 million dollars on a 32-year-old? I understand he still has a lot of production left in this league, but he has a history of concussions and if this continues, he won't be in the league much longer. Boston's biggest need was help on the blue line and they didn't get it. They need to find a top-pair blue liner or possibly trade David Krejci away for one. Once again, the Bruins miss the playoffs.

So there you have it. The Islanders, Canucks, and Bruins are all losers so far in this free agency, and while it is not over, they have not made a splash to acquire some good talent they could use to improve their team. So until one of these teams finds a way to really improve their outlook and sign some good guys that can help improve, I don't see any of these teams making the playoffs next season.