NHL Betting: Free Agency Winners & Losers

Although Alexander Semin is still on the market, the dust has mostly settled for NHL free agency. At this point, we can get a clear view of which teams improved themselves and which teams headed in the other direction.

Here is a look at the winners and losers of NHL free agency: 

Winner: Minnesota Wild 

Without question, the Minnesota Wild were the biggest winners in free agency. There were two elite free agents in this year’s crop and the Wild – shockingly – came away with both of them. 

Some people figured they had an outside shot at Zach Parise given that he’s from Minnesota but, with bigger markets like New York, Detroit and Pittsburgh in play, few people actually took them seriously. As for Ryan Suter, that one came out of the blue as nobody even knew they were targeting him for the most part. 

The Wild were one of the best teams in hockey through 30 games last season (20-7-3) but then they completely collapsed and were arguably the worst team in the NHL the rest of the way. The hope here is that they regain their swagger from the early part and with Parise and Suter, find a way back into the playoffs. 

At any rate, this was a huge coup for the Wild. 

Winner: Vancouver Canucks 

The Canucks are a Stanley Cup contender but they’ve seen their blue line deteriorate in the last couple of free agencies with Christian Ehrhoff signing in Buffalo last season and Sami Salo departing for Tampa Bay this offseason. But the Canucks rebounded in a huge way by signing Jason Garrison to a very reasonable contract that pays him $4.6 million per year. 

He’s got a cannon of a shot from the blue line, so he’ll be an asset on the power play, and he’s 10 years younger than the injury-prone Salo. This was a huge upgrade at an affordable price; Cup contenders like the Canucks are supposed to be too cash-strapped to pull this kind of thing off. This was a big win. 

Winner: Colorado Avalanche 

Not many people want to say it but the Avs had a positive offseason. They signed P.A. Parenteau to a four-year, $16 million contract, which is good value for a young player who has posted back-to-back 50+ point seasons. He’ll fit in well right next to Matt Duchene and maybe, more importantly, the $4 million per year is a steal of a price. 

Meanwhile, they also added some toughness with John Mitchell and Greg Zanon, who is an underrated defensemen who is perennially among the league-leaders for blocked shots. The Avs were a tad soft last year and these two will add some grit. 

Loser: Nashville Predators 

It’s hard to argue that there is a bigger loser in the NHL’s offseason than Nashville. After years of being frugal, the Predators went all-in at the trade deadline last season and then flopped in the playoffs. Then free agency hit and they watched one of their stud defensemen, Ryan Suter, walk away without any compensation. Then they also saw pest Jordin Tootoo sign with Detroit, Alexander Radulov sign in Russia and then traded backup goaltender Anders Lindback to Tampa Bay. 

Now the focus shifts to captain Shea Weber, who is entering the final year of his contract and could also walk via free agency next July. The team also lost Dan Hamhuis the same way last offseason and now Predators fans are nervous and pessimistic, after being so jovial and optimistic just months ago. 

Loser: Detroit Red Wings 

The Detroit Red Wings are hardly ever losers in the NHL but this offseason has been a downer. They entered with a ton of cap space and plenty of optimism that they’d get either Parise or Suter, or both. Instead, they wound up with nothing. 

While Parise would have been nice, losing out on Suter hurts because of Niklas Lidstrom’s retirement. They also sign Jiri Hudler sign with Calgary and Brad Stuart head to San Jose. 

If anyone can plug and play, it’s Detroit, but this has been a disappointing offseason for them. 

Loser: Phoenix Coyotes 

The Phoenix Coyotes posted their best season as a franchise last year, making it all the way to the Western Conference final. For the first time ever, hockey was relevant. And in the offseason, Coyotes fans were completely drained of any optimism they previously had. 

For starters, lead offensive weapon Ray Whitney signed in Dallas. Sure, the Stars overpaid him and Whitney is 40-years-old but the Coyotes needed to keep him and add offense; not subtract. It also looks like the Coyotes will be losing heart and soul captain Shane Doan, who is growing impatient and likely to sign elsewhere.