Whereas the 2024 NHL free-agent class was top-heavy with large names and gifted scorers, loads of second-tier and depth gamers have inked contracts with new groups.
Listed below are the 5 greatest under-the-radar signings of free company up to now.
Kiefer Sherwood, LW, Vancouver Canucks | Contract: two years, $3M
It took Sherwood six NHL season, however he lastly proved he belonged and carved out a stable bottom-six function for himself with the Predators final season. Sherwood is a quick, gritty, tough-to-play-against pest. He ranked third on the Predators with 234 hits, and he added 10 objectives and 27 factors, exhibiting he can use his velocity and physicality to his benefit to assist generate some offense, and at $1.5M per season, that’s a steal.
Jack Roslovic, C, Carolina Hurricanes | Contract: one yr, $2.8 million
There’s so much to love about Roslovic. He’s a 27-year-old heart with 20-goal means who can play on the second or third line and on the penalty kill if wanted. He performs with loads of velocity and talent, and he ought to assist offset a few of the level manufacturing misplaced with the departures of Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen and Stefan Noesen.
Nate Schmidt, D, Florida Panthers | Contract: one yr, $800K
The Panthers are taking almost zero threat with the potential for an enormous payoff with Schmidt. Paying lower than $1M for a cellular, puck-moving defenseman who’s defensively accountable and may stabilize the third pairing on a defending Stanley Cup winner is a coup for common supervisor Invoice Zito.
Erik Brannstrom, D, Colorado Avalanche | Contract: one yr, $900K
A top-15 decide of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Brannstrom was traded simply two years into his tenure to the Ottawa Senators in a package deal for high-scoring ahead Mark Stone. He by no means actually discovered his footing with the Senators, both, after 5 seasons, however he’s solely 24 and he contributed 38 factors during the last two seasons, which makes him the right buy-low choice for the Avalanche.
Colorado must hash out its third pair, and Brannstrom might be one other profitable reclamation undertaking for the crew, very like Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin have been.
Jeff Skinner, LW, Edmonton Oilers | Contract: one yr, $3M
It’s uncommon a participant the caliber of Skinner could be thought of “below the radar,” however contemplating what the Oilers are getting for as little as they’re paying, this might be the steal of free company. Skinner has 5 30-goal seasons and one 40-goal marketing campaign below his belt, and he’s constantly within the 50-60 level vary.
Including a participant who’s that large of a possible scoring risk to a lineup that already options Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Evander Kane (for simply $3M at that) and it’ll be laborious to win video games by merely outscoring the Oilers subsequent season.