Metro Report: Free Agency Update

We’re in the midst of this year’s 2020 Free Agent Frenzy and it’s the middle of October, what the hell? Let’s catch you up on what’s happening in the Metro Division.  Let’s start out with last year’s farce of a division winner.

Washington Capitals

• Justin Schultz (4yrs/$8m)

Coming off a 3rd consecutive injury riddled season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Schultz signed a 2 year contract with the Caps worth $4,000,000 a season. Once a very solid offensive-defenseman who could run a power play, Schultz has had a difficult time staying healthy, missing 76 total games over the last two seasons with Pittsburgh. Having turned 30 in July, Schultz is no spring chicken and at $4,000,000 he isn’t exactly the type of player who will fix Washington’s issues on the back end.

• Trevor Van Riemsdyk (1yr/$800k)

TVR is a decent depth signing for Washington and new Head Coach, Peter Laviolette. The younger brother of Flyers forward James Van Riemsdyk, Trevor is an ok puck moving defenseman who plays a consistent game on the bottom 6 pair. He’ll likely be the 7th D for Washington and make $800,000 as a RHD for the upcoming season.

• Henrik Lundquist (1yr/$1.5m)

Does this name do anything for you? Sure, maybe because he’s one of the greatest goalies in recent times. But let’s face it, he’s coming in to back up another stud kid goalie in Ilya Samsonov. While this looks like a great signing, it really does nothing for me. Yes, the money and term are great for a former Vezina winning goalie as a backup but let’s face it, it’s not going to put this team over the top. Lunquist will be as relevant in Washington as he was in New York last season.

Philadelphia Flyers

• Erik Gustafsson (1yr/$3m)

At 6′, 197lbs, Gustafsson could very well be Matt Niskanen’s replacement in the top 4 for Philadelphia. Or it could signal a trade. Along with Gustafsson, the Flyers have 7 other defenseman signed to 1-way deals on the roster. Known as more of an offensive defenseman, Gustafsson tallied 17 goals and 60 points for the Blackhawks back in 2018-19. A 4th round pick of Edmonton’s back in 2012, Gustafsson seemingly hasn’t had trouble accumulating points for whichever team he’s played on, racking up 119 points in 221 NHL games between the Blackhawks and Flames. This is a decent signing for the Flyers who were in a bit of a bind after Niskanen’s sudden retirement, but one would assume it signals at the very least one more move for the orange and black.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Mark Jankowski (1yr/$700k)

Kudos to Pittsburgh for not waiting long to get their guy in Mark Jankowski who they’re hoping can fill the void as their 3rd line center. Jankowski is a very solid depth signing for Pittsburgh who scored a combined 31 goals for the Flames the last 2 seasons and can play some tough minutes on the PK. At $700,000 for a season, there’s very little risk here for Pittsburgh and Jankowski will be an RFA after this year.

• Evan Rodrigues (1yr/$700k)

Another depth signing for Pittsburgh, Rodrigues was traded to the Pens last season via the Dominik Kahun deal with Buffalo. This is Pittsburgh bringing back a familiar face at a very cheap price to fill out a position in the bottom 6.

Carolina Hurricanes

• Jesper Fast (3yrs/$6m)

Another very solid depth player signed by a Metro team. Jesper Fast signs on with Carolina for the next 3 seasons at $2,000,000 a season to play Right Wings for the Canes. At 28 years old, Fast is as consistent as they come for a bottom 6 player and Ranger fans weren’t happy to lose him to a division rival.

New York Islanders

• No NHL 1-way signings to date

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Mikko Koivu (1yr/$1.75m)

A former 6th overall pick and long time captain of the Minnesota Wild, Mikko Koivu has played a combined 103 games between the last 2 NHL seasons. At 37 years old the 2 biggest assets Koivu brings to Columbus is experience and leadership. A team with an already aging forward group before Koivu, after his signing it brings their average forward age to 29.4 years old. I’m just glad the Flyers didn’t piss away $1.75m on a 37 year old center.

New York Rangers

• Jack Johnson (1yr/$1.15m)

The Rangers signed Jack Johnson the hockey player to a 1 year deal. They would’ve been better off signing the musician if you ask me but good on Johnson for getting another contract.

• Kevin Rooney (2yrs/$1.5m)

Rooney is a 27 year old bottom 6 guy who played a total of 90 games on terrible New Jersey Devils teams between the last 2 seasons. He’ll make $750,000 a season the next 2 seasons. Good for you Kevin Rooney.

• Keith Kinkaid (2yrs/$1.65m)

Kinkaid won’t sniff the NHL roster unless Alexander Georgiev is moved so even though he’s been given a 1-way deal, he’ll absolutely start next season in the AHL. That’s all I got on this great signing for the Rags.

New Jersey Devils

• Corey Crawford (2yrs/$7.8m)

New Jersey went out and signed an experienced back up goalie for $3.9m a season. Sure it’s only a 2 year deal so it’s low risk in that sense but MacKenzie is the guy in Jersey. OK signing by the Devs, but not one I’m overly optimistic about. Unless you ask Flyer fans, then jersey is going straight to the Stanley Cup.

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