Speculation: Every NHL Team's Best Free Agent Signing In History

[FerrisRox]

As mentioned above, definitely Belfour and Hull for the Stars. Some have also said Pat Verbeek was a shrewd get on Bob Gainey's behalf as that kind of started the ball rolling with Dallas as a destination and I'd have to agree.

Jagr was a pretty good move years later. Otherwise, hard to find too many signings that jump out in a positive light over the years.

Alex Radulov?

 

[Spirit of 67]

For the Leafs it's Brett Lebda.

AINEC

 

[FerrisRox]

If we're just talking who helped the team most, Ed Belfour.

The answer for the Maple Leafs is pretty easy, and it's definitely not Ed Belfour.

By a long shot, the Leafs best free agent signing is Borje Salming. The guy was a key part of their blueline for over fifteen years and had a Hall of Fame career in the Blue and White. There is nobody even close to Salming in terms of free agent signings for Toronto.

 

[Darz]

Montreal

- Mike Cammalleri
- Hal Gill
- Roman Hamrlik
- Alexander Radulov
- Erik Cole
- Brian Gionta

were all good

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Zdeno Chara...easily

His signing is in the debate for best UFA signing of all time

HM to Tim Thomas too (for the Bruins)

 

[Cor]

How is Curtis Joseph more successful than Felix Potvin? Potvin backstopped the Leafs to back to back conference finals.

Joseph had 60 playoff appearances in 4 seasons as a Leaf, with 32 of them becoming victories, 28 becoming losses, including two trips to the conference finals and 8 shutouts.

Potvin had 52 playoff appearances in 6 seasons as a Leaf, with 25 of them becoming victories, 27 becoming losses, including two trips to the conference finals and 5 shutouts.

I don't like comparing sv% for different years because for example 2002 was vastly different than 1994, but Joseph had a .919 sv% and 2.25 GAA in the playoffs as a Leaf, while Potvin had a .909 sv% and 2.75 GAA

Joseph was the more successful goalie in Toronto.

 

[FerrisRox]

Joseph had 60 playoff appearances in 4 seasons as a Leaf, with 32 of them becoming victories, 28 becoming losses, including two trips to the conference finals and 8 shutouts.

Potvin had 52 playoff appearances in 6 seasons as a Leaf, with 25 of them becoming victories, 27 becoming losses, including two trips to the conference finals and 5 shutouts.

I don't like comparing sv% for different years because for example 2002 was vastly different than 1994, but Joseph had a .919 sv% and 2.25 GAA in the playoffs as a Leaf, while Potvin had a .909 sv% and 2.75 GAA

Joseph was the more successful goalie in Toronto.

Seems pretty even to me.

 

[Cor]

Seems pretty even to me.

I’m not sure how. Joseph had more GP and W than Potvin in 2 less seasons.

It’s a fact that Joseph has been the most successful Leaf goalie since Sawchuk/Bower.

Potvin is close, but Joseph is still ahead

 

[PensRedwings2887]

I do not Remember how Oilers got Progner but That Was A Good Move .

The Oilers acquired Pronger in a trade from St.Louis I think after the lockout in 04-05. It was along the lines of Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch, and someone else for Pronger.

 

[bluedevil58]

Ray Whitney

Carolina Hurricanes

 

[Remington 700]

For the Pens the most significant signing was probably Gonchar. Helped bring a cup to the org, and mentored a young D corps for years. Now him and Jacques Martin appear to have developed some Jedi mind trick on undervalued D men so he’s still paying dividends off the ice.

They also signed Straka and Lang to cheap deals but those were not really “franchise altering”, more just good value signings that paid off.



That was a trade, a post lockout one to boot

I could be wrong but wasn’t Lang a waiver claim?

Edit: Apparently he was both.

• 1997-Sep-03 Signed by Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1997-Sep-28 Claimed off waivers by Boston Bruins from Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1997-Oct-25 Claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh Penguins from Boston Bruins

 

[CanadienShark]

It’s not the sexy choice, but it’s gotta be Willie Mitchell for the Kings. Signed in 2010-11, he was one of the key pieces of the Kings winning the cup in 2012 and 2014. I don’t think the Kings win either cup without him. So underrated.

That's a great pick. Probably exactly the kind that the OP was looking for. A relatively insignificant signing that pays big dividends. Almost happened with the Sharks in 2016 with Martin. He helped Burns become the monster we know, especially during the run to the finals.

 

[Tawnos]

Rangers - Adam Graves

For the Rangers, it's probably Gomez, honestly.

We turned him into a #1D then traded that #1D for a haul.

Adam Graves- losing Troy Mallette as compensation for NY.

Graves easily over Gomez.

The question is where you rate Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg in the conversation.

 

[Syckle78]

Murphy or rafalski both solidified defenses that won cups.

Actually i think murphy was a trade. Its been a long ass time. So I'll go rafalski.

 

[Syckle78]

Brett Hull Marion Hossa as well.

Brett hull perhaps but hossa didnt win a cup. Toss up between hull and rafalski I guess.

 

[Kelly]

Cujo in my lifetime

 

[KevinRedkey]

Probably Gonchar for the Sens, him being an early mentor to Karlsson was probably one of the best things the Sens did for his development.

Agreed

If not him then maybe Hasek? If he hadnt gotten injured...

 

[Wingsfan 4 life]

Murphy or rafalski both solidified defenses that won cups.

Actually i think murphy was a trade. Its been a long ass time. So I'll go rafalski.

Yea, Murphy was a deadline trade.

Murphy was basically gifted to the Wings for future considerations.

 

[The List Of Jericho]

Oilers - Lucic
Canucks - Erikson

Well played

 

[CapSpace]

Montreal

- Mike Cammalleri
- Hal Gill
- Roman Hamrlik
- Alexander Radulov
- Erik Cole
- Brian Gionta

were all good

Nothing great tho. We just keep sucking.

 

[Aoko]

Zdeno Chara...easily

His signing is in the debate for best UFA signing of all time

HM to Tim Thomas too (for the Bruins)

How many cups has Chara given you?

..."best UFA signing of all time". That's cute.

 

[SoupNazi]

Rafalski for the Red Wings.

 

[Ciao]

I do not Remember how Oilers got Progner but That Was A Good Move .

He's was awesome for the Oil.

 

[Ciao]

Gary Roberts for the Leafs would have to be up there.

 

[slappipappi]

Huet is an odd choice, as he was terrible with the Hawks.

Anti Panarim is a good choice as well as Hossa.