How good is this UFA class compared to others?

[justafan22]

It's similar to 2016.

 

[WingsOverAvs]

Seems NYI are willing to take the risk of losing him to UFA. Stamkos still signed with Tampa days before becoming UFA despite all rumors sending him with the Leafs. We also don't know what offers were made for Tavares before trade deadline.

The difference: Tavares plays for one of the worst GMs in professional sports. If Im him, im running as fast as I can in the other direction

 

[Fire Benning]

90% of those guys will get overpaid and won't live up to their paycheck. Happens all the time.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

It's a good looking UFA group but in saying that there's a player on pretty much every line/d-pairing that i think will stay with their current team. I'd just wait and see what it actually looks like come July 1st

 

[bukwas]

I see quite a few names that are likely to lead to regret in a few years so, yeah, fairly similar to most years.

 

[tony d]

Lots of quality free agents this yr. for sure. I doubt Tavares is back with the Islanders next yr.

 

[BruinDust]

Once you get past Tavares and Carlson (if he even makes it to July 1st which I doubt he will), this year's UFA class is terrible.

A few decent players after that, a solid 2nd line C in Stastny, and a few scoring left-shot wingers (Kane, JVR, Neal), but really is anyone clamoring for their team to hand these guys 6-7 year contracts?

As a Bruins fan I'll be watching Free Agent Frenzy on July 1st praying the Bruins stay away from the UFA market unless they are chasing on of the two biggest fish in the pond (Tavares and Carlson).

 

[Lampedampe]

UFA class always look good before teams sign their upcoming ufa's during June..

 

[Voight]

He signed before July 1 so he could have an 8 year deal. He negotiated with other teams though (or at least his agent did)

He would have been able to sign an 8 year deal even after July 1st providing it was with Tampa (the team he spent the previous season with).

 

[Don Nachbaur 26]

Other than Tavares and Carlson, I see nothing worthwhile. I think this will be a great summer for trades.

 

[jfhabs]

Let's wait and see who actually hit UFA status. I see Carlson, Perron, Neal, Kane and Thornton staying with their respective team. Good chance one of JVR or Bozak too. Tavares could involve in a sign/trade scenario too.

 

[jfhabs]

What if he pulls a Stamkos by signing in Tampa?

I would be very surprised, I think he either signs before UFA or he leaves for good.

 

[Siludin]

He would have been able to sign an 8 year deal even after July 1st providing it was with Tampa (the team he spent the previous season with).

Was this changed? I am pretty sure once you become a UFA, it doesn't matter which team you played with before - you are a UFA and the max is 7?

 

[Bounces R Way]

Some of the best high end talent available in a while for sure. Think it drops off a cliff after a group of maybe 5-6 players tho.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Take a gander at the 2019 UFA class.

Couture-Pavelski-Seguin
Panarin-E. Staal-Wheeler
Pacioretty-Duchene-Eberle
Skinner-Henrique-Simmonds

Karlsson-Doughty
McDonagh-Ekman-Larsson
Edler-Myers

Rinne
Bobrovsky

You can create a separate team with some of the names I left out from the remaining UFAs. Next year is going to be stacked, although I anticipate a few of the names listed will likely be re-sign with their respective clubs.