Fansided

Biggest winners and losers of NHL free agency 2018

By Mackenzie Ingram

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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With the first week of the 2018 NHL free agency period coming to an end, some franchises have vastly improved their teams, while others have watched key pieces walk away with nothing to show for it. A handful of teams who fall into each category will be further evaluated.

If you’re a true sports fanatic, the possibilities that surround your favorite team when each offseason begins is nearly as exciting as the season itself. For hockey lovers, the first week of this year’s NHL free agency has undoubtedly proved this to be true.

So far, more than 75 players will be suiting up for new teams come 2018. What’s more, the likeliness of Erik Karlsson getting traded increased and arguably the biggest signing in Canadian sports history occurred.

Instead of addressing these compelling stories, however, the first segment of this article will focus on the Calgary Flames.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 30: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates out of the corner during the second period Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on May 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 30: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates out of the corner during the second period Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on May 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Winner: Calgary Flames

Yes, that photo is of a Vegas Golden Knights player.

The reason? He was one of the biggest names on this year’s free agent market, and the Calgary Flames managed to sign him.

On July 1, James Neal surprised many when he decided to move to Alberta’s lesser historic franchise for the next five seasons, earning a total of $28.75 million over that time ($5.75 million per year).

For Calgary, bringing in a veteran scoring option on the wing made sense since it traded one of its better goal scorers, Micheal Ferland, at the draft last month.

Moreover, Neal not only provides a youthful Flames squad with some much-needed playoff experience, but he is also extremely capable of putting the puck the pet in the net himself, ranking in the top 25 for goals scored over the last five seasons.

More impressively, perhaps, Neal has scored at least 21 goals in each of his 10 seasons in the NHL. This includes a lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, in which he played only 40 games.

In sum, Neal should provide the Flames with good value.

Should he fail for any reason, Calgary also brought in Derek Ryan on a three-year contract, giving the team another potential 40-point producer.

Ryan, who last dressed for the Carolina Hurricanes, will likely start the season on the team’s third line. Should any member of the Flames’ top six be injured or slumping at any point, expect to see him earn additional minutes as he is more than capable of playing on the second line as well.

Finalizing its roster, Calgary also added Dalton Prout, Buddy Robinson, Austin Czarnik, and Alan Quine to its squad; it is rumored to be in the running for Patrick Maroon.

Overall, the Flames were able to attract a noteworthy free agent in Neal, added depth with Ryan and replaced a series of role players who left in free agency with their additional signings. Calgary may not have hit the jackpot with John Tavares, but, as of now, it has certainly had a respectable offseason.

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