Biggest winners and losers of NHL free agency 2018

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) /

4 of 10

NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 05: New Jersey Devils right wing Michael Grabner (40) skates during the first period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 5, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Loser: New Jersey Devils

When last season began, the New Jersey Devils had several question marks surrounding them.

First, many wondered if Nico Hischier could help the team climb out of the bottom of the league’s standings. Additionally, the same critics pondered if a team that brought in nine new faces via free agency could actually contend in a strong Metropolitan Division.

Against all odds, the Devils surprised many as they made the playoffs for the first time in five years, only to be crushed by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round

Considering this Devils group was the team’s most successful bunch since making the Stanley Cup Final in 2011-12, one would assume general manager Ray Shero would make efforts to improve the team immediately.

Instead, New Jersey has lost more than its gained in NHL free agency.

To put things into perspective, Brian Gibbons, Micheal Grabner, John Moore and Jimmy Hayes all decided they’d rather play elsewhere next season. Adding to this, New Jersey must work out new deals for Patrick Maroon and Micheal Latta, who are also UFAs.

Statistically, the above-mentioned players combined for 66 goals, 66 assists, 132 points, and a plus/minus rating of plus-23 in the 2017-18 season.

On the contrary, Shero enticed Eric Gryba, John Ramage and Kurtis Gabriel to the join the Devils, who combined for just two points last year.

It is possible that Shero has a long-term plan in mind for the Devils and believes in several of the teams younger players, yet it is still confusing as to why New Jersey opted not to bring back several noteworthy faces on short-term contracts.

Brian Gibbons, for example, signed a one-year deal worth $1 million with the Anaheim Ducks, a deal the Devils surely could have bettered slightly.

Last season, Gibbons played in 59 games for New Jersey, putting up 26 points and a respectable plus-10 rating.

At this point, even the possibility of the Devils bringing in some of the better remaining free agents, such as Brooks Orpik, seems increasingly unlikely. If New Jersey can make it to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in nearly a decade, the 2018 NHL free agency period can be easily forgiven.

For the time being, however, the Devils front office falls into the losing category.

Home/NHL Free Agency