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2022 NHL Free Agency recap: Biggest winners and losers so far

By Eric Treuden

CALGARY, AB - MAY 5: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Dallas Stars during Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 5, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Stars defeated the Flames 2-0. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - MAY 5: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Dallas Stars during Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 5, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Stars defeated the Flames 2-0. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 24: The ice sheet is prepared for the Columbus Blue Jackets to face the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on October 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Blue Jackets defeated the Avalanche 4-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 24: The ice sheet is prepared for the Columbus Blue Jackets to face the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on October 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Blue Jackets defeated the Avalanche 4-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

NHL Free Agency recap: 3 winners so far

Columbus Blue Jackets

Of course the Columbus Blue Jackets are the first one to be mentioned in the “winner” category. When a team of the Blue Jackets stature stuns the world by signing the best available free agent, they automatically become winners.

The Islanders and Devils were said to be the two finalists for Johnny Gaudreau’s services until Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen came out of nowhere and made the heist of the offseason, signing Gaudreau to a seven-year, $68.25MM contract with an AAV of $9.75MM.

Gaudreau will immediately become the Blue Jackets’ top player and will pair nicely with fellow winger Patrik Laine. Columbus is finally ditching the moniker of “team that every player can’t wait to leave” by making what will end up being the biggest splash of the offseason. This signing is a massive victory for both the team and the city of Columbus.

Ottawa Senators

While the Blue Jackets made one huge move to lock up an offseason win, the Ottawa Senators made a whole list of them to put themselves firmly in the “winner” category.

Not only did the Senators acquire Alex DeBrincat on draft day, but they moved 75 percent of Matt Murray’s albatross contract in a trade with the Maple Leafs and then brought in Cam Talbot from the Wild to be their new starting goaltender.

Then, the big fish signing. The Sens brought aboard free agent center Claude Giroux aboard on a three-year, $19.5MM contract and then signed Josh Norris to an eight-year contract extension. The Senators have not made the postseason in years now but this huge offseason by general manager Pierre Dorion and Co. is a great step in the right direction for a fanbase that has begun to lose hope.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings entered the offseason with one of the biggest amounts of available cap space in the league and they’ve used it wisely so far.

General manager Steve Yzerman has been wheeling and dealing in the early phases of free agency, signing Andrew Copp to a five-year deal, Ben Chiarot to a four-year contract and the trio consisting of Austin Czarnik, David Perron and Dominik Kubalik to two-year deals.

This was all just on day one, as the Red Wings then signed defensemen Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk on day two, also swinging a trade for goaltender Ville Husso who the Red Wings promptly signed to a three-year, $14.25MM contract extension shortly after.

With all of these moves taken into consideration, it’s worth revisiting whether the Red Wings are a playoff-caliber team in the upcoming campaign. There was a period of time last year where they seemed to be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot but ultimately ended up falling short. With the numerous additions made in this offseason, we’ll have to see where they end up this year.

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