As the free service dust settles, rosters are starting to solidify for the 2018-19 season. It’s never too early to look ahead — but in this case, we are reflecting on previous moves of GMs.
We analyzed the rosters of all 31 teams and picked out the very best contract on every one. For every choice, we considered age, trajectory, market value and duration. We’re also not including entry-level contracts for players like Auston Matthews and Mathew Barzal, because those are among the most team-friendly bargains in all professional sports.Rickard Rakell, 25, RW
$3.78 million cap hit during 2021-22 season When we think of the Ducks, we think of the aging center. Sneakily, Rakell has emerged as Anaheim’s most dangerous scoring threat. And he’s only 25. The Swede’s salary at less than $4 million per year is a ridiculous deal, considering he’s set up 30-plus targets in back-to-back seasons (the only Duck to do so in that interval ).
Arizona Coyotes
Antti Raanta, 29, G
$4.25 million cap strike through 2020-21
The Coyotes made several strong moves this offseason, but if they are going to have any chance at a winning record in 2018-19 (and likely beyond), the key is Raanta. Arizona needed a strong second half last year, permitting the league’s fourth-fewest targets from February on — that coincided with Raatna’s return to form after trauma. He carries the 21st-highest cap strike among NHL goalies; Raanta has played above that mark.
Boston Bruins
Brad Marchand, 30 $6.125 million cap hit through 2024-25
Yes, he is a tongue-happy agitator, but Marchand is also one of the most proficient forward in the league. Since debuting in 2010-11, his 226 goals rank third among left wingers, trailing only Alex Ovechkin and Jamie Benn. The term here is a triumph for the Bruins. Honorable mention to Torey Krug, whose $5.25 million is unbelievably reasonable, though the 27-year-old D-man has only three years on the offer.
Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus 23, Ristolainen, D $5.4 million cap hit through 2021-22
The Sabres have requested Ristolainen to shoulder insane responsibility — he led the team with 26:30 in average ice time last year, over three minutes more than any other defenseman on the team — and then locked him at a budget-friendly pace. Ristolainen will continue to guy the very best pairing until No. 1 overall selection Rasmus Dahlin is experienced enough to join him. (That shouldn’t take too much time ).
Calgary Flames
Sean Monahan, 23, C
$6.38 million cap hit through 2022-23
The Calgary Flames have a young, exciting heart, and indeed, we could have picked either among their two top-line centerpieces (the other being Johnny Gaudreau) because the reason behind why the Flames are put up to win shortly. Both players are due big paydays if they were not already locked . Monahan’s expression is a year more, and his cap hit is a tad cheaper than Gaudreau’s. Additionally, it’s difficult to get an elite top-line centre at this price; perhaps the only akin is Mark Scheifele in Winnipeg.
Carolina Hurricanes
Jaccob Slavin, 24, D
$5.3 million cap strike through 2024-25
A shade over $5 million per year for a No. 1 defenseman? That is money well spent. Slavin is just 24, and he led the Canes in ice time last season (22:35) and can be trending upward. Slavin gets a slight edge over his top-pairing spouse Justin Faulk, who comes in at $4.83 million — but is under contract only through 2019-20.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Duncan Keith, 34, D $5,538,462 cap strike through 2022-23
No, Keith isn’t what he once was. But he’s closer to peak Keith than the usual shell of Keith. He has proved pretty durable and is not regressing at precisely the same pace as the D-man he is often linked together with, Brent Seabrook. Actually, Keith is likely still a top-pairing defenseman on at least half of their league’s teams. With that cap strike, he remains a good deal.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon, 22, C
$6.3 million cap strike through 2022-23
Narrowly finishing because the runner-up for the Hart Trophy last year, MacKinnon is trending up. Then again, GM Joe Sakic always knew his No. 1 choice was the real deal (MacKinnon won the Calder Trophy, after all) and locked him up for the long haul when he had the chance. MacKinnon was in the league for so long that it’s easy to forget he is only 22.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Seth Jones, 23, D
$5.4 million cap strike through 2021-22
This might be among the best deals from the league. At 23, Jones is currently a top-10 defenseman in the league, and he’s locked in for the next four seasons at a discount rate. It might be embarrassing when Columbus’ other young elite D-man, Zach Werenski, surpasses Jones in salary (Werenski’s entry-level contract expires next summer), but that’s only business.
Dallas Stars
John Klingberg, 25, D
$4.25 million cap strike through 2021-22
Klingberg’s leading first half had the young defenseman directing the Norris Trophy conversation. This graduated Klingberg from one of those best-kept secrets in the league into mainstream status. The Stars were well ahead of the curve here, which has set them at a favorable cap situation — permitting for several free-agency mistakes, the big contract to Jamie Benn and coming payday for Tyler Seguin.
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