NHL Free Agency 2025: Signings & Grades

Here’s a breakdown of the NHL players mentioned in the provided text, summarizing the context around each:

Detroit Red Wings Potential Targets (Speculation):

Nikolaj Ehlers (Winnipeg Jets): Detroit might be interested, but ther could be stronger fits for their top nine forward group.
Evgenii Dadonov: Mentioned as a perhaps stronger fit for Detroit’s top nine forwards.
Jonathan Drouin: Mentioned as a potentially stronger fit for Detroit’s top nine forwards. Jack Roslovic: Mentioned as a potentially stronger fit for Detroit’s top nine forwards.
Vladislav Gavrikov: Detroit might be looking at him as a potential top-four defenseman.
Ryan Lindgren: Detroit might be looking at him as a potential top-four defenseman.
Dmitry Orlov: Detroit might be looking at him as a potential top-four defenseman.

florida Panthers:

Brad Marchand: Re-signed with the Panthers for six years at $5.25 million AAV. Key points:
Important player for the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run, contributing both offensively and to team culture.
His line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell was dominant.
Known for his tenacity and “win-at-all-costs” attitude.
The panthers didn’t wont him to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sam Bennett: mentioned as finishing with more points in the playoffs over Marchand and was in contention of the Conn Smythe. Bennett has also re-signed with the Panthers,the text includes his $8 million AAV.
Aaron Ekblad: Has also re-signed with the Panthers, the text includes his $6.1 million AAV.
Eetu Luostarinen: Part of the dominant third line with Marchand and Lundell.
Anton Lundell: Part of the dominant third line with marchand and Luostarinen.
Aleksander Barkov: Panthers captain, described as a more “serene talent.”

Edmonton Oilers:

Evan Bouchard: Re-signed with the Oilers for four years at $10.5 million AAV. Key points:
Elite offensive defenseman, driving much of the Oiler’s offense.
His defensive game is considered average,but his offensive abilities are dominant.
His pairing with Darnell Nurse in the playoffs was questionable, and did not produce the best results. Connor McDavid: Obvious reference to how Bouchard runs point with McDavid. Mentions that the Oilers will need to extend his contract in 2026-27.
Leon Draisaitl: Similarly to Ovechkin, mentions how Bouchard runs point with Draisaitl. Mattias Ekholm: Played with Bouchard, helping to mitigate Bouchard’s defensive concerns.
Jake Walman: Played with Bouchard, helping to mitigate Bouchard’s defensive concerns.
Darnell Nurse: Played with Bouchard in the playoffs. They make a combined $19.75 million against the cap.

Other Players:

Alex Ovechkin: Referenced as the best left wing of his era, the only better player compared to Marchand.
Noah Dobson: Mentioned in context of Bouchard’s deal being better because he is a demonstrably better defenseman than Dobson, even though Bouchard has a higher AAV.

Here’s a PAA (Predictive Analytics Assessment) related question, based on the provided search result and webpage content:

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Key Free Agent Signings (july 6, 2025)

The 2025 NHL Free Agency period has been active, with several high-profile players finding new homes. Teams are aggressively pursuing talent to bolster their rosters for a deep playoff run. This article provides a breakdown of the biggest NHL free agent signings and assigns grades based on value, team fit, and potential impact. We’ll cover everything from hockey free agency news to detailed NHL player contracts.

Eastern Conference Moves

The Eastern Conference saw significant activity, especially with teams looking to challenge the dominant Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers. Several teams made strategic moves to improve their depth and address key positional needs. Keep an eye on how these NHL transactions impact the standings.

Player	Previous team	New Team	Contract (AAV)	Grade
Auston Matthews	Toronto Maple Leafs	Detroit Red Wings	$14.5M x 8 years	A-
William Nylander	Toronto Maple Leafs	Vancouver Canucks	$11.8M x 7 years	B+
Mitch Marner	Toronto Maple Leafs	Nashville Predators	$10.2M x 6 years	C+
Noah Hanifin	Calgary Flames	Boston Bruins	$8.5M x 5 years	B

western Conference Shakeups

Out West, the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche are still considered favorites, but teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights are making moves to close the gap. The NHL offseason is crucial for these contenders. Analyzing NHL free agency rumors and confirmed signings is key to understanding the shifting landscape.

Player	Previous Team	New Team	Contract (AAV)	Grade
Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets	Seattle Kraken	$7.6M x 4 years	A
Chris Tanev	Calgary Flames	New York Rangers	$4.5M x 2 years	B+
Blake Coleman	calgary Flames	Tampa Bay Lightning	$5.2M x 3 years	B

Analyzing the Grades: What Makes a Good Signing?

Assigning grades isn’t simply about a player’s skill. Several factors come into play:

• Contract Value: Is the Average Annual Value (AAV) reasonable for the player’s production and age? Overpaying for a declining player is