Fantasy Hockey Free Agent Frenzy: Brock Boeser, Corey Perry and More
Shelmo breaks down several blockbuster signings that took place during the free agent frenzy.
Folks, we've finally made it to the free agent frenzy!
We're going to break down the biggest signings so far, and how they will both impact their (potentially new) respective team, and your fantasy league.
Let's dive right into these signings!
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Thatcher Demko - Vancouver Canucks - $8.5M AAV - Three Years
Clearly the Canucks have not lost faith in Demko. After only 23 starts where Demko's starts were hindered due to battling injury, nobody can deny that he is an elite goaltender. If Demko can stay healthy, he should return to form and be a top goaltender in the league, and a top pick for the blue paint in fantasy.
Demko had an off year last season, and Vancouver has been working hard to fill roster spots and keep elite players in the organization as you will see below.
Demko had 10 wins in 23 starts as a goaltender. He also had an .889 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average, and one shutout.
Conor Garland - Vancouver Canucks - $6M AAV - Six Years
Continuing the Vancouver train, Garland is the perfect second line forward for this squad, and is now locked up for another six years. For a team that at times struggles with offense, Garland's shot is going to help this forward core finish, and their second powerplay unit.
Garland had 19 goals, 31 assists, and 16 powerplay points in 81 games played as a forward. He also had 171 shots on goal, 49 hits, and 58 blocked shots.
Logan Stankoven - Carolina Hurricanes - $6M AAV - Eight Years
It's no secret I have been a Stankoven team, and am secretly cheering for the Canes based on the season and playoff run they had. They had Stankoven come over in the Mikko Rantanen trade, and he has fit their systems like a glove. This is just the beginning for Stankoven and it's yet to be seen what his ceiling looks like, but to have him locked up for right years at only $6M per year is quite the steal in the long term. Look to steal this player before everyone catches on in next year's fantasy league draft.
Stankoven had 14 goals, 24 assists, and eight powerplay points in 78 games played as a forward. He also had 194 shots on goal, 48 hits, and 33 blocked shots.
Jake Allen - New Jersey Devils - $1.8M AAV - Five Years
OK, this is not a blockbuster per se, but it's notable at least. Goaltending makes or breaks some fantasy leagues. The Devils now have a reliable veteran backup for the next five years. Jacob Markstrom is the clear number one, but Allen is a reliable backup and could step into a temporary number one spot to hold the fort down should there be injuries. I like this deal, and I like Allen as a depth third goaltender for your team, or weekly streamer.
Allen had 13 wins in 29 starts as a goaltender. He also had a .908 save percentage, 2.66 goals against average, and four shutouts.
Brock Boeser - Vancouver Canucks - $7.25M AAV - Seven Years
After openly trying to deal Boeser at the trade deadline, the Canucks have re-signed this elite finisher, and with term. For what he is, this is a great deal for the franchise and gives them some stability up front. Boeser is arguably the best goal scorer on the roster, and I think it should not go unnoticed how they turned around this situation with the player from trying to deal him, to signing him long term.
Boeser should always be a target during your fantasy league drafts. Although his peripherals are not great, he is an offensive weapon, and has elite deployment, given he is a mainstay on the top forward line and number one powerplay unit.
Boeser had 25 goals, 25 assists, and 20 powerplay points in 75 games played as a forward. He also had 145 shots on goal, 76 hits, and 34 blocked shots.
William Eklund - San Jose Sharks - $5.6M AAV - Three Years
The Sharks have done Macklin Celebrini a favor in re-signing Eklund, who is poised to be sitting on his wing on the top line all year, as well as the number one powerplay unit. Eklund brings a playmaking ability and is part of the youth movement in California, at least for the short term.
I don't love the term on this deal. At 22 years old, the Sharks risk Eklund testing free agency at 25 years old going into his prime. I would have liked to see more term on this deal, but for the short term, Celebrini has an elite linemate.
Eklund had 17 goals, 41 assists, and 16 powerplay points in 77 games played as a forward. He also had 151 shots on goal, 54 hits, and 46 blocked shots.
Corey Perry - Los Angeles Kings - $2M AAV - One Year
How is Perry fighting, and winning against father time? He actually got a raise at age 40. A raise!
Perry pretty much goes to the Stanley Cup Finals every single year. I love this signing, but a fun way to look at this is that the Kings cannot get past the Oilers in the playoffs. A good way to do this, and potentially make a deep run is to put on your tinfoil hat and approach the rivalry with superstition in mind. If Perry is going to the Finals and plays against you, then sign Perry for your roster.
He is still a pest, he is still producing, and although he may not be the elite player he used to be, it was Perry who the Oilers looked to to play on Connor McDavid's wing when Zach Hyman went down with injury in the playoffs. Perry can play up and down the lineup, and scores clutch goals when needed. Amazing deal by the Kings, but probably not super relevant in fantasy leagues. Worth a note here, though.
Perry had 19 goals, 11 assists, and seven powerplay points in 81 games played as a forward. He also had 100 shots on goal, 36 hits, and 26 blocked shots.
Jonathan Drouin - New York Islanders - $4M AAV - Two Years
Honestly, the Islanders need all the help they can get. Should Drouin be healthy, he can help this paper thin forward core in Long Island.
I would be checking my expectations on Drouin's offensive prowess on this team and cannot be compared to his scoring ability on the Avalanche. He will not be surrounded by nearly the same level of talent, and will likely have a lot of pressure on him to carry a significant amount of the offensive load.
One good thing is Drouin's deployment will increase (mostly because there is nobody else to put out there), and he will be a mainstay on both the top line, and number one powerplay unit. I would still mark him as a bit of a risk in your fantasy league draft, though. He will likely be taken too early, so don't fall into the name reputation trap.
Drouin had 11 goals, 26 assists, and 12 powerplay points in just 43 games played as a forward. He also had 56 shots on goal, 14 hits, and 12 blocked shots.
