HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Worst Free Agent Signings?

I'd love to know what other team was competing for Engelland at those $$$?

Same goes for Orpik? - What other team was offering him 5 million over 5?

Bolland can't even be competed against, but Orpik and Engelland do their best.

Bolland can't even be competed against, but Orpik and Engelland do their best.
- TommyDeVito

I thought Pouliot was awful as well.

I thought Pouliot was awful as well.
- jugkope

He could make it look like a bargain but probably not

He could make it look like a bargain but probably not
- KreiderBomb

I don't think so. He was used well in NY and fit in.. Now everyone is going to look at him for big O numbers in EDM and it most likely wont be there.

As a Panthers' fan, I'm happy we have Bolland. But as a hockey fan, his contract makes me wanna puke. The guy is going to be on our third line. Oye.

As a Panthers' fan, I'm happy we have Bolland. But as a hockey fan, his contract makes me wanna puke. The guy is going to be on our third line. Oye.
- Panthers88

The biggest worry if I were a panthers fan would be the injury. He really didn't look the same when he came back last year in Toronto. I mean he'll get a few more months of healing but still.

The biggest worry if I were a panthers fan would be the injury. He really didn't look the same when he came back last year in Toronto. I mean he'll get a few more months of healing but still.
- Babalu88

I didn't pay attention to him to be honest. He is here mainly to mentor Barkov and Bjugstad. We didn't have a third line center and he fits that bill... I don't see him playing out the full term of his contract anyways.

I don't think so. He was used well in NY and fit in.. Now everyone is going to look at him for big O numbers in EDM and it most likely wont be there.
- Babalu88

I don't even see him hitting 30 points/season.

Orpik, Engelland and Bolland were all horrible.

An honourable mention to Clayton Stoner as well. 13 million over 4 years. WTF?

Orpik, Engelland and Bolland were all horrible.

An honourable mention to Clayton Stoner as well. 13 million over 4 years. WTF?
- TimBits

Bob Murray is really high on him.

Bob Murray is really high on him.
- Nucker101

The money and contract that Edmonton have Pouliot was just idiotic. Edmonton is paying Pouliot based on what they think he MAY do, not what he can. What we know he can be, is a fairly average 3rd line winger, who was very fortunate to play with Brassard and especially Zuccarello. And he's not playing for a contract anymore. I just can't imagine what the Oilers were thinking here. Pouliot's mental lapses can be both lengthy and severe.

As much as I agree with you about the Engelland signing, I think you have to weigh some of the positive factors. For instance, he's young, he's a stop gap to bringing in some better talent in the Flames dmen, he was approached by over 10 teams, the Flames had to reach the cap floor, it's actually 2.9 mill/yr and it's only for 3 yrs! With contracts like Orpiks or worse yet, Stoners, I hardly believe this warrants it as being one of the worst signings. Besides, given some better ice time and responsibilities on the Flames back end might end up maturing Engellands game into a more rounded dman. You never know and shouldn't be so quick to judge before the player even played one game.

The money and contract that Edmonton have Pouliot was just idiotic. Edmonton is paying Pouliot based on what they think he MAY do, not what he can. What we know he can be, is a fairly average 3rd line winger, who was very fortunate to play with Brassard and especially Zuccarello. And he's not playing for a contract anymore. I just can't imagine what the Oilers were thinking here. Pouliot's mental lapses can be both lengthy and severe.
- starshower776

compare how he does to penner a few years ago

I don't think so. He was used well in NY and fit in.. Now everyone is going to look at him for big O numbers in EDM and it most likely wont be there.
- Babalu88

No they arent. He's there to bring size and some board play.

As much as I agree with you about the Engelland signing, I think you have to weigh some of the positive factors. For instance, he's young, he's a stop gap to bringing in some better talent in the Flames dmen, he was approached by over 10 teams, the Flames had to reach the cap floor, it's actually 2.9 mill/yr and it's only for 3 yrs! With contracts like Orpiks or worse yet, Stoners, I hardly believe this warrants it as being one of the worst signings. Besides, given some better ice time and responsibilities on the Flames back end might end up maturing Engellands game into a more rounded dman. You never know and shouldn't be so quick to judge before the player even played one game.
- trevy

Brad, is that you?

As much as I agree with you about the Engelland signing, I think you have to weigh some of the positive factors. For instance, he's young, he's a stop gap to bringing in some better talent in the Flames dmen, he was approached by over 10 teams, the Flames had to reach the cap floor, it's actually 2.9 mill/yr and it's only for 3 yrs! With contracts like Orpiks or worse yet, Stoners, I hardly believe this warrants it as being one of the worst signings. Besides, given some better ice time and responsibilities on the Flames back end might end up maturing Engellands game into a more rounded dman. You never know and shouldn't be so quick to judge before the player even played one game.
- trevy

Umm....he's played 243 NHL games....plenty to judge by. He got way more than he's worth....

Orpik, Engelland and Bolland were all horrible.

An honourable mention to Clayton Stoner as well. 13 million over 4 years. WTF?
- TimBits

Agree..

No they arent. He's there to bring size and some board play.
- Iggysbff

4 million a year for size and board play? I doubt the Oilers brass would be dumb enough to pay that much just for that...they expect numbers out of him at that salary.

Villie. Leino. One of the worst signings in the history of the league. Glad he's gone.

Umm....he's played 243 NHL games....plenty to judge by. He got way more than he's worth....
- Iggysbff

Right...I forgot that players are judged solely on one team that they played for. So I guess there's no room for improvement. My bad.

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here and suggest that the yotes signing dubs for more than $1 per year will go down as the worst signing in the nhl this year. What were they thinking?

Right...I forgot that players are judged solely on one team that they played for. So I guess there's no room for improvement. My bad.
- trevy

Why would you believe a 32-year old player is more likely to improve after leaving a team than not?

Why would you even believe it's a coin flip?

I'm honestly curious.