HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Which defensemen should teams stay away from in free agency?

Not enough here to comment.

I'm taking Johnson on a one year deal.

People try for bounce back players all the time and he seems like the perfect candidate to bounce back.

Between his parents being Richards and Torts not liking him I think it's worth the shot

With that being said I don't think he signs that deal and is just looking to get teh most money he can

Jack Johnson.

People might think that Johnson would be a good addition for cheap on the bottom pairing. He had his worst season ever and seems on the outs with the Jackets. You would probably be wrong though. He won't be had on the cheap. He's probably going to cost a team 4mil+. Mostly based on his reputation and the fact that he is a better athlete than hockey player. The 31 year old has been an advanced stats dumpster fire for years. He's been a "regular?" stats dumpster fire for years as well. He's been a dumpster fire on the eyes as well. However he is a fantastic athlete with elite "tools" and people always want to picture what he could have been rather than what he is. Hence the inclusion on the US Olympic team.

With his PP time taken, his terrible defense finally punished after years of being ignored, there is little left to Johnson other than being able to skate forever and sometimes hit somebody. Not good enough to earn the needed offensive zone starts to shelter him and not good enough to play the defensive zone starts left to him. At 31, there's little room to advance and any hopes that he will finally "figure it out" should be scoffed at.

At 2mil or something similar to that on a short term deal, it's not the end of the world to sign him as a depth 5/6 defenseman. I think however he's going to get the benefit of the doubt and get a Kris Russell style of deal.
- Adam French

Jesus, Frenchie, quit beating around the bush and just tell us if you like Johnson or not!











("...tell us if you like Johnson or not!" Giggles)

Cody Franson

my conclusions from all those posts.

-All free agents players suck and should be sent to the KHL right away

- if you are over 25, you are done and should be sent to the KHL right away

- if a team sign any contracts, they suck and should be fired right away. And perhaps sent to the KHL to be waterboys

I am sure i forgot a few.

Jesus, Frenchie, quit beating around the bush and just tell us if you like Johnson or not!











("...tell us if you like Johnson or not!" Giggles)
- Atomic Wedgie

my conclusions from all those posts.

-All free agents players suck and should be sent to the KHL right away

- if you are over 25, you are done and should be sent to the KHL right away

- if a team sign any contracts, they suck and should be fired right away. And perhaps sent to the KHL to be waterboys

I am sure i forgot a few.
- BoutchBouchard

I wouldn't say 25, but if you are 28 or 29 signing a 5+ year deal odds are it's going to hurt at some point.

Just pulling 2015 top free agents

Sekera 6 years 33mil
Soderberg 5 years 23.75mil
Frolik 5 years 21.75mil
Paul Martin 4 year 19.4mil
Belesky 5 years 19mil
Green 3 years 6mil
Niemi 3 years 13.5mil
Beauchmin 3 years 13.5mil
Ward 3 years 9.75mil
Oduya 2 years 7.5mil


How many of those look good today?

Heck here's last years' best analytical signings

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ngs-2017-nhl-free-agency/

Most of those deals are garbage and they are one year old.

Heck here's last years' best analytical signings

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ngs-2017-nhl-free-agency/

Most of those deals are garbage and they are one year old.
- Lahey

Off the top of my head, the only "top free agent signing" I can think of in the last decade that wasn't a complete clusterfrank was Hossa.

I'm taking Johnson on a one year deal.

People try for bounce back players all the time and he seems like the perfect candidate to bounce back.

Between his parents being Richards and Torts not liking him I think it's worth the shot

With that being said I don't think he signs that deal and is just looking to get teh most money he can
- Lahey

Lol Torts gave every chance for a bounce back, eventually he had to get benched because yes Ian Cole somewhat superior to him .

Off the top of my head, the only "top free agent signing" I can think of in the last decade that wasn't a complete clusterfrank was Hossa.
- Atomic Wedgie

I think you're almost better off trading for a guy that was signed last year. Sure the guy sucked, but it's one less year of a guy sucking. Plus you could probably move a contract while at it.

Jack Johnson is awful.

Anyone giving him over 2 mill is fuked in the head.

I'm taking Johnson on a one year deal.

People try for bounce back players all the time and he seems like the perfect candidate to bounce back.

Between his parents being Richards and Torts not liking him I think it's worth the shot

With that being said I don't think he signs that deal and is just looking to get teh most money he can
- Lahey

Hes been trying to bounce back since college. He was ruined by his college coach's. They allowed him to do whatever he wanted. He was a dman and forward both. He hasnt established the pure game of a defenseman in the nhl and it has shown since day one.

Hes been trying to bounce back since college. He was ruined by his college coach's. They allowed him to do whatever he wanted. He was a dman and forward both. He hasnt established the pure game of a defenseman in the nhl and it has shown since day one.

League minimum, 1 year and see what you can do. I hope he doesn't overvalue himself and Franson himself out of a contract.

Heart-attack Jack should not be employed by any NHL team in the future. With that said, Blake will sign him...

Carlson hands down

Contract year with record numbers screams terrible AAV and term by someone.

Heart-attack Jack should not be employed by any NHL team in the future. With that said, Blake will sign him...

I wouldn't worry about it. Bergevin will keep you from suffering the failure.