2 of the 5 Worst UFA Signings This Summer Were Ex Toronto Maple Leafs

Chandler Stephenson

Stephenson signed in Seattle on a seven-year deal with an AAV of 6.25 million.

Stephenson was a big part of the Vegas Cup run in the 2022-23 season, where he posted 20 points in 22 games. Last season he only posted 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points in 75 games (All point totals from NHL.com). 

Since Seattle's inaugural season, they have been a team with a lot of good support players but no top talent on the roster.

Stephenson doesn't change this and they're paying him 6.25 million a year.

Last season, Stephenson only had an expected goals for per 60 of 2.44 and an expected goals against per 60 of 2.56. Right now, DailyFaceoff.com has him projected as the second-line centre behind Matty Beniers.

Beniers faced his sophomore slump last season. He had a 20-point drop-off between his rookie year and last season. 

Stephenson will be 37 when the deal expires and even with the cap going up, I don't see how he will be worth 6.25 a year.

Stephenson is a good player and the Leafs had interest in signing him, but obviously backed down when things started to get crazy.

This is far and away one of the NHL's worst contracts.