The 5 Best Free Agency Signings This Summer in the Entire NHL

Anthony Duclair

I haven't seen much talk about this contract but I'm a big fan of it.

Duclair signed a four-year deal with the New York Islanders with an AAV of 3.5 million dollars.

This era of Islanders hockey has always been defence first and not much scoring. Adding Duclair gives the lineup more speed and last season he scored 24 goals and recorded 18 assists for 42 points in 73 games between his time in San Jose and Tampa Bay.

As of right now, DailyFaceoff.com has him listed as the first-line left-wing slot on this roster. I can see a line of him and Barzal being pretty effective with all that speed.

The Isles haven't done much this offseason, but this is a tidy bit of business for former Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello.

As for the Leafs, they didn't have any players on this list, but they also avoided handing out any of the worst contracts, so that's something.

The problem with the Leafs picks is that while they offer some high rewards if they work out, the risk-reward ration seems off because, for example, Chris Tanev has to avoid both injury and decline, while they are giving the net to Joseph Woll during Auston Matthew's prime and even if he manages to avoid injury, we have no idea what kind of goalie he really is because he has such limited experience.

It could work out, but the risk factor keeps it from making this list.