NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01: Thomas Greiss #1 of the New York Islanders covers the puck as Jamie McGinn #88 of the Buffalo Sabres looks for the rebound during the third period at the Barclays Center on November 1, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Sabres defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

These three free agent signings have really panned out so far

There are plenty of deals given out during the free agent frenzy. With the big money being thrown around, some of the deals make you drop your jaw while others make you scratch your head in disbelief. Whatever you think at the time, it’s hard to truly peg how a deal is going to turn out.

Here are three of those free agent signings which have panned out well so far.

Francois Beauchemin

The Colorado Avalanche signed Beauchemin to a huge three-year, $13.5 million deal on July 1st. I wasn’t initially crazy about the move considering it was a lot of money and term to give to a 35-year-old defenseman, but so far it has been a huge move for the Avs.

Colorado’s defense would be an even bigger steaming pile of crap than it currently is if it wasn’t for Beauchemin. He has logged top-pairing minutes, prominently playing beside Erik Johnson. Offensively, he’s been scoring at an impressive rate with nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) in 14 games. He’s playing tough minutes. He hasn’t posted amazing possession numbers, but playing on a Patrick Roy-coached team will do that. The Avs have given up 31.5 SA/60 and sport the league’s worst Corsi at 42.6 percent.

The Avalanche are overworking Beauchemin, but it’s because their alternatives outside him, Johnson and Tyson Barrie are laughable. He’s been an extremely valuable pickup for the team.

Tomas Fleischmann

Fleischmann was an excellent pick up on a PTO by Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Coming off a 27-point season split between Anaheim and Florida, Fleischmann came very cheap. Given his past production, he was almost a lock to score double-digit goals should he make the squad. So far, he has defied expectations.

Fleischmann has completely gelled playing on the Canadiens third line with Dale Weise and David Desharnais. The trio has been so good that they’re tied with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Patrick Sharp as the highest-scoring line in the NHL with 13 goals.

Now, I don’t expect the line to maintain that kind of production, as they’ve had some luck posting a very high shooting percentage, but Fleischmann has proved to be a legit third-line winger for the club. He’s already posted four goals, seven assists and 11 points for the club. A total of 15 goals and 40 points seems very possible. Factoring in the low cost the Canadiens are paying him, he might have the best bang-for-your-buck contract in the NHL.

Thomas Greiss

Greiss was an afterthought in free agent frenzy when the backup signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the New York Islanders. He was coming off a solid season as Marc-Andre Fleury’s backup in Pittsburgh, starting 20 games for the club in 2014-15. He had a strong year, posting nine wins and a 92.21 even strength save percentage.

With the Islanders, he’s been just as steady. He’s given the Islanders a chance to win in each of his six starts, posting a 3-1-2 record with a 93.12 even strength save percentage. The 29-year-old has shown he can start in place of Halak, should he go down with another injury, and do it competently. Halak has been dynamite for the Islanders, so I don’t think Greiss will overtake him at any point this season, but Greiss gives them hope behind him. At $1.5 million per season, he’s easily worth every penny.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com

Quantcast