19 Good Reasons To Avoid Signing Free Agents

2011

Mar 21, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing

(23) brings the puck into the Toronto Maple Leafs zone during the second period at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

1. Erik Cole – His 4 year, $18M contract in Montreal looked good in year one, but early on in year 2 it moved to the category of Salary Dump and the Habs shipped him off to Dallas.

2. Ed Jovanovski – For 4 years, $16.5M, Jovanovski has disappointed in his return to the Panthers for a second tour of duty.

3. Ville Leino – Buffalo shocked the hockey world by throwing $27M over 6 years at a one-year playoff wonder.  It happened at the right time for the impending Free Agent, and the Sabres bit big time, and probably regret it to this day.

4. Brad Richards – The Rangers latest in a long line of big contracts, threw $60M over 9 years at the most sought-after free agent of the summer.  They though re-uniting the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner with his Stanley Cup winning coach was a good idea.  Richards was a healthy scratch in the playoffs this season, and is a buyout candidate next year if he can’t return to form under new coach Alain Vigneault.