Who Were The Worst NHL Free Agent Signings of 2013?

Last week I looked at a lineup of the best free agent signings of the summer of 2013.  Now, it is time to take a look at the worst signings at each position.  This list includes only the players who switched teams as a free agent, and not ones that were re-signed by their own teams post July-5th.

Jan 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing David Clarkson (71) fans on an attempted shot against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Admittedly, just like it was tough coming up with the “best” signings for goalies and defense, it was also tough to come up with a “worst” set.  There simply wasn’t much movement because teams tend to lock up their back ends and not let them reach UFA status.

The forwards were pretty easy, and fairly obvious.

GOALIE

Oct 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (39) makes a save on Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Nikolai Khabibulin, CHI (1 year, $2M)

After playing only 12 games in an injury plagued 2013 season in Edmonton, the Blackhawks took a flier on the  40 year old veteran and former Blackhawk to back up Corey Crawford.  What they got for their $2M was four games and 1 win before he went back on the IR with a lower body injury.

Goaltenders were not exactly moving about the league last summer, as only Dan Ellis moved for a contract longer than 1 year, and only Tim Thomas‘ deal was for more than $3M total.

DEFENSE

Keith Ballard, MIN (2 yrs, $3M)

Dec 19, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard (2) looks to pass the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After being buried on the depth chart in Vancouver, Ballard was looking to get a new lease on life in Minnesota.  He has appeared in 30 games for the Wild, amassing 6 assists.  He has had 2 separate upper body injuries that have cost him time, but he is still averaging less than 14 minutes per game and is a -7.

DEFENSE

Ryan Whitney,  FLA (1 yr, $900K)

Oct 10, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Ryan Whitney (6) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Florida Panthers 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After waiting almost the entire summer to even land a contract, Florida took a chance on him for one year and less than a million dollars.  However, after being a -5 through 4 games he was sent to San Antonio in the AHL.  After getting a 2 game recall, he was returned to the Rampage making his grand contribution to the Panthers a -7 rating with no points in 6 games.

LEFT WING

Ryane Clowe, NJD (5 years, $24.25M)

Jan 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils left wing Ryane Clowe (29) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

After a dreadful start in San Jose and then having his season plagued at the end by a head injury, you have to wonder what the Devils were thinking by offering the big Newfoundland native a long term deal.  Well, as it turns out, more injuries have limted him to just 18 games so far this season, although he has a pretty respectable 11 points in those games. You just worry about the longevity and the ability to perform over the term of the contract.

CENTRE

Stephen Weiss, DET (5 yrs, $24.5M)

Dec 4, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Stephen Weiss (90) during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

This is one I questioned greatly at the time of the signing, and so far I have been proven right.  Weiss just didn’t seem like the type of player that would be a fit in the Detroit system, and definitely not for the term and the dollar amount he ended up getting.  Although beset by injuries yet again this season for the second year in a row, I think even I could get the 2 goals and 2 assists that he has in 26 games with Detroit.

So, by contrasting the lists of the best and worst free agent signings, obviously the risk/reward factor is more shaded to the risk than the reward.

This is especially for forwards, where the longer term and higher salary contracts tend to get handed out.  The better deals were of the 1 or 2 year variety, while the deals 3 years or longer haven’t been as successful on the whole.