The bulk of NHL free agency is over and all the biggest names on the market are off the board. As teams and fans look back on what was a wild free agency, it is time to look at who some of the winners of this offseason were in free agency.
Harman Dayal of The Athletic put out a list of the top 10 best free agent signings of NHL free agency. For his fifth best signing in free agency, Dayal said New Jersey Devils goalie Jake Allen, who signed a five-year deal.
“Jake Allen is a reliable, steady 1B coming off a strong season where he notched a .908 save percentage in 31 games. He saved 19.1 goals above expected according to Evolving-Hockey, which ranked 15th best among all goaltenders last season,” Dayal said. “As the top netminder in a weak free-agent goalie market, Allen could have commanded a hefty contract. Instead, he re-signed with the Devils on a steal of a $1.8 million cap hit.”
New Jersey re-signed Allen for a cheap price compared to other goalies on the market this offseason. Kevin Lankinen re-signed with the Canucks at $4.5 million AAV and Dan Vladar signed a contract with the Flyers at $3.35 million AAV.
Allen turns 35 in August, so the timing of his contract is intriguing. If he does not develop enough throughout the next few seasons, his cap hit can be deferred to the minors so that it will not count against the Devils’ cap space.
