A Look Back At The 2010 NHL Free Agency Class And What They Have Accomplished

[The Mac]

Every summer, fans are excited about the potential changes that could come to their team on July 1, the start of free agency.

Nearly a quarter of the way into the season, with the sobering result of actual games being played, there are some trends to be noted, while keeping in mind that none of the teams signed players to 20-game contracts, so this is hardly a final evaluation.

If the early returns are any indication, then, the bargain shoppers have made out reasonably well. Toronto's Clarke MacArthur, for example, is providing nearly a point-per-game for the Maple Leafs after the Atlanta Thrashers walked away from his arbitration award.

Two-way centres like Eric Belanger, Dominic Moore and Jeff Halpern have all provided good bang-for-the-buck, while Manny Malhotra and Matt Cullen might have cost more, but both have been strong performers in their new locales.

As noted in my blog earlier this week, Jordan Leopold, Toni Lydman and Brett Clark are among the blueliners that have played surprisingly significant roles.

San Jose signed a pair of discount goaltenders, at least when compared to previous starter Evgeni Nabokov, and it has been a split decision. Antero Niittymaki has played well, pulling ahead of Cup-winner Antti Niemi.

On the other hand, there have been some signings that may be causing initial regret.

Ilya Kovalchuk's deal has been regrettable from the get-go, but it wouldn't be such a problem if he wasn't having his worst offensive season. The Devils need goals and they need Kovalchuk to provide them. The Devils' free agent defencemen, Henrik Tallinder and Anton Volchenkov haven't fared any better.

As the season goes on, it will be worth seeing if the early surprises are going to keep pace or if the disappointments can recover from their resepective slow starts.

A look back at the free agent signings that changed teams in the summer of 2010:

Player: Alex Auld
Position: G Team: Montreal
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 1-0, 1.00 GAA, .968 SV%, 1 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 114.30
Comment: Glued to the bench, but played well in his one game.


Player: Andrew Raycroft
Position: G Team: Dallas
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $650,000
Stat Line: 1-1, 2.22 GAA, .943 SV%, 3 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 89.47
Comment: Finding a niche as seldom-used backup.


Player: Antero Niittymaki
Position: G Team: San Jose
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $2M
Stat Line: 7-1-3, 2.08 GAA, .919 SV%, 12 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 78.85
Comment: Early leader in Sharks' goaltending battle.


Player: Jordan Leopold
Position: D Team: Buffalo
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 5-9-14, +3, 8 PIM, 20 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 78.71
Comment: Veteran has bounced around in recent years; finally producing offensively.


Player: Clarke MacArthur
Position: LW Team: Toronto
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.1M
Stat Line: 7-10-17, +2, 12 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 77.72
Comment: A breakout offensive season with solid two-way play.


Player: Toni Lydman
Position: D Team: Anaheim
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 2-6-8, +11, 10 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 77.14
Comment: Thriving in a much bigger role than he played in Buffalo.


Player: Brett Clark
Position: D Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.6M
Stat Line: 4-5-9, -6, 2 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 74.35
Comment: Unexpected offensive production from noted shot blocker.


Player: Sergei Gonchar
Position: D Team: Ottawa
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $5.5M
Stat Line: 4-9-13, -11, 8 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 74.19
Comment: Putting up points, but defence has been shaky.


Player: Martin Biron
Position: G Team: N.Y. Rangers
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $875,000
Stat Line: 3-2, 2.21 GAA, .911 SV%, 5 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 73.46
Comment: Gives Rangers a solid veteran backup in net.


Player: Manny Malhotra
Position: C Team: Vancouver
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $2.5M
Stat Line: 4-6-10, +4, 6 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 72.63
Comment: Strong two-way player chipping in offensively.


Player: Matt Cullen
Position: C Team: Minnsota
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 3-11-14, -5, 8 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.86
Comment: Playing big minutes; counted on offensively.


Player: Brendan Morrison
Position: C Team: Calgary
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 3-10-13, +1, 4 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.68
Comment: Providing offence for goal-starved squad.


Player: Marty Turco
Position: G Team: Dallas
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.3M
Stat Line: 8-5-2, 2.56 GAA, .914 SV%, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.49
Comment: A bargain for a capable starting goaltender.


Player: Paul Martin
Position: D Team: Pittsburgh
Term: 5 years Cap Hit: $5M
Stat Line: 1-9-10, +3, 4 PIM, 20 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.28
Comment: Smooth transition to the Penguins.


Player: Ruslan Fedotenko
Position: LW Team: N.Y. Rangers
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 3-7-10, +5, 10 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.25
Comment: A bargain contributor after training camp tryout.


Player: Ray Whitney
Position: LW Team: Phoenix
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $6M
Stat Line: 3-8-11, +2, 6 PIM, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.17
Comment: Coming on after a slow start.


Player: Joe Corvo
Position: D Team: Carolina
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $2.25M
Stat Line: 4-4-8, -2, 6 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.14
Comment: Plays more than 24 minutes per game; can still shoot the puck.


Player: Raffi Torres
Position: LW Team: Vancouver
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 7-2-9, +2, 23 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.11
Comment: Third-line banger goes on scoring streaks.


Player: Alex Tanguay
Position: LW Team: Calgary
Term: 1 Cap Hit: $1.7M
Stat Line: 5-7-12, -3, 12 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 70.49
Comment: Rebounding after career-worst season.


Player: Jeff Halpern
Position: C Team: Montreal
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 4-6-10, +7, 7 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.87
Comment: Valuable two-way pivot.


Player: Dominic Moore
Position: C Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.1M
Stat Line: 3-5-8, -4, 12 PIM, 14 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.74
Comment: See above.


Player: Jeff Tambellini
Position: LW Team: Vancouver
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $500,000
Stat Line: 2-1-3, even, 6 PIM, 6 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.72
Comment: Up-and-down to AHL, but some production when he plays.


Player: Eric Belanger
Position: C Team: Phoenix
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 4-6-10, -1, 4 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.63
Comment: Late-summer addition has centered top line.


Player: Kurtis Foster
Position: D Team: Edmonton
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.8M
Stat Line: 2-6-8, -7, 10 PIM, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.44
Comment: Productive enough, but mobility limits defensive effectiveness.


Player: Milan Jurcina
Position: D Team: N.Y. Islanders
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 2-1-3, -1, 4 PIM, 10 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.28
Comment: Some early production before getting hurt.


Player: P.A. Parenteau
Position: RW Team: N.Y. Islanders
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 4-6-10, -7, 4 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.14
Comment: Talented, but struggling like many Isles.


Player: Alexander Frolov
Position: LW Team: N.Y. Rangers
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 4-6-10, +2, 2 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 68.99
Comment: Production should pick up with Gaborik back in lineup.


Player: Sean Bergenheim
Position: LW Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $700,000
Stat Line: 3-5-8, +4, 20 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 68.61
Comment: Unheralded addition has been quite effective.


Player: Arron Asham
Position: RW Team: Pittsburgh
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $700,000
Stat Line: 2-3-5, +1, 13 PIM, 11 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 68.46
Comment: Tough winger has contributed since getting into the lineup.


Player: Dan Hamhuis
Position: D Team: Vancouver
Term: 6 years Cap Hit: $4.5M
Stat Line: 2-1-3, even, 2 PIM, 10 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 68.33
Comment: Big ticket signing has never put up huge stats.


Player: Christopher Higgins
Position: LW Team: Florida
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.6M
Stat Line: 3-2-5, +3, 2 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 67.43
Comment: Offensive game disappearing, but still solid checker.


Player: Olli Jokinen
Position: C Team: Calgary
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 6-2-8, -1, 28 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 66.91
Comment: No longer an offensive force; Flames on the hook for another season.


Player: Ruslan Salei
Position: D Team: Detroit
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 0-5-5, +5, 24 PIM, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 66.89
Comment: Steady veteran presence now that he's healthy.


Player: Alexei Ponikarovsky
Position: LW Team: Los Angeles
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 2-2-4, +2, 10 PIM, 13 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 66.82
Comment: Playing limited role in L.A., now hurt.


Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Position: LW Team: New Jersey
Term: 15 years Cap Hit: $6.67M
Stat Line: 4-6-10, -9, 11 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 66.02
Comment: Difficult to have a worse start after signing a monster contract.


Player: Mike Modano
Position: C Team: Detroit
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.25M
Stat Line: 2-5-7, -1, 6 PIM, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 64.75
Comment: Coming on after slow start in new uni.


Player: Fredrik Modin
Position: LW Team: Atlanta
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $800,000
Stat Line: 4-2-6, -6, 0 PIM, 15 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 64.68
Comment: Veteran can score a big, check a bit, get hurt a bit.


Player: Sean O'Donnell
Position: D Team: Philadelphia
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 0-3-3, 15, 26 PIM, 20 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 64.26
Comment: Stabilizing presence on Flyers' third pairing.


Player: Jose Theodore
Position: G Team: Minnesota
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.1M
Stat Line: 1-2, 3.02 GAA, .909 SV%, 3 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 64.20
Comment: Capable filling in for injured backup Josh Harding.


Player: Pavel Kubina
Position: D Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $3.85M
Stat Line: 1-4-5, -5, 17 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 63.04
Comment: Not as productive as in previous seasons.


Player: John Madden
Position: C Team: Minnesota
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 3-1-4, -5, 2 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 62.85
Comment: Veteran checker with Cup rings.


Player: Andrew Ebbett
Position: C Team: Phoenix
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 1-0-1, +1, 2 PIM, 6 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 62.70
Comment: Splitting time between Coyotes and AHL.


Player: Rob Niedermayer
Position: C Team: Buffalo
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1.15M
Stat Line: 0-6-6, -1, 10 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 61.97
Comment: Adds size, checking; not much offence.


Player: Jamal Mayers
Position: RW Team: San JOse
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 0-3-3, +3, 56 PIM, 14 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 61.59
Comment: Gritty forward a nice fit as a role player on strong team.


Player: Fernando Pisani
Position: RW Team: Chicago
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $500,000
Stat Line: 2-2-4, -2, 4 PIM, 21 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 61.27
Comment: Playing regularly, if not a lot.


Player: Dan Ellis
Position: G Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.5M
Stat Line: 5-4-2, 2.81 GAA, .898 SV%, 12 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 61.01
Comment: Numbers were much better before Thursday night in Philly.


Player: Tim Jackman
Position: RW Team: Calgary
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $550,000
Stat Line: 2-1-3, -4, 38 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 60.86
Comment: Doing his job on fourth line.


Player: Mike Comrie
Position: C Team: Pittsburgh
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $500,000
Stat Line: 0-5-5, -4, 18 PIM, 15 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 60.69
Comment: Possible bargain scorer hasn't been able to find the net.


Player: Zbynek Michalek
Position: D Team: Pittsburgh
Term: 5 years Cap Hit: $4M
Stat Line: 2-0-2, -3, 4 PIM, 11 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 60.58
Comment: Can improve on mediocre early results with Pens.


Player: Randy Jones
Position: D Team: Tampa Bay
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 0-4-4, -2, 4 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 60.48
Comment: A regular, if limited, role for Lightning.


Player: Eric Nystrom
Position: LW Team: Minnesota
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $1.4M
Stat Line: 1-1-2, -5, 11 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 60.38
Comment: Lunch pail winger not off to an ideal start.


Player: Patrick O'Sullivan
Position: LW Team: Carolina
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 1-0-1, -1, 2 PIM, 8 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 59.88
Comment: Late signing still trying to recapture scoring touch.


Player: Henrik Tallinder
Position: D Team: New Jersey
Term: 4 years Cap Hit: $3.375M
Stat Line: 1-3-4, -9, 10 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 59.88
Comment: Like many Devils, it's been a miserable start to the season.


Player: Anton Volchenkov
Position: D Team: New Jersey
Term: 6 years Cap Hit: $4.25M
Stat Line: 0-0-0, even, 6 PIM, 7 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 59.67
Comment: Not much of a factor before getting hurt.


Player: Adam Burish
Position: RW Team: Dallas
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.15M
Stat Line: 1-0-1, -2, 36 PIM, 17 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 59.64
Comment: Not much production considering he plays 15 minutes a night.


Player: Zenon Konopka
Position: C Team: N.Y. Islanders
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 0-2-2, -3, 94 PIM, 18 PIM
TSN.ca Rating: 59.41
Comment: Scrapper and face-off man extraordinaire.


Player: Colby Armstrong
Position: RW Team: Toronto
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $3M
Stat Line: 1-0-1, -2, 11 PIM, 8 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 58.89
Comment: Not great, but Leafs were better with him in the lineup.


Player: Derek Boogaard
Position: LW Team: N.Y. Rangers
Term: 4 years Cap Hit: $1.625M
Stat Line: 1-1-2, even, 31 PIM, 15 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 58.70
Comment: That he has a goal already a huge bonus; not enough to justify contract.


Player: Paul Mara
Position: D Team: Anaheim
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 1-0-1, -6, 28 PIM, 21 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 58.39
Comment: Hanging on with shallow weak defence corps.


Player: Freddy Meyer
Position: D Team: Atlanta
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $500,000
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -2, 4 PIM, 5 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 58.33
Comment: Spot duty for high-effort blueliner.


Player: Jody Shelley
Position: LW Team: Philadelphia
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $1.1M
Stat Line: 0-1-1, even, 34 PIM, 20 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 57.52
Comment: Apparently late-season offensive surge was a fluke; who knew?


Player: John Scott
Position: D/LW Team: Calgary
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $750,000
Stat Line: 0-0-0, +1, 16 PIM, 16 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 56.75
Comment: Doing what's expected in seven minutes per game.


Player: Dustin Boyd
Position: C Team: Montreal
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $650,000
Stat Line: 1-0-1, -6, 2 PIM, 9 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 56.46
Comment: A step back after slow progress with Flames and Predators.


Player: Mark Eaton
Position: D Team: N.Y. Islanders
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $2.5M
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -7, 4 PIM, 18 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 56.35
Comment: Tough sledding as stay-at-home defenceman with a bad team.


Player: Shaone Morrisonn
Position: D Team: Buffalo
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $2.075M
Stat Line: 0-1-1, -9, 10 PIM, 14 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 56.34
Comment: Move to Buffalo has not gone smoothly.


Player: Matthew Lombardi
Position: C Team: Nashville
Term: 3 years Cap Hit: $3.5M
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 2 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 56.00
Comment: Concussion has kept him out of the lineup.


Player: Steve MacIntyre
Position: LW Team: Edmonton
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $500,000
Stat Line: 0-0-0, even, 17 PIM, 6 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 55.18
Comment: Heavyweight does what he's asked, playing 3:35 per game.


Player: Raitis Ivanans
Position: LW Team: Calgary
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $600,000
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -1, 5 PIM, 1 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 52.10
Comment: Hasn't been seen since KO'd by MacIntyre on opening night.


Player: Brett Lebda
Position: D Team: Toronto
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.45M
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -9, 8 PIM, 10 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 51.98
Comment: Having as much trouble cracking Leafs' lineup as he did with Red Wings.


Player: Chris Mason
Position: G Team: Atlanta
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $1.85M
Stat Line: 6-5-1, 3.90 GAA, .897 SV%, 13 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 49.52
Comment: Winning, but other numbers are subpar.


Player: Andy Sutton
Position: D Team: Anaheim
Term: 2 years Cap Hit: $2.125M
Stat Line: 0-0-0, -2, 2 PIM, 1 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 49.23
Comment: Broke his thumb opening night; small sample obviously skewing rating.


Player: Antti Niemi
Position: G Team: San Jose
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $2M
Stat Line: 2-4-1, 3.91 GAA, .878 SV%, 7 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 39.81
Comment: Supposed to challenge Niittymaki in Sharks' goal; not a close competition right now.


Player: Ruslan Fedotenko
Position: LW Team: N.Y. Rangers
Term: 1 year Cap Hit: $1M
Stat Line: 3-7-10, +5, 10 PIM, 19 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 71.25
Comment: A bargain contributor after training camp tryout.

[Swinny]

Very interesting article, nice to see all the stats.