NHL Free Agency 2017: 5 Worst Signings

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OTTAWA, ON – APRIL 27: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers shoots the puck against the Ottawa Senators in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 27, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

4. Dan Girardi – Tampa Bay Lightning

The contract: Two years, $6 million

Tampa Bay Lightning /

Tampa Bay Lightning

Why it’s terrible: This contract makes absolutely no sense. It’s not abysmal because the term is fine. What makes it awful is the amount of money involved and the fit. $3 million is far too much to pay for a third pairing caliber defenseman. Even if Girardi is still a pretty good penalty killer, you don’t pay guys to kill penalties.

The fit is even worse. Girardi is slow and not fleet-footed. The Tampa Bay Lightning’s system revolves around having mobile defensemen who can move the puck. Girardi isn’t mobile and he is a subpar puck mover. Tampa Bay needed some defensive depth, but not in the form of someone who is such a bad fit.

How bad is Girardi? The New York Rangers had a terrible defense last season. And even they didn’t see the value in keeping Girardi around. In fact, the Rangers are paying him to not play, as the Rangers bought him out. That’s pretty darn telling.

Oh, and it gets worse, Lightning fans. General Manager Steve Yzerman apparently told Girardi he’ll be a top four defenseman. Maybe this is just a smart general manager trying to make everyone else think he’s not the best so he can later screw them over. But yikes, Girardi is one of the worst decisions of Yzerman’s front office career.

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