NHL Free Agency 2019: Biggest winners and losers from Day 1

COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 6: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waves to the fans following Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 6, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images /

Winner: The Fans

If you’re a fan of hockey, you were entertained on July 1, 2019. There was a lot of action, most of it unexpected. 12 hours before free agency opened, the Islanders were thought to be the favorites to land Panarin. The Rangers emerged with the crown jewel of free agency. Anytime you can get Rangers and Islanders fans yelling at each other, it’s a good day.

And then there was the offer sheet. Yes, an offer sheet. The Montreal Canadiens signed Carolina Hurricanes star forward Sebastian Aho to a five-year offer sheet with a ton of signing bonuses. In case that wasn’t dramatic enough, the Canes lived up to their “bunch of jerks” title by dunking on the Habs.

Loser: Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are in it to win it right now. They went a bit overboard, though. Sergei Bobrovsky’s deal (seven years, $10 million AAV) could look bad as soon as next year. It’s not going to be good for the future and the Panthers are banking on him to bounce back after a rough season.

They also lost out on Panarin, who at least is worth the huge contract he got. And he’s younger, to boot. The Panthers also signed Anton Stralman to a three-year deal worth $5.5 million annually. Like Bobrovsky, he’s coming off a career-worst season.

Next. Every Team's Mount Rushmore. dark

For what it’s worth, Brett Connolly‘s deal (four years, $3.25 million AAV) is reasonable. So is Noel Acciari‘s (three years, $1.666 million AAV). But Bobrovsky’s deal and Stralman’s deal probably aren’t going to age well at all. The Panthers better hope they win now, because if they don’t, things could get very ugly.

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