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The 2013 loss is not relevant. The only players left from the 2013 loss are Kadri and Gardiner, and none of the management group is left--thank god.
The worst signings yesterday/today:
Leo Komarov with the Islanders for 4 years at $3M AAV. He's 31, going on 41. He had 19 points, plays terrible D, and has some of the worst analytics in all of hockey. Somehow, he averaged about as much ice-time as Marner and Nylander. Dubas' second best move yesterday was not re-signing Komarov, so that Babcock doesn't get a chance to overplay him. Note: A coach if overplaying him if he isn't a healthy scratch.
James Neal for 5 years, $5.75M AAV with Calgary. He turns 31 before the season and is coming off of back-to-back 40-point seasons. Wingers like this never age well. Thought teams might have learned after the Lucic, Eriksson, and Ladd contracts.
Dishonorable mentions: Bozak and Roussel. The JVR and Stastny won't end well.