The offseason trudges onward through September in the Metropolitan Division. However, for every best, there has to be the worst. Yesterday, we took a look at two of the better signings in the division. Therefore, today takes a turn for the worse.
When combing through the signings, this was the division that had a few head-scratchers.
Brandon Tanev — C — Signed UFA with Pittsburgh Penguins (6 years, $3.5 million AAV)
While teams like the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers improved greatly within the division, Pittsburgh flopped a bit by signing Brandon Tanev of all people to a six-year deal. Also, Tanev received a modified no-trade clause where he submits a 10-team no-trade list.
Many expected a shorter-term and some even made the case for a lesser AAV on Brandon Tanev and yet here we are. Tanev tallied 29 points in 80 games for Winnipeg in 2018-19. This was while playing a little over 14 minutes a night.
Here is a bit more from PuckPedia.
Again, the Penguins did need middle-six help but after losing Phil Kessel, they probably should have targeted someone who could provide a bit more argument. Now, Tanev has a decent enough shot (14 goals on 127 shots). However, that averages to about 1.6 shots per game which is problematic.
Tanev’s possession numbers translate well. Here is why. He played nearly 59% of the time in the defensive zone yet was near team relative in advanced possession metrics. Unfortunately, a lot of that can be dismissed by who Tanev played with. The forward was allowed to roam around and create chaos. That was something he did well.
First, this does not rank up there with the Jack Johnson signing. Second, this does not rank up there with the Jack Johnson signing.
Some more thoughts on this Metropolitan Division signing
On the other hand, the Penguins had options in free agency that would have cost fewer years and less term. Honestly, it will be intriguing to see how Tanev lives or does not live up to this deal.
Semyon Varlamov — G — Signed UFA with New York Islanders (4 years, $5 million AAV)
While the New York Islanders had a goalie who helped lead them to a playoff berth, then they let him go. Yes, Robin Lehner wound up in Chicago simply because New York thought they could low-ball him. When that backfired, New York turned around and signed Semyon Varlamov to the same $5 million AAV offered to Lehner.
The difference is this was a four-year deal to a goaltender who is 31 and riddled with groin and lower-body injuries. Then, there was a stretch of poor play which was later attributed to another groin malady. Either way, his job was taken by Philipp Grubauer and Varlamov needed to find employment elsewhere.
The goalie was about league average last season with a near .500 record, 2.87 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Varlamov started less than 50 games and probably will for the Islanders as well.
PuckPedia has a little more on the goalie here.
Bluntly, Varlamov was a panic move by the Islanders. At least, there are no clauses here. On the other hand, there is little margin for error as New York was already expected to regress. The Islanders will need to see the 2013-2015 version of Semyon Varlamov and quickly. This is because last year, the goaltender looked more like he was 35 than 30.
A few final thoughts on this Metropolitan Division signing
New York gambled blindly and blinked in a panic here. Better goalies existed on the free-agent market that could have been temporary fixes. If the Islanders’ brass wanted to save money to spend elsewhere, that would have been the way to go.
New York has a potential headache in net with this move now and down the road as well. Sure, it could work but more likely this is a problematic deal. New York drops in the Metropolitan Division because of this.