4 Best & Worst-Value Signings of 2025 NHL Free Agency
Which contracts from the 2025 Free Agency class are aging well? Which ones aren't?
With about a quarter of the 2025–26 season gone, this past summer’s free agency class is starting to get comfortable in their new homes. Which contracts are aging the best and worst so far?
Best: Jack Roslovic, Edmonton Oilers
On Oct. 8, the Edmonton Oilers got perhaps the biggest free-agency steal of 2025. Jack Roslovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the club, expected to provide a noticeable but not significant boost to their bottom-six offense. Instead, he’s done much more.
Through 23 games, Roslovic has 18 points and is averaging 17:20 of ice time. At least to this point, the Oilers got themselves a top-six fixture for a fraction of what one should cost. Savings of that magnitude are crucial for a contender.
Roslovic has played most of his minutes next to Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, and he’s outscored opponents 18–11 in those situations. Even if that’s unsustainable (1.032 PDO; sum of save and shooting percentage), the results have been undeniably positive. He’s a 60-point producer right now.
Worst: Andrew Mangiapane, Edmonton Oilers
You wouldn’t have been foolish to assume Andrew Mangiapane’s signing with the Oilers would end up being a bargain. But it’s been the opposite.
Over a full 82-game season, Mangiapane’s on pace for just 26 points. Furthermore, his minus-18 rating ranks second-last in the NHL—only ahead of MacKenzie Weegar, one of the 31st-place Calgary Flames’ top minute-munchers.
Plus/minus isn’t the best stat, but Mangiapane’s 47.19% expected goal share at 5-on-5 is still below the team average. That mark is also being boosted by his 175 minutes with Connor McDavid—without, and he’s at just 42.27% and being outscored 14–4.
At a $3.6 million price tag for the next two seasons, Mangiapane’s contract isn’t aging well. If this trend continues, it basically wipes out all the value on Roslovic’s cheap deal.
Best: Joel Armia, Los Angeles Kings
