OK, sure, it’s still early days. But it’s always fun catching up with how some of the top UFAs from the past summer have lived up to their deals with new teams.
So far, all NHL clubs have played between two and four games, with mixed results for some of the top names. Johnny Gaudreau, the biggest name on the market in July, has two points in three games for Columbus, but the team has come up empty-handed. In Calgary, Nazem Kadri is tied for the team lead with three points in two games, showing why he was so coveted after winning the Stanley Cup with Colorado.
These five players, in particular, deserve some praise for their early work. Here’s a look at five standouts that have found success with their new teams early on:
David Perron, LW, Detroit Red Wings
Perron, 34, was brought to Detroit to serve as a veteran presence for a young team in need of experience. Perron is having a Ray Whitney-style career – managing to stay relevant offensively in his mid-30s – and he already has three goals and four points in three games.