Most of the available free agents have found new teams, signaling that the Toronto Maple Leafs are likely finished with their roster additions through free agency.

While there has been much discussion about the Maple Leafs’ recent signings, my focus shifts towards signings across the league.

On July 1st, over a billion dollars were spent, as is customary, with some contracts being criticized as overvalued. Here’s a list of the five worst signings so far, presented without ranking. When evaluating these deals, I considered factors such as contract value, duration, player fit, and team strategy.

Joel Edmundson
Joel Edmundson inked a four-year contract worth an average of $3.85 million annually with the LA Kings

The former Maple Leaf can play on both defensive sides and is known for his defensive prowess. However, his speed is a concern, though he brings a physical presence to the Kings’ defense.

This signing puzzled me. I fail to understand General Manager Rob Blake’s rationale behind committing to this deal. The Kings lost Matt Roy, a skilled two-way defenseman and strong skater, this offseason.

Despite this significant loss, they opted to allocate excessive term and money to 31-year-old Joel Edmundson, who has a history of injuries. While he contributes on special teams and can cover both defensive sides, his skating and puck-moving abilities are limited.

This contract reminds me of the four-year, $4 million AAV deal the Blue Jackets offered Erik Gudbranson during the 2022-23 offseason.