5 Worst NHL Free Agent Deals So Far

NHL Free Agency is taking the entire continent by storm. The Canada Day tradition continues, as franchises look to score a player they deem good enough to make an immediate impact.

While signings like Artemi Panarin to the New York Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky to the Florida Panthers were strong, there were some duds on the market.

Here are five of the worst NHL free agent deals so far.

5. Cam Talbot, G, Flames

Washington Capitals v Philadelphia Flyers / Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Calgary Flames chances at the Stanley Cup have been hindered by shoddy goaltending. The Mike Smith signing proved to be an unideal pairing, and now, the Flames bring in Cam Talbot on a one-year, $2.75 million deal. This past season, Talbot recorded a .892 save percentage and 3.40 goals-allowed average during split time with the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers. Talbot won't make a $2.75 million impact in Calgary, especially when sitting behind David Rittich.

4. Mike Smith, G, Oilers

Calgary Flames v Philadelphia Flyers / Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Now, we move on to Mike Smith. Like the Calgary Flames, the Edmonton Oilers have long been hampered by goaltending issues. Smith has earned contract after contract, and never lived up to the hype and money. Now, he signs for $2 million with an Oilers team that has had trouble defending the opposition. The odds of Smith succeeding in Edmonton are rather low, considering the makeup of the team.

3. Brandon Tanev, W, Penguins

Winnipeg Jets v Arizona Coyotes / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved on from Phil Kessel and welcomed winger Brandon Tanev with open arms. This past season with the Winnipeg Jets, Tanev tallied a career-high 29 points through 80 games. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford rewarded him with a six-year, $21 million contract. The deal doesn't make sense for Pittsburgh, and are now locked in with Tanev for the next six seasons.

2. Ron Hainsey, D, Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs v Boston Bruins - Game Seven / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

As if the past year-plus hasn't been evidence enough, the Ottawa Senators are a rebuilding team. After missing out on the chance to reunite with Erik Karlsson, the Sens addressed their void on defense by signing 38-year-old defenseman Ron Hainsey to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. While he did have a stronger year this past season with the Toronto Maple Leafs than in the season prior, throwing that much money at Hainsey will do Ottawa no favors.

1. Tyler Myers, D, Canucks

Winnipeg Jets v Colorado Avalanche / Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Vancouver Canucks have built a reputation on making risky deals with free agents. This year, the Canucks signed former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers to a five-year, $30 million deal. The thing is, Myers hasn't lived up to the hype following his Calder Trophy-winning rookie season. He's never exceeded his rookie season point total (48), and is a liability in the defensive zone, which is a trait you don't want your now second-line defenseman to have.