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New York Islanders Metropolitan Division Free Agency Power Rankings

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Leo Komarov #47 of the New York Islanders backs into Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Leo Komarov #47 of the New York Islanders backs into Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Barclays Center on February 09, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 20: Brandon Tanev #13 of the Winnipeg Jets shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Enterprise Center on April 20, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 20: Brandon Tanev #13 of the Winnipeg Jets shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Enterprise Center on April 20, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ins: Brandon Tanev
Outs: N/A

Look, I know that losing Phil Kessel was done via trade and not free agency. And I know that the Pittsburgh Penguins brought in Alex Galchenyuk to replace Phil the Thrill.

But Kessel for Galchenyuk is not a one-for-one swap. Kessel scored over a point per game over his last two seasons. Galchenyuk has never eclipsed 60 points in his NHL career.

There was a still a hole to fill as the Penguins approached free agency.

And they brought in Brandon Tanev. The Penguins gave the 27-year-old a six-year $27 million deal ($3.5 million AAV).

Tanev will certainly fill a bottom-six role with the Penguins, and perhaps he can get up to his 29 points from last season with the Winnipeg Jets. But it’s likely that he doesn’t fulfill that promise. Sure, he scored 29 points last season, but he scored 18 the year before and four the year before that.

The Penguins gave Tanev one heck of a commitment with a six-year deal with a ten-team no-trade list for the full six years. I’m not sure they get that back with Tanev.

On paper, the Penguins took a step back.

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