Ranking the NHL's long-term contracts signed this offseason from safest to riskiest

This offseason, 27 NHL contracts of five years or more have been signed, including deals made in unrestricted free agency, restricted free agency, and long-term extensions. Writer Adam Gretz analyzes and ranks all 27 contracts from safest to riskiest, noting that unrestricted free agent signings carry significant historical risk, with many such deals historically ending in buyouts or trades. The article distinguishes between safer investments — typically extensions locking in younger core players — and riskier gambles teams take in pursuit of a Stanley Cup.