The going rate whether you like it or not is 5.5 per year as off this past offseasons UFA deals (ranging from 5.25-75). Every year for like the past 3-4 years the rate for top 4 d goes up around .5 per year.
No it doesn't. It varies. And your ridiculous comment makes a blanket statement about defenseman as if defensive defenseman get the same money as offensive defenseman.
Also, why do I give a **** about UFA defenseman? Signing a deal that eats up UFA years is not the same as signing a deal as a UFA before July 1st with your team or signing a deal as a UFA during free agency.
- Beauchemin got 3.5
- Martin got 4.85
- Sekera was the biggest name and got 5.5, mostly due to his 40+ point season the previous year (his value at the deadline is a testament to what most thought he was capable of)
- Green got $6M. Why? Offense.
- Oduya got $3.75
These were the biggest UFA D names last year. The only ones who got $5+ have 40+ point seasons on their resume.
Boyle - $4.5
Demers - $3.4
Fayne (when he was good/coveted) - $3.6M
Kulikov - $4.3
Markov - $5.75
Mitchell - $4.25
Quincey - 4.25
Orpik - $5.5
Niskanen - $5.75
Stralman - $4.5
Orpik is the only UFA defenseman in the past 2 years to sign a deal more than $4.85M who did not have a 40+ point season on his resume.
The only one.
So whether you like it or not, your comparison is ****.