A FEW BIG FISH SWIMMING IN FREE AGENT POOL
Get out your chequebooks.
Free agency is almost upon the NHL and for the first time in a while, there are players worth spending money on.
John Tavares, who may not be available come Sunday, obviously headlines the impressive cast. But even if he doesn’t make it to market, there are plenty of players available that could potentially change a franchise’s fortunes for the better.
Here are the top 15 names out there:
JOHN TAVARES
Age: 27
17-18 salary: $6 million
Will he or won’t he? The biggest name in free agency has until Saturday night to decide whether he will re-sign with the Islanders, the only team that can offer eight years (everyone else is capped at seven), or take his talents elsewhere. If so, look for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs to have the edge over Boston, Dallas, San Jose and Tampa Bay.
JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK
Age: 29
17-18 salary: $5 million
The second-biggest name in free agency is just what every team needs: a big-body forward who can score power-play goals in his sleep. JVR had a careerbest 36 goals last season, and that was while averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time. He’d look great next to Buffalo’s Jack Eichel.
PAUL STASTNY
Age: 32
17-18 salary: $7.5 million
After getting traded to Winnipeg at the deadline, Stastny found instant chemistry with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers and had 13 points in 19 regularseason games with another 15 coming in the playoffs. The Jets still have the inside track on signing him heading into Sunday, but it could result in the team having to move Bryan Little to make it fit.
MIKE GREEN
Age: 32
17-18 salary: $6 million
While he isn’t the same offensive dynamo he was back when he was putting up 70-point seasons for the Washington Capitals, Green still had 33 points in 66 games and might be the best option when it comes to freeagent defencemen. That tells you how shallow the market is this year.
JAMES NEAL
Age: 30
17-18 salary: $5 million
The “Real Deal” was indeed that for the Golden Knights last season as Neal scored 25 goals as part of his 44 points — he had another six goals and 11 points in the playoffs — for the first-year expansion team. With Vegas reportedly moving on, a reunion with the Dallas Stars seems likely.
RICK NASH
Age: 34
17-18 salary: $8.2 million
To suggest Father Time has caught up with the 2002 firstoverall pick is an understatement for a player whose offence has been rapidly declining the past three seasons. Nash, who suffered a concussion late in the season, is reportedly unsure if he even wants to play again next season.
JOE THORNTON
Age: 38
17-18 salary: $8 million
Thornton celebrates his 39th birthday on Monday, which should be a reminder to potential buyers of the risks associated in signing a player who spent nearly half the season nursing injuries. Another one-year return to San Jose seems likely unless Toronto steps in and takes a chance on the veteran centre.
CARTER HUTTON
Age: 32
17-18 salary: $1 million
With the Sabres, Islanders and Hurricanes all looking for a No. 1 goaltender, the demand for Hutton could not be higher. The only question is whether the journeyman fits the bill. Hutton had an impressive .931 save percentage last season. But he played only 32 games and has never played more than 40 in a season in the NHL.
THOMAS VANEK
Age: 34
17-18 salary: $2 million
The veteran winger, who has been on five teams in three years, might have lost a step or two in his skating. But he still scored 24 goals last season. For teams looking for offence, especially on the power play (hello, Edmonton), he might be worth a gamble.
JACK JOHNSON
Age: 31
17-18 salary: $5 million
Johnson was at times not good enough to crack the Blue Jackets’ defence, but according to reports the Penguins cleared up cap space in hopes of signing him to a five-year deal worth $25 million. Sure, he and Sidney Crosby were prep school buddies back in the day, but it still doesn’t add up.
TYLER BOZAK
Age: 32
17-18 salary: $4 million
At times, he was a top-line centre in Toronto. It was a stretch. And yet Bozak, who had 11 goals and 43 points last season after 18 goals and 55 points the year before, has the versatility to play on any forward line, as well as the power play and penalty kill.
PATRICK MAROON
Age: 30
17-18 salary: $2.1 million
Two years ago, Maroon scored 27 goals on Connor McDavid’s wing. He obviously won’t have that same luxury in the next place he lands. But for a guy who has also played alongside Ryan Getzlaf, he has top-six potential.
CALVIN DE HAAN
Age: 27
17-18 salary: $3.3 million
After putting up a careerbest five goals and 25 points in 2016-17, de Haan missed nearly 50 games after having shoulder surgery last season. He still has the potential to be a top-four defenceman, something Vancouver, Montreal, Philadelphia and Toronto could all use.
DAVID PERRON
Age: 30
17-18 salary: $3.75 million
Like pretty much everyone in Vegas, Perron enjoyed a career season with 66 points in 70 games. But his value took a major hit as the year went on and the veteran winger didn’t score his first goal of the playoffs until Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final.
ROBIN LEHNER
Age: 26
17-18 salary: $4 million
The Sabres decided not to tender the restricted free agent goalie a qualifying offer, but someone will offer him a contract. After all, two years ago Lehner posted a .920 save percentage. And that was on a Buffalo team that didn’t know how to play defence.