PREPARE FOR FIREWORKS WHEN FREE AGENCY OPENS
A nation of fans will watch to see what happens on Canada Day
When the Washington Capitals locked up pending unrestricted free agent T.J. Oshie to an eightyear, US$46-million deal last week, you could almost hear the collective groans coming from those various other NHL teams thirsting for offensive help.
But even with Oshie off the market, we can guarantee one thing when the UFA market opens for business this Saturday: Teams will grossly overpay for players they consider saviours.
Oshie’s former Caps teammate, Kevin Shattenkirk, tops our list of top 25 UFAs as the league gears up for the beginning of free agency on Canada Day. With defencemen the most precious of commodities around the NHL these days, let’s see how many teams turn a blind eye to his defensive warts in favour of his ability to produce points.
Keep this in mind, too: With Connor McDavid closing in on an eight-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers in the neighbourhood of US$13.25 million per season, a new standard in pay scale is likely to be set throughout the league.
We’ll see come Saturday. In the meantime, here is a rundown of our top 25 free agents.
1 D Kevin Shattenkirk, Capitals
Age: 28
2016-17 cap hit: US$4.25 million 2016-17 stats: 13-43-56
The buzz: The Rangers, Lightning and Sabres have all been reportedly linked to him. But buyer beware: His offensive gains can bring defensive pains.
2 RW Alexander Radulov, Canadiens
Age: 30
2016-17 cap hit: US$5.75 million 2016-17 stats: 18-36-54
The buzz: Almost a dozen teams have reached out to him. He’s looking for a deal in the neighbourhood of six years at US$7 million per, which might be too rich for the Habs.
3 D Karl Alzner, Capitals
Age: 28
2016-17 cap hit: US$2.8 million 2016-17 stats: 3-10-13
The buzz: The best stay-at-home D-man on the market. He and the Habs have shown mutual interest.
4 C Joe Thornton, Sharks
Age: 37
2016-17 cap hit: US$6.75 million 2016-17 stats: 7-43-50
The buzz: Would like to stay in San Jose, but there have been talks with the Kings, Preds, Rangers — even the Maple Leafs would be good fit, too.
5 RW Justin Williams, Capitals
Age: 35
2016-17 cap hit: US$3.25 million 2016-17 stats: 24-24-48
The buzz: Forget about his age: Guys who can score 20-plus goals every season like Williams are scarce.
6 D Michael Stone, Flames
Age: 27
2016-17 cap hit: US$4 million 2016-17 stats: 3-12-15
The buzz: His age makes him an attractive buy, but his injury history the past two seasons doesn’t.
7 C Martin Hanzal, Wild
Age: 30
2016-17 cap hit: US$3.1 million 2016-17 stats: 20-19-39
The buzz: The Wild gave up a king’s ransom to get him at the trade deadline and it didn’t pay off. Nevertheless, don’t expect it to keep teams such as the Canadiens and Sharks from kicking tires on him.
8 LW Patrick Marleau, Sharks
Age: 37
2016-17 cap hit: US$6.67 million 2016-17 stats: 27-19-46
The buzz: Still has quality wheels and scoring touch. The Sharks, Maple Leafs, Ducks, Rangers, Hurricanes, Predators and Kings all feel that way and have shown interest.
9 C Nick Bonino, Penguins
Age: 29
2016-17 cap hit: US$1.9 million 2016-17 stats: 18-19-37
The buzz: Expect the Penguins to make a strong run to keep him on board.
10 C Sam Gagner, Blue Jackets
Age: 27
2016-17 cap hit: US$650,000 2016-17 stats: 18-32-50
The buzz: His impressive season in Columbus has the Blackhawks and Predators intrigued.
11 D Dan Girardi, Rangers
Age: 33
16-17 cap hit: US$5.5 million 16-17 stats: 4-11-15
The buzz: Bought out by the Rangers earlier this month, his lack of foot speed isn’t scaring off teams like the Red Wings, Wild and Lightning.
12 RW Patrick Sharp, Stars
Age: 35
16-17 cap hit: US$5.9 million 16-17 stats: 8-10-18
The buzz: Is a return to the Windy City in the cards? Reports that the Blackhawks might be a potential landing spot make sense.
13 RW Radim Vrbata, Coyotes
Age: 36
2016-17 cap hit: US$1 million 2016-17 stats: 20-35-55
The buzz: At least five teams have reached out to him. The Coyotes hope to retain him.
14 C Brian Boyle, Maple Leafs
Age: 32
2016-17 cap hit: US$2 million 2016-17 stats: 13-12-25
The buzz: Dealt by Tampa Bay to the Leafs at the trade deadline, Boyle has expressed a desire to return to the Lightning. Can Stevie Y make it happen?
15 G Steve Mason, Flyers
Age: 29
2016-17 cap hit: US$4.1 million 2016-17 stats: 2.66 GAA, .908 save percentage
The buzz: According to Postmedia colleague Ken Wiebe, there already have been talks between Mason and the Winnipeg Jets.
16 LW Thomas Vanek, Panthers
Age: 33
2016-17 cap hit: US$2.6 million 2016-17 stats: 17-31-48
The buzz: Can dominate on some shifts and disappear on others. Which Thomas Vanek will a buyer get?
17 D Trevor Daley, Penguins
Age: 33
2016-17 cap hit: US$3.3 million 2016-17 stats: 5-14-19
The buzz: The Bruins and Red Wings are among the teams talking to Daley, but the Pens will make a push, too.
18 G Brian Elliott, Flames
Age: 32
2016-17 cap hit: US$2.5 million 2016-17 stats: 2.55 GAA,
.910 save percentage
The buzz: The Jets are also a possibility for Elliott, but here’s a fascinating twist — reports out of St. Louis suggest a return to the Blues isn’t out of the question.
19 D Andrei Markov, Canadiens
Age: 38
2016-17 cap hit: US$5.75 million 2016-17 stats: 6-30-36
The buzz: At the time this is being written, the Canadiens still held out hope of bringing him back. But a two-year, US$12-million deal for a 38-year-old vet?
20 D Dmitri Kulikov, Sabres
Age: 26
2016-17 cap hit: US$4.3 million 2016-17 stats: 2-3-5
The buzz: A dozen teams have contacted Kulikov’s representatives, including the Jets and Senators.
21 D Michael Del Zotto, Flyers
Age: 27
2016-17 cap hit: US$3.75 million 2016-17 stats: 6-12-18
The buzz: With a return to the Flyers apparently not in the works, a second-unit power play QB might be what the doctor ordered in Chicago, hence the Blackhawks’ interest.
22 G Ryan Miller, Canucks
Age: 36
2016-17 cap hit: US$6 million 2016-17 stats: 2.80 GAA,
.914 save percentage
The buzz: Reports linking Miller and the Ducks make sense, since it would bring him closer to his Hollywood actress wife. With Jonathan Bernier a UFA, Ducks need a second goalie.
23 D Cody Franson, Sabres
Age: 29
2016-17 cap hit: US$3.325 million
2016-17 stats: 3-16-19
The buzz: The prototypical under-the-radar UFA. Good complementary second- or third-pairing D-man.
24 G Jonathan Bernier, Ducks
Age: 28
16-17 cap hit: US$4.15 million 16-17 stats: 2.51 GAA,
.915 save percentage
The buzz: Had a fine regular season stepping in for the injured John Gibson, but might have cost himself dollars on the open market with his shaky play in Game 6 of the Western Conference final against the Predators.
25 RW Jaromir Jagr, Panthers
Age: 45
2016-17 cap hit: US$4 million 2016-17 stats: 16-30-46
The buzz: Florida is the alleged home of the fountain of youth, so it makes sense the Panthers are attempting to re-sign the Ageless Wonder.