As the 2017-18 NHL regular-season draws to a close, it’s worthwhile to examine the value of this summer’s top-10 unrestricted NHL free agents.
Several notable players, such as the Boston’s Zdeno Chara, Pittsburgh’s Patric Hornqvist and Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault, have re-signed with their current teams. However, this year’s UFA pool remains stocked with noteworthy talent.
10. Rick Nash, Boston Bruins
Nash is completing an eight-year, $62.4-million contract. At this point in his career, the 33-year-old winger won’t get that much again. While Nash isn’t the dominant scorer he once was, he still reached the 20-goal plateau for the 13th time during a season split between the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. Despite being hampered by injuries in recent years, Nash should still be enticing for clubs seeking short-term veteran leadership and scoring depth.
9. Mike Green, Detroit Red Wings
Green is finishing a three-year, $18-million deal. Prior to suffering a season-ending neck injury, the 32-year-old defenseman was enjoying a bounce-back campaign with the rebuilding Red Wings. He netted 33 points in 66 games while averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game. Green could be a good addition for teams in need of a puck-moving blueliner with a right-handed shot to bolster their power play.
8. Antti Raanta, Arizona Coyotes
Despite missing 22 games to injuries this season, Raanta still put up good numbers as a starting goaltender with the lowly Coyotes. The 28-year-old began this week with a 2.27 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts. Raanta could generate interest from teams hoping to upgrade between the pipes. Completing a one-year, $1-million contract, he’ll seek a substantial pay raise.
7. Thomas Vanek, Columbus Blue Jackets
Vanek, 34, proved this season that he’s still an effective scoring winger. In 77 games split between the Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks, he tallied 24 goals and 55 points. His addition to the Jackets’ lineup at the trade deadline helped them overcome a season-threatening slump, putting them on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. Coming off a one-year, $2-million contract, he’ll be looking for a raise on a short-term deal this summer.
6. Paul Stastny, Winnipeg Jets
Stastny had good numbers with the St. Louis Blues, netting 40 points in 63 games. Shipped to Winnipeg at the trade deadline, the 32-year-old center collected 11 points in 15 games, providing the Jets with invaluable depth and experience at center for the upcoming playoffs. Finishing up a four-year, $28-million contract, he’ll likely have to accept a pay cut on a three- or four-year deal.
5. Evander Kane, San Jose Sharks
Kane had already reached 20 goals for the fourth time in the career when he was shipped to San Jose at the trade deadline by the Buffalo Sabres. The 26-year-old left winger provided the Sharks with some much-needed scoring punch, with nine goals and 14 points in 16 games. His performance down the stretch has boosted his free-agent value, though there could be lingering concerns over his past off-ice antics if he tests the free-agent market. Kane is finishing a six-year, $31.5-million deal and could seek up to $7 million annually on a six- or seven-year contract.
4. David Perron, Vegas Golden Knights
Perron‘s among the reasons the Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division title in their debut season. He’s their assists leader (50) and also sits third in points with 66. Those numbers represent career highs for the 29-year-old left wing, whose early-career injury concerns are now well behind him. Perron will be enticing to teams seeking an experienced playmaking forward. Finishing a two-year, $7.5-million contract, he should land a lucrative long-term deal this summer.
3. James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
Completing a six-year, $25.5 million contract, the 28-year-old van Riemsdyk has tallied a career-best 36 goals this season, making him the Leafs leading goal scorer. Having exceeded 20 goals in five of his nine NHL seasons, van Riemsdyk could seek a long-term deal worth around $6.5 million annually from the Leafs. If they’re unwilling to go that high, he won’t have difficulty finding other clubs that will via the open market.
2. John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Carlson is unquestionably the top defenseman in this summer’s UFA market. The 28-year-old set career highs this season in goals (15), assists (50) and points (65). He also leads all NHL blueliners in points and sits third among the Capitals’ leading scorers. A superb puck-moving defenseman, Carlson is finishing a six-year, $23.8-million contract. If he goes to market he could get a six- or seven-year deal worth around $7-million annually.
1. John Tavares, New York Islanders
The crown jewel of this summer’s free agent market, Tavares is an established NHL superstar. With 81 points in 79 games, the 27-year-old center is the Islanders’ leading scorer, a feat he’s accomplished in all but one of his eight previous NHL seasons. Teams seeking a first-line center will be lining up for his services if he opts to test the market in July. Coming off a six-year, $33-million contract, Tavares could get around $11 million per season on a seven-year deal.
Stats (as of April 1, 2018) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
