Free Agency Preview
It looks to be a pretty quiet year on the free agency front, with not a lot of top end talent available and most of the bigger names being older veterans on the downswing of their career arc.
Names Available
RW Radim Vrbata (VAN) 35yo, 77gp, 26-25-51, -7
Vrbata is probably the best talent available, he played all year in a mostly top line role for the Canucks and although he's getting up there in age he should still be good for 25-30 goals in the right environment.
C Carl Soderberg (BOS) 30yo, 82gp, 6-14-20, -8
Soderberg has a lot of tools and had a breakout year two seasons ago, hitting career highs of 16 goals and 32 assists and looking like a late blooming power forward hitting his stride. The offense has fallen off the past two seasons and this year he went from a plus player to a minus eight, but somebody will bet on his size and potential in this light free agent class.
LD Paul Martin (PIT/CAR) 35yo, 75gp, 4-11-15, +5
The Pens acquired Martin for their playoff push and although he failed to deliver offensively for them (only 3 points in 18 games) his two way results and defensive impacts looked much better in a better environment, going +9 in 18 games after being -4 through 57 games in the mess that was the Hurricanes.
G Eddie Lack (PHI) 28yo, 8gp, 2.14gaa, .916sv%, 2w, 1so
Lack was acquired from the Canucks last season and looked poised to carve out a more significant role than he has. He has been pushed down the depth chart although he has looked decent in the NHL icetime he's had and some team is likely to take a flyer (pun intended) on him for his age and untapped potential.
C Joe Thornton (SJS) 36yo, 74gp, 10-23-33, -7
Jumbo Joe is apparently tired of the lack of playoff success in San Jose and is looking to move on to a contender in search of his first Stanley Cup.
F Maxim Lapierre (STL) 31yo, 51gp, 2-4-6, -5
A versatile and defensively responsible fourth liner, the chippy Lapierre has seen his offense continue to decline. He still brings an edge and can be plugged in at any forward position.
RW David Clarkson (TBL/SJS) 32yo, 53gp, 11-7-18, -5
After a decent start with the Sharks, getting ten goals in the first half of the season, Clarkson slowed down considerably with Tampa, managing only two points in twelve games with them while sporting a minus four and not even making the physical impact he has been known for.
LD Barret Jackman (STL) 35yo, 33gp, 1-2-3, E
Jackman is still widely respected for his defensive prowess but saw a drop off in his play, his plus minus and his icetime this season.
LW Chris Porter (STL) 32yo, 67gp, 10-9-19, +6
Porter is an underrated bottom six winger who cracked ten goals this season and is a combined +25 in his last two NHL seasons.
LD Luca Sbisa (SUI) 26yo, SWI 48gp, 9-32-41, -1
Sbisa was once a highly touted NHL prospect with all the size and tools and a top four upside but after being traded from Vancouver to San Jose after the 14/15 season he found himself without a contract when the dust settled on free agency and eventually signed in his home country on a one year deal. His performance overseas will surely garner him some attention in this sparse free agency class and he may yet find his way back to the show.
LW Artemi Panarin (RUS) 24yo, RUS 56gp, 32-54-86, -1
The most sought after Russian free agent for years, Panarin has NHL ready skills and could be a gamebreaker for whoever lures him across the pond. There are questions on his play in the defensive end and his size will always be noted by his detractors, but many clubs will be vying to bring his elite talent to join their team.