2018 NHL Free Agency Preview
It's a weak free agency class with not a lot of big names but some solid NHL defensemen for whom the bidding could be intense. Here's your rundown on the biggest (not-very-big) names available this July 1st:
G Thomas Greiss spent last season between Minnesota and their AHL affiliate in Iowa. He struggled in his 7 games at the NHL level but still has the talent and reputation at 32 years old to earn a contract somewhere as a backup NHL goalie.
C Dave Bolland spent a year toiling in the minors after going to Vegas expecting an NHL role but is looking for an opportunity in a thin free agent class for another NHL job. The 32 year old pivot's offense has mostly dried up in recent years but his defensive acumen and competitive are still there and desirable traits for any contender if they can have him for the right price.
Another victim of the numbers game in Vegas was defensive defenseman
Ian Cole. He bounced back and forth between the Golden Knights and their minor league affiliate, but in 57 NHL games he posted 17 points and a -7 on an overall weak team. Presumably some team will sign him to a contract to be a bottom pairing penalty kill specialist at least. At 29 years old he still has some good years to give.
D Cody Franson did not re-sign with the Islanders after spending the past three seasons as a regular part of their blueline. The 30 year old defenseman has been relatively consistent, not producing gaudy point totals but generally having a positive defensive impact and being competent at both ends of the ice. There are likely multiple GMs who will find room on their blueline for his 6-5 frame.
D John Moore was hoping to see more icetime with Vegas after going there from New York but instead he only played in 21 NHL games, posting a respectable 4 goals and 7 points in that span. He could be a reasonable depth option for teams and will probably look for somewhere he can re-establish himself as an everyday NHL defenseman.
D Karl Alzner is a simple, what you see is what you get defenseman. He is defensively astute, mean and physical. Over the past three seasons for Washington he was a cumulative +36 but his highest scoring season was a year ago when he reached 22 points. Any team looking for 4/5 defenseman who can be counted on to kill penalties and play the right way would be wise to give him a call.
C Bryan Little didn't have the season he or his coaches expected with Vegas, putting up only 29 points, but he is still a capable middle six NHL forward who could do well in the right situation with less responsibility. He's certainly lost a step at 30 but his vision and puck skills and defensive acumen are all still present and accounted for. He could be the beneficiary of a very weak free agent class, especially at forward.
LW Joffrey Lupul only saw 16 NHL games with Detroit last year but he put up 9 points in 16 games. The 34 year can still occasionally put up points in bunches but his scoring at the NHL level is increasingly streaky and he doesn't bring a lot else to the table anymore.
D Luke Schenn has size and physicality but spent the year in the minors for the Vegas organization. He brings a lot of intangibles and will be hoping to land somewhere he can prove himself to still be a valuable asset on an NHL roster.
G Anton Khudobin played well in the minors for Vegas but will be seeking a contract with more NHL opportunity. Before going to Vegas he spent time in the St. Louis organization and put together a respectable 27 win, 4 shutout season in 2015-2016.
D Marco Scandella chooses to test free agency after earning a regular role in Minnesota. He put up 10 goals and 26 points last season and at 28 is still in him prime and could be a valued target for multiple teams looking for help on the blueline.
RW Jesse Puljujarvi will be available as a free agent after Vegas lapsed his rights. Two years removed from being a 2nd round pick, Puljujarvi may yet have some untapped potential and be capable of being a player in the NHL. His 6-4 frame oozes potential, but clearly the Golden Knights didn't foresee him putting it together and couldn't manage to get any value back from him in a trade. Or maybe GM Jim Benning simply ran out of time.
RW Dustin Brown is still open to playing in the NHL next year after spending the year toiling in the minors on an AHL deal. It's possible some team will go after the 33 year old for his intangibles and playoff experience but the rigours of NHL hockey and his play style specifically have taken their toll on his body and he is a shadow of the player he once was.
G Pavel Francouz is a name that's been floated as an option to come over to the NHL in a backup role if he's willing. Francouz has established a good reputation in the Czech league and NHL clubs have been scouting him and considering him.
G Alex Lyon is an AHL journeyman who has never earned an NHL contract but a couple of stellar seasons at the minor league level have made some NHL front offices take notice and at 25 some think he still has time to grow into a solid NHL backup goalie.