APRIL 30 UPDATE: We’re nearly halfway via the Stanley Cup playoffs. A number of gamers nonetheless within the hunt have spiked their values as UFAs, whereas the eradicated UFAs can begin enthusiastic about whether or not to re-sign with their groups or put together for pitches from different groups through the late-June negotiation window.
This group shapes up as considered one of strongest in fairly a while. It has a little bit of all the things: (a) main star energy on the high with the likes of Erik Karlsson and Artemi Panarin projected to hit the open market; (b) depth. In some years, filling out positions 25 to 30 was pulling enamel. This time round, draft 1 of the listing was troublesome to pare down even from 40 gamers; (c) massive names who will really get to market by July 1. The percentages are slim that Columbus Blue Jackets Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky re-sign between now and July 1, and even Karlsson’s future as a San Jose Shark appears to be like unsure in the meanwhile.
With that, let’s start. Ages listed as of July 1, 2019.
1. ERIK KARLSSON, D, 292018-19 cap hit: $6,500,000
His well being woes in current seasons add a component of danger, however the good vastly outweighs the dangerous. The 2019 UFA class boasts many high-end forwards however valuable few high-end blueliners. That makes Karlsson all of the extra beneficial. He’s a future Corridor of Famer and, if he doesn’t re-sign with the Sharks between now and July 1, he’ll be the perfect defenseman to hit the open market in your complete salary-cap period.
2. ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, 272018-19 cap hit: $6,000,000
Karlsson is enjoying on a reconstructed left ankle. Panarin, in the meantime, is on the peak of his powers as a two-way maven and puckhandling wizard, nearly trying like a winger model of Pavel Datsyuk. ‘The Bread Man’ ought to command an AAV of $10 million or extra. The Blue Jackets need to preserve him, however the competitors for his companies can be unbelievably fierce. Massive, glamorous markets close to our bodies of water will beckon.
three. SERGEI BOBROVSKY, G, 302018-19 cap hit: $7,425,000
The 2018-19 playoffs have been enormously essential for ‘Bob,’ whose fame as a horrible post-season performer was primarily based on a 24-game pattern measurement. He’s recaptured his dominant self this spring, and that each one however ensures a profitable long-term contract. On the very least, he ought to duplicate his present $7.425-million AAV, nevertheless it’s extra seemingly he earns a increase.
four. MATT DUCHENE, C, 282018-19 cap hit, $6,000,000
Boy, have these playoffs made numerous Blue Jackets some huge cash. Duchene struggled in 23 regular-season video games after being dealt to Columbus, however he’s blossomed right into a power this post-season. He’s the perfect middle available on the market, assuming he doesn’t re-up with the Blue Jackets. He appears the almost definitely to remain of The Columbus Three.
5. JEFF SKINNER, LW, 272018-19 cap hit: $5,725,000
Skinner sniped a career-best 40 objectives, however his supernova manufacturing was clearly tied to Jack Eichel, whereas the names above him have proven extra of a capability to hold their groups on their very own. Nonetheless, Skinner’s going to get richer. The Sabres completely have the cap house to maintain him. The choice could also be as much as him.
6. JOE PAVELSKI, C, 342018-19 cap hit: $6,000,000
Pavelski loves San Jose, and he’s Sharks royalty. However what in the event that they (a) need to get youthful and (b) are hellbent on preserving Karlsson? Is it a assure Pavelski stays? The good cash says sure, however his all-around, team-first recreation would make him a beautiful addition to any top-end contender searching for that ultimate piece.
7. KEVIN HAYES, C, 272018-19 cap hit: $5,175,000
He’s massive. He can play on a scoring line or checking line. He kills penalties. He’s a middle. It’s powerful to image any crew not having a use for this man. Hayes can have a sturdy market, and groups must overpay to win him.
eight. ANDERS LEE, LW, 282018-19 cap hit: $three,750,000
Not surprisingly, Lee’s manufacturing shrunk with John Tavares gone, however Lee nonetheless led the Islanders with 28 objectives. He’s the captain and a beloved a part of the crew. It will be a large upset if he’s carrying a unique uniform subsequent October.
9. JAKE GARDINER, D, 282018-19 cap hit: $four,050,000
A few of his psychological lapses are troublesome to unsee, however his skating and offensive acumen greater than make up for that. He’s a legit top-four blueliner, the perfect left-shot available on the market, and will thrive in a much less hockey-obsessed metropolis. Even when he’s open to enjoying in Toronto once more, the Leafs seemingly can’t afford him.
10. ROBIN LEHNER, G, 272018-19 cap hit: $1,500,000
The potential was at all times immense and, after he courageously got here to phrases along with his psychological well being struggles and acquired some recent teaching underneath the Mitch Korn umbrella, Lehner had that magical season he was at all times able to. He’s been even higher within the playoffs one way or the other. It will a shock if he needed to play for any crew aside from the one which helped rescue his profession, however he’ll have suitors if he’s .
11. MATS ZUCCARELLO, RW, 312018-19 cap hit: $four,500,000
Not an elite participant however a real catalyst. Buying him modified the Dallas Stars’ id as a supposed one-line crew. Given his age, he isn’t a max-term deal, however he’s seemingly performed his approach right into a increase.
12. JORDAN EBERLE, RW, 292018-19 cap hit: $6,000,000
He’s an inconsistent regular-season performer who appeared destined for a pay reduce. Now ‘Clutch Jordan Eberle’ has returned in time for the playoffs, nonetheless, so he’s serving to his worth. He’s much less more likely to re-sign than Lee or Lehner however not a assured goner.
13. MICHEAL FERLAND, LW, 272018-19 cap hit: $1,750,000
Affords measurement, grit and goal-scoring in a throwback power-forward mildew. Any crew may use that. Ferland, although, is perpetually nicked up. He performs a mode that taxes his physique – as we’ve seen with the likes of Wayne Simmonds and David Backes as soon as they reached their 30s – so a long-term contract would carry danger.
14. BROCK NELSON, C, 272018-19 cap hit: $four,250,000
Nelson can play middle or the wing within the center six and brings first rate goal-scoring abilities. The Isles misplaced considered one of their top-three pivots final summer time and sure don’t need that occuring once more, so Nelson is a robust candidate to re-sign.
15. TYLER MYERS, D, 282018-19 cap hit: $5,500,000
Hasn’t turn into the dominant power that his 2009-10 Calder Trophy promised however, in such a skinny marketplace for defensemen, his mobility and large wingspan can be coveted. The time period “overpaid” isn’t a participant’s fault. It occurs when there’s an enormous demand for a low-supply service, which is what we’ll have with Myers. He thus would possibly make more cash than many individuals count on.
16. GUSTAV NYQUIST, RW, 292018-19 cap hit: $four,750,000
His goal-scoring binge of 2013-14 appears like 100 years in the past. By no means grew to become a star however nonetheless brings some strong secondary scoring contact for a contending crew in want of depth – or a lower-end crew hoping to ink him short-term and flip him for a choose at subsequent 12 months’s commerce deadline. It’s extra seemingly the previous. Nyquist remains to be younger sufficient to attain a multi-year deal.
17. ALEXANDER EDLER, D, 332018-19 cap hit: $5,000,000
Loved his greatest season in years, desires to re-sign with Canucks, and so they need to re-sign him as a veteran voice to help their rebuild. He’s an excellent mentor for kids Quinn Hughes and Olli Juolevi.
18. JOE THORNTON, C, 392018-19 cap hit: $5,000,000
Similar to we see with Zdeno Chara yearly, if Thornton doesn’t retire, he’ll seemingly stay a Shark. Then once more, we as soon as stated the identical about Patrick Marleau…
19. PETR MRAZEK, G, 272018-19 cap hit: $1,500,000
Put all of it along with a .938 save proportion between the all-star break and the tip of the common season and was having fun with a strong post-season earlier than getting harm in Recreation 2 of the second spherical. He did sufficient to earn one other likelihood as a starter – seemingly in Carolina once more.
20. WAYNE SIMMONDS, RW, 302018-19 cap hit: $three,975,000
It was undoubtedly a tricky 12 months for Simmonds, who cratered with two objectives throughout 19 video games between the common season and playoffs mixed after Nashville landed him on the commerce deadline. Even when he’s not a 30-goal man and power-play juggernaut, he may carve out a brand new chapter as extra of a checking-line power with upside. He’s not too outdated for a multi-year deal.
21. JUSTIN WILLIAMS, RW, 372018-19 cap hit: $four,500,000
What a season for Williams, who led the wonderful ‘Storm Surge’ story and quietly loved a superb offensive season as Sebastian Aho’s proper winger. Williams’ 53 factors had been his most since 2011-12. Absolutely he doesn’t need to play wherever else at this stage of his profession, although. Proper? Except he retires.
22. SEMYON VARLAMOV, G, 312018-19 cap hit: $5,900,000
The Avalanche’s acquisition and extension of Philipp Grubauer appeared to nudge Varlamov out the door and, predictably, Grubauer finally took the crease away. Varlamov is pretty much as good as gone, as he’s nonetheless younger sufficient and adequate to compete for a beginning gig someplace.
23. ANTON STRALMAN, D, 322018-19 cap hit: $four,500,000
He’s been an essential defensive D-man for the Bolts, however he’s previous his prime, beginning to break down bodily and sure too dear for a crew that should save its money for Brayden Level’s extension. Stralman nonetheless performs a heady defensive recreation, although, and would make a gradual lower-pair presence on one other contender.
24. PAVEL DATSYUK, C, 402018-19: Performed in KHL
Odds are he performed his ultimate NHL recreation 5 years in the past. However, hey, he’s on the open market, and if anybody can persuade him to play another season as a Purple Wing, it’s new GM Steve Yzerman. If Datsyuk performs, even at his age, he’ll be a robust two-way power.
25. BRETT CONNOLLY, RW, 272018-19 cap hit: $1,500,000
The sixth-overall choose in 2010 picked an awesome 12 months to ship his greatest season as a professional by far. His 22 objectives and 46 factors beat his profession bests by seven and 19, respectively. He’s pleased in Washington, however the Caps don’t have a ton of room to maneuver with some key RFAs additionally needing new offers.
26. BRIAN BOYLE, C, 342018-19 cap hit: $2,550,000
Will preserve discovering work as a result of he presents distinctive instruments: large body, loads of snarl, dressing-room management, penalty killing, faceoff abilities.
27. ALEX CHIASSON, RW, 282018-19 cap hit: $650,000
Massive man nearly doubled his profession excessive with 22 objectives. Additionally was a serious beneficiary of enjoying with Connor McDavid. The Oilers may re-sign Chiasson since he was productive – or they might let him stroll and search a quicker participant who can sustain with No. 97’s tempo extra.
28. MARCUS JOHANSSON, LW, 282018-19 cap hit: $four,583,333
Even when he hasn’t confirmed the perfect match for Boston as a stretch-run acquisition, he can play all three ahead positions in a middle-six function. Younger sufficient to ship some extra prime-year manufacturing if wholesome.
29. BRANDON TANEV, LW, 272018-19 cap hit: $1,150,000
Bludgeoning forechecker delivered severe gravy with a 14-goal season. He deserves to stay a Jet, however they’ve so many big-star RFAs to fret about that he’s a luxurious at this level. Could must get his increase elsewhere.
30. RON HAINSEY, D, 382018-19 cap hit: $three,000,000
Maligned at occasions by Leafs followers – however solely as a result of he was shoehorned onto the crew’s high pair. As a penalty killer who can eat minutes, Hainsey could be simply superb as a third-pair man on most groups.
Different 2019 UFAs to observe: Patrick Maroon, Tyler Ennis, Ryan Dzingel, Mike Smith, Joonas Donskoi, Valtteri Filppula, Derick Brassard, Richard Panik, Michael Del Zotto, Deryk Engelland, Jordie Benn, Ben Chiarot, Thomas Vanek, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Brandon Pirri, Riley Sheahan, Colin Wilson, Curtis McElhinney, Ryan Miller, Keith Kinkaid, Anders Nilsson, Carl Hagelin, Patrik Nemeth, Cam Talbot, Braydon Coburn, Jan Rutta, Adam McQuaid, Roman Polak, Carl Gunnarsson, Jason Spezza, Jason Pominville, Alex Petrovic, Marc Methot, Ben Lovejoy, Niklas Kronwall, Greg McKegg
Tags: lists, nhl free agencyConnect: In regards to the AuthorMatt LarkinMatt Larkin is a senior author at The Hockey Information and has been a part of the crew since 2011. He is your one-stop store for deep-dive participant interviews, predictions, statistics, fantasy participant rankings, participant security and hair suggestions. Catch him weekly as host of The Hockey Information Stay and The Hockey Information Podcast.
