Written by Greg Stamper, who can be found on twitter @g_stamp91
July 15 marked the day that the once bountiful NHL free agent market got extremely thin.
With the top two centres remaining in Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro both signing one year deals to take their tiny frames to Music City, the market for players left who can be plugged into a lineup and make a difference is dwindling.
However, there are still a few free agents out there for the taking who could be useful to teams in lesser roles. Let’s first take a look at the top 10 remaining forwards, followed by a top 10 remaining defensemen / goalies list tomorrow.
Honourable mention: Ray Whitney – At age 42 he might be ready to call it quits, if not, he could contribute to a team desperate for veteran scoring help.
Teemu Selanne – The 44 year old “Finnish Flash” may finally be ready to hang up his skates after posting a single digit goal total (9 in 64 games) for the first time in his career.
Now on to the top 10 remaining UFA fowards.
10. Saku Koivu – C
At 39 years old Koivu may very well be done with hockey, or at least in North America. His home country of Finland may be calling his name to “finish” out his career where it started, but if not, Koivu could still help some teams in a depth scoring role. After all, he did still have 29 points in 65 games last year for the Ducks.
9. Peter Mueller – RW
A bit of a wildcard because of injuries and the fact that he played in the Swiss League last season. Mueller is still only 26 years old and possess a good offensive skill set. If he can stay healthy, he could likely contribute 30 – 40 points for a team in need of scoring at a very reasonable cost.
8. T.J. Galiardi -LW
At 6’2” and 190lb, Galiardi is a decent sized bottom-six forward, who is an excellent skater. Capable of chipping in offensively (17 points in 62 games last year with Calgary), T.J. shouldn’t have a problem finding a home before the start of the season.
7. David Booth – LW
Booth is another player, like Mueller, who struggles with injuries; but that’s not all he shares with him. Booth is also a good offensive player when he manages to stay on the ice, as proven by his two 20 goal and one 30 goal seasons with Florida. At 29 years old and as healthy as he’s been in a while (pic.twitter.com/iabIiAfGhL), Booth should be able to stick with an NHL team this year on a third scoring line for minimal cost.
6. Andrei Loktionov – C
At age 24, Loktionov has had a hard time finding a permanent home in the NHL, having played for three different teams in the past three seasons. Originally drafted by the Kings and traded to the Devils during the middle of the 2012-13 season, Loktionov showed his offensive potential that season in Jersey, scoring 12 points in 28 games. Last season, however, he fell out of favour in Jersey after matching his 12 points from the year before, except this time through 48 games and was shipped to Carolina where he once again showed promise with 10 points in 20 games. Because of his inconsistent play, expect Loktionov to sign with a weaker team looking for help at the centre position. (Edmonton?)
5. Dustin Penner – LW
It is hard to know what you are getting from Penner on any given night. He has the size and offensive instincts to be a quality forward in the NHL (which he has been). He also has the lazy factor that keeps him away from his true potential. Now a 31-year old, potential is thrown out the window and he is a what you see is what you get type player. Put in the right situation, much like he had with Anaheim last year (32 points in 49 games) before being trade to Washington (3 points in 18 games), and he can succeed and help a team. He is a risk, no doubt, but could end up with a 20 goal season as well.
4. Daniel Winnik – C/LW
Winnik is a gritty bottom-six player who is capable of killing penalties and playing either the wing or centre, although he is more often used as a winger. Coming of a career best 30 point season with Anaheim, there is no doubt he gets a NHL job next season on a third-line; he likely just has to come down a little in price.
3. Lee Stempniak – RW
Stempniak is a good depth forward who can pretty much fit on any team. He slots in best on a third-line role, but can be bumped on occasion to take on more scoring responsibilities, as proven by his two 25+ goal seasons, in small doses if need be. The only reason I can imagine as to why Lee isn’t already signed is because he is holding out for more money in a scoring role, rather than the less money that comes with being a depth player on a third line. When it’s all said and done, there is a good chance he accepts the lesser of the two and plays a very good third-line winger role on a playoff team.
2. Devin Setoguchi – RW
Setoguchi’s value has probably never been lower (27 points in 75 games with Winnipeg), but, at only 27-years old it’s reasonable to think that the former two time 20 goal and one time 30 goal scorer can rebound from this past season with a new team. Despite not being quite as old as the Heatley’s, Roy’s, Ribeiro’s and Havlat’s of the world, Setoguchi should take a page out of their books and try out the one-year, $1 million contract they signed to re-boost his stock. Teams would certainly be willing to take a flyer on a player with his talents at that price.
1. Daniel Alfredsson – RW
Alfredsson may be 41 years old, but the Swedish forward still has skill left in him. Although he is no longer the player he once was, Alfie still registered 49 points in 68 games last season for Detroit. At this point in his career Alfie is basically choosing between resigning with Detroit, or calling it a career. It is believed that no other teams apply.
