NHL Free agency is just around the corner on July 1st. Consequently, there are a lot of players available to sign with new teams. This article will focus on the top five unrestricted NHL free agents from the center position. They will be hitting the open market on Saturday (if they are not re-signed by their current team beforehand).
Kindly note that Patrick Marleau is listed at center but mostly plays a wing position.
There are some pretty good NHL free agents that will be going to new teams. So let’s take a look at the top five center options. If you missed the top 6-10 free agent centers list, it can be found here.
5. Sam Gagner:
Gagner is getting calls from teams who want to see if he can boost their power play. The center is almost 28 years old and comes off a 50 point season. Furthermore there are a few leading indicators that would entice teams.
The biggest thing for him will be continuing to produce power play points. Possession wise and face-offs have been issues for long stretches. Again, keep in mind, Gagner had 18 points on the power play. People forget he has had 15+ special teams points during several other seasons. It will take the right market for Gagner to get a good deal.
4. Nick Bonino:
Bonino will be testing the market. The two time cup winner has generated considerable interest from teams. However, the term he wants may be a bit of an issue. Rumors are that Bonino is looking for a four or five year deal.
If he gets some more minutes (especially on the power play), that should boost his effectiveness. He was playing top six minutes with Pittsburgh and he was thriving quite well. The term on his contract should only be for a couple seasons (at most) as he’s 29. However, Bonino may get that longer term, higher dollar deal he is seeking. This is a 40 point a season player who flourishes come playoff time. The cup tax could apply.
3. Patrick Marleau:
After all, we were tempted to list Mike Fisher here as he is an unrestricted free agent. However, the high likelihood of him being re-signed by Nashville ore retiring caused us to just mention him in passing.
On the other hand, Marleau is in the 35+ territory like Fisher. The free agent had 46 points last year and still has 20-30 potential with the right team. He did tail off for considerable stretches with San Jose but did have that four goal game. Many talk about that still.
He’s likely going to receive offers from teams since they’ll value how he can create offense. He won’t provide much defense but look for him to get a one or two year contract. Teams may lean more to the one but the right team will give him two.
2. Martin Hanzal:
Hanzal had an uneven stint in Minnesota and his minutes dwindled to around 15 a night. However, he was better defensively in Minnesota and provided some impressive offensive metrics. The center also could provide some occasional offense. Also, count in that face-off percentage in the 57-58% range last year. That is a big plus.
Teams will definitely come calling on him as he could be a top six forward with the right squad. He can occasionally fill a role on the power play as well. There may be a bit of a risk involved but there’s no reason why a contending team shouldn’t sign him to a one or two year deal. Hanzal is now 30 and has not been able to stay consistently healthy. The last time he played a ton was when he was 22.
1. Joe Thornton:
After a long tenure in San Jose, Thornton will hit the open market. His possession metrics dropped and points per game fell too. It was a wasn’t a great season for him but the center could bounce back. He will need the right team. Thornton is a year removed from an 82 point season but he will turn 38 on Sunday.
Also, the rehab from a torn ACL is vital. Indications are that the center is progressing very well. There is a typical recovery curve as to when production will come back. It appears that Los Angeles has pressed very hard for the services of the center. Another big concern is the shot output which dipped to just a hair over one per contest last year. Thornton could get a two year deal in the right place but one campaign may be more prudent.
