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 six to 10 unrestricted NHL free agent centers. 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 six to 10 center options.
10. Matt Hendricks:
Hendricks is already getting calls from teams who want to see if he can be a mentor of sorts. The center is 36 years old and would have to sign a 35+ contract. However, there are a few leading indicators that would entice some teams.
The biggest thing for him will be continuing to win face-offs (56% average last two seasons). Possession wise he’s 45.4% for his career which isn’t too good. Teams should be wary with him as I wouldn’t want to give him too much term or money because of his defensive shortcomings.
9. Jiri Hudler:
Hudler won’t be returning to Dallas. Injuries and illness rendered him ineffective which will hurt his stock some. However, he is just a couple years removed from a 76 point season in Calgary. Last season, the center played just 32 games.
If he gets some more minutes (especially on the power play), that should boost his effectiveness. He was playing top pairing minutes with Calgary and he was thriving quite well. The term on his contract should only be for a couple seasons (at most) as he’s 33. Some will argue even a cheap, one year deal should suffice.
8. Alexander Burmistrov:
After being acquired by Arizona off waivers last year, Burmistrov fared better as he recorded 14 points in 25 games. Before that, he was struggling with only two points in 23 games with Winnipeg.
He’s a bit more known for his offensive ability as most teams will value him as an offensive spark plug. His possession was dreadful this year as it was a lowly 42.3% in Arizona. It was not much better in Winnipeg.
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 still get a one or two year contract.
7. Brian Boyle:
Boyle had an uneventful stint in Toronto and his minutes dwindled to around 11 a night. However, he was solid defensively in Tampa and provided much needed leadership. The center also could provide some occasional offense when pressed into more ice time.
Teams will definitely come calling on him as he could be a bottom six forward with versatility. He can occasionally fill a role on the power play as a screen. 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. Boyle could be that missing piece even at 32.
6. David Desharnais:
After an uneven time in Edmonton, Desharnais will hit the open market as Edmonton will likely not bring him back. His possession metrics dropped and points per game fell too. It was a bad enough season but the center could bounce back. He will need the right team. Desharnais has shown big spurts offensively and that may have teams come calling.
He can produce and even had a few 50 plus point seasons. There are some who will take a chance at a forward with that kind of potential. Desharnais will get ice time somewhere and is still only 31. Expect only a one or two year deal, however.
