This was not an easy process. The goal here illustrates the fact that free agency classes can be fickle, to say the least. Which free agents will provide the biggest point per dollar return? Better yet, which ones will not end up in the buyer’s remorse category?
Those were two major factors to consider. Age is another big aspect as far as pre-prime, prime, near past prime, and past prime. First things first, we wanted to consider the oldies but goodies. These are players approaching or past the age of 35.
Apparently, more free agents are near, at, or over this number than expected. Expect the unexpected here as far as age, dollar amounts, and more. Here are three of the most sought-after free agents from the soon to be 35 and up winger category.
NHL Free Agents 35+ Wingers
3. Thomas Vanek — Detroit Red Wings — 36 years old in 2019
Alas, will Vanek become a rental for another contending team come late February? Vanek signed a one year deal with Detroit. The fact remains that Vanek did have 15 points in 19 games during the stretch run for Columbus last year, The risk with the winger is his vanishing acts come playoff time. In his last 16 playoff games, Vanek has just one goal and six points.
The good thing is Detroit can still get a decent return for the forward. Vanek trade possibilities heighten as he has no modified NTC. Could he go to a team in the West perhaps? That seems a likely destination.
He’ll earn $3 million for the 2018-19 campaign. What could he make for 2019-20, if he chooses to return? The current cap is $79.5 million and could be as high as $82-85 million for 2019-20. Likely, Vanek may wind up anywhere. No one honestly knows but clearly, the winger can still play in this league. Again, it may be for another rebuilding team come the 2019-20 campaign.
2. Jason Pominville — Buffalo Sabres — 37 years old in 2019
Pominville enjoying a bit of a renaissance playing with Jack Eichel in Buffalo makes things interesting. The right winger was not terrible, but the last three years has seen his production dip to near 40 points a season. The problem became Pominville’s role was diminishing and then the light switch kicked in. He scored eight points in his previous four contests and instantly, the population has gone up in Pominville!
On the other hand, pump the brakes! Pominville’s streaky nature has been prevalent throughout his career. Nine points in 11 games is great, but again this is a small sample. He can go ice cold again and likely will. Sure, offensively he is excellent with Eichel but defensively, teams can go around him like a traffic cone at times.
Pominville earns $5 million for the 2018-19 season. What may he get paid for 2019-20? Does he even make it to free agency? The chances he re-signs in Buffalo is moderately high. Teams are leery of giving Pominville much of a look after how things ended in Minnesota. A dollar amount could be around $3-4 million. This depends on rest of season production. Stay tuned.
1. Justin Williams — Carolina Hurricanes — 38 years old by October 2019
Williams (or Mister Game Seven) comes off three productive seasons and now features his contract year. His moderate-priced contract at $4,000,000 means a steady contract price wise for his next deal. The winger leads by example and is the captain in Carolina. The only question looms is how much.
Williams continues to produce at around 50 point pace annually. An early point spurt (eight points in 11 games) does little to change that. Hopefully, his excellent metrics and chemistry with the second line continue throughout the season +7.5% Corsi relative, +3% Fenwick relative. Though the gaudy percentages are not sustainable, a reasonable level is still much better than most forwards in the league (way better). Keep in mind, after 11 games, this is a small sample size. Williams still possesses the craftiness and speed of a younger player in an older player’s body.
Williams scoring 50-60 points is still a possibility. What could he make next season if he tests free agency? Honestly, the feeling is that Carolina signs him to anywhere from a one to two-year deal. A two-year deal places him near 40 years old or young. The right winger illustrates that in the right fit, age is just a number.
