As hotly anticipated as the Kevin Shattenkirk Sweepstakes are for Kevin and the Shattenkirks, 2017’s NHL free agency class is shaping up to be one of the weakest in years.
Potential summer of ’17 UFA bank-breakers Jamie Benn, Victor Hedman, Brent Burns and Brad Marchand all inked maximum-term extensions with their current clubs months before becoming eligible to test the market.
(And with big tickets like Connor McDavid, John Tavares and Carey Price also eligible to re-sign new deals on July 1, some of the “business of hockey” news will already be focused on summer 2018.)
So, who’s left?
Well, the 2017 UFA class will still offer a compelling mix of top-four defencemen, a few teams’ No. 1 goaltenders, plus a bunch of wingers enjoying stellar seasons.
Some of these stars will move on due to salary cap restraints, younger talent and decreased playoff hopes. Others will be retained at any cost (but, y’know, within reason) and subjected to rounds of Twitter rumours.
The Capitals, Sharks and Flames, in particular, are about to face some tough choices.
Here is a look at the NHL’s Top 17 unrestricted free agents of 2017, plus a list of the other household names whose next job is on the line.
1. Kevin Shattenkirk
Age on July 1, 2017: 28
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $4.25 million
Bargaining chips: U.S. Olympian. A top-four D-man on one of the league’s best blue lines. Power-play beast. Good for about 50 points if healthy.
The latest: NHL teams salivate over puck-moving defencemen under the age of 30, so expect Shattenkirk to knock his next contract out of the park. Think Keith Yandle’s seven-year, $44.45-million pact signed with the Panthers last year.
General manager Brian MacLellan hasn’t ruled out re-signing Shattenkirk, but the Capitals are facing serious cap issues this summer, and Shattenkirk (a “New Yorker at heart,” according to his Twitter bio) has been linked in rumours to the Rangers.
“We’re going to have three of the top UFAs of the free agency market,” MacLellan told reporters. “A lot depends on what happens down the stretch, how everybody’s role pans out, and we’ll make decisions after it’s all over.”
The Rangers shouldn’t be the only team interested. The Devils and Maple Leafs are two of several other clubs looking to upgrade their blue lines.
“If Kevin gets in [Washington] and really falls in love with it and they fall in love with him, like I would expect to happen, we would certainly be open to having a conversation with Brian at the appropriate time,” Shattenkirk’s agent, Jordan Neumann, told The Washington Post.
2. T.J. Oshie
Age on July 1, 2017: 30
Position: Right wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $4.175 million
Bargaining chips: U.S. national team member. Already a 30-goal scorer this season, tops among all 2017 UFAs. Exploded for 10 points in 16 playoff games last spring. Great in shootouts.
The latest: Top-six roles for Washington’s right wing will open up significantly after 2016-17. Trying to retain the services of Oshie seems like the smart play here, even if that means letting a solid veteran like Justin Williams (who’s six years older than Oshie) walk in free agency. He’s struck incredible chemistry on the Capitals’ top line opposite Alex Ovechkin.
Oshie admitted to CSN that his next contract is in the back of his mind “because I have two little girls and my wife, Lauren, so there’s more than just me to think about.”
3. Ben Bishop
Age on July 1, 2017: 30
Position: Goaltender
2016-17 salary cap hit: $5.95 million
Bargaining chips: Vezina Trophy finalist in 2014 and 2016. Set a franchise record with his .926 save percentage in 2015-16 and was regarded among teammates as the club’s MVP.
The latest: Traded to the L.A. Kings at the deadline, Bishop struggled this season while splitting starting duties with the younger and cheaper Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay.
He will be eager to return to a No. 1 role, and a handful of teams—Vegas, Calgary, Dallas, Philadelphia—will be looking to fill that spot for 2017-18.
“[The Lightning] said they were going to try and trade me [last] summer and then at the beginning of the season. It’s in the back of your mind all year: If and when is it going to go down?” Bishop told ESPN’s Scott Burnside.
“Obviously, you can worry about [free agency] in the summer. But that’s a little different from never knowing if you’re going to be traded, because the UFA is going to be there no matter what. So it’s a little easier to deal with.”
4. Alexander Radulov
Age on July 1, 2017: 30
Position: Right wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $5.75 million
Bargaining chips: Tore up the KHL scoring race during his prolonged overseas hiatus. A big body that is providing a critical scoring punch to a Habs roster that needs it. Second only to captain Max Pacioretty in points. Leads all Canadiens in assists. Sudden fan favourite.
The latest: A matured and well-compensated Radulov returned to North America for the first time since 2012 on a one-year, prove-it deal. He should earn a long-term contract from the highest bidder on July 1.
Radulov denied asking for an eight-year (maximum) contract extension on March 17.
A tight-lipped GM Marc Bergevin will exercise patience here, but it will be difficult to let a player who creates so much offence walk away. It’s been a perfect fit for both sides.
5. Karl Alzner
Age on July 1, 2017: 28
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $2.8 million
Bargaining chips: Durable top-four defenceman on a good team for a relatively low wage. Hasn’t missed a game since becoming a full-time Capital in 2010. Fifth-overall pick in 2007. Broke NHL’s longstanding sunglasses barrier.
The latest: Changing to Washington’s roster are coming in July. Washington is a, um, cap team, but a handful of regulars — Alzner included — are entering contract years and will be looking for raises.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (RFA) should grab the biggest slice of pie, but is there room to keep the defensively responsible Alzer and the younger Dmitry Orlov (RFA again)? Oh, yeah. Now Shattenkirk is here too. Does Washington consider buying out the pricey Brooks Orpik, 36, if health and speed become a concern by springtime?
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported in the winter that Alzner is asking for $5.5 to $6 million per season from Washington in light of the hefty Brent Burns deal. Elliotte Friedman expected Canada’s western clubs to take a run at Alzner this summer. The Maple Leafs are another team to keep an eye on here.
6. Martin Hanzal
Age on July 1, 2017: 30
Position: Centre
2016-17 salary cap hit: $3.1 million
Bargaining chips: A big top-two pivot (6-foot-6, 226 pounds) who creates plays and provides a threat on the power play. Free agent centres with first-line experience aged 30 and under are nearly impossible to find.
The latest: The Coyotes dealt Hanzal to an all-in Minnesota Wild club at the trade deadline, but the high-priced rental has struggled with his new team down the stretch. One goal through 13 games in his new uniform hasn’t exactly boosted his UFA price. A shortage of free-agent centremen, however, will help his efforts to land a raise and a multi-year commitment. Is Vegas a fit?
7. Joe Thornton
Age on July 1, 2017: 37
Position: Centre
2016-17 salary cap hit: $6.75 million
Bargaining chips: Slam-dunk Hall of Famer. One of the greatest passers to ever pick up a hockey stick. World Cup champion and Stanley Cup finalist. Dope beard. Our pick for the 101st greatest player of all time.
The latest: The love affair between Jumbo Joe and San Jose should continue, perhaps at the expense of fellow UFA forward Patrick Marleau. It’s just too hard to imagine him elsewhere.
Even after having his captaincy stripped, the man is comfortable playing where he is, thank you. Expect a short-term, bonus-laden deal with a full no-move clause at a reasonable rate, perhaps in the $4.5 million range. Another 50-point season and an incredible 43 assists (easily tops in this UFA class) say Thornton is still worth the big bucks.
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reported in January that Thornton was looking for a three-year deal but that the Sharks would prefer to go year-to-year. Settle on two?
8. Michael Stone
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $4 million
Bargaining chips: Right shot. Top-four minutes. Well under 30 years old. Should provide good value with his low name recognition.
The latest: Traded from lottery-bound Arizona to the Flames as a deadline rental, Stone says he likes the fit in Calgary.
Definitely a candidate for re-signing, since Calgary will be happy to have veterans Dennis Wideman ($5.25 million cap hit) and Deryk Engelland ($2.9 million) off the books. But there will be other suitors if Stone wishes to test the market.
9. Sam Gagner
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Centre
2016-17 salary cap hit: $650,000
Bargaining chips: Incredible production for low cost. Could set career-highs in goals and points.
The latest: One of the best bargains in the NHL, the versatile Gagner has boosted the Columbus power play and is deserving of a significant raise and a multi-year deal after signing a one-year contract for peanuts (relatively speaking) as a UFA last summer.
10. Patrick Eaves
Age on July 1, 2017: 33
Position: Right wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $1 million
Bargaining chips: Can play both wings and up and down the lineup. Enjoying the most productive season of his career. An out-of-nowhere 30-goal threat.
The latest: With no contract negotiations started in Dallas, Eaves wasn’t surprised to see himself traded to Anaheim at the deadline. He’s fit in nicely on captain Ryan Getzlaf’s wing, scoring six goals in his first 13 games as a Duck. Simple math will make it difficult for Bob Murray to re-sign Eaves unless he loses, say, forward Jakob Silfverberg in the expansion draft. Some sense of “buyer beware” here, as Eaves had only reached the 30-point mark once before his 2016-17 breakout.
11. Radim Vrbata
Age on July 1, 2017: 36
Position: Right wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $1 million
Bargaining chips: Can put the puck in the net. Excellent shootout man. Has already lowered salary expectations. Skates 17-plus minutes a night.
The latest: A brilliant summer pickup, Vrbata surprisingly went unmoved at the trade deadline despite reported interest from teams such as Boston, Ottawa and Florida. No member of the 2017 UFA class has more points this season. Vrbata has spent the bulk of his career in the desert, so there’s a chance he re-signs with more term and dollars.
12. Patrick Marleau
Age on July 1, 2017: 37
Position: Left wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $6.67 million
Bargaining chips: Cagey veteran who will hit the 1,500-game mark next season. Member of the 500 Goal Club. Stays healthy and important. Scored more goals this season (26 and counting) than in previous two.
The latest: With a good chunk of San Jose’s young forwards—Melker Karlsson, Joonas Donskoi, Chris Tierney—heading to restricted free agency and pay bumps, it will be difficult for GM Doug Wilson to keep both Thornton and Marleau in teal. Marleau requested a trade in the past, but has excelled at age 37. Hard to imagine him with another team; also hard to imagine another big-money commitment from San Jose.
Wilson said earlier this month that any contract talks with Marleau and Thornton will remain private. Everyone is focused on trying to win the Cup this June.
13. Andrei Markov
Age on July 1, 2017: 38
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $5.75 million
Bargaining chips: A top-pair defenceman since forever. On pace for his 11th NHL season scoring between 30 and 64 points.
What the future holds: Yes, Markov is old. But he still ranks second among all impending UFA D-men in points (35) and time on ice (21:44). He’s old but fit. We see no reason why the franchise that drafted him nearly 20 years ago wouldn’t re-sign him to a one- or two-year extension to help ease the development of Montreal’s young defencemen.
14. Brian Elliott
Age on July 1, 2017: 32
Position: Goaltender
2016-17 salary cap hit: $2.5 million
Bargaining chips: An NHL-best .930 save percentage in 2015-16, followed by an excellent post-season that got the Blues over the hump and won the veteran goalie a No. 1 job in Calgary. Bounced back from a slow start to help position Calgary for the playoffs.
The latest: Let’s see how Elliott performs in springtime, but an extension is possible. The Flames don’t have a starter in place for 2017-18 (sound familiar?), and UFAs Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop don’t appear keen to move to Alberta.
Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury is all but certain to end up with a new team (Vegas? Dallas?) and Calgary has reportedly kicked tires here as well. There’s also a Chad Johnson extension to consider.
15. Michael Del Zotto
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $4 million
Bargaining chips: Skates nearly 20 minutes a night. Proven defencemen this young are few and far between. May still have another 40-point season in him.
The latest: Some nights Del Zotto looks like one of the best Flyers on the ice; other times he’s been scratched. Consistency is an issue here, but the Ontario native will surely get some looks. He can move the puck, and GM Ron Hextall decided not to move him at the deadline—a hit that Philly might keep Del Zotto in the fold. Another down year offensively (five goals, 16 points) could spell a pay cut.
16. Kris Russell
Age on July 1, 2017: 30
Position: Defence
2016-17 salary cap hit: $3.1 million
Bargaining chips: Blocks shots all day, every day. Has been a nice addition to the Oilers blue line, despite his critics. Coming off a reasonable contract after setting a too-high price at the outset of 2016’s free agency.
The latest: Some unconfirmed reports that the Oilers have already looked at signing Russell to an extension. The second-pair, stay-at-home defenceman is still a source of heavy online debate, but there’s no question he’s enjoyed a nice season with the Oilers. He logs more than 21 minutes a night, and though he won’t pile up points (just 10 so far), coaches continue to trust him in the D-zone. He’ll doubtlessly be looking for more money and more term than last time on the open market.
17. Thomas Vanek
Age on July 1, 2017: 33
Position: Right wing
2016-17 salary cap hit: $2.6 million
Bargaining chips: Nine-time 20-goal guy. Easily one of the most productive offensive players on the open market. Accustomed to changing teams. Can play both wings and boost your power play.
The latest: A strong showing on a bad Red Wings team earned Vanek a trade to Florida, only to see him score once through his first 12 games as a Panther, although he does have seven assists with his new team. This has rental written all over it, as the Panthers have a good young core of forwards and are unlikely to outbid others to keep Vanek next season. Would be surprised to see any team go long term here, but Vanek’s scoring touch should earn him another shot in the league.
Other notable UFAs in 2017: Dmitry Kulikov, Shane Doan, Jaromir Jagr, Brian Gionta, Ryan Miller, Steve Mason, Mike Fisher, Ales Hemsky, Trevor Daley, Brian Campbell, Michal Neuvirth, Chris Kunitz, Jonathan Bernier, Jarome Iginla, Patrick Sharp, Ron Hainsey, Mark Streit, Cody Franson, Chad Johnson, Darcy Kuemper, Justin Williams, Nick Bonino, Kris Versteeg, Johnny Oduya
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