Best of the Rest: Counting Down the Top 10 Remaining NHL UFAs

Free agency opened in the NHL on Wednesday, and there were a flurry of notable signings and trades.

A number of impact players still remain unsigned, so here’s a peek at the best players still available.

Top 10 Remaining UFAs

BONUS: Phil Kessel

Alright, here’s your morning bonus. After all, Kessel’s next goal will be his 400th in the league, so he warrants mention. 

And, even entering his age-35 season, the 16-year veteran can still help offensively. 

Improving on last year’s 4.6 shooting percentage is next to a statistical certainty, and with two Stanley Cups on his resume, there should be a suitor out there.

Additionally, with an estimated $91 million in career earnings, according to Cap Friendly, Kessel probably won’t be chasing the highest bidder this offseason.

10. Danton Heinen

While best suited for a bottom-six role, Heinen scored a career-high 18 goals while posting respectable possession numbers last season with a: 2.4 Relative Corsi For percentage and 54.9 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five.

The 27-year-old forward will likely be targeting some financial security with just $8.7 million in estimated career earnings, according to Cap Friendly.

However, even though he’s a nice complementary player, suitors probably aren’t going to be lining up to ink him to a long-term deal or a notable short-term investment.

9. Sonny Milano

Coming off a career-high 34 points through 66 games, Milano showed enough in an offensive role to earn another opportunity.

For a while, it appeared the 16th overall selection from the 2014 NHL Entry Draft would fail to live up to the scoring promise that encouraged scouts. Additionally, his 4.8 Relative Corsi For percentage and 51.1 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five also showcase a winger who can drive possession.

The 26-year-old winger will likely have to settle for another prove-it contract. 

8. P.K. Subban

While he’s no longer fit for a go-to gig, in the right role, Subban can still be a serviceable defenseman. And, there isn’t a team in the league that couldn’t benefit from adding another right-handed shot to their blueline corps.

He’s no longer a power-play fixture, and he doesn’t dominate possession, either. Still, last season, Subban posted a respectable -0.7 Relative Corsi For percentage and 49.7 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five.

Subban probably doesn’t need to chase a huge payday, as he’s earned an estimated $78 million during his career. If he settles for a bottom-pairing role and a team-friendly deal, the 33-year-old veteran could probably even land with a contender.

7. Calle Jarnkrok

The 30-year-old forward is versatile and has proven capable of climbing the lineup to complement skilled forwards for short stretches when needed. However, it’s definitely important to highlight his scoring limitations – Jarnkrok has never recorded 20 goals or 20 assists in a single season.

He fits a glue-guy role, though, and drove possession once dealt to the Calgary Flames last season. Jarnkrok posted a 3.1 Relative Corsi For percentage and 58.9 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five through 17 games with the Flames.

If Jarnkrok keeps his asking price in check, there should be no shortage of suitors for his services.

6. Paul Stastny

The veteran brings a lot to the table, and he’s also coming off his first 20-goal showing since the 2013-14 campaign. Of course, while expecting Stastny to fill the scoresheet at this stage of his career is asking too much, he’s still a capable secondary scorer.

His true value lies in experience, driving possession and at the faceoff dot.

Stastny posted a 5.1 Relative Corsi For percentage last year with a 52.6 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five.

With no Stanley Cups on his resume and an estimated $83 million in career earnings, according to Cap Friendly, joining a contender at a team-friendly salary makes a lot of sense for Stastny. 

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5. Nino Niederreiter

The 29-year-old winger brings a lot to the table. He’s scored at least 20 goals six times, can bring a physical element and drives possession.

Niederreiter also does a lot of damage at five-on-five, as he’s only registered 10 points with the man advantage while averaging just 1:29 of power-play time over the past two seasons.

He posted a 3.2 Relative Corsi For percentage with a 59.4 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five, and his 1.1 goals per 60 minutes were a team-high mark.

This could be Niederreiter’s last opportunity to sign a long-term, big-ticket contract, so it isn’t surprising to see him continuing to weigh his options.

4. Patrice Bergeron

A little down this list because if Bergeron suits up for a 19th season, it’s all but official he’ll re-sign with the Boston Bruins.

He won his fifth Frank J. Selke Trophy while also racked up 65 points – 25 goals – through 73 games last season, as his two-way dominance was on full display once again.

His 14.4 Relative Corsi For percentage and 66.2 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five are eye-popping marks.

Bergeron also would likely return to Beantown on a team-friendly deal, as he’s estimated to have $93 million in career earnings, according to Cap Friendly. 

3. John Klingberg

The best available offensive defenseman still available in the free-agent market, Klingberg has recorded at least 30 points and double-digit power-play points in all eight years of his career.

What’s concerning is how his game looks when the opposition has the puck. Klingberg may need to play sheltered minutes in an offensively tilted role sooner than later to be successful in the coming years. For what it’s worth, he started a career-high 57.1 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone last year.

Klingberg’s -0.2 Relative Corsi For percentage and 49.2 CF% when adjusted for score and venue also affirm the decline in aspects of his game.

Still, he will likely land big money on a long-term deal, especially if he’s willing to join a middling or rebuilding franchise. 

2. Dylan Strome

Sure, while there have been peaks and valleys to this point of Strome’s professional career, there have also been clear signs of tremendous offensive upside. 

Strome was selected third overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and finished last season with 27 points – 13 goals – through his final 28 games. Additionally, while his score and venue adjusted Corsi For percentage of 47.6 at five-on-five underwhelms, Strome did post a rock-solid Relative CF% of 3.4.

Bottom line, there’s just too much offensive upside left for the 25-year-old center to uptap. A short-term, prove-it contract might be required, but don’t be shocked when it rewards both Strome and the organization handsomely. 

1. Nazem Kadri

The 31-year-old center was expected to take his time making a decision, as Kadri is both coming off the best season of his career while also being one of the most coveted free agents available this summer.

After all, he’s fresh off a career-high 59 assists and 87 points while also dominating possession with a 5.2 Relative Corsi For percentage and a 57.9 CF% when adjusted for score and venue at five-on-five.

There’s a lot to consider, too.

Kadri is eyeing the best opportunity of his career to pad his bank account, but the fierce competitor might have to leave some money on the table to sign with a Stanley Cup contender. 

This one may take some time to play out, especially if chasing down another championship is a focal priority for the 13-year veteran.

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