Projecting the Most Likely Destinations for 2016's Top 10 NHL Free Agents
The July 1 start of the NHL free-agent market is fast approaching. Anticipation over potential destinations for the top free-agent stars, including Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, will grow in the coming days.
Assuming the players on this list do not re-sign with their current clubs, several teams will pursue them. Various factors, including player age, roster need, location and salary-cap room, will determine where they could end up.
Here's a look at the most likely destinations for this year's top NHL free agents. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
10. Alex Goligoski
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On June 16, the Dallas Stars traded defenseman Alex Goligoski's contract rights to the Arizona Coyotes for a fifth-round draft pick.
In nine NHL seasons, the 30-year-old reached or exceeded 30 points six times. He's a strong puck-moving blueliner who can log big minutes and play a solid two-way game.
The Coyotes hold the inside track on Goligoski until July 1. With over $36.9 million in salary-cap room, they can easily afford to pay him a lucrative long-term deal.
If the Coyotes fail to sign Goligoski, the Boston Bruins could pursue him. They need an infusion of skill into their blue line. The Bruins have $18.4 million in cap room and can afford to make a competitive offer.
Should Goligoski prefer to join a playoff contender, the Florida Panthers ($20.8 million in cap space) could be a viable option. They risk losing veteran defenseman Brian Campbell to free agency, and Goligoski would be a suitable replacement.
9. Mikkel Boedker
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For clubs seeking a speedy playmaker who can skate on either wing, Mikkel Boedker of the Colorado Avalanche could be an attractive free-agent target.
In a 2015-16 campaign split between the Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes, the 26-year-old reached 51 points for the second time in his career.
The Anaheim Ducks need a first-line left winger, and Boedker could fit the bill. Though they have over $18 million in salary-cap room, they're a budget-conscious club. Still, Boedker could be enticing for an affordable price.
Teams in need of skilled depth on their wings, such as the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils, could use Boedker's skills. The Sabres have over $22 million in cap space, while the Devils possess over $25 million. Both could make significant bids.
If the Los Angeles Kings fail to re-sign Milan Lucic, they could give Boedker a call. With only $3.7 million in cap room, they'll still have to shed some salary to pursue him.
The Montreal Canadiens ($7.4 million in cap space) and Philadelphia Flyers ($10.5 million) could see the swift-skating Boedker as a cost-effective option as well.
8. Frans Nielsen
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A skilled, hardworking two-way forward, Frans Nielsen of the New York Islanders will attract the attention of clubs seeking depth at center. In five of the last six seasons, the 32-year-old reached or exceeded 43 points.
With Pavel Datsyuk expected to depart for Russia next season, the Detroit Red Wings could consider Nielsen a suitable and affordable replacement. With over $11 million in salary-cap room, they could afford him.
The Arizona Coyotes could use a center with Nielsen's abilities and experience. Their $36.9 million in cap room gives them the means to win a bidding war for his services.
Should Nielsen opt to join playoff contenders, the Minnesota Wild could pursue him. Like the Coyotes, they're in need of a skilled second-line center. With only $7.5 million in salary-cap room, they could lose out to deep-pocketed rivals.
The Philadelphia Flyers need a second-line center like Nielsen. It would enable them to move Sean Couturier back to his normal spot on the third line.
With over $10 million in cap space, the Flyers could afford Nielsen. However, they must also leave sufficient room to promote young defensemen Ivan Provorov and Samuel Morin.
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7. Andrew Ladd
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The Chicago Blackhawks' limited salary-cap space ($5.3 million) means they'll be parting ways with left wing Andrew Ladd, who was acquired last February in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. With seven 40-plus-point seasons under his belt, the 30-year-old also plays a solid physical game.
Ladd could be a good addition for the Anaheim Ducks. They're thin at left wing and could benefit from his physical skills and leadership. With over $18 million in cap room, the Ducks can afford Ladd. However, they're also a budget team, and that could complicate things.
Should the Los Angeles Kings lose Milan Lucic to free agency, Ladd could be a more affordable replacement. They have over $3.7 million in salary-cap space and will receive another $2.25 million when Vincent Lecavalier retires. Still, the Kings must find more room to comfortably sign Ladd.
Ladd is originally from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and that might attract the interest of the Vancouver Canucks. They're in need of experienced forward depth, and Ladd could be a good fit on their second line. With only $7.6 million in cap space, they must also shed some salary to pursue him.
6. Kyle Okposo
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For teams seeking offensive depth at right wing, Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders is an attractive free-agent option. The 28-year-old has three seasons with 20-plus goals and four with 50-plus points on his NHL resume.
If Okposo prefers to remain close to New York, the New Jersey Devils could be a good fit. They were the NHL's lowest-scoring club last season and need proven scoring depth at right wing. With $25.1 million in salary-cap space, they can afford a big raise for Okposo.
The Boston Bruins could be in need of a right winger if Loui Eriksson departs via free agency. With $18.4 million in cap space, Okposo could fit within their budget.
A wild card could be the Montreal Canadiens. They also need scoring punch at right wing. With only $7.4 million in salary-cap room, they could find it difficult to out-bid other clubs carrying more cap room.
5. David Backes
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St. Louis Blue captain David Backes boosted his free-agent stock with a strong performance in the 2016 playoffs. The versatile 32-year-old forward tallied 14 points in 20 postseason games, including three game-winning goals.
Backes also has seven seasons of at least 45 points in 10 NHL campaigns. He can skate at center or right wing and doesn't shy away from physical play.
The Arizona Coyotes could use Backes' all-around skills, experience and leadership, especially with captain Shane Doan's career winding down. With over $36.9 million in available cap room, the Coyotes are well-positioned to make him a significant offer.
If Backes prefers to join a playoff contender, the Minnesota Wild might be enticing to him. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, native could provide an energetic boost to their forward lines. The Wild currently have over $7.5 million in cap space, though, which could hamper efforts to sign him.
The Boston Bruins ($18.4 million in cap space) could consider Backes a good replacement for Loui Eriksson if he departs this summer as a free agent. The New Jersey Devils ($25.1 million) could be another suitor as well.
4. Loui Eriksson
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Teams seeking a skilled two-way winger via free agency will have interest in Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson.
The 30-year-old can play either wing and is effective on the power play and penalty kill. He also has five seasons with at least 63 points under his belt.
The Vancouver Canucks could be among the suitors for Eriksson's services. They're in need of experienced skill on their top two forward lines. Eriksson also played alongside the Sedin twins in international competition.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning knows Eriksson from his days as Bruins assistant GM. However, Benning only has just over $7.6 million in salary-cap room. He'll have to free up some space to land the Bruins winger.
The Montreal Canadiens could also use Eriksson's services. Like the Canucks, however, limited cap space ($7.4 million) could handcuff them.
Eriksson could be enticing to the New Jersey Devils. They lack skilled scoring depth at right wing and have over $25 million in cap space to sign him. The Buffalo Sabres ($22.6 million in cap space) could use Eriksson at left wing, too.
The Anaheim Ducks could also be interested. The Ducks have the cap room ($18.1 million), and for the right price, Eriksson could prove tempting.
3. Keith Yandle
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With over $19.7 million invested in their defensive corps, the New York Rangers probably can't afford to re-sign defenseman Keith Yandle.
The smooth-skating Yandle is the best defenseman available in this summer's free-agent market. The 29-year-old has six seasons with at least 41 points.
Yandle could be pursued this summer by the Boston Bruins. Their defensive corps needs an overhaul, and he would be a good addition.
The Boston native's offensive skills would bring a significant boost to their blue line. The Bruins have over $18.4 million in salary-cap space, which is more than enough to sign him.
Yandle could also prove a tempting free-agent target for the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres. He could be a mentor for promising young blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen. With over $22.6 million in salary-cap space, they can easily afford his services.
The Dallas Stars could also come calling.
Having traded away the contract rights of Alex Goligoski and with Jason Demers, Kris Russell and Jordie Benn eligible for unrestricted free agency, they'll need some skilled depth for next season. With over $13.7 million in cap space, they could make a competitive bid.
2. Milan Lucic
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Among the NHL's top power forwards, Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic will be one of this summer's most popular unrestricted free agents.
The 28-year-old tallied 20 goals and 55 points this season. That's the fourth time he's reached or exceeded those numbers.
On June 3, TSN's Pierre LeBrun (via the Edmonton Journal's Bruce McCurdy) reported Lucic could be open to joining the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers if unable to re-sign with the Kings.
Lucic is a Vancouver native, so it's obvious why the Canucks would be attractive to him. They lack a physical scoring presence and could be keen to land him.
Canucks GM Jim Benning knows Lucic from their days with the Boston Bruins. With over $7.6 million in salary-cap room, Benning must find additional space to comfortably fit Lucic within his payroll.
Oilers GM and former Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli also has ties with Lucic. He has over $10 million in cap room.
Chiarelli also has Taylor Hall and Patrick Maroon at left wing, though. Unless he plans to move one of them, Lucic might not be a good fit in Edmonton.
The Buffalo Sabres lack a proven top-line left wing. They have plenty of salary-cap room ($22.6 million) to pursue Lucic.
1. Steven Stamkos
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is the top star potentially available via free agency in July.
The 26-year-old is among the league's elite goal scorers. He's a former two-time winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy, exceeding 30 goals in five of his eight NHL campaigns.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could consider chasing Stamkos. A native of Markham, Ontario, he would provide a significant boost to the rebuilding Leafs.
Stamkos could command over $10 million per season, but the Leafs currently have around $7.1 million in salary-cap room.
On June 15, TSN reported the Leafs will buy out defenseman Jared Cowen ($3.1 million). They can also place right wing Nathan Horton (back injury) on long-term injured reserve at the start of 2016-17. Those moves could free up sufficient room to pursue Stamkos.
If the Leafs aren't interested, the Detroit Red Wings are a nearby option. Stamkos would make a quality replacement for Pavel Datsyuk, who is expected to play in Russia next season.
The Wings have $11.3 million in cap room. They must free up some payroll to sign him, especially if they're unable to move Datsyuk's $7.5 million cap hit for next season.
The Buffalo Sabres are also close to Toronto and have over $22 million in salary-cap room. However, they're also deep at center with Ryan O'Reilly and Jack Eichel. They'll have to sell Stamkos on being their top-line left wing.
Player stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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