The Most Important Pending Free Agent on Every NHL Team
NHL free agency doesn't start until July 1, but most of the important decisions on pending free agents will be made well in advance of that date.
Teams with pending free agents have a choice between moving them prior to the March 2 trade deadline and potentially losing them for nothing in the summer. If history is any indication, we'll see many of those players switch teams as clubs outside the postseason cash them in for whatever they can get.
Which players are approaching free agency? The following slideshow lists the most important pending free agent on every team, provides a brief description of how each plays the game and looks at whether they're likely to be traded or re-signed.
Anaheim Ducks: Francois Beauchemin
1 of 30
What kind of player is he? With all due respect to goal-scoring winger Matt Beleskey, Beauchemin is the No. 1 defenceman on one of the best teams in the NHL. The 34-year-old still has some tread left on the tires and plays a physical two-way game. He'd be an asset for any team.
What lies ahead? One would imagine the Ducks try hard to re-sign Beauchemin; they see themselves as legitimate contenders, and he'd be a tough piece to lose.
Arizona Coyotes: Antoine Vermette
2 of 30
What kind of player is he? Reasonably big, reasonably physical and reasonably gifted offensively, Vermette has been Arizona's No. 1 forward this season in terms of ice time, but he's probably better suited to the No. 2 position on a contender. He wins faceoffs, plays a responsible game and can be used in any kind of situation.
What lies ahead? The Coyotes are not a rich team, and Vermette is going to get paid in summer free agency. A trade is all but a certainty.
Boston Bruins: Carl Soderberg
3 of 30
What kind of player is he? A 6'3", 216-pound centre who scores is the kind of thing most teams want, and that's exactly what Soderberg is. Now in only his second full NHL season, the big pivot has mostly been Boston's No. 3 center, but he could potentially take on a larger role with a different team.
What lies ahead? That's a great question. He's a valued piece of the Bruins roster, but Boston's cap problems are well-known. He might make it to free agency on July 1, but perhaps general manager Peter Chiarelli can get a deal done before then.
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Buffalo Sabres: Drew Stafford
4 of 30
What kind of player is he? A big, skilled winger who isn't overly physical, Stafford has had some really impressive NHL seasons but has mostly settled in as a secondary scorer. He's a right-handed shot and, at age 29, still has some gas left in the tank.
What lies ahead? The expectation is that the Sabres will move Stafford and most of their other unrestricted free agents, but the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch says that there hasn't been much interest in Stafford's services as of yet despite a pretty solid season.
Calgary Flames: Curtis Glencross
5 of 30
What kind of player is he? A two-way winger with some scoring touch and a mean streak, the 32-year-old Glencross has been a veteran leader and valued top-six forward for better than six seasons now in Calgary.
What lies ahead? Glencross has a no-trade clause, but the Calgary Sun's Wes Gilbertson reported in late December that the Flames were likely to move the winger as there hadn't been much in the way of contract talks.
Carolina Hurricanes: Andrej Sekera
6 of 30
What kind of player is he? A 28-year-old veteran closing in on nearly 500 games played, Sekera has been Carolina's No. 2 defenceman this season and has played a pile of minutes in all situations. He's a mobile, puck-moving rearguard who plays a solid two-way game.
What lies ahead? Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer recently reported that the Hurricanes had put contract talks with both Sekera and winger Jiri Tlusty on the back burner but that those talks would be revisited. Undoubtedly, Carolina would like to lock Sekera up long term, but if it can't, the team will have little choice but to move him before the deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks: Brad Richards
7 of 30
What kind of player is he? A classic playmaking centre who plays an intelligent positional game, Richards was brought in over the summer to fill the No. 2 centre role in Chicago, though he's ended up playing less per game than fellow pivot Andrew Shaw.
What lies ahead? Chicago isn't likely to deal Richards given that it's going to try and win it all for the third time since 2010 this spring, but his long-term future may not be with the Blackhawks.
Colorado Avalanche: Jan Hejda
8 of 30
What kind of player is he? Despite not getting a drop of power-play time, Hejda ranks second among Colorado defenders with an average ice time just south of 22 minutes per game. The 36-year-old is still a big, physical defender who can play shutdown minutes.
What lies ahead? Given Hejda's age, he's not likely to be around when the Avs are contending; a trade out of town at the deadline seems probable.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Mark Letestu
9 of 30
What kind of player is he? Letestu is a little on the small side for an NHL forward, but he's managed to survive in the majors thanks to hockey sense and a versatile game. He can line up as a checker or a scorer and play pretty much any position.
What lies ahead? It's a little hard to get a read on Letestu because he's been sidelined by injury for much of the season. His versatility will doubtless make him of interest as a depth piece at the deadline if the Jackets opt to make a move.
Dallas Stars: Erik Cole
10 of 30
What kind of player is he? Cole, once an exceptional power forward, is now 36 and a shadow of the player he once was. He's still a big, physical winger with some scoring touch, though, and those types are always in fashion come playoff time.
What lies ahead? The Stars have forced their way back into the playoff discussion in the West, which makes a Cole decision less obvious than it was not that long ago. They're loaded with forwards, but management clearly values veteran players, so it's not impossible that he returns.
Detroit Red Wings: Jonas Gustavsson
11 of 30
What kind of player is he? Gustavsson's been a thoroughly mediocre backup in the NHL. He certainly has a major league frame, but 144 games into his NHL career, he's just barely better than a .900-save-percentage goalie.
What lies ahead? Detroit might opt to hang on to Gustavsson after their goalies get healthy in the name of organizational depth, but Petr Mrazek's performance almost certainly means the Monster is done as a Red Wing this summer at the latest.
Edmonton Oilers: Jeff Petry
12 of 30
What kind of player is he? Petry's a well-rounded defender, combining exceptional mobility, puck-moving skill and an underrated (though not intimidating) physical game. He's been Edmonton's best defenceman in 2014-15 but would play lower on the depth chart on a team with a more competent blue line.
What lies ahead? At this point a trade is expected. The Oilers could have signed him long term last summer but opted to give him a one-year deal; the organization doesn't seem committed to him.
Florida Panthers: Sean Bergenheim
13 of 30
What kind of player is he? A speedy, aggressive winger with a well-rounded game, Bergenheim's a little bit undersized to live in traffic the way he does, and he doesn't quite have enough scoring touch to consistently play on an offensive line. He's a really solid depth piece.
What lies ahead? Even with the Panthers fighting for a playoff berth, Bergenheim could be on the move; Florida has a lot of young players on the way up and might not mind making room.
Los Angeles Kings: Justin Williams
14 of 30
What kind of player is he? Last year's Conn Smythe winner is familiar to most everyone thanks to an outstanding postseason performance. He's not overly big, fast or physical, but Williams combines exceptional hockey sense with good hands and an ability to thrive in traffic.
What lies ahead? ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported recently that the Kings were shelving negotiations with Williams until the summer, but given how good Williams has been for an average Kings team this season, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be moving on come July 1.
Minnesota Wild: Devan Dubnyk
15 of 30
What kind of player is he? A big goaltender who can at times appear smaller than he is in net, Dubnyk has some trouble with rebounds and soft goals, but on the whole, he has a decidedly decent .910 save percentage for his NHL career despite generally playing behind a lousy defence.
What lies ahead? Minnesota didn't pay a lot for Dubnyk's rights, and he's essentially auditioning for their starting job next season right now.
Montreal Canadiens: Sergei Gonchar
16 of 30
What kind of player is he? At his best, Gonchar was an elite offensive defenceman who could rush, pass and shoot the puck with equal skill. With good size and an underrated physical game, it's no wonder he's closing in on 1,300 career games. Now 40 years old, he gets by more on wile than on pure athletic ability.
What lies ahead? Gonchar's play has picked up significantly since he was dealt to Montreal, perhaps even good enough that the team would consider a cheap one-year extension this summer. There hasn't been much speculation in the press about that, but he's playing significant minutes and hasn't performed poorly.
Nashville Predators: Mike Ribeiro
17 of 30
What kind of player is he? In a lot of ways a flawed player, Ribeiro's long been criticized for a lack of courage and defensive commitment. He's survived as an NHL player because of exceptional puck skills and vision and is currently thriving as the No. 1 forward on one of the NHL's best teams.
What lies ahead? There's been no speculation of the Predators moving Ribeiro, and while he recently told reporter Jim Diamond that he's in no hurry to get a contract done, one would imagine that he and the team could come to a mutually acceptable arrangement given how well things have worked so far after a difficult year.
New Jersey Devils: Jaromir Jagr
18 of 30
What kind of player is he? Jagr doesn't have the speed he once did, but he's still big, strong, brave and wonderfully capable with the puck. Even as he approaches his 43rd birthday, he's an effective player who brings the kind of work ethic and experience that any contender would be happy to add.
What lies ahead? The Devils are well out of it, and Jagr is a productive 42-year-old who happens to be a pending free agent. It doesn't take a lot of reading between the lines to know how that's likely to end.
New York Islanders: Johnny Boychuk
19 of 30
What kind of player is he? The Islanders' No. 1 defenceman is a big, tough blueliner with surprising mobility and an underrated offensive game. It's easy to forget he had a 66-point season in the AHL, thanks in large part to a heavy shot, and he's shown a significant scoring touch since coming over from Boston.
What lies ahead? The marriage between Boychuk and the Islanders has worked out great for both parties, but he might be the most coveted name on the free-agent market if he makes it to July 1. New York will doubtless do all it can to get him signed long term, but the prospect of a bidding war has to be appealing.
New York Rangers: Martin St. Louis
20 of 30
What kind of player is he? The story of Martin St. Louis gets repeated a lot, because it defies belief that a 5'9" winger who, apparently, couldn't play full time in the NHL at age 24 would go on to win a Hart Trophy or still be posting big numbers at age 39. Fast, crafty and shockingly capable in traffic, he's still a high-end scorer.
What lies ahead? The Rangers aren't in a position where it would make any kind of sense to move St. Louis, and one imagines they'll find a way to keep him around next season despite a number of deals they need to get done.
Ottawa Senators: Marc Methot
21 of 30
What kind of player is he? A big, defensive defenceman who plays the game with a physical edge, Methot is 29 years old and has 404 games under his belt in the NHL, meaning that he's both a useful player in the here and now and for the foreseeable future. He can log heavy minutes at evens and on the penalty kill.
What lies ahead? Ottawa is 10 points out of a playoff spot, and while the team has been been talking to Methot about an extension, the Ottawa Sun's Don Brennan notes those talks haven't gone anywhere. If the Sens can't get him signed, they'll have little choice but to trade him.
Philadelphia Flyers: Nick Schultz
22 of 30
What kind of player is he? With Kimmo Timonen's career in jeopardy due to blood clots, the honour of most important UFA falls to third-pairing defender Nick Schultz. Schultz is a no-frills defensive defender who can kill penalties and is best matched with a strong puck-mover at evens. At this stage in his career, he's best kept on a third pairing.
What lies ahead? While the Flyers are well out of the playoff race, Frank Seravalli of the Daily News reports that Schultz's rebound year has both the player and the team talking about a contract extension.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Christian Ehrhoff
23 of 30
What kind of player is he? It's pretty much a coin toss as to whether Ehrhoff or Paul Martin is the more important pending free-agent defender for the Penguins; one's the No. 2 and the other is the No. 3, and which is which seems to vary game by game. Ehrhoff's mobile and a solid puck-mover, but he doesn't have much physical dimension despite being decently sized.
What lies ahead? Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has repeatedly noted that he expects the Penguins to commit to Ehrhoff on a longer deal.
San Jose Sharks: Antti Niemi
24 of 30
What kind of player is he? It's a little ironic that Niemi, who started his career with a Stanley Cup win in Chicago, has come to be associated with the San Jose Sharks' playoff struggles, but here we are. A big, fast goalie, Niemi has emerged as a pretty average (but established) No. 1 goaltender.
What lies ahead? Niemi's name has been grist for the rumour mill all season (ESPN.com's Craig Custance suggested him as a possibility earlier this month), and even if the Sharks hold off on moving him, it's unlikely that he'll be back with the team in 2015-16.
St. Louis Blues: Barret Jackman
25 of 30
What kind of player is he? Big, tough and mean, Jackman is an old-school shutdown defenceman with virtually no offensive value. He is, however, an awfully useful guy to have in front of the net defensively when the situation calls for it. The Blues have a Big Three on defence, after which there's a massive drop-off; Jackman's played more minutes per game than any of the rest.
What lies ahead? With a cap hit that NHL Numbers puts just north of $3.0 million, Jackman is likely in line for a pay reduction this summer. It'll be interesting to see if the Blues can squeeze him in. If not, they still aren't likely to move him in a year where they expect to contend for a championship.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Brenden Morrow
26 of 30
What kind of player is he? A north-south winger who plays the game with a physical edge despite being of average size, Morrow has mostly been a fourth-liner for Tampa Bay this season. He scored 30-plus goals just four seasons ago, but these days the 36-year-old is kept around as a veteran presence in the bottom six rather than for his scoring.
What lies ahead? Head coach Jon Cooper all but gushed about Morrow's intangibles when he was asked about the winger back in December by Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. There shouldn't be any reason the Lightning can't bring him back on a cheap one-year deal if they think there's still gas in the tank.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Cody Franson
27 of 30
What kind of player is he? Toronto's No. 2 defenceman is massive, reasonably physical and can pass and shoot the puck equally well. He's also a right-handed shot, which teams around the league are always on the lookout for. He's prone to the odd gaffe and is not an imposing defensive defenceman, but on balance, he adds a lot to the lineup.
What lies ahead? Franson's looking at a major payday, and the Leafs have a tough decision to make. According to Sportsnet's Damien Cox, the club has opened up contract negotiations with both Franson and fellow pending UFA Mike Santorelli.
Vancouver Canucks: Shawn Matthias
28 of 30
What kind of player is he? A two-way forward who combines size (6'4", 223 pounds) with a decent scoring touch and the versatility to play centre or wing, Matthias is a pretty useful top-nine forward. The 26-year-old has had an up-and-down campaign for the Canucks.
What lies ahead? The Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma reports that talks with Matthias and fellow pending free agents Derek Dorsett and Brad Richardson are less of a priority than negotiations with restricted free-agent defenceman Chris Tanev. Nevertheless, the Canucks will almost certainly talk to Matthias at some point.
Washington Capitals: Mike Green
29 of 30
What kind of player is he? At his best, few defencemen can match Green. A mobile right-shooting defenceman with first-rate offensive instincts and a willingness to hit, he is a two-time Norris Trophy finalist. His physical intensity and attention to detail defensively can wane, however, and he's slipped to No. 4/5 status on the Capitals blue line.
What lies ahead? Washington is on quite a tear and could conceivably start the playoffs with home ice in the Metropolitan. That means it's not the time to trade a defenceman like Green, particularly since Green made it clear to CSNWashington.com's Chuck Gormley that he wants to stay with the Capitals. Given his diminished role, however, Washington may not want to pony up the necessary dollars to retain Green.
Winnipeg Jets: Michael Frolik
30 of 30
What kind of player is he? Frolik entered the league as a scoring winger but ended up in more of a defensive role with Chicago. He has emerged as a better player for it. He can play on either side of the ice and be an asset on either the power play or penalty kill. He can also be trusted to help in a sheltered offensive role or in a tougher, primarily defensive one.
What lies ahead? Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told TSN 1290 on Monday (transcript via Chris Nichols) that the team and the player have been in constant contact and have a good relationship, even if there wasn't any update on talks. The expectation is that Winnipeg will re-sign Frolik prior to the trade deadline.
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