Ranking the Best Rental Players Available Ahead of the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline
The impending unrestricted free agents are weeks away from finding out where their next stop might be.
With the NHL's trade deadline of March 2 approaching quickly, teams looking to load up for the playoff run are scanning the rosters of the teams that look unlikely to make it into the postseason for valuable additions.
Known as the rentals, these expiring contracts are the best of the short-term bunch. Their ranking is based on contributions they've made to their respective teams this season, playoff performances of the past, as well as other intangibles such as experience and attitude.
Click ahead to see the top UFAs to watch from the teams looking to sell. Some good potential free agents such as Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green and Dallas Stars winger Erik Cole are excluded because their teams are either in playoff positions or on the fence with regard to their futures should the players not ink extensions before the deadline.
13. Daniel Briere, C, Colorado Avalanche
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By the numbers: 47 games, eight goals, three assists, 11 points
What he provides: Daniel Briere is not having what you'd call a career season. At 37, he's in the twilight of his NHL years but has always been a stellar playoff performer, which is what teams kicking tires on him will be looking to add at a reasonable price. He had seven points in 16 games in a support role with the Montreal Canadiens last spring and has 116 points in 124 career playoff games.
What his future holds: Briere will definitely have to take a cut in pay to continue his professional career, and he might, in fact, need one last strong playoff performance to get a team to commit to another season after the most forgettable regular season of his career.
12. Jeff Petry, D, Edmonton Oilers
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By the numbers: 57 games, four goals, 11 assists, 15 points
What he provides: Jeff Petry is a rare right-handed shot on the back end who can play big minutes and provide some occasional offense from the blue line. He's not flashy but is reliable and continues to blossom as an overall defenseman.
What his future holds: Petry's agent Wade Arnott told the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson he expects his client to be dealt by the deadline and that there have been no contract talks with the Oilers.
11. Martin Erat, RW, Arizona Coyotes
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By the numbers: 56 games, eight goals, 17 assists, 25 points
What he provides: A team looking for some more scoring touch would be thrilled to add Martin Erat for a third-line role with the opportunity to move up in the order if things go well. He's not a top-line player and hasn't had the success he enjoyed with Nashville since leaving the Predators but has the potential to contribute at a low cost on the trade market.
What his future holds: Erat could be playing with a fourth team in two years come March 2 and add his fifth by the summer. His days as a top-six forward are likely over, but he has enough hockey sense and talent to slide into a lesser role and still contribute.
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10. Jiri Tlusty, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
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By the numbers: 48 games, 12 goals, eight assists, 20 points
What he provides: He's never played a full 82 games, but Jiri Tlusty's goal totals on a pro-rated basis project over the 20-mark the past four seasons, including his current output. The 26-year-old is still young and has an upside that another team could quickly tap into with the right linemates and a new energy after struggling with the Carolina Hurricanes the last few years.
What his future holds: Tlusty could be one of the top-tier free agents this summer based on his age and skill set. For that reason, the Hurricanes would be better served to find a deal that works to keep him in Carolina. However, with his future in his own hands, the product of the Czech Republic is in a great position to get onto a playoff team now and decide his next team later.
9. Derek Roy, Edmonton Oilers
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By the numbers: 48 games, six goals, 15 assists, 21 points
What he provides: Derek Roy hasn't been all that impressive since the lockout-shortened season but has enjoyed a bit of a bounce back this year, especially since his trade from the Nashville Predators to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this season. He's netted five goals and 11 points in 22 games for the Oilers and could provide a nice bit of depth at center for a contender, with the ability to move up in the lineup if needed.
What his future holds: There is a chance the Oilers will decide to make every effort to sign him because of his quick chemistry with some of their younger players, but will they really risk losing him for nothing in the offseason when they could potentially get a decent pick in return at the deadline and still make an effort to sign him in the summer?
8. Sean Bergenheim, Florida Panthers
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By the numbers: 39 games, eight goals, 10 assists, 18 points
What he provides: I've talked about Sean Bergenheim before. The Florida Panthers winger is the kind of guy who excels when there's a feeling of importance to every game—like the playoffs. His limited playoff experience has yielded much stronger offensive numbers than his regular-season career.
What his future holds: Twelve goals and 17 points in 23 playoff games is something that a team looking for depth and secondary scoring will be elated to add at the deadline, although there is risk involved considering he hasn't been in the postseason since 2012 and his numbers this season are meager. At 31, the veteran Finn will be looking for some security with his next NHL deal in the summer.
7. Daniel Winnik, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
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By the numbers: 55 games, six goals, 17 assists, 23 points, plus-14 rating
What he provides: Daniel Winnik is a great penalty killer who can also play quality minutes on a third or fourth line. He's a perfect addition for a team looking for more from the bottom six, and he shouldn't break the bank in terms of a return. His $1.3 million cap hit makes him very attractive to contenders who don't have a lot of room to add bodies.
What his future holds: Barring a long playoff run that sees Winnik become a critical piece of a Stanley Cup favorite, he won't be a guy teams are clamoring over on July 1 when free agency begins. He will, however, earn a new contract worth much more than his current deal.
6. Zbynek Michalek, D, Arizona Coyotes
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By the numbers: 53 games, two goals, six assists, eight points, 130 blocked shots
What he provides: Zbynek Michalek is a solid stay-at-home defenseman who would fit into every team's top four but would be a luxury as a third-pairing performer. He's physical but mobile and is a perfect playoff-type defender to complement a partner who is more of a puck-moving risk-taker.
What his future holds: Although currently day-to-day with an upper-body injury, according to tsn.ca, there will be no shortage of teams in the hunt for his services by March 2, despite the fact he has just 20 games of playoff experience in three appearances. The 32-year-old should have his choice of suitors in the summer as well.
5. Scott Gomez, New Jersey Devils
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By the numbers: 32 games, four goals, 16 assists, 20 points
What he provides: At 35, Scott Gomez has shown he's still got the playmaking abilities that made him such a critical part of the New Jersey Devils' and New York Rangers' success early in his career. He has struggled the past few seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers before rejoining the Devils and rejuvenating his career.
What his future holds: Gomez probably won't have to play for the league minimum next year now that he has shown he's got some gas left in the tank. In the meantime, he may get a chance to add to his impressive playoff resume with a deadline trade. He has 101 points in 149 postseason contests.
4. Chris Stewart, RW, Buffalo Sabres
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By the numbers: 54 games, nine goals, 13 assists, 22 points
What he provides: Toughness. Power. Scoring. Grit...but only when he feels like it. Chris Stewart is an enigmatic power forward who at times looks like one of the best snipers in the league and at others might not be capable of making Team Latvia. Despite his apparent motivational issues, Stewart will be a hot commodity thanks to him flipping the on switch in mid-December. He has six goals and 18 points in his last 25 games.
What his future holds: Stewart is almost assured a chance to play in the playoffs with the third team of his career. How he performs after the trade deadline and into the spring will determine whether or not he will get a new deal anywhere near the $4.15 million cap hit he holds currently and how long the term might be.
3. Andrej Sekera, D, Carolina Hurricanes
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By the numbers: 52 games, two goals, 16 assists, 18 points
What he provides: His offensive numbers are disappointing this season, but Andrej Sekera is a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman who can pad the depth of a playoff team and serve valuable minutes on special teams—well, the power play, anyway. The 28-year-old is only a year removed from a breakout 44-point season.
What his future holds: Sekera is young enough that teams will stumble over themselves in the offseason to sign him to an over-inflated salary with too much term. Welcome to free agency as the top defenseman on the market. In the meantime, he should land with a pretty good team at or before the deadline and work to increase his value with playoff numbers.
2. Jaromir Jagr, RW, New Jersey Devils
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By the numbers: 52 games, 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points
What he provides: While not the Jaromir Jagr of old, the older version is still pretty good on the ice. He leads the New Jersey Devils in points this season at the age of 43 and could bring his work ethic, sense of humor and vast experience to a team in need of more veteran presence and some forward depth.
What his future holds: A return to the Pittsburgh Penguins would make a great storyline, with Jagr getting one more chance at another Stanley Cup before potentially calling it a career.
1. Antoine Vermette, C/W, Arizona Coyotes
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By the numbers: 57 games, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points
What he provides: Antoine Vermette is a big and versatile forward with speed and a scoring touch. He can play at center or on either wing and plug a hole on any team's second line. The 32-year-old is tops among all Arizona Coyotes forwards in scoring and is strong in the faceoff circle.
What his future holds: In a relatively quiet year for unrestricted free agency, Vermette will be one of the top names available and should see a nice raise from his current $3.75 million cap hit. In the short term, the Coyotes will get a solid return for the rental—who is the best of those on the trade block—and Vermette should find himself on a roster with a chance for a title.
All stats via NHL.com and contract information from NHLNumbers.com.
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