NHL Free Agents 2015: Ranking the 10 Most Overrated Players on the Market

When the NHL's unrestricted free-agent period begins on July 1, there will be the usual rush by general managers to sign up the best talent as quickly as possible. Because this year's UFA market is thin on top talent, some players could be rated well above their actual worth.

Among these free agents are a pair of goaltenders with limited NHL experience. One is a defenseman who has yet to fully establish his true worth. The rest are forwards whose exploits earlier in their careers could blind some observers when estimating their actual current value.

The following slideshow ranks the 10 most overrated players in this summer's NHL unrestricted free-agent market. Performance, age, skills, injury history and current contracts factored into this ranking. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

10. Martin St. Louis, New York Rangers

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Performance: Right wing Martin St. Louis tallied 21 goals and 52 points in 74 regular-season games with the New York Rangers. As of May 19, the 39-year-old had six assists in 14 playoff games.

Analysis: Up until this season, St. Louis was still considered among the NHL's elite players. Age is catching up to the future Hall of Famer, though, who turns 40 on June 18. His offensive production is clearly in decline. St. Louis had a great career and could still be an effective player next season in a reduced role, but he's no longer a superstar.

Outlook: St. Louis is completing a four-year deal worth $5.625 million annually. He recently told the New York Post's Larry Brooks he hopes to play next season and retire as a Ranger. Unless he's willing to test the free-agent market, retirement could come sooner than he wants. 

9. Michael Frolik, Winnipeg Jets

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Performance: Right wing Michael Frolik scored 19 goals and 42 points in 82 regular-season games with the Winnipeg Jets. The 27-year-old was held scoreless in four playoff games.

Analysis: Frolik posted consecutive 42-point performances with the Jets. While those are respectable numbers, his production remains streaky. There's no indication he's capable of achieving more on a consistent basis. 

Outlook: Frolik completed a one-year, $3.3 million deal. The Winnipeg Free Press' Gary Lawless suggests a four-year deal averaging $4 million annually makes sense. If Frolik tests the market, the lack of top free-agent scorers this summer could push that up to $4.5 million.

8. Derek Roy, Edmonton Oilers

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Performance: Center Derek Roy scored 12 goals and 32 points in 72 games split between the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators. 

Analysis: In recent years, Roy's numbers have steadily declined. After his midseason acquisition from the Predators, he tallied 11 goals and 22 points in 46 games skating alongside promising right wing Nail Yakupov. While the pairing seemed to have brought out the best in both players, the improvement in Roy's numbers could be merely a brief uptick in a fading career.  

Outlook: Roy, 32, is completing a one-year, $1 million contract. The Oilers may be tempted to keep him with Yakupov. If he tests the market, teams with struggling young wingers could try pairing him with those players. 

7. Curtis Glencross, Washington Capitals

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Performance: Left wing Curtis Glencross tallied 13 goals and 35 points in 71 games split between the Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames. In 10 playoff games with the Capitals, the 32-year-old scored only one goal. 

Analysis: Age and injuries have robbed Glencross of his effectiveness. Prior to being dealt to the Capitals, Glencross had a good reputation as a gritty (if injury-prone) two-way winger with leadership ability. He was virtually a non-factor for Washington down the stretch and in the postseason. 

Outlook: Glencross is completing a four-year deal worth $2.55 million annually. His recent performance suggests he won't get a significant raise. Despite his shortcomings, Glencross could still attract interest from teams that are seeking an experienced two-way winger. 

6. Chris Stewart, Minnesota Wild

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Performance: Right wing Chris Stewart scored 14 goals and 36 points in 81 regular-season games divided between the Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old also had two points in eight playoff games. 

Analysis: Since 2010-11, Stewart has played for four NHL teams. Though he has a scorer's touch and plays a physical style, his offense is inconsistent. Stewart's low numbers this season can't be blamed solely on playing for the woeful Sabres. He managed only three goals in 28 combined regular-season and playoff games with the Wild.

Outlook: Stewart is completing a two-year deal worth $4.15 million per season. With the limited number of skilled scorers in this year's free-agent market, teams desperate for a top-six winger could still be tempted by his two 28-goal performance earlier in his career. 

5. Karri Ramo, Calgary Flames

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Performance: Goaltender Karri Ramo appeared in 34 regular-season games with the Calgary Flames. He sported a 15-9-3 record with a 2.60 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and two shutouts. In seven playoff games, his record was 2-3-1 with a 2.86 GAA and .906 save percentage. 

Analysis: Ramo was at times dazzling for the Flames over the past two seasons, giving them chances to win when they were badly outplayed. There were also times when he was quite ordinary. Ramo has yet to establish himself as a starting goaltender. The Flames must decide if he's worth the gamble. 

Outlook: The 28-year-old Ramo is coming off a two-year deal worth $2.75 million annually. The limited number of quality free-agent goalies could make him a popular target from clubs that are seeking a potential starting netminder.

4. Matt Beleskey, Anaheim Ducks

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Performance: Left wing Matt Beleskey tallied 22 goals and 32 points in 65 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks. After 10 playoff games (as of May 18), the 26-year-old had five goals and six points, plus he leads the Ducks in hits. 

Analysis: After several seasons of bouncing between the Ducks and their farm team, Beleskey is enjoying a career-best performance in his contract year. Despite his impressive play, it remains to be seen if he's a late-blooming star or if this season is merely a one-off performance. That makes him a risky investment.

Outlook: Beleskey is completing a two-year deal worth $1.35 million per season. If he doesn't re-sign with the Ducks, this summer's shallow free-agent pool could fetch him lucrative long-term offers. He could receive four- or five-year deals worth more than $4 million annually. 

3. Cody Franson, Nashville Predators

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Performance: Defenseman Cody Franson collected 36 points in 78 regular-season games split between the Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs. In five playoffs games with the Predators, the 27-year-old Franson had two assists and a plus/minus of plus-one. 

Analysis: On Jan. 18, USA Today's Kevin Allen ranked Franson sixth among his list of this year's top 25 free agents. Following his trade to Nashville, he struggled to fit in on a deeper defense corps. Franson might not be as valuable as those earlier evaluations would have us believe.

Outlook: Franson is coming off a one-year deal worth $3.3 million. Given the lack of depth in this summer's free-agent market and his numbers with the Leafs, he could still entice interest from teams in need of blue-line depth. 

2. Antoine Vermette, Chicago Blackhawks

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Performance: Center Antoine Vermette scored 13 goals and 38 points in 82 regular-season games this season divided between the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes. In nine playoff games (as of May 18), the 32-year-old had only two points. 

Analysis: On Jan. 18, USA Today's Kevin Allen ranked Vermette fifth among his top 25 UFAs. Since being shipped to the Blackhawks from Arizona on Feb. 28, he managed only five points in 28 combined regular-season and playoff games. Those aren't the numbers of a top-five free agent, as he now appears to be third-line material.

Outlook: Vermette is completing a five-year deal worth $3.75 million annually. This summer's shallow pool of free-agent talent could still make him attractive for teams in need of experienced two-way forwards.

1. Andrew Hammond, Ottawa Senators

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Performance: Goaltender Andrew Hammond was called up by the Ottawa Senators as an injury replacement in February 2015. The 27-year-old won 20 of 24 games, with a 1.79 goals-average, .941 save percentage and three shutouts. 

Analysis: Hammond's superb goaltending carried the Senators into a playoff berth. His postseason numbers, however, weren't as stellar, and starter Craig Anderson replaced him. Though The Hamburglar saved the Senators' season, he has limited NHL experience. Hammond could simply be a one-year wonder.

Outlook: Coming off a two-year, two-way contract worth $720,000 at the NHL level, Hammond will try to parlay this season's brief, eye-catching performance into a lucrative one-way deal. If the Senators fail to re-sign him, clubs that are seeking goaltending depth will come calling. 

All stats via NHL.com and all salary information via NHLNumbers.com.