Ranking the Most Likely Destinations for Free-Agent Forward Martin St. Louis

The New York Rangers don't want him back, but Martin St. Louis isn't ready to retire.

The 40-year-old former Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy winner will be looking for a new home July 1 after a fine yet underwhelming 2014-15 season. He had 21 goals and 52 points, his worst output since the 2001-02 season. In the playoffs, he had just one goal in 19 games.

That's the type of season that may not be up to his standards, but there are plenty of teams that wouldn't mind adding a 20-goal scorer with a wealth of experience.

St. Louis engineered a trade to New York last season partly because of unhappiness in Tampa and partly because he wanted to be closer to his family in Greenwich, Connecticut. If that plays a factor in where he signs, it could limit his options.

So where could St. Louis end up? It's difficult to say, but there are five places that look like decent fits for the potential future Hall of Famer.

(All statistics via NHL.com)

5. Winnipeg Jets

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Chances are, Martin St. Louis wants to play for a contender. Winnipeg is about 1,600 miles from Connecticut, but last season the Jets showed they could be ready to be a perennial playoff team.

A quick glance at the roster shows the Jets have Blake Wheeler under contract but no other right wings signed for next season. Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun he team is still negotiating with pending free agents Drew Stafford and Michael Frolik; if one or both opts to leave the team, St. Louis could be a nice one-year stopgap on a second or third line.

St. Louis could benefit from a jolt from the young Jets, and the Jets could benefit from St. Louis' finishing ability in the postseason.

4. Buffalo Sabres

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Will the Buffalo Sabres be a playoff team next season? Probably not. But with the additions of Evander Kane, Ryan O'Reilly and Robin Lehner, they might not be that bad.

Could Martin St. Louis see this as an opportunity to join a team about to take off?

After drafting Jack Eichel second overall in the 2015 NHL draft, the Sabres have a glut of centers and could move one of them to the right wing, but as of now, the only true right wing under contract is Brian Gionta. The Sabres have plenty of cap space to entice St. Louis to come there for a year, and perhaps the opportunity to play with Eichel would be appealing as well.

And worst case—if St. Louis plays well and the Sabres are again horrendous, they could trade him to a contender at the deadline.

3. Florida Panthers

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Where do old people from New York often go at the end their careers? Florida!

And since Tampa isn't an option, maybe Martin St. Louis would like to join Jaromir Jagr for some early-bird dinners on off-nights. The Panthers came close to a playoff spot last season, and St. Louis could be a difference-maker on the wing next season. Jimmy Hayes and Jagr are already on the roster, so St. Louis would have to be open to playing third-line minutes mostly.

Also: no state income tax in Florida.

The same theory applies here as it does to Buffalo: If Florida is out of the playoff chase at the deadline, St. Louis could be dealt to a team with true Stanley Cup aspirations.

2. New Jersey Devils

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This is a good idea, because calling New Jersey home wouldn't likely disrupt much in Martin St. Louis' personal life.

This is a bad idea, because New Jersey doesn't look anything like a playoff team for 2015-16.

The Devils acquired Kyle Palmieri in a draft-night trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Yet they otherwise lack a top-six right wing. Heck, if St. Louis decides to sign with the Devils, he could become their top-line right wing right away. There needs to be mutual interest, of course, but a one-year deal with New Jersey would keep him close to his family and allow him a chance to be dealt at the deadline.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

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The Penguins are making it a priority to add wingers this offseason. Martin St. Louis is a winger.

This would be a match made in heaven.

St. Louis could sign a contract with a cheap base but loaded with incentives, thus helping the Penguins add other pieces under the salary cap. The idea of playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin must be magical to St. Louis, who would fill that veteran wing role held by Jarome Iginla and Jaromir Jagr in years past.

Pittsburgh isn't exactly a short car ride to New York, but the Penguins play the Rangers, Devils and Islanders six times on the road, thus offering St. Louis a chance to see his family more frequently than other clubs. 

If the Penguins want St. Louis, this will be the place he almost definitely lands.