NHL Free Agents 2015: Best Fit for Top Remaining Players

Most of the NHL's top unrestricted free agents have been crossed off the list.

For the most part, the high-end forwards have been inked—and one, in the case of Martin St. Louis, retired—with a handful or more of any significant stature now weighing all offers in hand and perhaps praying for others to come their way.

The frenzy may be over, but there remains value to be found. This list of available options shouldn't be in the unemployment line much longer.

Let's take a look at the best of what's left and project the top fit for their styles, statures and, of course, salaries over the next few slides.

Chris Stewart, Right Wing

Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images

Age: 27

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $4.15 million

Previous team: Minnesota Wild/Buffalo Sabres

By the numbers: A longer run with the Wild might have bumped Chris Stewart's value back up into the more coveted end of the free-agent market. As things stand, his 11 points in 20 games with the Wild after being dealt by the Sabres padded a disappointing 14-goal, 36-point season. Those numbers don't align with a big haul, so a motivated Stewart might be a bargain for someone.

Best fit: A team like the Toronto Maple Leafs might want to take a flier on the inconsistent but talented power forward in the hopes head coach Mike Babcock can get the best out of him. Stewart has played on four different teams for a reason—he's wildly frustrating at times—but flourishes in spurts when he plays with determination.

If no team is willing to shell out anywhere near his previous cap hit, he may still fit with the Wild, who have little cap room but know that he looked good in their uniform before a separated shoulder ended his season in the playoffs. General manager Chuck Fletcher told the Minnesota Star-Tribune's Mike Russo to "never say never" about bringing Stewart back.

Christian Ehrhoff, Defense

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 32

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $4 million

Previous team: Pittsburgh Penguins

By the numbers: Once considered one of the best offensive defensemen after three straight seasons with at least 40 points and one with 50, Ehrhoff is coming off the worst year of his career. Limited by injury, he played just 49 games, managing 14 points for the Penguins. The veteran still has coveted puck-moving skills but is a bit of a risk-reward player at this stage.

Best fit: Bought out in Buffalo and hampered by a hard, injury-plagued season in Pittsburgh, Ehrhoff may not find the ideal fit he's looking for. According to agent Rick Curran, via ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, Ehrhoff will settle for a short-term deal in favor of a chance to play for a contender.

His best hope might be Los Angeles, where the Mike Richards termination and the uncertainty regarding Slava Voynov leave an opening for a puck-moving defenseman for a reasonable, short-term deal. The Kings have cap space (pending the resolution of the Richards fiasco) and lost Andrej Sekera to the Edmonton Oilers this week via free agency. 

Johnny Oduya, Defense

Bill Smith/Getty Images

Age: 33

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $3.38 million

Previous team: Chicago Blackhawks

By the numbers: Johnny Oduya's numbers won't wow you. His best offensive season came in his third NHL campaign with the New Jersey Devils in 2008-09, when he scored seven goals and registered 29 points. But the positionally sound Swede has carved out a role as a solid second-pairing shutdown defender who can also play the penalty kill.

Best fit: According to media reports, including this tweet from Blackhawks beat writer Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Oduya is patiently waiting to see what the team can do to create salary-cap space to keep him. Given his key role as a shutdown defenseman alongside Niklas Hjalmarsson and familiarity with the system, it's the best fit.

If it doesn't pan out, he would be an asset to a young team with aspirations of adding a two-time Cup winner, like the Buffalo Sabres.

Joel Ward, Right Wing

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 34

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $3 million

Previous team: Washington Capitals

[Update: According to SiriusXM NHL Network, the San Jose Sharks signed Ward to a three-year, $9.83 million deal.]

By the numbers: Ward hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in the NHL two years ago and added 19 more this season before a three-goal, nine-point playoff (in 14 games). He's a solid third-line player who can be moved up and down the lineup as needed.

Best fit: Montreal brought in the beefy Zack Kassian to help bump up scoring, but he doesn't play as big as his body. The 6'1", 226-pound Ward plays a physical style the Habs would love to add and has a knack for scoring timely goals as well. The Canadiens don't have a ton of cap space but should be able to fit Ward in while also building a bridge deal for restricted free agent Alex Galchenyuk.

According to Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington, Ward is believed to be seeking a four-year deal. He could take on penalty-killing minutes in lieu of the departed Brandon Prust, who went to Vancouver in the Kassian deal.

Alexander Semin, Right Wing

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Age: 31

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $7 million

Previous team: Carolina Hurricanes

By the numbers: Semin had a terrible season that led to the Hurricanes owner slamming him as a distraction. Six goals in 57 games will do that for a former 40-goal scorer who had put up seven straight non-lockout seasons of at least 20 goals and 40 points before his 19-point nightmare last season.

Best fit: It's tempting to pair him with his old team, the Washington Capitals, with which he had career years alongside Alex Ovechkin. However, the Caps added Justin Williams in free agency and then brought in T.J. Oshie in a trade this week. The rival Pittsburgh Penguins could benefit from the addition of another elite scorer on the flank after adding Phil Kessel in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Penguins still have some cap room to play with and need more forwards under contract. Blake Comeau played on Evgeni Malkin's left side for most of last season. Semin could accept a modest salary while still being paid handsomely from the buyout, giving him the opportunity to play in an elite group of top-six forwards.

A chance to win a Cup and prove his relevance to a team full of stars would make for a great scenario.

Cody Franson, Defense

John Russell/Getty Images

Age: 27

2014-15 salary-cap hit: $3.3 million

Previous team: Nashville Predators/Toronto Maple Leafs

By the numbers: In terms of age and achievement, Cody Franson may be the best of what's left on the market. But there's a reason he hasn't been scooped up quickly. His expectations for a multiyear deal and much more inflated salary may mean fewer teams are able to afford him, while more clubs won't be sure he's worth the risk. Franson had a career-high 36 points in 78 games with the Leafs and Preds, and the goals-for per 60 minutes of play when he was on the ice was 20th-best mark among all NHL defensemen.

Best fit: The Dallas Stars. The Stars have been hurting on the blue line for years, and despite some growth there with sophomore rising star John Klingberg, the top four would be instantly more credible with the right-handed shot of Franson on the back end. He could anchor the second pairing with Trevor Daley and strengthen the power-play units as well. Although his cost could be high, the Stars have the cap space to work with as long as ownership is OK with opening up the wallet.

Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News has suggested the defense needs help if the window to win for the Stars is narrow.