Top 10 Player-Team Perfect Fits for 2016 NHL Free Agency
The NHL regular season is winding down, and for teams outside the playoffs, summer planning can begin. With no postseason on the way, a head start in addressing needs may be key to a successful year in 2016-17.
Much of the big-money additions will come in free agency, and most of that will occur on one crazy day—July 1, the first day of free agency. Although many of the players headed for freedom will eventually sign with their current teams, the pool of talent available gives us a chance to check out some perfect fits for team and player.
Here are 10 players and their best match in free agency for the summer of 2016—with special attention paid to non-playoff teams.
10. Calgary Flames: G James Reimer
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His Credentials: James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks is a solid NHL goalie in his prime. Before being traded at the deadline, he spent his career as a big part of the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending solution. At 28, he could have several teams after him.
What Is the Team Need? The Calgary Flames endured a difficult season in 2015-16, and a lot of the trouble came in goal. Although Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio all played, it is likely Calgary will make a pitch for another goalie.
Why Is This a Match? The Flames are an emerging team, with outstanding young forwards such as Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett. They also boast a strong and impressive defensive group and are heading in a good direction. Reimer—or another bona fide goalie—is a vital item for the team this summer.
9. Edmonton Oilers: D Jason Demers
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His Credentials: Jason Demers is an effective two-way defender for the Dallas Stars. He is a right-handed shot, can help in all three disciplines—even strength, power play and penalty kill—and is a quality possession player.
What Is the Team Need? The Edmonton Oilers are a mess on defense, and most of their good defenders play the left side. If Andrej Sekera, Oscar Klefbom, Brandon Davidson and Darnell Nurse patrol the port side, the team should be fine. It is the right side that needs help in the worst way.
Why Is This a Match? Demers will be looking for a big payday, and the Oilers have cap room. Edmonton head coach Todd McLellan coached Demers during his first five seasons—and part of a sixth—before the San Jose Sharks traded him to Dallas. Since McLellan and Demers know each other, that may help negotiations this summer.
8. Montreal Canadiens: RW Jaromir Jagr
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His Credentials: Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers has reached icon status while still an active player—a rare feat in hockey. His fame has reached the point where broadcasts of NHL games often feature prolonged discussions of his career during game action. Each year he plays, Jagr adds to his legend.
What Is the Team Need? The Montreal Canadiens have endured a difficult, injury-riddled season but have additional needs aside from good health. Two areas Montreal could use help: size up front and on the power play, where it ranks in the bottom half of the league.
Why Is This a Match? Jagr is a free agent this summer and will be looking for a specific situation. He will want to play on a top line, get plenty of power-play time and have a chance to win another Stanley Cup. Montreal can provide all three things, and Jagr should flourish with the Canadiens.
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7. Detroit Red Wings: RW Loui Eriksson
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His Credentials: Loui Eriksson of the Boston Bruins is a consistent scorer and two-way winger. Among the projected free agents for 2016, he would have to be considered a safe free-agent bet.
What Is the Team Need? The Detroit Red Wings are one of the marquee franchises in the NHL but are life and death to make the playoffs in 2015-16. One of the main reasons is a lack of consistent scoring—the club ranks in the bottom half in goals. That will be a major area to address.
Why Is This a Match? The Red Wings need a plug-and-play option who can play a two-way style, and Eriksson fits the bill. With names such as Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg into their mid-to-late 30s, the time is now for Detroit, and Eriksson is the type of veteran who won't skip a beat in adjusting to a new team.
6. Boston Bruins: LW Andrew Ladd
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His Credentials: Andrew Ladd of the Chicago Blackhawks is a rugged, scoring winger with size—he is 6'3" and 200 pounds. Ladd was captain of the Winnipeg Jets before the trade-deadline deal that sent him to Chicago.
What Is the Team Need? The Boston Bruins said goodbye to Milan Lucic in the summer of 2015 and may lose Loui Eriksson to free agency this year. The Bruins need veteran wingers who can score and play a physical style—a trademark of Boston hockey for decades.
Why Is This a Match? The Bruins will be looking for an offensive forward to replace Eriksson and would get the added benefit of size from an edgy player who can offer a physical presence for any line. Ladd's leadership skills will also come in handy as the Bruins continue their transition to a younger group.
5. Anaheim Ducks: C David Backes
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His Credentials: David Backes of the St. Louis Blues is a rugged center who can impact the game in all areas. He is an experienced player and a consistent performer who could fit in with any team.
What Is the Team Need? The Anaheim Ducks are a quality team that is entering the window of opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. One area it may look to address this summer is center, where Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler offer quality play but the rest of the depth chart lacks a substantial option.
Why Is This a Match? The Ducks have cap room and will have more when their many unrestricted free agents are set free July 1. Backes is 31, and even though he has time left in his career, signing with Anaheim would give him an excellent chance at a Stanley Cup ring.
4. Los Angeles Kings: LW Milan Lucic
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His Credentials: Milan Lucic of the Los Angeles Kings is the NHL's ultimate power forward. He combines size, skill and intimidation to form an effective—and unique—package.
What Is the Team Need? The Kings dealt for Lucic because some of their heavy forwards—like Dustin Brown—were no longer able to impact the games offensively as they had in previous seasons. A power winger who can play with the team's best players—as Lucic does with Los Angeles—can impact the game in important moments. In a real way, Lucic brings rugged play to the skill shifts of every game, and the Kings require that player in order to play their style.
Why Is This a Match? Los Angeles is a heavy, strong team that makes life miserable for opposition. Coach Darryl Sutter employs big men who can skate and execute, with the idea that wearing down opponents will increase turnovers and produce goals. The personification of this style of play is Lucic—he is the quintessential modern Los Angeles Kings player.
3. Buffalo Sabres: D Brian Campbell
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His Credentials: Brian Campbell is an effective NHL defenseman who remains mobile and helps in all areas—despite the fact he will turn 37 in May.
What Is the Team Need? The Buffalo Sabres are a young, emerging team that is trying to climb up the standings. Since arriving as general manager, Tim Murray has added some veteran pieces to mentor the kids. He made a major splash in his first free-agent summer in 2014—as reported by Joe Yerdon of NHL.com—adding veterans like Brian Gionta. Since then, names like Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane and Ryan O'Reilly have found their way to Buffalo.
Why Is This a Match? Campbell was drafted by the Sabres and has done a fabulous job as the mentor for young Aaron Ekblad while a member of the Florida Panthers. He could be effective in the same role for young Buffalo defender Rasmus Ristolainen in the coming seasons.
2. St. Louis Blues: F Steven Stamkos
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His Credentials: Steve Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is an elite scorer, possibly the finest of his generation. The fact he is reaching free agency at age 26 is going to mean NHL teams are willing to alter their budgets to make room. Prepare for a mammoth courting period for Stamkos across the NHL.
What Is the Team Need? The St. Louis Blues play in the NHL's strongest division and cannot get past the Chicago Blackhawks, among others. Part of the problem comes from their high-priced players, as they are not delivering elite production. Paul Stastny is a prime example. The Blues need another elite talent to go with Vladimir Tarasenko.
Why Is This a Match? Stamkos will no doubt max out his contract, so there will be a period where he can choose among several suitors. The Blues are a solid organization with a desire to win, and they have enough quality pieces in place to project as a strong Stanley Cup contender through the end of the decade. Among the many teams that will produce attractive offers, St. Louis has an excellent chance to win the summer's biggest prize.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: C Eric Staal
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His Credentials: Eric Staal of the New York Rangers has a complete skill set, although his offense has been inconsistent this season. He can play in all disciplines, has size—he is 6'4" and 205 pounds—and at 31 is ideal for a mentor role for young players.
What Is the Team Need? The Toronto Maple Leafs lack experience at center and are currently relying heavily on Nazem Kadri—only 25 and just past 300 NHL games—to be the team leader at center. Toronto badly needs a more experienced pivot to help with the heavy work.
Why Is This a Match? The Maple Leafs are building a champion from the ground up. With several young wingers arriving via the draft in the next couple of years—including William Nylander and Mitch Marner—Staal would be an ideal center. He could do the heavy lifting while also serving as a player-coach for Toronto's young elite talent.
Note: Rankings are based on 2015-16 cap hit, via General Fanager.
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