NHL Free Agents 2016: Ranking Top Available Players at Every Position

This year's free-agent crop has one amazing talent in Steven Stamkos—who is young enough to have a long run with a new team—and several attractive and expensive options.

In most years, a Stamkos or Milan Lucic would have been signed. In the case of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings, respectively, the cap crunch makes it very difficult to sign players. This week, those teams and others will attempt to trade out bad contracts—even if there is a loss in value—in an effort to get into the conversation.

This year's free-agent pool is heavy on goalies, light on defense and all of the scoring forwards are going to get paid. The cap hits may be less this year—cap problems are rife throughout the league—but as we have seen in every year, the great NHL players will be handsomely rewarded for long terms.

Here are the top free agents based by position on projected future performance.

Goaltenders

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1. James Reimer, San Jose Sharks, 2015-16 cap hit: $2,300,000

Reimer is easily the top option in free agency for teams looking for goaltending. Reimer ranked No. 1 among NHL goalies in even-strength save percentage—among those who played in 35 or more games—and should be available at a reasonable cap number.

Reimer lost his starting job with the Toronto Maple Leafs but played very well there and in San Jose after being dealt. A team with an opening for a No. 1 goalie—or looking for a strong backup who can take over—would do well to pursue Reimer.

2. Chad Johnson, Buffalo Sabres, 2015-16 cap hit: $1,300,000

Johnson might be the most attractive option for a team needing a backup who can play more if required. He was brilliant for the Sabres last year, finishing No. 16 overall in even-strength save percentage.

One of the things that may appeal to teams is Johnson is an established backup who could be emerging late—he is 30—as a starter.

3. Karri Ramo, Calgary Flames, 2015-16 cap hit: $3,800,000

Ramo is ranked No. 28 in even-strength save percentage this past season, so he may have to repair his reputation as a backup before getting another starting shot. If he is willing to take a backup role, Ramo should be able to re-establish himself as a top option.

Ramo just beat out Jhonas Enroth in this ranking, and the latter could be a more attractive option for a Stanley Cup contender.

Left Winger

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1. Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings, 2015-16 cap hit: $2,300,000

One of the most attractive free agents this summer is Milan Lucic, who is a genuinely unique player. Lucic can serve as a policeman on a top line while also contributing offensively. 

Any team interested in the big man will be paying large money and term—this deal could go six or seven years and over $40 million in total.

He ranked No. 13 among left wingers offensively this past season, but the price point will make him one of the highest-paid wingers in the game once he signs.

2. Andrew Ladd, Chicago Blackhawks, 2015-16 cap hit: $4,400,000

Ladd is a solid veteran with a range of skills. He has size, can score goals and is regarded as a leader. A team missing out on Lucic would probably check down to Ladd without hesitation.

He finished in a tie for No. 25 overall in scoring among NHL left wingers this past season. His offense eroded last year, and he is 30 while having played over 750 games in the league. Still, he should have plenty of track left and may cash in during this summer's free-agent period.

3. Mikkel Boedker, Colorado Avalanche, 2015-16 cap hit: $3,750,000

Boedker is young—26—and may be more attractive than Ladd to some teams because of his youth. He had an uneven season, and that could impact his overall value, but a 51-point winger is going to earn a nice contract.

His speed probably attracts more teams, but I have him behind Ladd due to consistency issues.

Center

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1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2015-16 cap hit: $7,500,000

The quick trip to full free agency by Stamkos has to send shivers down the spines of NHL general managers. At the relatively young age of 26, he will be free to sign anywhere with the promise of a decade or more of high performance. The mind boggles at the possibilities, and for fans the excitement of July 1 will be real and spectacular.

Imagine the fan explosion if Stamkos arrives in a new city with a monster contract in hand. This might sound like hyperbole, but a team might win the Stanley Cup on July 1—if a strong contender could find a way to add Stamkos.

2. Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders, 2015-16 cap hit: $2,750,000

One of the most underpaid players in the game, Nielsen is a fantastic two-way player who elevates everyone around him. As his player page at Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com shows, his teammates perform better with him than without—pretty much across the board.

He is a talented offensive player—52 points last season—who can play in all disciplines and in multiple positions. An extremely valuable player, it is shocking the Islanders did not get him signed. 

3. David Backes, St. Louis Blues, 2015-16 cap hit: $4,500,000

Backes delivers skill, physical play and aggression on every shift, and NHL teams love that combination.

Among the major free agents this season, Backes is the most likely to receive a giant contract that exceeds his actual value—and he has terrific value. He scored eight goals on the power play, 13 at even strength and was a load all year. The list of teams who will be after him is long.

Right Wing

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1. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders, 2015-16 cap hit: $2,800,000

Okposo is one of the best young offensive wingers in the game, and he arrives at free agency as the No. 6 scoring right winger in 2015-16. His 23 power-play points ranks him as one of the best in the game at that discipline—and offense gets paid in free agency. 

A team acquiring Okposo should receive an immediate boost in the performance of its top line and it is unlikely he will spend much time before landing in a new NHL city.

2. Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins, 2015-16 cap hit: $4,250,000

The veteran winger was a big a part of the return in the Tyler Seguin trade, so losing him has to be a bitter pill for the Bruins.

The 30-year-old is a strong even-strength player who can put up points in the discipline—and as Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com shows—he is a successful possession player. A team acquiring Eriksson will likely see a more productive line in all game states, but the even-strength push will be obvious.

3. Shane Doan, Arizona Coyotes, 2015-16 cap hit: $5,300,000

Arizona could be without its most famous player in the fall, and the only man to have played every season in the desert. Doan, the Coyotes franchise cornerstone in Winnipeg and in Arizona, is a complete free agent and is not signed.

General manager John Chayka told Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic something will get done, but it still seems strange seeing Doan on the free-agent list.

Defense

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1. Jason Demers, Dallas Stars, 2015-16 cap hit: $3,400,000

Demers is an effective two-way defender who chose a good time to enter free agency. He played almost 21 minutes a game with Dallas in 2015-16—playing in all game states. He is also righthanded, a real rarity this summer.

Although his scoring numbers don't imply a gigantic payoff, Demers should be able to get big money and term on July 1. At 28, he is young enough to help an NHL team for several years.

2. Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers, 2015-16 cap hit: $7,142,875

Campbell is ancient by NHL standards, but he is an outstanding skater and that keeps him younger than his 37 years. He led the Panthers in playing time among defenders in 2015-16 and was productive even as he passed 1,000 games in the NHL.

Campbell will be attractive to a Stanley Cup contender, but he would also add great value to a young team looking for a mentor. He was impressive in that role with Aaron Ekblad, helping the youngster find his way in his first two seasons.

3. Kris Russell, Dallas Stars, 2015-16 cap hit: $2,600,000

Russell is a throwback defender and some teams will place a high value on him in free agency. He ranked No. 2 league wide in blocks by a defenseman and that reflects his game.

Russell delivers most of his value away from the puck and a team needing a defenseman who can play 23 minutes a night will no doubt make a call.

All free-agent information and cap numbers via General Fanager.