NHL Free Agents 2017: Final Predictions for Where Top Players Will Land

Enough talking. Let's get down to business!

On Saturday at noon ET, the National Hockey League's 2017 free-agency period will begin.

There are no true superstars offering their services to the highest bidder this year, but there are plenty of high-profile players who could make a positive impact if they land with the right club in the right situation.

Here's a look at 10 of the biggest names in this year's free-agent market, and where we might see them touch down once they've signed on the dotted line.

Kevin Shattenkirk, Defense

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 28 

Previous Contract: 4 years, AAV $4.25 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 80 GP, 13-43-56; Playoffs: 13 GP, 1-5-6

Where He'll Land 

When Kevin Shattenkirk was dealt to the Washington Capitals at February's trade deadline, it seemed likely that he'd be a true rental player. His hope was that he'd be able to sign a long-term contract with his preferred team, the New York Rangers, when free agency arrived on July 1.

That day has nearly come, but it doesn't sound like New York general manager Jeff Gorton has arranged to back up the Brinks truck to Shattenkirk's door. According to a tweet from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Shattenkirk "would have to leave millions on table to sign" with the Rangers. 

That leaves room for other teams to swoop in and sweeten the pot. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet suggests that the Buffalo Sabres are a "serious suitor" and that the Dallas Stars might make an offer, while Brooks suggests that the New Jersey Devils could be "among most serious and aggressive bidders."

Don't get spooked. The Rangers have an open roster spot and the requisite salary-cap space to bring in the much-needed power-play specialist. Both sides might need to bend more than they'd like, but Shattenkirk will end up with the New York Rangers.

Alexander Radulov, Right Wing

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Age: 30 (turns 31 on July 5)

Previous Contract: 1 year, AAV $5.75 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 76 GP, 18-36-54; Playoffs: 6 GP, 2-5-7

Where He'll Land 

Alexander Radulov and the Montreal Canadiens made a good match after the enigmatic Russian was signed to a one-year contract a year ago. But when Pierre LeBrun of TSN suggested that Radulov was now looking for six years at $7 million per season for his new contract, he said: "No way Habs do that."

According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Renaud Lavoie of TVA reported that Radulov is in discussions with 12 interested teams and that fellow Russian Evgeni Malkin is trying to convince him to take a short-term deal to come win a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Radulov may take some time after free agency officially opens to see if a team that interests him is willing to meet his full price. More likely, after further discussions, his team will come to an agreement with Montreal that both sides can live with.

Karl Alzner, Defense

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 28

Previous Contract: 4 years, AAV $2.8 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 82 GP, 3-10-13; Playoffs: 7 GP, 0-0-0

Where He'll Land 

Speaking of Montreal, Friedman says it's one of the teams that hosted in-demand defenseman Karl Alzner during the discussion period before free agency officially opens. "It sounds like the Canadiens are serious," he added.

With just five defensemen currently signed for next season and 38-year-old UFA Andrei Markov said to be asking for a two-year deal at $6 million per season, according to Lavoie, the Habs could get someone a decade younger for about the same cap hit if they signed Alzner instead. He doesn't drive the offense like Markov, but he has been a steady piece of one of the league's best defenses in Washington for his entire 591-game NHL career.

Craig Custance of The Athletic suggests that the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks may also be interested in Alzner, but Montreal sounds like a fit. Expect Montreal GM Marc Bergevin to announce this deal shortly after free agency opens, then get to work on Radulov before making a final decision on Markov.

Joe Thornton, Center

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 37 (turns 38 on Sunday) 

Previous Contract: 3 years, AAV $6.75 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 79 GP, 7-43-50; Playoffs: 4 GP, 0-2-2

Where He'll Land 

For an almost-38-year-old who tore his ACL and MCL last April, then played through the injury in four playoff games, Joe Thornton is getting a lot of love around the league as an impending free agent.

His legend is strong—a playmaker who's second only to Jaromir Jagr in assists among active players, per QuantHockey. Thornton was also a Stanley Cup finalist just one year ago, and finished fifth in voting for both the Hart Trophy and the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2015-16, according to Hockey Reference.

Teams around the league have been burned by Thornton for years, so now they want him on their side. 

Friedman lists seven teams that have talked to either Thornton or his partner in crime, Patrick Marleau, and admits "I'm on the low side" in quantifying the total interest.

Since the rival Los Angeles Kings stand out as the strongest suitors so far, that ups the ante for the Sharks to bring Thornton back. After soaking up all the attention from around the league, expect to see Jumbo Joe re-sign where he and his family are happy and comfortable, back in San Jose.

Martin Hanzal, Center

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Age: 30

Previous Contract: 5 years, AAV $3.1 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 71 GP, 20-19-39; Playoffs: 5 GP, 1-0-1

Where He'll Land 

If it happens in Arizona, does anybody see it? Martin Hanzal is a massive 6'6" center who plied his trade with the Coyotes for the better part of 10 seasons, but he remains a bit of an enigma in NHL circles.

The Minnesota Wild paid richly for him at the trade deadline, hoping he'd help their playoff cause. Hanzal's early performance was promising—13 points in the final 20 regular-season games. But Minnesota won only one postseason game before being eliminated by the St. Louis Blues, with Hanzal chipping in just a single playoff goal.

Hanzal's being seen as a second-tier option down the middle in this year's free-agent class—the player that teams could pursue if they don't land Joe Thornton.

Expect a Western Conference team that's familiar with Hanzal's skill set to win the bidding for his services. Los Angeles would be a logical option if the Kings don't reel in Thornton.

Justin Williams, Right Wing

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 35

Previous Contract: 2 years, AAV $3.25 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 80 GP, 24-24-48; Playoffs: 13 GP, 3-6-9

Where He'll Land 

Mr. Game 7 was a healthy and productive member of the Washington Capitals for two seasons. He averaged 50 points a year and didn't disappear in the playoffs—he even echoed past heroics with his clutch overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the first round.

But the Capitals signed Williams to help them finally get past the second round and compete for the Stanley Cup. That didn't happen, so the three-time Cup winner is now moving on to new horizons.

Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted on Thursday that Williams has now narrowed his list down to three or four teams. Dreger also confirmed that Dallas was a potential destination. The Stars are remaking themselves under the direction of new coach Ken Hitchcock and looking to shore up all aspects of their team after a disappointing 2016-17 campaign.

Williams is a steady veteran who has had success in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Kings. He also has a flair for the dramatic. He could be an excellent fit in the Lone Star State.

Jaromir Jagr, Right Wing

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Age: 45 

Previous Contract: 1 years, AAV $5.515 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 82 GP, 16-30-46

Where He'll Land 

Nowhere? 

On Thursday, the NHL's oldest player tweeted that he hadn't received a single phone call about his services for next season. "I'm trying to call them, and no ones picking up," he wrote.

To date, Jagr has played for eight teams during his 1,711-game NHL career. Other than a 34-game stay in Dallas during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, he has spent all of his time in the Eastern Conference. Jagr seemed like he'd discovered Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth when he landed in Florida at the 2015 trade deadline.

We may be seeing Jagr playing the Twitter game just as well as he plays hockey. According to the Associated Press (via the Denver Post), the Panthers do intend to reach out to Jagr's agent, Petr Svoboda. If Jagr can get public opinion on his side and possibly unearth a couple of teams that will be wiling to compete for his services, it can only help his negotiating position once Svoboda and Panthers GM Dale Tallon finally connect.

In the end, expect to see Jagr sign on with Florida for at least one more year.

Nick Bonino, Center

Justin Berl/Getty Images

Age: 29 

Previous Contract: 3 years, AAV $1.9 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 80 GP, 18-19-37; Playoffs: 21 GP, 4-3-7

Where He'll Land 

When you win back-to-back Stanley Cups, you have options. Darren Dreger of TSN reports that Nick Bonino is currently entertaining "serious" interest from "at least 10 teams," and Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden says Bonino's asking price is $16 million over four years.

The Penguins paid Bonino just $1.9 million a year for his two seasons in Pittsburgh—small change for a player who finished in the top 10 in playoff scoring in 2015-16 and chipped in two crucial game-winning goals, then finished out his 2016-17 postseason while playing with a broken fibula.

Originally drafted in the sixth round in 2007, Bonino's success has vastly exceeded original projections. Now that teams are competing for his services, of course he wants to get paid.

Due to Pittsburgh's cap considerations, Bonino won't be back in Steeltown next season. 

One team that's lacking depth down the middle is the Nashville Predators. If captain Mike Fisher retires, Bonino could slot nicely into a similar role, focusing on faceoffs and the penalty kill.

Steve Mason, Goal

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 29 

Previous Contract: 3 years, AAV $4.1 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 58 GP, 26-21-8, 2.66 goals-against average, .908 save percentage, 3 shutouts

Where He'll Land 

The most tangible option connected to Steve Mason so far seems to be the Winnipeg Jets, but according to Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com, sources are indicating that the Jets aren't the only team in the mix.

"Yes, we are considering the Jets, but we are considering every open No. 1 goaltending spot, as we should be, until those spots get filled," Mason's agent, Anton Thun, told Mike Sawatzky at the Winnipeg Free Press.

Assume that Thun is putting on the brakes in case another team steps up at the last minute with a better situation or a better financial offer. Otherwise, Mason will be the next goaltender to get the chance to try to stabilize the crease for an improving Jets team.

Brian Elliott, Goal

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 32 

Previous Contract: 3 years, AAV $2.5 million

2016-17 Stat Line: 49 GP, 26-18-3, 2.55 goals-against average, .910 save percentage, 2 shutouts; Playoffs: 4 GP, 0-3-0, 3.89 goals-against average, .880 save percentage

Where He'll Land 

If Mason's out in Philadelphia, who better to replace him than the UFA goaltender with the second-highest profile this offseason, Brian Elliott?

According to Blues beat writer Andy Strickland, who covered Elliott when he was with St. Louis, it's likely that Elliott will land with the Flyers on a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million.

For the Flyers, that would be a savings from the $4.1 million that Mason had been receiving. For Elliott, coming off a subpar campaign with the Calgary Flames, it would be the best contract of his career.

Book it. Elliott to the Flyers should be a slam dunk on Saturday.

All stats courtesy of NHL.com. Contract information from CapFriendly.