Predicting Which NHL Teams Will Be Most Aggressive in Free Agency

When the NHL's 2017 free-agent market opens on Saturday, several teams could aggressively pursue the best available talent. Their general managers, such as the New Jersey Devils' Ray Shero, might make a significant signing or two to bolster their rosters. 

Some teams, such as the Devils and Arizona Coyotes, must both improve their rosters and reach the $55.4 million salary-cap minimum for 2017-18. Others, such as the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators, could turn to free agency to address specific roster needs. 

Here are our predictions for the NHL teams expected to be the most aggressive in free agency this summer. Feel free to voice your opinion on this subject in the comments section below. 

Ottawa Senators

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During the recent NHL expansion draft, the Vegas Golden Knights selected veteran defenseman Marc Methot from the Ottawa Senators. On Sunday, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported Dorion will scan the unrestricted free-agent market for a replacement.

Methot was a key member of the Senators' blue-line corps, skating with superstar captain Erik Karlsson on the top defense pairing. They'll miss his experience and physical style. 

The Senators have over $61 million invested in 18 players for 2017-18, with their core players signed through next season. Notable restricted free agents include Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Ryan Dzingel. Dorion could also attempt to re-sign pending UFA forward Viktor Stalberg. 

Options to replace the departed Methot could include Calgary's Michael Stone and Washington's Karl Alzner. The latter could be expensive, but Garrioch suggested the Sens could afford him if they can move veteran blueliner Dion Phaneuf. 

Arizona Coyotes

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It's been a busy month for Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka. He traded goaltender Mike Smith to the Calgary Flames, acquired defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson from the Chicago Blackhawks, and dealt for center Derek Stepan and goalie Antti Raanta from the New York Rangers. He also decided not to re-sign longtime captain Shane Doan.

Chayka might not be finished making moves. The Coyotes were among the NHL's worst teams last season. Their recent acquisitions should improve their roster. They also have some promising young talent in Max Domi, Brendan Perlini, Christian Dvorak and Dylan Strome. However, they could use more experienced depth throughout the roster. 

With Doan not returning, Chayka's remaining notable free agents are forwards Radim Vrbata, Anthony Duclair and recently acquired Nick Cousins, along with goaltender Chad Johnson. With $49.7 million tied up in 19 players, he must spend over $6 million simply to reach the salary-cap floor. 

Chayka isn't expected to spend to the $75 million cap ceiling. But if he chooses, the Coyotes GM has sufficient room to pursue a big-ticket player via free agency. Perhaps he'll make a play for Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov or Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner. 

Carolina Hurricanes

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Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis recently made a couple of notable moves to improve his roster for 2017-18. He acquired and signed goaltender Scott Darling and swung a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk. Francis could also turn to the free-agent market to improve his club this summer. 

The Hurricanes were 20th last season in goals per game (212). There's a significant need for scoring forwards, especially at center. Francis could draw upon his considerable blue-line depth to acquire a scorer via trade. If a suitable deal can't be found by Saturday, he could look for help via free agency. 

Francis has over $50 million devoted to 19 players in 2017-18 and must spend over $6 million to reach the salary-cap minimum. With all his core players under contract for next season, he has the room to a splash in the free-agent pool. 

This year's market is thin on top-flight scorers, but there are several options Francis could consider. Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov is the best available forward. Former Hurricanes winger Justin Williams is also available. Centers include Pittsburgh's Nick Bonino and Minnesota's Martin Hanzal.  

New York Rangers

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New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton recently shook up his roster. On June 14, he announced the club would buy out the contract of defenseman Dan Girardi. On June 23, he shipped center Derek Stepan and backup goalie Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes.

Having freed up considerable salary-cap space for 2017-18, Gorton could be busy in the upcoming free-agent market. His biggest need is a right-handed defenseman to skate on the right side of the top defense pairing alongside captain Ryan McDonagh. He could also seek affordable replacements for Stepan and Raanta. 

Thanks to Gorton's recent moves, the Rangers have $20 million in salary-cap room. Their notable restricted free agents include forwards Mika Zibanejad, Jesper Fast and Brandon Pirri. Defenseman Brendan Smith and agitating forward Tanner Glass are unrestricted free agents. 

Once Gorton re-signs his RFAs, he could have sufficient room to pursue a top-pairing blueliner. Kevin Shattenkirk of the Washington Capitals is the best available in the UFA market, but he will be expensive. Calgary Flames rearguard Michael Stone would be a cheaper option but he's not as skilled as Shattenkirk. 

New Jersey Devils

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The New Jersey Devils won the draft lottery and selected Halifax Mooseheads center Nico Hischier first overall in the 2017 NHL draft. While Hischier should be a big part of their long-term future, the Devils must address their significant roster needs for next season. To do so, general manager Ray Shero could consider making some free-agent acquisitions.

Shero's roster needs help at both ends of the ice. Only the Colorado Avalanche (165 goals) and Vancouver Canucks (178) scored fewer goals in 2016-17 than the Devils (180). They also allowed the 10th-most shots against per game (31.4). 

The Devils have over $50.5 million invested in 14 players for next season. Their noteworthy free agents include defenseman Damon Severson, forward Jacob Josefson and backup goaltender Keith Kinkaid. They must spend $5 million to reach the $55.4 million salary-cap minimum for 2017-18.

Shero has sufficient cap space to re-sign his key players and pursue some of the best free agents on the market. He could make a pitch for Washington Capitals blueliners Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner. Forward options could include Alexander Radulov and Justin Williams. 

Buffalo Sabres

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On May 11, the Buffalo Sabres hired Jason Botterill as their new general manager. His primary task is to improve a rebuilding roster that struggled to make progress last season. One way could be making a big splash in this summer's free-agent pool. 

Defense was the Sabres' biggest weakness in 2016-17. They gave up the most shots against per game (34.3) and were 25th in penalty-killing percentage (77.6). Their porous defense was partly to blame for their high goals against per game (2.82). The offense was also an issue, though that partly because of top forwards Jack Eichel and Evander Kane missing part of the season to injuries. 

With over $50 million allotted to 16 players, the Sabres must spend over $5 million to reach the $55.4 million salary-cap floor. Re-signing restricted free agents such as goaltender Robin Lehner, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and left wing Marcus Foligno should address that issue. Botterill will still have considerable space to pursue one or two big-ticket UFAs.

Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner of the Washington Capitals are this summer's top UFA blueliners. They'll command top dollar for their services. Botterill has the room to pursue one or both, but he'll have his work cut out for him selling those two on staking their long-term futures with the rebuilding Sabres. 

Colorado Avalanche

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The Colorado Avalanche hit rock-bottom in 2016-17, finishing dead last in the league's overall standings. General manager Joe Sakic could attempt to shake things via trades and through the unrestricted free-agent market. 

This club needs to bolster its offense and improve its defense. The Avalanche had the dubious distinction of scoring the fewest goals (165) last season while giving up the most (276). They also had the league's worst power-play percentage (12.6), the second-worst penalty-kill percentage (77.6) and gave up the seventh-most shots again per game (31.7). This is a roster that needs a lot of work. 

Sakic has over $53 million invested in 13 players. He has the cap space to re-sign restricted free agents such as Nikita Zadarov and Matt Nieto and still pursue one or two quality unrestricted free agents. If he finds a suitable trade return for center Matt Duchene ($6 million annual average salary), he could have more room to work with in the UFA market. 

It's doubtful Sakic can convince defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to return to the team where his NHL career began. He could have better luck pursuing shutdown blueliner Karl Alzner or puck-moving rearguard Michael Stone. Veteran scorers who could be available include Montreal's Alexander Radulov and Florida's Thomas Vanek.

Player and team info via NHL.com. Salary info (as of Monday) via CapFriendly.