Buying or Selling the Latest Speculation for 2017 NHL Free Agency

The NHL's annual unrestricted free-agent market opens at noon p.m. ET on Saturday. For notable players such as Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, it's an opportunity to cash in by signing a lucrative long-term contract. 

Shattenkirk and fellow Capitals blueliner Karl Alzner are among several players who could turn their first forays into unrestricted free agency into expensive new deals. Some veterans, such as San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton, face the difficult choice of remaining with their longtime teams or seeking better offers elsewhere. 

With Saturday fast approaching, there's growing speculation over where these players could end up. Here's a look at the most notable worth buying or selling. Feel free to express your views on this subject in the comments section below. 

Steve Mason to the Winnipeg Jets?

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

The Speculation

The Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe reported Tuesday the Winnipeg Jets contacted the representatives of Philadelphia Flyers free-agent goaltender Steve Mason. Wiebe also reports Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott could also be an option for the Jets.

Analysis

Wiebe said bringing in an experienced goalie is among the Jets' offseason priorities. They need a veteran to share the workload with promising Connor Hellebuyck. Mason, 29, has played nine NHL seasons and won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2009. He's had consistency issues, but when he's on his game, he's strong in the crease. 

Buy or Sell?

Buy. The Jets definitely need help in goal. Whether it's Mason or Elliott, one of them could be landing in Winnipeg soon. 

Could Patrick Sharp Return to the Chicago Blackhawks?

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The Speculation

The Athletic's Brian Hedger reported Monday a source claimed the Chicago Blackhawks were interested in bringing back left wing Patrick Sharp. The Hawks dealt Sharp to the Dallas Stars in July 2015 as a cost-cutting measure. Hedger's source suggested they could attempt to sign him to a low-risk deal via free agency.

Analysis

Now 35, Sharp was a key part of the Blackhawks' three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. In his first season with the Stars, he enjoyed a 20-goal, 55-point performance. Injuries, however, limited him to just 18 points in 48 games in 2016-17. 

Buy or Sell?

Sell. Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that a Sharp reunion with the Blackhawks was unlikely. While there's interest from the Sharp camp, Lazerus said the Hawks aren't as keen. 

Radim Vrbata to the Boston Bruins?

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The Speculation

The Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont reported Tuesday a source close to Arizona Coyotes right wing Radim Vrbata said he could be interested in signing with the Boston Bruins. Dupont added the Bruins looked into acquiring the veteran forward leading up to the March 1 trade deadline. 

Analysis

Vrbata, 36, enjoyed a solid performance on a lousy Coyotes team last season. With 20 goals and 55 points, he was their leading scorer. The Bruins have over $12 million in salary-cap space. Up to half of it could go toward re-signing restricted free agent right wing David Pastrnak. 

Buy or Sell?

Sell. The Bruins' interest in Vrbata at last season's trade deadline was likely as a rental player. He was on a one-year, bonus-laden contract last season totaling $3.25 million and could seek more on his next deal. If he's willing to stay in Arizona, the Coyotes have sufficient cap room ($22 million) to re-sign him.

Ilya Kovalchuk to the Columbus Blue Jackets?

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The Speculation

During a Tuesday appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Columbus Blue Jackets president John Davidson acknowledged his club's interest in former New Jersey Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk. Davidson said he didn't know where that interest could go. He admitted speaking with Kovalchuk's agent, expecting they'll be in discussions soon. He's also leaving the final decision up to Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Analysis

Kovalchuk, 34, retired from the Devils in 2013 and spent the past four seasons playing in Russia. He's apparently interested in returning to the NHL in 2017-18. In 816 career NHL games, he scored 417 goals and 816 points. The Devils still hold his rights but could sign him on Saturday and then trade him to another club if he prefers. 

Buy or Sell?

Based on Davidson's comments, buy. The Blue Jackets appear keen to build upon last season's franchise-best 108-point performance. Though Kovalchuk's been out of the league for a few years, he remains a well-regarded scoring winger. If a trade can be worked out, Kovalchuk could be donning a Blue Jacket. 

Karl Alzner to the Montreal Canadiens?

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The Speculation

On Tuesday, the Montreal Gazette's Pat Hickey cited a report by Journal de Montreal's Jean-Francois Chaumont in which Alzner expressed interest in signing with the Montreal Canadiens. 

Analysis

The Canadiens lost Alexei Emelin to the Vegas Golden Knights in last week's expansion draft. Hickey felt Alzner could be a suitable replacement, though he noted the 28-year-old blueliner's foot speed could be a concern. Alzner is a durable shutdown blueliner who hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2010-11.

Buy or Sell?

Buy, especially if longtime Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov departs via free agency. On Tuesday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated Alzner could seek between $4 million to $5 million annually. The Habs have over $21 million in salary-cap space for 2017-18, giving them sufficient room to sign him if they wish.

Joe Thornton to the Los Angeles Kings?

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The Speculation

On Tuesday, LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen reported the Kings were in contact with Thornton, who's spent nearly 12 seasons with the Sharks. If he hits the open market, Rosen said the Kings consider him "a priority." 

Analysis

Rosen pointed out Thornton, who turns 38 on Sunday, has ties with several people in the Kings organization, notably general manager Rob Blake. Despite his age and the drop in his production last season, they value his playmaking abilities. The Kings have nearly $65 million invested in 17 players for 2017-18. They could squeeze Thornton into their payroll on an affordable short-term contract.  

Buy or Sell? 

Sell. As noteworthy as it would be for Thornton to depart San Jose for one of their California rivals, he might be using the Kings as leverage to squeeze the Sharks for a better deal. He could also price himself out of the Kings' comfort zone. 

Kevin Shattenkirk to the Tampa Bay Lightning?

Nick Wass/Associated Press

The Speculation

On Sunday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported the Tampa Bay Lightning were among several teams to contact Shattenkirk. Smith noted the Lightning attempted to acquire the 28-year-old from the St. Louis Blues earlier this season before he was traded to the Capitals. 

Analysis

Shattenkirk would certainly fill the Lightning's need for a mobile top-four blueliner with a right-handed shot. However, he'll be expensive to sign. As arguably the top player available in the UFA market, he could command well over $6 million annually on a seven-year deal. Tampa Bay carries over $20 million in salary-cap space, but they must also re-sign forwards Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. 

Buy or Sell?

It's worth buying into the Lightning's obvious interest in Shattenkirk. Whether he lands there or not is another matter. The New Rochelle, New York, native could prefer joining the New York Rangers or perhaps the Buffalo Sabres. If they pass, the Bolts could be Shattenkirk's best landing spot. 

Player info via NHL.com. Salary info via CapFriendly.