NHL Free Agents: 11 Good Fits for Remaining Players
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Free Agents: Good Fits for 11 Remaining Players Looking for Contracts
Most of the top NHL free agents are now off the market following a four-day frenzy that saw most of its action on July 1. Still, roughly 240 players remain without a contract according to generalfanager.com.
Several players are still expected to sign, while others will receive PTOs (professional tryout offers) or minor league deals. Of the remaining names, we’ve identified 11 intriguing NHL free agents still available, and three good fits for each.
NHL Free Agents: Good Fits for 11 Remaining Players
LHD Matt Carle – Good Fits: Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils
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For teams looking for a LH defender that can log big minutes, Carle is a decent option looking to bounce back from a down year that led to his buyout in Tampa Bay.
RW Radim Vrbata – Good Fits: Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers
His play tailed off so much that Vancouver apparently couldn’t find a taker for him as a rental at the deadline. Vrbata could be a decent bottom-six scoring threat moving forward.
C Sam Gagner – Good Fits: Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders
Still only 26-years-old, Gagner has bounced around in recent years. If he can find the right situation, Sam Gagner can be a third line scoring threat.
LW Tuomo Ruutu – Good Fits: Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers
20-goal seasons are long behind him, but there’s still value in a bottom six role. Given his injury history since 2012-13, it would have to be a cheap one year deal.
LW Kris Versteeg – Good Fits: Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks
He found new life in Raleigh in 2015-16, which led to a deadline deal that brought in a nice asset in Valentin Zykov. He’s worth the risk on a short one to two-year deal.
LHD Dennis Seidenberg – Good Fits: Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Given his age and experience, Seidenberg is best suited for a Cup contending team as a depth defender.
C Jiri Hudler – Good Fits: Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers
Just two years removed from a career-high 76 points, Hudler put up less than half of that (35) in 2015-16. He’s only 32, so perhaps this past season was a blip on the radar for the streaky scorer.
RW David Jones – Good Fits: Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils
The type of player who slide up and down an entire lineup, Jones can be a useful role player. Getting him for the right price is the tricky part.
RHD Justin Schultz – Good Fits: Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs
The once highly sought after college free agent watched his value plummet over the past two seasons. Perhaps some team is willing to work with the young defender to help restore his confidence.
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LHD Kris Russell – Good Fits: Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings
Arguably the top defenseman left available, no one blocks more shots than Kris Russell. An effective two-way defender who makes a good first pass, whoever lands Russell is getting a quality player.