2019 NHL free agency: 5 potential low-cost bargains

Joonas Donskoi

Joonas Donskoi is a cap casualty of the San Jose Sharks. He’s expected to hit the free agent market and he could wind up providing whoever signs him with a ton of value. Donskoi drives play on both ends of the ice and can put in a decent amount of points on top of that.

The Sharks were an outstanding team in expected goals last season. Donksoi made them 4.4% better when he was on the ice, which is incredible. The knock on him is he doesn’t contribute enough on the score sheet.

However, Donskoi contributes enough. He has at least 30 points in three of his last four seasons. That’s perfectly acceptable for a top-nine forward. And it will probably keep his cost around $3 million a year or maybe even lower.

Another underrated skill he brings to the table is his ability to draw penalties while staying out of the penalty box. Donksoi’s +17 penalty differential is tied for 17th in the NHL among forwards over the past two seasons. He’s got the second-lowest TOI of anyone on the list too.

Donskoi’s value comes through things you don’t see on the scoresheet. This will keeps his price pretty low. Donskoi would be a valuable addition to anyone’s top-nine. If you play him with skilled linemates, he might even start getting pucks in the net.