NHL free agency: Best landing spots for top 5 remaining free agents

5. Patrick Marleau – San Jose Sharks

The cap-strapped Toronto Maple Leafs had to make sacrifices this offseason, and that meant moving on from well-respected veteran Patrick Marleau. General manager Kyle Dubas was so desperate to get out of Marleau’s deal that he attached a first-round pick (plus a seventh-round choice) to the Hurricanes for taking on the contract.

The Hurricanes, of course, would buy out Marleau — and he has yet to find a new home. The 40-year-old has made it clear (via Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, subscription required), that he would like to go back to rejoin the San Jose Sharks, saying “it would be nice to come back” to where his career started.

It makes perfect sense for the Sharks to reunite for Marleau, and not for sentimental purposes. They already lost captain and locker room leader Joe Pavelski in free agency, so there’s a major leadership void that needs to be filled.

And even though he’s no longer a reliable 30-goal scorer (even 20 is unlikely at this point), Marleau remains a capable second or third-liner. He did manage 16 goals and 37 points in a reduced row last season, after all.

Bringing back Marleau on a cheap one-year pact makes sense for both parties here. The Sharks need to replace some of Pavelski’s offense. Marleau can do that, all while providing extra leadership and motivation to a team whose Cup window is closing fast.

4. Derick Brassard – Edmonton Oilers

Veteran forward Derick Brassard was a capable middle-six forward for the Ottawa Senators, but his play has gone downhill ever since he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the 2018 deadline.

Brassard only had 15 points in 40 games for Pittsburgh last season. He had brief stops with the Florida Panthers (just four points in 10 games) and Colorado Avalanche (four points in 20 games). As such, Brassard entered free agency with very minimal value.

But we are talking about a player with six 40-point seasons, as well as five campaigns of 17-plus goals, on his resume. A change of scenery is all Brassard really needs in order to regain that top-six form.

Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal recently reported that the Edmonton Oilers “have some interest in” Brassard. New general manager Ken Holland only has about 2.433 million to work with, according to CapFriendly. Brassard should be willing to take a one-year pact worth around $2 million.

Brassard has some experience playing on the wing, and perhaps he would shine on the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or even Leon Draisaitl if the Oilers take him off of Connor McDavid‘s line.

No matter who centers the second line, Brassard would be a better fit than practically anybody else Edmonton has used over the past two years. Ideally, Brassard accepts a one-year deal and tries to reset his value for next year. It’s a win-win for both sides since Edmonton would also receive a reliable top-six forward to help the secondary scoring.

3. Justin Williams – Carolina Hurricanes

Williams enjoyed a superb bounce-back season at 37 years of age, tallying 23 goals and 53 points. That marked the most productive season for “Mr. Game 7” since the 2011-12 season, when he tallied 22 goals and 57 points.

Captain Williams was instrumental in helping the Hurricanes make a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Final, where they were ultimately swept by the Boston Bruins. He tallied four goals and three assists in 15 playoff games, including one game-winning goal.

It’s well-known by now that if Williams decides to return for another year, it’ll be with the Hurricanes. Not only that, but it’s simply hard to think of a better fit for the three-time Stanley Cup champion than Carolina.

Williams was instrumental in leading Carolina to their first Stanley Cup championship back in 2006. He decided to come back home two offseasons ago, and Williams has continued to produce strong numbers while emerging as the locker room leader on a big character team.

The Hurricanes aren’t going to rush Williams on this decision. It’s hard to envision him not coming back, given the 53-point season and the fact Carolina was just four wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

If Williams gives it another year, why would he leave Carolina? Both sides want to stay loyal. His second tenure in Raleigh has been a massive success. There’s no reason for this partnership to end in 2019-20.

2. Joe Thornton – San Jose Sharks

Like Williams, Joe Thornton will either retire or simply play another season with his current team. The future Hall of Famer won’t be signing anywhere else if he decides to give it one more shot at a Stanley Cup.

He hasn’t given an answer yet, but it’s hard to envision Thornton hanging up the skates after taking his Sharks all the way to Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. Thornton posted 16 goals and 51 points in 73 games last season, thus showing his ability to produce as a reliable No. 2 center.

As mentioned earlier, the Sharks lost Pavelski to free agency. But if they can sign bring back Marleau and/or Thornton, it will soften some of the blow. If the Sharks can land both, general manager Doug Wilson will be icing yet another championship-caliber team going into 2019-20.

The Sharks are the best fit for Thornton when it comes to his personal/family life. This is where he and his wife have raised their children, after all. Thornton has been with the Sharks since 2005, and it’s hard to see him turning his back on them now.

And finally, the Sharks are the best fit for Thornton when it comes to competing for a Stanley Cup. The other contenders have their rosters set, and the bulk of those teams wouldn’t be able to afford Thornton anyway. Add it all up, and the Sharks are unquestionably the best and most logical fit for Thornton.

1. Jake Gardiner – Winnipeg Jets

It’s extremely surprising to see Jake Gardiner available over a month after free agency opened. Sure, he had a very forgettable and disappointing exit in Toronto, but it’s not easy finding capable top-four defensemen these days.

And yet, nobody has opened up their wallets for Gardiner, who’s only a year removed from a career-best 52-point season. Despite missing 20 games in 2018-19, Gardiner recorded a respectable 30 points — while posting a superb 52.2% Corsi For percentage.

Gardiner may be mistake-prone in his own zone, but he makes up for it with a great combination of speed, puck-moving, and offensive skills. And that’s what brings us to the Winnipeg Jets as the perfect destination for Gardiner.

The Jets already lost three defensemen in Jacob Trouba, Ben Chiarot, and Tyler Myers. After missing out on the chance to add Kevin Shattenkirk, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff should have his eyes set on Gardiner.

The 29-year-old Gardiner would fit nicely in Winnipeg’s top-four. His skillset would mesh well with the likes of Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Blake Wheeler, and Dustin Byfuglien. It’s not crazy to think he could post a 50 or 60-point season in this star-studded Jets team.

Whether he wants a lucrative multi-year deal or just a one-year pact in order to reset his value for 2020, Gardiner should be eyeing the Jets. And the Jets should be eyeing Gardiner. He could be the final piece in helping this team compete for a Stanley Cup in 2020. It’s a perfect match.