NHL Free Agency: Top 5 potential free agent bargains

3. Kevin Shattenkirk

After an extremely disappointing stint with the New York Rangers, which ended after being bought out just two years into his four-year contract, it was easy to forget that just a few seasons prior, Kevin Shattenkirk was a very good and well-respected player throughout the league. The Tampa Bay Lightning elected to sign him to a one-year deal as a free agent, and he played well for them.

With the Lightning being as good of a team as they are, he was able to play less minutes and have less pressure than years past. It certainly helped, as he recorded a solid eight goals and 34 points in 70 games, while also going plus 22.

Despite the solid bounce back season, he will likely remain an inexpensive option come free agency, and would be a great pickup for a team looking for a top four defenseman who can run a power play. The Lightning provided a great blueprint regarding how to use Shattenkirk. Put him with a reliable defensive partner and watch him dominate.

Shattenkirk picked the perfect team to go to, as he has rebuilt a healthy portion of the value he lost while he was with the Rangers.