NHL Free Agency: Top 4 best value Free Agents available on Day 2

3. Mathieu Perreault, LW

Not a name you would have in the conversation when discussing the best forwards in the National Hockey League, Mathieu Perreault is one of the more intriguing players left on the board as we enter Day 2 of NHL Free Agency.

One of the most underrated bottom-six forwards in the league over the last few years, Perreault should be on the radar of teams who need to bolster their forward depth heading into the 2021-22 season.

The 33-year-old is approaching the back-nine of his career but he had 19 points (9 G, 10 A) in 56 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 2020-21, despite being underused and averaging just 11:43 of total ice time per game.

What really stands out about Perreault’s game, however, is his effectiveness in all three zones and he can lay the body on as backed up by his 84 hits last season, while the Jets allowed just 1.86 expected goals against per hour with the veteran on the ice last year, which perfectly illustrates his ability to suppress shots and chances.

Again, Perreault isn’t going to be an offensive juggernaut, but he could be a gritty, hard-nosed player that will slot nicely into a team’s bottom-six at a cheap price and dominant defensively while chipping in with some offense.