Aaron Ekblad's extension with the Florida Panthers means that the top defenseman set to hit the free agent market is no longer available. The signing of Ivan Provorov with the Columbus Blue Jackets effectively eliminates the two best blueliners that were supposed to become UFAs.
But there are plenty of viable blueliners that are ready to field offers on July 1, including some stay-at-home skaters as well as efficient puck-movers. Though some may say the UFA market is running a bit dry after Monday's signings, there are still a number of options for teams needing to fill a gap in their top 6 defensemen.
Vladislav Gavrikov
The Los Angeles Kings are hoping to hold onto Gavrikov, but contract talks have not been productive as of yet and it would seem he's preparing to get some offers on the open market.
The 29-year-old offers a strong, consistent defensive mindset that involves a lot of time on ice. He averaged over 23 minutes per game this season, blocking 140 shots and laying out 50 hits -- though he's logged over 120 hits in a single season earlier in his career, so he doesn't shy away from playing the body when he needs to.
Gavrikov was a major reason why the Kings' PK finished eighth-best in the league at 81.4%. The stay-at-home defender has impressive control over his stick, which is always a threat to attacking players, and he's no stranger to eliminating opponents attempting to post up in front of the net.
For any team in need of a shutdown guy they can count on every game, Gavrikov would be the perfect go-to on the blue line. He could be signed to a long-term deal at around $7.5 million annually.
Nate Schmidt
After being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets just one year ago, it might be a surprise to see Schmidt's name on this type of list. But Schmidt has handily played his way into a new contract after his success with the Florida Panthers this season. He signed a one-year deal worth $800,000 last summer, but is likely to sign a deal worth at least $2.5 million this time around.
The reason for the big pay raise? His bounce-back from the buyout to being a steady bottom 4 defenseman. Schmidt played particularly well in the playoffs, factoring in for 12 points in 21 games. That includes some stellar playmaking and accurate passes
Schmidt is willing to jump in on the rush when it's appropriate, but can just as well hang back. He reads the ice well both offensively and on the back end. He's willing to move around the lineup wherever a team needs him and can still be effective in any role -- he had a Corsi-for of 55.5% when playing on the Panthers' bottom pairing, and an even-better 59.1 CF% when skating with Niko Mikkola on the second pair.
Schmidt is a versatile, do-it-all type of skater that can play anywhere from 16 to 18 minutes per game and do so reliably in all three zones.
Matt Grzelcyk
For a team needing a puck-moving blueliner who can play second-pairing minutes, Grzelcyk is one of the better options and he can be signed on a budget. The 31-year-old is expected to get a deal coming in around $3.75 million annually, which is very team-friendly for what he can provide.
The 5'10" defender isn't known for his physicality or shutdown style of play, but with the right partner, Grzelcyk will flourish. He is coming off of a career-high 40-point season on a Pittsburgh Penguins team that ranked in the bottom half of the league in terms of goals per game (2.95).
His skating is one of his strongest attributes, as well as his ability to make a nice breakout pass or clean zone exit. Grzelcyk can read the play very well which helps make up for his lack of physicality. He can also quarterback a second power play unit effectively, recording 15 assists on the man advantage this year.
Despite some of the bigger names coming off of the market, these three guys are still solid options and there's something for everyone out there whether it's a traditional defense-first skater or a more offensive blueliner with a versatile skillset.