The all-remaining UFA team

With the free-agent frenzy over, and the NHL slowly but surely shifting to offseason mode, we'd thought we'd have a little fun and put together a team of those players still looking for work next season.

Let's get right into it.

Forwards

LW C RW
Jiri Hudler Brandon Pirri Radim Vrbata
Kris Versteeg Sam Gagner Shane Doan
Alex Tanguay Cody Hodgson Josh Jooris
Mason Raymond Dominic Moore Linden Vey
Chris Higgins Paul Gaustad David Jones

Notes:

  • With all due respect to Brandon Pirri, there isn't much up the middle, so he's the default No. 1 center. Sam Gagner and Cody Hodgson follow him on the depth chart because they're both only 26 years old, and therefore too young to give up on.
  • There's some definite firepower up front on the wings in Jiri Hudler, Radim Vrbata, and Kris Versteeg. While it's all but a formality Shane Doan returns to the Arizona Coyotes, the only franchise he's ever known, he's on this squad until he isn't.
  • The bottom six is, well, a bottom six. Due to their age, the Joorises and Veys of the world draw into this fictional lineup before the Higginses and Joneses.

Defense

LD RD
Kris Russell Justin Schultz
Dennis Seidenberg Luke Schenn
Kyle Quincey James Wisniewski
Matt Carle Dan Boyle

Notes:

  • Kris Russell, Justin Schultz, and Luke Schenn should all have jobs by the time July is over. Russell's the most in-demand defenseman still on the market, Schultz will be 26 later this week, and Schenn 27 in November. The latter two are projects, and on this fictional squad, they're top-four defensemen.
  • James Wisniewski had 51 points in 2013-14. He's worth a flyer after a knee injury cost him last season.
  • Kyle Quincey and Matt Carle are in their early 30s, and can fill out a blue line, while Dennis Seidenberg is the veteran presence on the back end. And on this make-believe team, Dan Boyle gets the fictional title of player and assistant coach. He's here to teach, mostly.

Goalies

Goalie
Jhonas Enroth
Karri Ramo
Ben Scrivens

Notes:

  • Jhonas Enroth is easily the best goaltender still available on the market. He had a strong 2015-16 season in limited action, and owns a career .911 save percentage. His age - 28 - also works in his favor.
  • Karri Ramo finished three seasons in Calgary with a .911 save percentage in 110 games. He's 30 years old, so it's clear he'll never be a starter, but he can back up this team.
  • Ben Scrivens is a depth signing, pure and simple, because goalies get hurt.

In conclusion, buyer beware.

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