June is an incredibly busy month for the NHL, but that doesn't mean we can't look ahead to what's coming. Free agency begins at 12 p.m. ET on July 1, and we're ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents in a seven-post series ahead of the madness.
Here are the top 10 UFAs on the market this summer:
10. Patrick Eaves (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 33
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1M
Eaves had the most productive season of his 12-year career in 2016-17, exploding for 32 goals and 51 points in a campaign split between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks.
He certainly deserves a raise, but given his age and the fact that last season's offensive production was an anomaly, it'll be tough for teams to justify ponying up when there are several younger - and yet more proven - options out there.
9. Michael Stone (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 26
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4M
Stone didn't wow anyone with his offensive contributions on the back end in 2016-17, but until last season's 36-point output, he'd never really been known as a point producer at the NHL level.
He wasn't effective from a possession standpoint, either, posting a 42.6 percent even-strength Corsi For rating in 45 games with the putrid Arizona Coyotes and then a 45.5 mark in 19 regular-season contests with the Calgary Flames.
But hey, teams desperate for a second- or third-pairing defenseman could probably do worse.
8. Sam Gagner (F)
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Age on Oct. 1: 27
2016-17 Cap Hit: $650K
Gagner had a resurgent season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, tying a career high with 18 goals and posting his highest assist total (32) since his rookie campaign in 2007-08.
That production certainly justifies paying him more than the $650,000 salary he earned in 2016-17, and he's a solid option for teams looking to add depth to their bottom six.
7. Nick Bonino (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 29
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.9M
Bonino exploded for 18 points in 24 playoff games last year playing alongside Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel on Pittsburgh's "HBK line," but he came back down to earth this season, posting 18 goals and 37 points in 80 regular-season contests.
That's about what teams should expect from the center, who was in the Penguins' bottom six when healthy this season because Pittsburgh has a couple of other stars down the middle (Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin - you may have heard of them).
Can Bonino produce like his "HBK" days in the right situation? Sure, but teams will want to know he's fully healthy before committing to him this summer.
6. Karl Alzner (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 28
2016-17 Cap Hit: $2.8M
Unlike the man occupying the No. 1 spot on this list, Alzner's value comes primarily from his defensive prowess, which is a much tougher sell than offense on the free-agent market.
That shouldn't prevent clubs from taking a look at the underrated blue-liner, who'll be a UFA for the first time in his career after spending his first nine NHL campaigns with the Washington Capitals.
Alzner's other main selling point is his durability. Remarkably, he hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2009-10, his second season, marking a string of 540 consecutive contests.
5. Martin Hanzal (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $3.1M
The Minnesota Wild gave up three picks to get Hanzal at the deadline knowing full well he was a rental, and he played well after the trade.
Hanzal notched 13 points and posted a 58.6 even-strength Corsi For percentage in 20 regular-season games, adding a goal in the playoffs for the Wild before they were bounced by the St. Louis Blues in five games.
The 30-year old is a solid two-way player, and he proved what he can bring to a contending team this spring.
4. Joe Thornton (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 37
2016-17 Cap Hit: $6.75M
The bearded one showed he still had plenty left in the tank this past season, finishing second on the San Jose Sharks in assists (43) and fourth in points (50) at an age when few players are still active, let alone productive.
That production will likely decline again in 2017-18, but Thornton should still crack 40-45 points while providing his typically solid playmaking abilities.
He's probably going to have to take a pay cut, but he proved this season he can still contribute, and his wealth of experience will be invaluable whether he returns to the Sharks or joins a new organization for the first time in over a decade.
3. Alexander Radulov (F)
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $5.75M
Radulov made a successful return to North America this past season, equaling his rookie goal total (18), setting his NHL career high with 36 assists, and finishing with 54 points - four off his career-best mark set with the Nashville Predators nearly a decade ago.
The veteran forward is past his prime, but proved he can still score and help generate offense. There's also no denying his skill or his passion, and he'll surely be a coveted free agent this summer as a result.
2. T.J. Oshie (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4.175M
Oshie might actually be the best player available in this summer's free-agent class, even if a certain teammate of his from this past season is more highly coveted based on his position.
It's no surprise that Oshie scored a career-high 33 goals and posted the second-best point total (56) of his nine-year NHL tenure, given that he played with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the Capitals' top line - but he played with them for a reason.
Oshie is a proven sniper, can play both center and right wing, and likely still has a few productive seasons left in him.
1. Kevin Shattenkirk (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 28
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4.25M
That Shattenkirk is the top UFA this summer illustrates the lack of depth in this free-agent class as a whole, and let's not kid ourselves - someone's going to overpay him.
Still, the veteran blue-liner carries value as a point-producer and power-play quarterback, and while an expensive, long-term deal is probably ill-advised, legitimate top-pairing defensemen don't grow on trees.
Shattenkirk has driven possession in all but one of his seven NHL seasons, and while there are concerns about his defensive abilities, that won't stop a team from rewarding him with a significant new deal.
Free Agent Rankings
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