This year's free-agent class won't go down as the strongest that's for sure, but that doesn't mean there aren't some quality players to be had.
Related - Ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents: 10-1
Topping the list - especially after the signing of T.J. Oshie on Friday - is defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The 28-year-old is in his prime and has become one of the premiere offensive defensemen in the league over the last couple seasons.
He should garner a raise from his previous $4.25-million annual average, but who stands the best chance at landing the right-hander? Let's take a look.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to be among the teams getting ahead of the game, making their pitch to Shattenkirk.
On the first day of the negotiating window with potential free agents, the Lightning reportedly reached out to Shattenkirk. The Lightning certainly fit the bill as a potential landing spot for the veteran D-man.
They have over $23 million in cap space and, as they sit on Monday, have just three defensemen locked up to deals. Joining Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman would certainly help further bolster the club's blue line.
The Lightning had the sixth-most potent power play this past season, but with Shattenkirk at their disposal, they could challenge for top spot.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers right away appear to be the front-runner to land Shattenkirk.
The team has the need for Shattenkirk and his services, while it has also become known around the league that the former Washington Capitals defender would like to play in the New York area to be closer to home. In fact, a quick glance at Shattenkirk's Twitter profile will tell you just how special that would be to him.
The Rangers recently freed up a bunch of cap room by buying out Dan Girardi's contract and by shipping both Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes. They have the space and after Rick Nash's $7.8 million comes off the books following the 2017-18 season things will fit even nicer.
New Jersey Devils
Just a short skip across the pond is New Jersey, another club that would certainly fit the bill for Shattenkirk.
The New Jersey Devils would provide Shattenkirk that close-to-home prospect, while Shattenkirk would also be able to walk in as the team's undisputed No. 1 D-man.
Shattenkirk's 56 points this season were 25 more than Damon Severson, who led all Devils blue-liners with 31 points. The Devils also possessed the 22nd-ranked power play, a spot where Shattenkirk and his 27 power-play points could also lend a hand.
Columbus Blue Jackets
If the Columbus Blue Jackets could swing Shattenkirk it could help give them one of the stronger defense corps in the league.
The club is fairly solid for the time being with Seth Jones, David Savard - who continues to improve - Jack Johnson, and Calder Trophy nominee Zach Werenski.
That being said, their defense could use another right-handed defenseman and Shattenkirk is just that. His offense would certainly be a welcome, but on a young back end, Shattenkirk could also be a nice veteran addition.
Up front the Blue Jackets are pretty solid - especially with the acquisition of Artemi Panarin. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky manning the back isn't bad either. Adding Shattenkirk could make the Blue Jackets a serious contender in the East.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are close to New York and they are in desperate need of some help on defense, so of course Shattenkirk makes sense.
Outside of Rasmus Ristolainen the Sabres' defense lacks any real offensive threat. Meanwhile, their back end as a whole remains largely inexperienced.
What could also bode well for both parties is that - surprisingly - the Sabres led the league in power-play proficiency last season with a 24.5 percent success rate and Shattenkirk should only make them better.
It's also worth noting that the Sabres have the most cap space available of any team.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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