With July 1 less than two months away, theScore takes a look at the top 50 pending unrestricted free agents heading into the start of free agency.
10-1 | 20-11 | 30-21 | 40-31 | 50-41
Stats legend:
GV = Giveaways
TK = Takeaways
ATOI = Average time on ice per game
CF% = Percentage of shot attempts team took while player was on ice at even strength
(Rel) = CF% of player compared to when he's not on the ice
20. Patrick Maroon
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 30
2017-18 cap hit: $2M
2017-18 teams: Oilers/Devils
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 17 | 26 | 43 | 37 | 22 | 16:32 | 53.3 (+3.4) |
Maroon should be in for a nice little pay raise. With 44 goals over the past two years, he has proven he can keep up and pitch in offensively when playing alongside talented linemates, all while providing a physical presence, racking up 150 hits in each of the last three seasons.
19. Kyle Brodziak
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 34
2017-18 cap hit: $950K
2017-18 team: Blues
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 10 | 23 | 33 | 18 | 52 | 13:28 | 47.7 (-5.4) |
Brodziak is one of the most underrated bottom-six centers in the entire league. He was one of two players this season with at least 50 takeaways but less than 20 giveaways and posted a career-best 52.1 faceoff percentage. His possession numbers aren't pretty, but he started the bulk of his shifts in the defensive zone. He might get overlooked because of his age, but he can help plenty of teams on a short-term deal.
18. Derek Ryan
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 31
2017-18 cap hit: $1.425M
2017-18 team: Hurricanes
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 15 | 23 | 38 | 48 | 54 | 15:36 | 57.1 (+3.2) |
Ryan is the definition of a journeyman. After his WHL career, he spent four years playing Canadian University hockey, followed by stints overseas in Austria and Sweden before returning to North America in the AHL in 2015-16. Last season was the late bloomer's breakout campaign. An elite faceoff man (career 56.1 percent) with good offensive instincts won't have trouble finding a multi-year contract.
17. Calvin de Haan
Position: Defense
Age on July 1: 27
2017-18 cap hit: $3.3M
2017-18 team: Islanders
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 24 | 14 | 18:45 | 49.1 (-1.3) |
De Haan will be one of the most sought-after blue-liners on the open market. He's very young for a UFA, can skate and move the puck, and is also responsible in his own end. As someone capable of playing top-four minutes, don't be surprised if he inks a four- or five-year deal.
16. Tyler Bozak
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 32
2017-18 cap hit: $4.2M
2017-18 team: Maple Leafs
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 11 | 32 | 43 | 42 | 37 | 15:39 | 53.3 (+4.5) |
Had Bozak hit the open market after his career-high 55-point season a year ago, he would've been a hot commodity. However, for an offensive-minded player with declining foot speed, his value is significantly lower than it was last summer. Nonetheless, he's a regular 40-point producer and a great faceoff man, so he could still earn a multi-year deal, but it would probably come with a pay cut.
15. Jonathan Bernier
Position: Goaltender
Age on July 1: 29
2017-18 cap hit: $2.75M
2017-18 team: Avalanche
| GP | Rec. | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 19-13-3 | 2.85 | .913 | 2 |
Bernier was a major reason for the Avalanche's transformation from league laughingstock to a playoff team last season. Yet, like many of the goalies on the market, it's unlikely he'll be considered for a starting opportunity. He could, however, serve as a good platoon netminder.
14. Thomas Vanek
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 34
2017-18 cap hit: $2M
2017-18 teams: Canucks/Blue Jackets
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 24 | 32 | 56 | 35 | 28 | 14:05 | 47.3 (-1.7) |
Vanek finished with the fourth-most points among all pending UFAs. Even in his mid-30s, he can still produce in a limited role. Many may think of him as a power-play specialist, but 20 of his 24 goals were scored at even strength. He could provide nice value on a short-term contract for a team needing some offense.
13. Michael Grabner
Position: Right wing
Age on July 1: 30
2017-18 cap hit: $1.65M
2017-18 teams: Rangers/Devils
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 27 | 9 | 36 | 33 | 46 | 14:49 | 44.8 (-2.8) |
After signing a two-year, $3.3-million contract prior to 2016-17, Grabner will be in for a nice pay raise after back-to-back 27-goal seasons. "Playmaker" isn't in his vocabulary, but he routinely creates breakaways with his elite speed, and as long as he can still fly, he should continue to put the puck in the net.
12. Rick Nash
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 34
2017-18 cap hit: $7.8M
2017-18 teams: Rangers/Bruins
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 21 | 13 | 34 | 38 | 58 | 17:03 | 51.2 (+4.4) |
It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Nash gets after three straight underwhelming seasons in which he missed a total of 48 games. In a game that's increasingly being dominated by speed, the 6-foot-4 power forward is a bit of a dinosaur, but he can still be a productive top-six winger in the right setting.
11. Riley Nash
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 29
2017-18 cap hit: $900K
2017-18 team: Bruins
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 15 | 26 | 41 | 14 | 55 | 15:25 | 51.7 (-2.0) |
Boston's other Nash chose the right time to have a career year. As one of the few centers on the market, he'll be in heavy demand. Teams that miss out on John Tavares and Paul Stastny will turn to Nash. His offensive numbers might be a bit inflated due to a stint centering Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak during Patrice Bergeron's absence, but as one of two players this season with at least 50 takeaways but fewer than 20 giveaways, he can help teams in a lot of ways as a premier third-line center.
(Salary information courtesy: Cap Friendly)
(Stats courtesy: Hockey Reference)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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