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 the ice at even strength
(Rel) = CF% of player compared to when he's not on the ice
10. Mike Green
Position: Defense
Age on July 1: 32
2017-18 cap hit: $6M
2017-18 team: Red Wings
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 8 | 25 | 33 | 68 | 29 | 22:05 | 47.8 (-1.2) |
Green's best days are likely over, but as a right-handed shooting defenseman in a thin free-agent pool, he'll have a list of teams lining up to sign him. He can still play second-pairing minutes with a sturdy partner, and can quarterback a power play efficiently.
9. Joe Thornton
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 38
2017-18 cap hit: $8M
2017-18 team: Sharks
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 55 | 33 | 18:21 | 54.4 (+3.4) |
Thornton will be 39 on July 2 and tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee (2016-17) and right knee (2017-18) over the last two seasons. A return to the Sharks on a one-year deal with a significant pay cut seems likely. However, if he does leave San Jose, you can bet a few contending teams will overlook his mileage while offering him a deal as a second- or third-line center.
8. Carter Hutton
Position: Goaltender
Age on July 1: 32
2017-18 cap hit: $1.125M
2017-18 team: Blues
| GP | Rec. | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 26-17-7 | 2.09 | .931 | 3 |
Hutton chose a great time to have a career year. He'll be by far the best goalie available, and at 32, it's possible teams will still view him as a short-term No. 1, even though Hutton has never handled a starter's workload. The Sabres, Flyers, and Islanders are among the clubs that could give him a shot as an undisputed starter.
7. David Perron
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 30
2017-18 cap hit: $3.75M
2017-18 team: Golden Knights
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 16 | 50 | 66 | 33 | 48 | 17:49 | 49.7 (-1.7) |
Perron is also coming off a career-best campaign. The 2017-18 season was his first 60-point year, a mark reached even while missing 12 games. Returning to Vegas seems to be his best option to replicate that success, but he'll be looking to cash in as the third-highest scorer among UFAs.
6. James Neal
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 30
2017-18 cap hit: $5M
2017-18 team: Golden Knights
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 25 | 19 | 44 | 32 | 49 | 17:11 | 51.5 (+0.4) |
Even though Perron had 22 more points than Neal, the latter is an accomplished pure goal-scorer and will likely generate more interest. He's potted 20-plus goals in each of his 10 NHL seasons, and that type of consistent production could lead to a larger-than-expected contract for the 30-year-old winger.
5. James van Riemsdyk
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 29
2017-18 cap hit: $4.25M
2017-18 team: Maple Leafs
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 36 | 18 | 54 | 38 | 30 | 14:54 | 55.6 (+7.4) |
Van Riemsdyk is a one-dimensional player, but he does that one dimension better than anybody in the league. Nobody deflects pucks and provides a better net-front presence than JVR, as he finished third in goals per 60 minutes during the 2017-18 season, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, his lack of ice time was due to defensive flaws despite a high CF percentage, which can be attributed to his 62.7 offensive-zone start percentage. Regardless, Van Riemsdyk will get paid handsomely for his scoring prowess.
4. Paul Stastny
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 32
2017-18 cap hit: $7M
2017-18 teams: Blues/Jets
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 16 | 37 | 53 | 19 | 43 | 18:18 | 54.2 (+3.8) |
Stastny is boosting his already high value with an impressive playoff run with the Jets. He's an incredibly smart player, and his age won't be a deal breaker because of the demand for centers. Born in Quebec City while his father was playing for the Nordiques, Stastny should be an obvious target for the center-needy Canadiens if they whiff on John Tavares.
3. Evander Kane
Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 26
2017-18 cap hit: $5.25M
2017-18 teams: Sabres/Sharks
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 29 | 25 | 54 | 50 | 40 | 19:35 | 51.5 (+5.0) |
Kane is the youngest UFA on this top-50 list, and is a rugged, physical winger with annual 30-goal potential. He recorded nine goals and 14 points in 17 games after joining the Sharks, providing a glimpse of the untapped potential he can provide on a good team. Even some previous character issues shouldn't get in the way of Kane's search for a massive contract this offseason.
2. John Carlson
Position: Defense
Age on July 1: 28
2017-18 cap hit: $3.97
2017-18 team: Capitals
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 15 | 53 | 68 | 97 | 58 | 24:47 | 49.2 (+1.7) |
Carlson thrived during his contract year, leading all defenseman with 68 points, but it's highly unlikely he'll approach that mark on another team. He also notched 32 power-play points, largely by feeding Alex Ovechkin one-timers and by taking advantage of ample time and space as opponents shadowed the Russian superstar. Whoever signs Carlson will be paying for a No. 1 defenseman, but it's worth noting top-line matchup responsibilities actually fell on Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen in Washington.
1. John Tavares
Position: Center
Age on July 1: 27
2017-18 cap hit: $5.5M
2017-18 team: Islanders
| GP | G | A | P | GV | TK | ATOI | CF% (rel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 37 | 47 | 84 | 78 | 49 | 19:56 | 49.4 (-2.6) |
NHL megastars rarely get to free agency. So, unless Tavares re-signs with the Islanders before July 1, he'll be the best player to hit the open market in recent memory. He's in the prime of his career, and will be paid accordingly. The contract probably won't challenge Connor McDavid's league-high $12.5-million cap hit, but if teams get into a bidding war for their potential franchise player, anything is possible.
(Salary information courtesy: Cap Friendly)
(Stats courtesy: Hockey Reference)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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