Five NHL Free Agents About To Cash In

Matt Niskanen, Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Carolina won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Although his offensive numbers might be a bit inflated due to the increased power play time he saw in the absence of Kris Letang, Niskanen will be that defenseman who sets the bar.  Coming off a 2 year deal that paid him $4.6M, he is probably going to get that and more in an annual cap hit.  Jason Garrison got a deal for 6 years and $27.6M two summers ago, and that would be a starting point for negotiations for Niskanen, who is a better all-around player than Garrison.