Five NHL Free Agents About To Cash In
Nov 1, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (26) and defenseman Andre Benoit (61) celebrate Stastnys game winning goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (not pictured) during the overtime period at American Airlines Center. The Avalanche defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Every summer there is a list of highly sought-after free agents that will create a feeding frenzy that will drive up their asking price, and for the rest of his NHLPA brotherhood, also drive up the going rate for those a level below them in the pecking order.
Here are 5 guys who will set the bar should they reach free agency at the beginning of July
Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche
Apr 8, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny (26) looks for a pass against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the Avalanche loss in the first round, Stastny re-established himself among the list of desireable pivots in the league with a resurgent performance. One of the greybeards on the young Avalanche team at the ripe old age of 26. He is coming off a 6 year, $33M contract so while his raise might not be that big, he will certainly cash in with a maximum term deal of 7 years (or 8 if he resigns with the Avalanche) that will be in the area of $7-$7.5 per year.
P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
May 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) handles the puck during the second period against the New York Rangers in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Despite his disappointment in having to take a bridge contract last time around, the 2 year deal Subban just completed worked out to his advantage, big time. The first year of that deal all he did was win the Norris Trophy and followed it up with a second season that cemented his place among the top 5 blueliners in the NHL. Although his exuberance often rubs opposing players and fans (myself included) the wrong way, there is no denying his talent and the fact that the Habs are going to have to ante up 8 years and $64M (or more) this summer.
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.
Matt Moulson, Minnesota Wild
Mar 13, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Matt Moulson (26) against the New York Rangers at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Although after leaving Long Island his production slowed substantially, Moulson still has enough cache to garner a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of $5M per season. The best landing spot might just be to return to New York where he can reunite with John Tavares.
Andre Benoit, Colorado Avalanche
Apr 11, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Andre Benoit (61) passes the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Catching on with the young Avalanche was a great thing for the former Ottawa Senators defenseman, who couldn’t have picked a better time to have a standout season. His 28 point campaign made teams take notice that he can log 20 minutes a night, so he is in position to garner at least triple his $900k salary that he played for this past season, and a 4 or 5 year term.
May 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrates after a goal in the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There are many other guys that are going to sign big contracts (Thomas Vanek, Marian Gaborik) but those guys were already being paid substantially and will be again. The 5 players mentioned will be big home-run hitters.