A look at the best players still available in the unrestricted free-agent market in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther recently looked at the top five wingers and defensemen still available among this summer’s crops of unrestricted free agents (UFAs).
The top five wingers include James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Johnson, Kevin Labanc, Mike Hoffman and Max Pacioretty.
Former Boston Bruins winger James van Riemsdyk (NHL.com).
Crowther believes the 35-year-old van Riemsdyk could still have value in a limited third or fourth-line role. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the 34-year-old Johnson but he also played for a bad Chicago Blackhawks club.
Labanc, 28, and the 34-year-old Hoffman saw their production affected by playing for the rebuilding San Jose Sharks.
When healthy, the 35-year-old Pacioretty can play a decent two-way game and contribute to the second power-play unit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Age and/or injuries have affected these forwards. Labanc should be in his playing prime but his production tumbled from his career-best 56-points performance in 2018-19 skating with a more talented Sharks team. He was a frequent healthy scratch last season, seeing action in just 46 games.
Crowther listed Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz, Marco Scandella, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Calen Addison as his top five remaining UFA defensemen.
Barrie, 33, was a frequent healthy scratch with the Nashville Predators last season. However, he could get a one-year contract from a club looking for a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman who can help their power play.
The 34-year-old Schultz has Stanley Cup experience but his performance has declined, logging the worst plus-minus on the Seattle Kraken last season despite seeing third-pairing minutes. Scandella, also 34, also had difficulties in a third-pairing role with the St. Louis Blues last season.
Shattenkirk’s game is also in decline. He’s no longer the dynamic offensive blueliner he was earlier in his career. Addison, 24, was a once-promising defenseman who bounced from the Minnesota Wild to the San Jose Sharks, who opted not to qualify his rights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie could still have some value playing sheltered minutes if he’s paired with a good stay-at-home defender. Addison might have value as a reclamation project.
Schultz, Scandella and Shattenkirk are all now past their prime. They might have to consider professional tryout offers to secure an NHL contract this season or look overseas to continue their playing careers.