Steven Stamkos and David Backes headline the NHL Free Agency class of 2016.
Despite the cream-of-the-crop, Steven Stamkos, being a franchise scorer, the 2016 NHL Free Agency class promises to be a relatively barren one.
That means that role players and depth blueliners will be the biggest currency of the day when the free agency window opens in north of a month. That also means that teams in the market for a starting netminder will consider the trading block (both Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury will likely be available).
Here are some of the names your team may consider:
Forwards
1. Steven Stamkos
2015-16 team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: Center
2015-16 cap hit: $7,500,000
Scouting Report: Bona-fide superstar with tremendous skating ability, hand-eye coordination and playmaking prowess. Great one-timer and two-way upside. Can improve on faceoffs and passing skills. All-in-all, a formidable sniper who would instantly bolster any team’s offense.
2. Loui Eriksson
2015-16 team: Boston Bruins
Position: Right Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $4,250,000
Scouting Report: Great defensive forward with tremendous offensive instincts and a goal-scorer’s touch. Could benefit from adding some bulk and playing with a little more fire.
3. Kyle Okposo
2015-16 team: New York Islanders
Position: Right Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $2,800,000
Scouting Report: Excellent scorer and skater. Possesses the mentality of a sniper, and can play a big man’s game. Durability and defensive woes are both points of concerns. Still, a reliable offensive threat.
4. Milan Lucic
2015-16 team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Left Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $3,250,000
Scouting Report: Big, brawny winger with underrated offensive ability. Can take over a game with big hits, nasty and intimidating presence and fighting prowess. Not a natural goal-scorer or skater. The prototypical power forward.
5. David Backes
2015-16 team: St. Louis Blues
Position: Center
2015-16 cap hit: $4,500,000
Scouting Report: Another skilled two-way winger. Can play a shutdown role courtesy of his size and hockey sense. Good nose for the net. Plenty of grit, too. Knack for being too aggressive and taking bad penalties.
6. Frans Nielsen
2015-16 team: New York Islanders
Position: Center
2015-16 cap hit: $2,750,000
Scouting Report: Most underrated player in the league. Good playmaker and exceptional two-way forward. Is a great asset on both special teams. Does a little bit of everything.
7. Lee Stempniak
2015-16 team: Boston Bruins
Position: Right Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $850,000
Scouting Report: Sneaky winger with scoring acumen and the ability to be a factor on special-teams. Not very good off the puck. Undersized, although versatile. Very streaky scorer.
8. Andrew Ladd
2015-16 team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Left Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $4,400,000
Scouting Report: Complimentary winger with good size and offensive prowess. Ultimate team player with the ability to dish out hits and hold his ground. Could stand to be a little more consistent.
9. Shane Doan
2015-16 team: Arizona Coyotes
Position: Right Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $5,300,000
Scouting Report: Durable, loyal and talented. Phenomenal along-the-boards. Isn’t an elite skater or consistent goal-scorer anymore. Still, a tremendous two-way player with team-first qualities.
10. Troy Brouwer
2015-16 team: St. Louis Blues
Position: Right Wing
2015-16 cap hit: $3,666,667
Scouting Report: A lack of skating ability hinders his ability to produce consistent offense, but a combination of size and decent scoring ability worries opponents. Good along-the-boards and in front of the net.
Defensemen
1. Alex Goligoski
2015-16 team: Dallas Stars
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $4,600,000
Scouting Report: Puck-moving defenseman with excellent mobility and hockey sense. Despite lack of size, can distribute hits and jump into the play. Capable of playing big minutes.
2. Keith Yandle
2015-16 team: New York Rangers
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $2,625,000
Scouting Report: Great puck-handling ability and superior shot. Superior offensive instincts and very good competitor. Occasionally overwhelmed and outmuscled. Quality passer.
3. Brian Campbell
2015-16 team: Florida Panthers
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $7,142,875
Scouting Report: Confident, creative and intelligent. Outstanding mobility and ability to man the point on the power play. Can get knocked off the puck easily, and is a bit of a liability in the defensive zone. Solid veteran presence.
4. Roman Polak
2015-16 team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $2,040,323
Scouting Report: Defensively sound, with adequate size and strength. Injury history and lack of offensive ability are both red flags. Plays a smooth, steady game, despite a vulnerability to wearing down as the season progresses.
5. Kevan Miller
2015-16 team: Boston Bruins
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $800,000
Scouting Report: Good puck-mover with impressive size. Doesn’t have great skating ability, and has never been an overwhelming oppressive presence. Solid blueliner.
6. Jason Demers
2015-16 team: Dallas Stars
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $2,210,000
Scouting Report: Can do it all: play a physical game, join the rush, skate around defenders and shoot the puck quite well from the point. Caveats include a lack of game-to-game consistency and decision-making ability.
7. Kris Russell
2015-16 team: Dallas Stars
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $2,600,000
Scouting Report: Confident with tremendous shot-blocking ability and power play prowess. Great wheels permit good puck movement. Lack of size and strength (and the occasional mental lapse) are all reasons for concern.
8. John-Michael Liles
2015-16 team: Boston Bruins
Position: Defenseman
2015-16 cap hit: $3,875,000
Scouting Report: Can be an asset on special teams. Strong puck mover with plenty of speed and mobility. Limited offensive game, smallish frame and lack of desperation have all plagued him.
Goalies
1. Cam Ward
2015-16 team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Goaltender
2015-16 cap hit: $6,300,000
Scouting Report: Strong demeanor and ideal body for netminding position. Stays too deep in net and has had prior injury history. When healthy, a perennial star.
2. Chad Johnson
2015-16 team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Goaltender
2015-16 cap hit: $1,300,000
Scouting Report: The stereotypical backup: good frame, capable of coming into games cold, not enough stamina and consistency. Had a solid 2015-16 campaign.
3. James Reimer
2015-16 team: San Jose Sharks
Position: Goaltender
2015-16 cap hit: $2,300,000
Scouting Report: Poised, calm and flexible. Hasn’t yet proven he can handle the workload of a starter. Prone to giving up weak goals and playing too deep in the net.
4. Louis Domingue
2015-16 team: Arizona Coyotes
Position: Goaltender
2015-16 cap hit: $605,000
Scouting Report: Good athlete with plus frame and natural puck-stopping ability. Needs to prove he can compete at the highest level and sustain it over a long period of time.
5. Karri Ramo
2015-16 team: Calgary Flames
Position: Goaltender
2015-16 cap hit: $3,800,000
Scouting Report: Excellent size, maturity and poise under pressure. Extremely inconsistent. Big, but not without risk.