Here’s an updated list of the best unsigned UFAs still looking to sign on the dotted line, plus the latest on where things stand.
1. Mike Hoffman, LW/RW, Florida Panthers
Age: 30
2019-20 cap hit: $5.1875 million
That Hoffman is still on the market a month into free agency is one of the more surprising parts of this unpredictable off-season, but just because he hasn’t signed anywhere doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of interest. With the flat cap forcing teams into a more conservative approach to free agency, high-scoring players like Hoffman — he of 29 goals in 2019-20 and 36 the year prior — are the ones who appear to have priced themselves out of many teams’ budgets and into a grey area of free agency, forced to wait for interested clubs to find space by moving assets either via trade, long-term injured reserve, etc. That’s not even taking into account the matter of Hoffman exercising patience in order to ensure he’s finding the right fit in terms of chemistry and contention.
Last month, Hoffman’s agent, Robert Hooper, told The Athletic‘s Adam Vingan 13 clubs have shown interest since free agency opened, with Hooper indicating five or six of those teams were “characterized as ‘serious.’”
Hooper also told Vingan that Hoffman wasn’t opposed to following in Taylor Hall’s footsteps in signing a one-year pact and hitting the market again next year.
“There’s no issues on a one-year deal,” Hooper said. “Obviously, if you’re going to take a one-year deal, you want to put yourself in a good situation, because you’re going to be back in the market next year again.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote in a recent edition of 31 Thoughts that the Montreal Canadiens were interested in Hoffman before signing Tyler Toffoli. Nashville also had interest, and teams like Boston, Carolina and Columbus are looking for more scoring.
2. Mikael Granlund, C/LW, Nashville Predators
Age: 27
2019-20 cap hit: $5.75 million
News has been slow to come in on Granlund, who struggled during his short stint with the Predators. With a flat cap and a down year on the stat sheet, Granlund is another strong candidate for a short-term deal somewhere to get him back to his playmaking ways.
3. Travis Hamonic, D, Calgary Flames
Age: 29
2019-20 cap hit: $3.857 million
Hamonic’s Manitoba roots, combined with the Jets’ blue line needs, makes Winnipeg a potential match. The club recently re-signed Dylan DeMelo, and perhaps aren’t done addressing defence.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vancouver spoke with Hamonic but Nate Schmidt’s arrival via trade saw those talks break off. Friedman noted that Hamonic would like to stay in the West, despite interest from some Eastern Conference teams (including Philadelphia).
Interestingly, one team that could really use a little more blue line depth in the form of a stay-at-home, right-side rearguard is… Calgary.
4. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, Washington Capitals
Age: 36
2019-20 cap hit: $700,000
Montreal’s Kovalchuk experiment got off to a great start — the veteran proved he’s still got a little magic left in him, and his success looked even better with a $700,000 price tag attached — and saw the club flip him to the contending Capitals for a profit at the deadline. He fell flat in the playoffs with Washington, but it feels likely this wasn’t the last we’ve seen of Kovalchuk in le bleu, blanc et rouge. He’s still a strong candidate to return to Montreal as a free agent on another low-cost contract.
5. Erik Haula, C/LW, Florida Panthers
Age: 28
2019-20 cap hit: $2.75 million
A string of injuries has hindered Haula’s ability to match the success he had with the Golden Knights in 2017-18, and he wasn’t able to strike up any chemistry with the Panthers upon being traded to Florida at the deadline. There’s no doubt he’s been a much-loved and valuable member of each team he’s played on, but durability will factor into his next deal.
There were early rumours of a reunion with Vegas, but the Golden Knights have since acquired pricey defenceman Alex Pietrangelo and are currently sitting above the cap.
6. Carl Soderberg, C, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 35
2019-20 cap hit: $4.75 million
A resurgence in 2018-19 saw him just one point shy of 50 points on the season while scoring a career-high 23 goals with the Colorado Avalanche and he wasn’t too far off pace to do it again when the season stopped back in March. Effective also as a winger, Soderberg should be a strong target for teams seeking a reliable, versatile third-line centre.
7. Anthony Duclair, LW, Ottawa Senators
Age: 25
2019-20 cap hit: $1.65 million
Duclair’s status went from RFA to UFA after the Senators did not extend a qualifying offer to their leading goal-scorer as the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a new deal. Coming off a career-high 23 goals after re-finding his stride as a Senator, the speedy 25-year-old should have plenty of options as he determines his next destination as one of the top wingers still on the market.
Asked about Duclair during a Hockey Central interview last month, Senators GM Pierre Dorion indicated the door is not closed for a return:
“Out of respect for Anthony, we gave him a head’s up of what was going on yesterday morning (with the signing of fellow winger Dadonov). We really like Anthony. He had a great season for us last year. We offered him a substantial raise … he chose not to accept it, wanted to test the free agency waters,” he said.
“We’ve kept great contact, talked almost every second or third day since the process started. He chose to go, and we’re always keeping the door open, but he would have to understand what his role would be. But we do like him as a human being and a hockey player.”
8. Sami Vatanen, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 29
2019-20 cap hit: $4.875 million
His long injury history is likely why he’s still available, but there’s always a market for smooth-skating rearguards. Clubs who were in on Tyson Barrie or T.J. Brodie could be teams to look at here.
Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman last month, Vancouver could still be searching for another defenceman in addition to Schmidt, and Vatanen could be a fit there.
9. Andreas Athanasiou, LW, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 26
2019-20 cap hit: $3 million
Athanasiou wasn’t extended a qualifying offer by Edmonton, setting the speedy winger loose on the open market. He’s just one year removed from a 30-goal season.
10. Derick Brassard, C/LW, New York Islanders
Age: 33
2019-20 cap hit: $1.2 million
His 10 goals and 32 points through 66 games with the Islanders gave us a glimpse of the Brassard we knew with the Rangers and Senators. He fit in well on Long Island, and could find similar success on a short-term pact elsewhere.
11. Corey Perry, RW, Dallas Stars
Age: 35
2019-20 cap hit: $1.5 million
He may not be the Scorey Perry he once was, but the veteran winger came up clutch for the Stars in the playoffs this summer and was a thorn in opponents’ sides all post-season.
12. Zdeno Chara, D, Boston Bruins
Age: 43
2019-20 cap hit: $2 million
This one sounds like a situation that will take time as both player and team determine the next step.
“There’s communication between the two sides and again I’ve had a great deal of communication with Zdeno and his representative Matt Keator, to make sure there is no ambiguity in terms of that. And whatever Zee decides to do, ultimately, he’ll tell us,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney told reporters last month, via Zoom. “We’ll react accordingly to that. We have our own feelings as to where these things will go. We’ve certainly relayed them. We’ll continue to relay them. As I’ve mentioned before, he’s an iconic player, a person and a leader, and things that we want to make sure that we’re dealing with this with the utmost respect as we try to treat all our players with and communicate it as effectively as possible.
13. Matt Martin, LW, New York Islanders
Age: 31
2019-20 cap hit: $2.5 million
Lou Lamoriello has twice acquired Martin – first as a free agent in Toronto and then via trade upon landing in New York’s front office, bringing the gritty forward back to Long Island. Will he make it three?
14. Conor Sheary, RW/LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 28
2019-20 cap hit: $3 million
A short reunion with the Penguins this past spring after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups alongside Sidney Crosby and Co., Sheary looks like a prime candidate for a one-year show-me deal to get his numbers back on track.
15. Cory Schneider, G, New Jersey Devils
Age: 34
2019-20 cap hit: $6 million (bought out)
After having the final two seasons of his deal bought out by the Devils, Schneider made it clear he wants to continue his career. He could be a welcomed veteran addition to a locker room.
16. Ron Hainsey, D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 39
2019-20 cap hit:
An underrated depth option who provided a good veteran presence on Ottawa’s young blue line, Hainsey could be an insurance policy for a contender next season.
17. Melker Karlsson, C/RW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 30
2019-20 cap hit: $2M
Karlsson is a depth option capable of playing all three forward positions, and excels on special teams.
Other notable UFAs to keep an eye on: D Yannick Weber (NSH); F Trevor Lewis (LA); D Andy Greene; F Brian Boyle (FLA); F Josh Leivo (VAN); G Jimmy Howard (DET); G Ryan Miller (ANA); F Michael Frolik (BUF); G Craig Anderson (OTT); F Frederik Gauthier (TOR)
