NHL Free Agents Still on the Market

With the start of NHL Free Agency nearly three weeks old and all of the major Unrestricted Free Agents having already signed to contracts, I thought it would be a good idea to write about those players still remaining to be signed.  For myself, after the big name players like Stamkos (or not), Okposo, Ladd, and Lucic have joined new teams, I find it difficult to remember which players are still available.  With that being said, I decided to determine which players on the market I thought to be the most valuable to teams looking to upgrade their current roster and then connect said players with potential landing spots.  In this post, I will focus on the players themselves, where they played last year, and the types of teams where they would be good fits.

Free Agents

Forwards

• Matt Cullen - Prior to the 2015-16 season, Cullen had come off a two-year deal with the Nashville Predators that ended with speculation about whether he would return for another season.  He did when he signed a one-year, $800,000 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, helping center their fourth line and providing leadership on their way to the Stanley Cup.  Along the way, he also provided 16 goals, his highest since 2008-09, and played in all 82 regular season games.  Cullen still has a lot to offer to a team looking for center depth or leadership and can play in an up-tempo system, as evident by his play under coach Mike Sullivan.
• Kris Versteeg - Versteeg began last season playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring 33 points in 63 games before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline for their playoff run.  During his time with the Kings he tallied 4 goals and 1 assist in 14 games. Versteeg's earned $4.4 million last year and should expect a lesser contract if signed by a team for the upcoming season.  Versteeg would provide solid forward depth for any teams seeking veteran leadership.  He also brings a great deal of playoff experience, having one two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015. Versteeg has recently been rumored to play in Switzerland.
• Jiri Hudler - Long-time Red Wing and Flame, Hudler is only a year removed from scoring 31 goals and 76 points in 2014-15.  Last year, however, Hudler's production declined and was traded to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline.  Hudler should be seeking a contract that will give him the chance to find his scoring touch again.  If he is able to regain it, he could prove to be a great bargain for a team looking for scoring help on a third or fourth line.  Hudler is still only 32 years old and could have life left in his career.
• Nick Spaling - Spaling split last season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks after a trade deadline deal sent him west.  Spaling has spent much of his career as a checking line center and a quality penalty killer.  Only 27, he figures to have a solid career ahead of him for any team who needs help on the PK and is seeking someone who plays a consistent game.
• Justin Fontaine - Justin Fontaine played the 2015-16 season for the Minnesota Wild, having played the entirety of his short career with them.  At 28, Fontaine is a skilled winger who has spent most of his career skating on the Wild's third line and could boost any team's checking line.  After having a down year last season, Fontaine will most certainly be seeking an opportunity to display once again that he belongs in the league.

Defensemen

• Matt Carle - Carle was bought out following the 2015-16 season by the Tampa Bay Lightning after another less-than-steller season in terms of offensive output.  Carle used to be a player his team could count on for 30-40 points each season, but that appears to be in the past.  At 31, he can still bring solid leadership and quiet defensive play to a team's third pairing, as long as his offensive expectations are kept in check.
• James Wisniewski - Wisniewski played all of one shift last season for the Carolina Hurricanes before being sidelined for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL.  His career has been plagued with injuries and has struggled to stay on the ice for close to a full season.  When on the ice, however, Wisniewski has proven to be a quality NHL defenseman, with positive possession numbers and strong offensive output.  If signed to a low money contract filled with incentives, Wisniewski could prove to be a savvy signing and potentially has life left in his career.
• Kris Russell - Russell played last season with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars after he was traded at the deadline.  Russell's play has been called into question in recent seasons as his possession numbers do not reflect the type of puck-moving defenseman the NHL is seeking.  If paired with a solid partner who is more defensively-responsible, such as Duncan Keith or Drew Doughty, Russell could find success.
• Luke Schenn - Luke Schenn split last season between the Flyers and Kings when he was traded alongside Vinny Lecavalier in exchange for a third round draft pick.  2015-16 marked the conclusion of Schenn's five-year contract that paid him $3.6 million per season.  Initially viewed as a bargain signing for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it went into effect in 2011-12, Schenn never really lived up to the money as his offensive production decreased dramatically. Still only 26, Schenn still has the potential to be a solid NHL defenseman on the third pairing. Update at 5:23pm - Luke Schenn has reportedly signed a two-year $2.5 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes.

• Kyle Quincey - Quincey has played the last four and a half seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and has experience playing on both the penalty kill and power play.  At age 30, Quincey still looks to have a few years left in the league and could provide solid stay-at-home defense for a team's third pairing, as long as he stays healthy.
• David Rundblad - David Rundblad was bought out after last season by the Chicago Blackhawks and appears to be the latest victim of the tight salary cap situation the team finds themselves in.  Rundblad, when given the opportunity to play, has been a solid NHL defenseman who has exhibited solid puck possession numbers.  At 25, he is still extremely young and developing at his position and could prove to be a cheap signing for any team.

Contract information all found at spotrac.com