The NHL’s free agency period gets back to its usual date of July 1st this year and there are, as always, a multitude of names for teams to target. In this series, we’ll take a look at some of those players and what they could offer to teams in terms of both impact and salary. In part one, we examined the goalies and in part two we had a look at the top defensemen. Here’s where things get exciting in part three: the forwards.
While the 2013 forward crop including mostly complimentary players, there are a number of forwards on the market this season that could potentially make a huge impact (and take in a huge salary) with whichever teams are lucky enough to sign them. Here’s a look at the top five, plus five honorable mentions.
NHL Free Agent Frenzy Preview: The Forwards
1) Marian Gaborik, RW Los Angeles Kings
2013-14 Salary: $7.5 million
2013-14 Stats: 41 GP, 11 G, 19 A, 30 PTS, 10 PIMs, +7, 17:00 TOI
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the 32-year-old Gaborik suffered through another injury filled campaign. After two seasons of relative health, the delicate Gaborik managed to get into only half of his team’s games this season, and only put up 11 goals, well below his usual 40-goal pace. So why is he rated so highly on this list? Because, once he did get healthy, he was lights out for LA during the playoffs, potting 14 goals in 26 games to lead all playoff scorers while winning his first Stanley Cup. It seems it was just in time too, with his UFA status looming and potentially another big payday coming his way. There’s no debating Gaborik’s game-breaking ability, or the fact that he’s the best pure sniper available. The question is if he can stay healthy enough to be worth the investment, and whether the Kings will be able to afford his price tag (they already have $58 million committed to the cap next season, though they may look to free up the space for Gaborik through trades or a buyout). Both questions will be answered shortly after July 1st.
2) Thomas Vanek, LW Montreal Canadiens
2013-14 Salary: $6.4 million ($7.1 million cap hit)
2013-14 Stats: 78 GP, 27 G, 41 A, 68 PTS, 46 PIMs, +7, 19:21 TOI
Should Gaborik re-sign with the Kings, Vanek becomes the de facto first choice for NHL clubs needing a scoring winger. Vanek faced great adversity this season, playing for both the Sabres and the Islanders before eventually ending up in Montreal, but he produced well for all three clubs. He and Gaborik are the only two forwards available that are capable of producing 40+ goals a season, and his services will be in high demand. However, there are questions about Vanek’s compete level as he, playing his first meaningful playoff games in three years, essentially disappeared against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final this spring. Still, he’s a large body on the wing that plays with finesse, and there’s no doubt the 30-year-old will be coveted by many teams and may demand a contract similar to his previously inflated (thanks to an offer sheet) $7.1 million deal.
3) Paul Stastny, C Colorado Avalanche
2013-14 Salary: $6.6 million
2013-14 Stats: 71 GP, 25 G, 39 A, 64 PTS, 22 PIMs, +9, 18:23 TOI
There was a time, not too long ago, when the 28-year-old Stastny was the centerpiece of the rebuild going on in Colorado. Now, with the emergence of Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan O’Reilly, he’s become just another complementary piece up front for an Avalanche squad who have taken the next step. That being said, he had his best offensive campaign since 2010 this year, and Stastny is also far and away the best center available in free agency. There was a time when Stastny’s $6.6 million dollar contract seemed excessive, but with his performance this year and his ability to step instantly into a top six role on almost any team in the league, it seems likely he can garner at least that much again. It also seems likely that the Avs will be able to afford it, but should they decide to let Stastny walk, there will be no shortage of suitors.
4) Ales Hemsky, RW Ottawa Senators
2013-14 Salary: $5.5 million ($5 million cap hit)
2013-14 Stats: 75 GP, 13 G, 30 A, 43 PTS, 24 PIMs, -15, 15:57 TOI
It’s no secret that the 30-year-old Hemsky has struggled with injuries for most of his career, but this season was different as he suited up for the most games in a season since way back in 2006. With the influx of young forward talent in Edmonton, the long-time Oiler was dealt at the trade deadline to the Senators after struggling to produce with his old team. However, in Ottawa, Hemsky lit it up with 17 points over the final 20 games of the season. There’s no doubt that Hemsky is a risk, but he’s also one of the best wingers available in that second tier below Gaborik and Vanek. Should either of those two players go early, Hemsky could be wise to sit back and wait for the offers to start increasing. If healthy, and based on his late season production, it’s very likely that Hemsky could get back to that 60-70 point range again next season. He’s the one player this free agent season that carries the biggest risk, but also could provide some great value.
5) Brad Richards, C New York Rangers
2013-14 Salary: $9 million ($6.6 million cap hit)
2013-14 Stats: 82 GP, 20 G, 31 A, 51 PTS, 18 PIMs, -8, 18:41 TOI
I know what you’re saying, “how could the player just bought out by the Rangers who was a no-show in the Stanley Cup final against LA be one of the top five free agent forwards available?”. It’s a valid question, but there’s an easy answer: Richards’ buyout had nothing to do with production, and everything to do with business. Even at 34 years old, Richards offers great production as a number 2/3 center. He also provides durability, as he’s missed more than ten games only once in his 13 season career. Add in his veteran leadership (he was the de facto captain of that Rangers locker room) and experience, and Richards could make a wonderful pick-up for any team needing center depth. The problem of course was his contract, which was a mistake from the start, but at the right price point and in the right situation, Richards still has lots to give.
Honorable Mentions:
Mike Cammalleri – Calgary Flames (32 years old, $6 million), Jarome Iginla – Boston Bruins (36 years old, $6 million), Ryan Callahan – Tampa Bay Lightning (29 years old, $4.275 million), Mikhail Grabovski – Washington Capitals (30 years old, $3 million), Radim Vrbata – Phoenix Coyotes (33 years old, $3 million).
That’s it for the forwards, see anybody you like? Don’t forget to check out part one and part two of our series. Coming up soon in the next installment of LWOS’s Free Agent Frenzy we take a look at some of the best kept secrets available this year.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @LWOSpuckhead. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter –@LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Don’t forget to check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert for the latest in NHL injuries.
