2017 NHL Free Agent Centers Available

NHL News and Predictions

Best NHL Free Agent Centers

1. Martin Hanzal

With his combination of skill, production, experience, and consistency, Hanzal is headlining our list of best free agent centers. Only 30 years of age, he still has plenty of years left in his tank, and he is coming off a season where he tallied 20 goals and a 56.4 face-off win percentage – both among the highest in his 10-year career.

Though there’s only a short list of teams where he can step in and be the clear-cut top center, whoever signs him is still sure to get an upgrade overall.

Ideal landing spot: New York Rangers, Nashville Predators

2. Nick Bonino

Aged 29, with a couple of championships under his belt, it appears that it’s the right time for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ third-line center to shine on his own. He just had a 37-point season (18 goals, 19 assists) while sharing scoring opportunities with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, so it’s intriguing to see him go up a rank higher.

There are dangerous risks in giving a career-long role player a much heavier task (obviously), but Bonino is a well-skilled player with championship experience. He should be more than ready.

Ideal landing spots: Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators

3. Sam Gagner

NHL teams tend to overpay free agents, and among all center free agents this off-season, no one’s more likely to get blessed by that than Sam Gagner (at least for his true value). Coaches, general managers, and fans will see his 50-point season this past 2016, and their eyes will probably light up.

It can be tough to imagine Gagner duplicating his prolific campaign last year, but the 27-year-old has great talent and has showcased it well throughout his career, as evidenced in posting seven 40-plus point seasons.