It’s July 1, which means that the phones of general managers and player agents across the NHL are on fire. Which players will get paid big time? Which teams will snag the top-tier guys? With that said, let’s take a look at the five most prized free agent defenseman right now.
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2015-16 stats: 82 games played, 6 goals, 31 points
Expected cap hit:$5 million
Campbell is already 37 but he’s still an above average blue liner capable of flummoxing opposing teams’ attacks while also being a pleasant contributor on offense. In fact, his +38 plus/minus last season was his best in his career thus far.
2. Dan Hamhuis
2015-16 cap hit: $4.5 million
2015-16 stats: 58 games played, 3 goals, 13 points
Expected cap hit:$5 million
The Canucks intended to move Hamhuis at the trade deadline but failed to find any takers. Now they’ll have to decide whether to extend the defenseman a qualifying offer or let him walk away. The latter option, however, appears to be foolish, considering that the Canucks weren’t able to deal Hamhuis before his contract expired.
3. Kris Russell
2015-16 cap hit: $2.6 million
2015-16 stats: 62 games played, 34 goals, 19 points
Expected cap hit:$4 million
Russell had a plus/minus of -4 last season, which he began with Dallas and ended with Calgary. The free agent defenseman has been lauded for his ability to avoid the penalty box. While he blocks shots, advanced statistics tell of a defenseman that does little to improve his team’s possession numbers.
4. Jason Demers
2015-16 cap hit: $3.4 million
2015-16 stats: 62 games played, 7 goals, 23 points
Expected cap hit:$4 million
Demers will definitely shore up the blue line of any team that’ll sign him this summer. He’s also a terrific puck mover for his position, netting seven goals recording 16 helpers the past season for Dallas. He’ not a top-line guy yet but don’t be surprised if a team out there will offer to pay him like one.
5. Roman Polak
2015-16 cap hit: $2.6 million
2015-16 stats: 79 games played, 1 goal, 15 points
Expected cap hit:$2 million
Last season, Polak was traded from Toronto to San Jose, where he became part of the Sharks deep playoff run. He’d be a nice addition to a team needing depth on defense, but his poor possession numbers could stand in his way to getting a favorable deal this free agency period.
