Fansided

2016 NHL Free Agency: Top 10 restricted free agents

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey (27) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey (27) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 12
Next
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions

Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals will be a restricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason. He is due for a pay raise after being paid $3.75 million in 2015-16 with 46 points in 74 games. Washington will be looking to get faster so they will likely do whatever they need to do to keep the fast young forward.

Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets is set to cash in after finally becoming a top pairing defenseman with the Blue Jackets. Columbus has an interesting cap situation, so if a team really wanted Jones, who had 31 points in 81 games, they could sign him to an offer sheet. If it’s over $6 million per season, Columbus would have trouble matching it. That might sound like a lot, but when one considers what other top pairing defensemen make, it’s roughly market value for Jones.

Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks is the most likely of the restricted free agents to be traded. With the expansion draft looming and teams only being able to keep one goalie, Anaheim will have to decide whether to keep Andersen or John Gibson. They will likely go with Gibson.

The Ducks have two other restricted free agents in defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen. Should be very interesting to see what the Ducks do with them considering that both are likely going to seek a long-term deal and the Ducks are a budget team.

Michael Stone of the Arizona Coyotes is a very underrated defenseman. He has emerged as a legitimate second pairing NHL defenseman, but he has done well as a top pairing defenseman. His recent injury will surely affect negotiations.

The Flyers are very fond of forward Brayden Schenn. He’s an important cog to their team moving forward so expect them to reach either bridge deal or a long-term deal with the talented forward. Some of the other excellent restricted free agents include (but are not limited to) Vincent Trocheck, J.T. Miller, Kyle Palmieri, Boone Jenner, Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn, Rickard Rackell, Matt Dumba, Dmitry Orlov, and Tomas Hertl.

Next: 10. Rasmus Ristolainen

Home/Boston Bruins