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NHL free agency: Top 25 players available

By Dave Stevenson

May 3, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even with a weak free agency class, the NHL offseason should feature a lot of bucks being spent. Here are the top 25 players available in free agency. 

While it won’t rival last year’s free agency class, the 2017 NHL class does feature some talent. Even though top forward T.J. Oshie has already been re-signed, there is still a lot talent to be had. Whether your favorite team is looking for a defenseman, forward, center or goalie, they’ll be able to find solid options in free agency.

Thanks to the expansion draft, some teams are left with some sizable holes entering the offseason. This might cause teams to be a little bit more active in free agency than in recent years, even if the talent level isn’t as top notch as it has been recently. With the salary cap rising, that should help the action be intense as well.

However, wise teams shouldn’t spend too much in free agency. Generally, unless you find a diamond in the rough, you have to overpay to sign just about anyone. That works for some teams, but not for others. For example, the Washington Capitals probably can’t afford to overpay anyone thanks to their salary cap situation. However, the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils might have to overpay to get talent. And they can certainly afford to do so with a lot of cap space.

These rankings use several factors. First of all, a player’s production, both present and future, is most important. Secondly, how much interest will each player get? Lastly, how much can the player in question immediately help a team? The last is important because that’s the primary purpose of free agency. Teams want to make upgrades, and that’s what these rankings are all about.

25. Dmitry Kulikov

Dmitry Kulikov had a season to forget with the Buffalo Sabres. After they traded for him at the 2016 NHL Draft, he battled a back injury all season long and had probably the worst season of his career. Despite this, Kulikov will likely be a beneficiary of the very weak free agent class, as he’s one of the better defensemen available and one of the most proven.

He has a reputation as being a hard hitting, shutdown defenseman. Very little Kulikov did last season confirmed this, but he has a track record of being a reliable defenseman. In each season since the 2010-11 season, he has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per evening. Kulikov will most likely have to take a short-term deal to prove that he’s healthy, but he could cash in next year or in 2019.

Best fits: His team with the Sabres is probably over, so he’ll have to look for a new team. The New Jersey Devils could definitely use more defensive depth. With Andrej Sekera out for the first few months, the Edmonton Oilers could be a landing spot for him. Don’t be surprised to see the Vegas Golden Knights be interested in him, as he would be reunited with former head coach Gerard Gallant.

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