NHL free agency: Top 25 players available

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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Mar 22, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sam Gagner (89) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Leafs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Sam Gagner

For all the hate Sam Gagner gets for being a disappointment, he’s had a pretty solid NHL career. As a sixth-overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2007, people had high expectations for him. A 49-point rookie season only increased these expectations. However, Gagner has only topped 49 points in one season since then – and that was last season. He tied his career high with 18 goals and set a career high with 50 points.

But this doesn’t begin to explain the enigma that is Gagner. He has to be deployed heavily in the offensive zone to be productive. Usually, this treatment is reserved for rookies and younger players, helping them to grow confidence. But Gagner has to be used specially and uniquely to have value to his team. Still, he’s a lock to get about 40 points a season.

Best fits: If the Pittsburgh Penguins want a cheap option to replace Nick Bonino, Gagner seems like a pretty good fit. When you have guys like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, you can afford to shelter a line. The Columbus Blue Jackets likely can’t afford to keep him, but maybe Gagner feels comfortable there and would re-sign for less than he could elsewhere. Depending on his price, the Chicago Blackhawks might make sense.

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