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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Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) skates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Chris Kunitz

Even coming off the worst full season of his career, Chris Kunitz is going to draw interest. He’s a proven playoff performer and has been a part of four Stanley Cup winning teams. At the age of 37, Kunitz is a free agent for the first time in his career. He has won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and one with the Anaheim Ducks.

Kunitz could elect to retire. After all, he’s accomplished just about everything he can and age has caught up to the one-time consistent wing. However, retirement isn’t as easy as it sounds. Kunitz will have a chip on his shoulder, wanting to prove he’s still an NHL caliber forward. Because he already has four Stanley Cups, he isn’t limited to just a contender.

Best fits: The Regina, Saskatchewan native could join the Calgary Flames. He’d have to make sense at a low cost, but if Kunitz wants to be like LeBron James and play for his hometown, the Flames would give him that opportunity. It would have to be a fairly low cap hit, but he would make sense for the Montreal Canadiens too. While Kunitz would make sense with the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially given his relationship with Mike Babcock, unless they can get rid of Matt Martin, it’s not happening.

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