Fansided

25 top NHL free agents teams will be dying to sign in 2018

By David Rouben

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders battle for the puck during their game at the Barclays Center on October 30, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders battle for the puck during their game at the Barclays Center on October 30, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a first-period goal by Kyle Palmieri #21 against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Lightning defeated the Devils 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates a first-period goal by Kyle Palmieri #21 against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Lightning defeated the Devils 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

17. Patrick Maroon

After Ray Shero robbed Peter Chiarelli blind with the Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson trade, you’d think the Oilers GM would know better than to do business with him again. But at the deadline, Shero acquired Patrick Maroon, who spent most of his time in Edmonton as Connor McDavid’s winger, for a 2019 third rounder.

When he got to New Jersey, though, he proved he didn’t need to depend on McDavid to score, as he put up 13 points in 17 games and helped the Devils go from first overall pick to playoffs in a year.

Why he’s in demand: Maroon is a big body who can score goals and bully opposing forwards off the puck. Teams that are starved for goals could use someone like Maroon, who has fit in seamlessly in every locker room. His superstar teammates have helped drive up his production, but it’s a two-way street — by doing the dirty work and winning puck battles, he makes it easier for guys like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and McDavid to get loose and score more often.

Teams with the best chance to sign him: The Devils acquired Maroon thinking he would be a rental, but they should be his strongest suitor in the offseason. If he likes what they’re building, and they have a clear top-six role for him, it would be the most ideal situation.

Outside of New Jersey, a reunion with the Anaheim Ducks could still be in the cards. Signing with the Chicago Blackhawks should help turn that offense around in a hurry, while Maroon in a Calgary Flames jersey would twist the knife for any Oilers fans that are likely still mourning his loss.

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