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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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) shoots form the point during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) shoots form the point during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

16. Calvin de Haan

Calvin de Haan is one of those defensemen who never puts up big numbers but is the type of player that coaches gush about. He was a big part of the Islanders’ defensive identity when they went and acquired similarly big bodied defensemen in Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. And up until last season, he was durable.

In 2017-18, however, he missed 49 games with a shoulder injury, which hampered his team’s chances of making a playoff run. While that will that drop his price in free agency, it should motivate him to come out stronger than ever next season.

Why he’s in demand: de Haan’s greatest attributes for the Islanders are his shot-blocking — he has led his team in that category for two of the last three seasons — and his discipline. Even in his abbreviated season, he only took four penalties and was a plus-11. While he plays like a veteran, he’s only 27 and has a lot of years left in him.

Teams with the best chance to sign him: Since teams in the Metropolitan Division rotate players with regularity, don’t be surprised if de Haan winds up in a Rangers or Devils jersey next season.

Outside of the Metro, the Florida Panthers should target de Haan to pair with Aaron Ekblad or Michael Matheson. He would also bolster the Nashville Predators’ bottom pairing, and considering he’s coming off of a major injury, reduced minutes would be a blessing in disguise.

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