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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TAMPA, FL – MAY 6: Rick Nash #61 of the Boston Bruins against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 6, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)”n
TAMPA, FL – MAY 6: Rick Nash #61 of the Boston Bruins against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 6, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)”n /

11. Rick Nash

The Boston Bruins overpaid for Rick Nash in the hopes that he would make a difference in their playoff run. It wasn’t to be, as two of his five playoff points came in Game 1 against the Lightning. He’s built a reputation of disappearing come playoff time, especially when he was in New York, and this year’s run didn’t help his cause.

This is the first time Nash is going to hit the open market, but being 34 will prevent him from getting a long-term deal anywhere. And after carrying a cap hit of $7.8 million, he’s one of the few free agents that will get a pay cut.

Why he’s in demand: Nash may be a long way away from his days of scoring 30 goals, but he still put together a strong campaign, with 21 goals despite spending most of his time on the rebuilding Rangers. That was his 13th season of at least 20 goals scored, and he’s earned his reputation as a strong, skilled power forward that’s tough to play against.

Nash can also attribute his struggles in the playoffs to a concussion that he suffered with the Bruins. You would think that would scare some teams away, but he has a full summer to recover and get back to playing like his old self.

Teams with the best chance to sign him: He’d be a good fit with the Carolina Hurricanes as the veteran presence on a rebuilding team. However, if he wants to go to a contending team, a reunion in Columbus be nice, plus he’d be an upgrade over Thomas Vanek.

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