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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DENVER, CO – MARCH 18: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings shoots against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings 5-1. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 18: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings shoots against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Red Wings 5-1. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

8. Mike Green

It was a shame to see Mike Green put up strong numbers in a meaningless Red Wings season only to not get traded at the deadline. He was willing to waive his no-trade clause for the two Eastern Conference finalists, but the Lightning ended up with Ryan McDonagh instead, while the Capitals decided it wasn’t worth paying a steep price for a defenseman that had suffered a neck injury right around the deadline.

It remains to be seen whether the injury causes Green to take a pay cut. In such a weak class for defensemen, he could still get paid $6 million, but it’s hard to imagine his next contract lasting longer than four years.

Why he’s in demand: Green is a far cry from the player that put up 30 goals and 70 points, but some of the attributes are still there. He’s still logging the same heavy minutes at 24 per game, he can quarterback a powerplay and draws the attention of opposing defenses. He has tried to balance the two sides of his game more while on the Red Wings, but that hasn’t prevented him from leading all defensemen in points in each of his three seasons.

Teams with the best chance to sign him: If the Capitals can’t hang on to John Carlson, a reunion might be in the books. And while Anaheim doesn’t offer the same sentimental value as Washington, it would be a good fit all the same. Cam Fowler was sorely missed in the playoffs, when the Ducks got swept away by the San Jose Sharks, so Green would be perfect for providing defensive depth and for filling a similar role.

Beyond those two, it’s hard to think the Montreal Canadiens don’t consider him. Their defensive depth is lacking, and they need another offensive-minded one like Shea Weber whether or not he’s in the lineup. Pairing him with his old teammate Karl Alzner might even help him rediscover some of his old magic!

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