No Carlson, no problem: Top free-agent NHL defensemen
With John Tavares rumors clogging up the NHL newsfeeds, it can be hard to look back and realize that there are still other free agents on the table, namely, some Grade-A defensemen.
John Carlson was the most talked-about defenseman coming into NHL free agency during the offseason and it’s not surprising why.
He’s a weapon put to good use against the Capitals and if he wasn’t going to get a life-changing offer from them (was there any doubt to begin with?) he would have had his choice of teams.
It’s a position that a lot of defensemen wish to be in at this moment, but few are. That being said, teams are overlooking how valuable a franchise defenseman could be right now. Many are focused on stacking their forwards, while they should be looking for the next John Carlson.
Here are three guys that could potentially pay off in an NHL offseason defensive trade.
1. Ian Cole
Ian Cole is an interesting bird. He had a really fair season with the Columbus Blue Jackets despite their Round One loss, but he didn’t make the waves that the Jackets were quite expecting from him.
There is still an option to re-sign him, but with the way the Jackets are heading, it seems a little too far out. They are in the process of possibly having to replace Artemi Panarin, so that with eat up a large amount of their cap.
His team loves him, the fans love him, but it just seems like a long shot that he’ll be back. Cole would probably be better suited heading somewhere like the Stars who have wide gaps in their entire roster.
With the Stars, he’d be backing up some of the league’s greatest all-stars like Benn and Seguin (and possibly Tavares) and he would have a great chance of really showing off what he can do in front of the net.
2. Calvin de Haan
De Haan is one of the scrappiest defensemen up for trade at the moment. He’s left-handed with a decent shot and he has no trouble doing pretty much whatever it takes to get in front of a launched puck. All of this aside, de Haan is no stranger to injury.
He’s only played a full set of games once in five years, which is a testament to his willingness to throw his body in front of a 90 mph block of rubber on a nightly basis.
But he’s still fairly young. If he gets his injuries in check and learns when it’s time to risk himself and when it’s not, he could be a real asset. He’s solid and (injuries aside) consistent. He could be a cheap find for a team that’s willing to foster him and let him grow.
3. Mike Green
Mike Green is an exciting prospect for many reasons. He has a shot that could rival that of a lot of NHL forwards, and he’s known for his power play potential and offensive prowess.
Even so, he’s just coming off of spinal surgery, so his current talent could be up in the air depending on his health.
Green is a bit older, so this would be another defenseman that a team in need could swoop in and grab without breaking the bank. A right-hander on defense is always a huge plus, so it’s not like Mike Green is coming straight off the clearance rack.
He’s proven he can be a true asset to a team, and if paired with the right guy, he could really carry a revamped defensive line.
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However, he is in talks with the Red Wings for an extension, so it’s anybody’s guess as of now.