Fansided

NHL free agency: 5 best players still available

By James Reeve

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils takes the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils takes the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Evan Rodrigues #9 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores a second period shorthanded goal against Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime to move on to round two. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Evan Rodrigues

Last season was without a doubt the best NHL season of Evan Rodrigues‘ career so far, where he featured in a full 82 games for the very first time and had the best production of his professional career to date.

Playing just shy of 16 minutes a game, Rodrigues was able to score 19 goals and rack up 43 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For many, it is a surprise that the Penguins have not already brought him back, and this could benefit a team needing help on offense.

Rodrigues has largely played a bottom-six role throughout his career, but the best two seasons he has enjoyed in the NHL have come in years where he has exceeded an average of 15 minutes of ice time, including a 29-point (9G, 20A) season with the Buffalo Sabres in 2018-19.

His three goals and five points in seven playoff games with the Penguins also highlights what he can achieve when partnered with the right players, and given more of an opportunity to succeed.

Rodrigues would provide teams with some valuable depth and could compete for top-six minutes on teams in need of center depth, searching for a way to reach the playoffs or even a team in rebuild mode that sees his value as a possible trade piece down the line.

His best value may still be with the Penguins, if they are able to move the money around to accommodate him, but he is bound to find himself a new home once training camps begin, even if it means starting the year on a PTO.

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