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NHL free agency: Ranking the best defenseman options

By Marci Rubin

Apr 2, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) hits New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) hits New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy (28) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle defeated Philadelphia 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy (28) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle defeated Philadelphia 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Top NHL UFA defenseman options: 8. Carson Soucy

Age: 28
2022-23 team: Seattle Kraken

Carson Soucy is a tough, reliable defenseman. Soucy was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2013. He played four seasons of college hockey with the University of Minnesota Duluth before signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Wild, followed by a one-year deal. He signed a three-year 8.25 million extension in 2020. He was selected in the 2021 Expansion Draft by the Seattle Kraken. He played two seasons for the Kraken and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Like Connor Clifton, it took Soucy longer to get to the NHL than other players on this list, but he’s developed into a solid NHL defenseman. Soucy is a gritty player who limits opponents’ chances and gets the puck out of the defensive zone. His team can rely on him to be on the ice for more goals for than against. Soucy’s +/- during the 2022-23 regular season was 18. He had 143 hits and made 96 blocks. Soucy doesn’t score a lot of goals, but he contributes to the offense via assists. In 2022-23, he had 13 assists. He’s also useful on the penalty kill. Soucy should be more careful with committing penalties.

Will Soucy stay with the Kraken? They had an incredible turnaround from the 2021-22 season to the 2022-23 season. In the franchise’s first season, the Kraken won 27 games and were last in the Pacific Division. In year two, they won 46 games and came in 4th in their division, leading to a Stanley Cup Playoffs berth. There’s a good chance the Kraken would want Soucy around to continue building on the franchise’s early growth, but they may not need him, especially since they traded for Jaycob Megna ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.

Considering he’s younger than many of the pending free-agent defensemen, Soucy could be sought after by other teams looking for a player under 30. He might not be the biggest name on this list, but his reliability is unmatched. Soucy’s next team will gain a dependable player with many years of hockey still ahead of him.

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