Two months after the NHL’s free agency opened with a billion-dollar bang, the pickings on the open market have grown slimmer than Jonah Hill.
That said, a few bargains, wily veterans, and low-risk gambles may are still there to be found as PTO SZN looms.
Midsummer free agents such as Daniel Sprong (Vancouver), Oliver Kylington (Colorado) and Nick Cousins (Ottawa) inked one-year contracts in the $1 million range, which gives the player incentive to earn a raise next time and the team a potential bargain deal.
Other free agents (Filip Zadina, Dominik Kubalik) bolted to Europe for work.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most intriguing UFAs still available with September’s training camps fast approaching, plus the latest on their situations.
1. Tyler Johnson
Age: 34
Position: C
2023-24 salary-cap hit: $5 million
Battling injury and playing for a tanking team, Johnson still put up 17 goals and 31 points in 67 games for the Blackhawks.
The two-time Cup champ will need to accept a reduced salary on his next team, but he brings character, experience and the versatility of playing wing or centre.
We can see him playing third-line centre on a playoff team — which he would prefer to another rebuilding group.
“I’d like to play some meaningful hockey and get back in the playoffs,” Johnson told reporters after running out his deal in Chicago.
“That’s where it’s all at. That’s where I’ve always loved. I’ve always just wanted to be a part of that. And when you’re not, especially the last few years here doing what we’re doing, it’s been pretty tough.”
Johnson signed a PTO with the Boston Bruins on Aug. 31 and has a legit shot at adding to the contender’s centre depth. We like this bet from both sides.
2. Calen Addison
Age: 24
Position: RD
2023-24 salary cap hit: $825,000
Addison is a 24-year-old right shot who logs 17 minutes a night, once earned All-Rookie Team votes and costs less than a million bucks.
So, why have two teams (Minnesota, San Jose) given up on him?
Addison doesn’t tilt the ice, nor produce a ton at even strength. But with the lack of available young D-men, we imagine a team will bet his best hockey still lies ahead.
Hey, the Oilers now have an opening for a young righty …
3. John Klingberg
Age: 32
Position: RD
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.15 million
Quick. Of all the remaining UFAs, who averaged the most minutes?
It’s Klingberg, who was skating 20:33 for the Maple Leafs until the hips gave out. The right-shot power-play quarterback has been so hampered by injury, one wonders if surgery and diligent rehabilitation can resurrect his career.
No rush on the player or teams to sign, but heading into camp, Klingberg could land a tryout or a short-term deal once fully healthy.
He’s only 32.
4. Tyson Barrie
Age: 33
Position: D
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.5 million
The 809-game, right-shot veteran fell out of favour in Nashville, to the point where he had a string of healthy scratches and could not be traded due to his hefty cap hit.
On a one-year, low-cost, prove-it deal, however, a motivated Barrie — roundly beloved by teammates — should be able to help a team’s third pair and second power-play unit.
Because the Oilers lost some defencemen this summer, and because Barrie was so beloved by his teammates in Edmonton, some speculate that he could return on the cheap.
5. Tony DeAngelo
Age: 28
Position: D
2023-24 salary cap hit: $1.675 million
The divisive DeAngelo has been bought out, watched his AAV shrink, and now he’s searching for his fifth team in five seasons.
Certainly, some buyer beware here, but the righty can log minutes, is still one of the younger D-men on the market, and brings offensive upside.
He has put up 210 points in 371 games. Not many unclaimed blueliners can claim that.
6. Max Pacioretty
Age: 35
Position: LW
2023-24 salary cap hit: $2 million
It’s been some trying times for Pacioretty, but he could still be the answer for a team looking for depth scoring on left wing.
Pacioretty returned from two Achilles tendon injuries in January and scored four goals and 23 points in 47 games.
The former Montreal Canadiens captain has 330 goals in 902 games over his 16-year career.
The Maple Leafs, Ducks and Rangers are three clubs rumoured to be considering inviting Pacioretty to camp. Word is, the winger would prefer a guaranteed deal, not a tryout.
7. James van Riemsdyk
Age: 35
Position: LW/RW
2023-24 salary cap hit: $1 million
While not as productive as in his prime, van Riemsdyk showed last season with the Boston Bruins that he has a little offence left in him.
In 71 games, van Riemsdyk had 11 goals and 38 points but trade deadline additions put him on the fringe of the lineup by the time the playoffs rolled around. Now he’s a free agent looking for a chance to provide another team with some veteran depth.
8. Kevin Labanc
Age: 28
Position: RW
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.73 million
The wildly inconsistent winger — 56 points in 2018-19, nine points in 2023-24 — left the San Jose Sharks with little fanfare and full expectation of accepting a pay cut with his next club.
Labanc is capable of offensive flashes, to be sure, and is still under 30, but he is now in a position where he must prove his value on a tryout or short-term contract, probably with a non-playoff team in need of an offensive jolt and willing to bank he can approach something close to his former 17-goal form.
9. Justin Schultz
Age: 34
Position: D
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3 million
The veteran right-shot defenceman comes with two Stanley Cup rings and 745 games of experience.
He and the Kraken are coming off a down year in Seattle (Schultz went dash-23, a career-worst). But Schultz can still move a puck, contribute offence from the back end and eat minutes.
The Kelowna, B.C., native has become a speculated PTO target in Vancouver and Edmonton, with both Western Canadian clubs losing some blueline depth over the summer.
10. Kevin Shattenkirk
Age: 35
Position: D
2023-24 salary cap hit: $1.05 million
The puck-moving right-shot defenceman put up a respectable 24 points in his 61 games for the Boston Bruins last season and sits just 48 games shy of 1,000 on his career.
Shattenkirk has been rumoured to be of interest to the Oilers but was also said to be considering KHL options.
Surely a teammate of Shattenkirk’s character, leadership and reputation could land a spot as some NHL club’s sixth or seventh option on a team-friendly, one-year deal. As a 35-year-old, he’s also eligible for bonuses.
More Notable UFAs: Kyle Okposo, Mark Giordano, Antti Raanta, Martin Jones, Kevin Lankinen, Mike Hoffman, Blake Wheeler, Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, Tanner Pearson (PTO with Vegas), Marco Scandella
