The NHL is hitting its golden peak in the offseason; free-agent frenzy! With huge names testing out the market NHL fans are in for a wild ride. We’ve some trades happen on draft night, murmurs come leak out of league offices of future moves we might see coming, but everything becomes set in stone July 13th. I figured I’d get this article in a day before, let you all know where the top players are heading, and how they can impact those teams. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Evgeni Malkin
If you met me 10 years ago, chances are I was hockey obsessed and was doing my best to emulate my hockey idol; Evgeni Malkin. I wanted to play like him, skate like him; I even bought the same style of equipment that he was wearing at the time. The point is, I was a huge fan, and being a fan of his I was a Penguins fan by default.
Malkin has worn the Penguin crest ever since he came into the league in 2004. For the first time in his career, he’ll be hitting the open market; taking the best deal any team is willing to give him. Although Malkin is up there in age, the man is no slouch. When healthy, Malkin is still one of the premier scorers in the league, and could easily fetch 7-9 million on the market.
If I was a betting man, I’d have Malkin heading to a team in a state with no income tax; mainly, either the Florida Panthers or the Dallas Stars (more the Florida Panthers). The Panthers are building something special, but they are still missing a key piece to put them over the top. They tried to do it by acquiring Claude Giroux at the trade deadline, but that wasn’t enough. What they need is a proven winner with an elite skill-set; cue Malkin!
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri never got the love he deserved in Toronto. Now, after winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, and being an integral part of, not only their team since he was traded there, but their playoff runs, the man is getting his flowers. Now, it’s time for the man to get his bag as well.
Kadri hits the open market on Wednesday and teams will be falling all over themselves trying to sign him. Every team needs a gritty forward who can score, make plays, and be an absolute pest. Does Kadri re-sign with the Avalanche? Most probably. Am I going to create hypothetical signings just for fun? Yes.
If Kadri were to leave Colorado and chase the bag, then I could see him ending up in either with the Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, or Edmonton Oilers. All these teams could use some more grit, and now that he has a Stanley Cup under his belt, you would also be bringing on a seasoned winner as well.
Jack Campbell
As a Montreal Canadiens fan, I have a strong disdain for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After seeing them not offer Jack Campbell, a goalie who not only proved himself time and time again but also did it in front of the mediocre defense, a new contract, the Leafs have hit a new low. On Monday they traded for Matt Murray, a goalie who is great when healthy, but he’s seldom healthy.
Campbell now hits the open market, and the only plausible destination that he heads to is Edmonton. Edmonton is in dire need of a solid goalie, and Campbell is the perfect candidate. This is a match made in hockey heaven.
Johnny Gaudreau
Infamously “Johnny Hockey”, Johnny Gaudreau just had the best season of his NHL career and will be receiving a contract of 10$ million a year, for 7 years. Teams will be bidding for his services, but who will come out on top. I know, it’s boring, but it looks like Calgary will probably be re-signing him, but can he decide to pack up and head home to New Jersey?
The Devils could use some extra firing power, and Gaudreau could be just what the doctor ordered. The Devils are young and hungry and have a roster filled with elite skill, they just need a polished playmaker who can accentuate their strengths and make them a playoff contender. Gaudreau is that guy.