With two days until the National Hockey League’s Free Agent Frenzy begins, TSN’s list of the top 45 pending unrestricted free agents remains heavy on right-shot blueliners.
Three of the top four players on the list are right-shooting defencemen, including No. 1-ranked Rasmus Andersson.
John Carlson, the next highest-ranked player, drew plenty of attention over the weekend as the Stanley Cup-champion Carolina Hurricanes acquired his rights from the Anaheim Ducks to get a jump-start on contract talks. Jacob Trouba, Carlsson’s teammate last season, is listed at No. 4.
With two Stanley Cups and two Vezina trophies on his resume, Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky is deservedly the top-ranked goalie at No. 3, coming off a seven-year, $70 million contract.
The Washington Capitals acquired forward Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres in a sign-and-trade last week, locking him up with an eight-year, $84 million contract and taking the top-ranked UFA forward off the board.
That moves New York Islanders captain Anders Lee into the top five, making him the top forward available.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported late last week that the Islanders continue to have a dialogue with him, though it’s likely he will head to the open market on Wednesday.
Lee, 35, had 19 goals and 42 points in 82 games with the New York Islanders last season. The 6-foot-3 winger is coming off a seven-year, $49 million contract that carried a cap hit of $7 million.
TSN’s Top 45 UFAs List
RKPlayerAgePosGPG
P1Rasmus Andersson, VGK29RD8117472John Carlson, Car36RD7114603Sergei Bobrovsky, Fla37G523.07.8774Jacob Trouba, Ana32RD8110355Anders Lee, NYI35LW8219426Mason Marchment, CBJ31LW6819457Anthony Mantha, Pit31RW8133648Scott Laughton, LA32C6413209Michael Bunting, Dal30LW74143310Mats Zuccarello, Min38RW591554
11Mario Ferraro, SJ27LD8372312John Klingberg, SJ33RD56102713Viktor Arvidsson, Bos33LW69255414Stuart Skinner, Pit27G502.92.88815Jaden Schwartz, Sea33LW50112616Jack Roslovic, Edm29RW69213617Boone Jenner, CBJ33C67133818Patrick Kane, Det37RW67165719Andrew Peeke, Bos28RD7751420Vladimir Tarasenko, Min34RW752347
21Nick Blankenburg, Col28RD6182422Ilya Mikheyev, Chi31RW77183623Andrei Kuzmenko, LA30LW52132524Ryan Shea, Pit29LD8063525Eeli Tolvanen, Sea27RW78123626Frederik Andersen, Car36G353.05.87427Alex Kerfoot, Uta31C3471328Kasperi Kapenen, Edm29RW4181729Erik Haula, Nsh35LW81143830Logan Stanley, Buf28LD76926
31Jeremy Lauzon, VGK29LD6811332Ian Cole, Uta37LD8232033Oliver Bjorkstrand, TB31RW80123234A.J. Greer, Fla29LW78173235Teddy Blueger, Van31C3591736Alex Ovechkin, Wsh40LW82326437Jamie Oleksiak, Sea33LD7851538Nick Jensen, Ott35RD6141739Evander Kane, Van34LW71143140Connor Ingram, Edm29G322.60.899
41Trevor van Riemsdyk, Wsh34RD6831442Nick Cousins, Ott32RW8192343David Perron, Det38LW65132844Cam Talbot, Det38G343.19.88345Claude Giroux, Ott38RW821449
