Ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents: 30-21
June is an incredibly busy month for the NHL, but that doesn't mean we can't look ahead to what's coming. Free agency begins at 12 p.m. ET on July 1, and we're ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents in a seven-post series ahead of the madness.
Here's a look at players ranked 30 - 21 on our list.
30. Chad Johnson (G)
Age on Oct. 1: 31
2016-17 Cap Hit: $1,700,000
This journeyman backup could be set to play for his sixth team in eight years.
Johnson, who carries a career save percentage of .915, should have some choices available to him after playing well in stretches for the Calgary Flames this past season while Brian Elliott (also a UFA) was struggling.
29. Drew Stafford (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 31
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4,350,000
Stafford's stock saw a bump after being traded from Winnipeg to Boston, scoring as many goals in limited time with the Bruins (four in 18 games) as he did in almost twice as many games with the Jets (four in 40 games).
Stafford did add two goals in six playoff games, but seems primed for the kind of short-term, low-risk deal that is common among aging players.
28. Peter Budaj (G)
Age on Oct. 1: 35
2016-17 Cap Hit: $600,000
While filling in for an injured Jonathan Quick, Budaj gave the Kings ridiculous value on a modest investment. In 53 appearances, he posted a 27-20-3 record with a .917 save percentage. True, he faded a bit before being shipped off to Tampa Bay, but he certainly proved he's capable of being a high-end backup.
27. Dmitry Kulikov (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 26
2016-17 Cap Hit: $4,333,333
Kulikov was limited to only 47 games in his one - and perhaps only - season in Buffalo, recording two goals, three assists, and a minus-26 rating. Still, he's only 26 and there's no shortage of teams looking for defensemen capable of playing top-four minutes.
26. Thomas Vanek (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 33
2016-17 Cap Hit: $2,600,000
After being bought out by Minnesota last summer, Vanek signed one of the one-year, modest-cap-hit deals mentioned above with respect to Stafford. In 68 games split between Detroit and Florida, he scored 17 goals and added 31 assists. He could be in for a bit more job security this time around.
25. Kris Versteeg (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 31
2016-17 Cap Hit: $950,000
Versteeg began training camp in Edmonton and eventually signed a one-year deal with Calgary, where he managed to contribute 15 goals and 22 assists in 69 games, and an additional four points in four playoff contests. He's already said, "If I'm sitting in Switzerland in September, my agent's getting fired," meaning he's expecting to land a contract with an NHL team come training camp.
24. Ron Hainsey (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 36
2016-17 Cap Hit: $2,833,333
Having never appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs prior to this season, Hainsey won his first Cup with Pittsburgh. Where he goes from here is anyone's guess, but we all know teams value experience, and he can now at least boast about scoring a goal in the Final.
23. Michael Del Zotto (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 27
2016-17 Cap Hit: $3,875,000
With his career seemingly at a crossroads, Del Zotto found his game in Philadelphia, where he spent the past three seasons. He never played in more than 64 games in a single season over that span, but his age and skill set should land him a nice deal regardless.
22. Kris Russell (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 30
2016-17 Cap Hit: $3,100,000
It appears as though Edmonton general manager Peter Chiarelli is keen on keeping Russell in the mix, but should he hit the open market, count on endless debates pitting advanced stats against the eye test.
21. Brian Boyle (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 32
2016-17 Cap Hit: $2,000,000
Boyle was acquired by Toronto prior to the trade deadline, and helped the team qualify for the postseason, where it gave Washington a tighter matchup in the first round than was initially expected. The veteran center will command plenty of attention in free agency, and rightfully so, based on all that he brings to the table.
Free Agent Rankings
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)