Finding Homes for Free Agent Forwards

Chris Pudsey

2015-06-18

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Martin St. Louis and Justin Williams headline a weak free agent forward class this year. 

First off, congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for winning the Stanley Cup this week. It was a great season for the Hawks and I will be the first to admit, at the start of the playoffs, I didn't have them even coming close to winning it. Coach Quenneville road his horses to the end, pretty much playing four defensemen until they dropped, and they kept on rolling.  It worked and in the end, that's all that really matters.

Last week, I took a look at some possible landing spots for some pending UFA defensemen. I received some interesting feedback, both in the comments section and also via PM's as to my possible destinations for those I chose to focus on. In this week's Capped, I am going to take a look at some of the pending UFA Forwards and do the same thing as last week.

In doing some research for this week's column, the big thing that jumped out at me was just how poor the list of FA forwards really is this summer. There really are no big names to battle over so it wasn't quite as easy working on this week's list. Either way, here are a few of the forwards and where I think they might go, and how much money they may make.

Martin St. Louis

New York Rangers

Expiring Cap hit:  $5.625M

player

GP

G

A

P

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PIM

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HITS

PPG

PPP

SHG

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%PP

%SH

TOI/G

%TOI

ST. LOUIS, MARTIN

75

21

31

52

0.69

12

20

144

13

5

13

0

37

02:51

57.7

2.2

17:29

28.9

Happy 40th birthday to Martin St. Louis today!

With that out of the way, St. Louis has already been informed that the New York Rangers do not plan on bringing him back next year. It really shouldn't come as a surprise. He has seen a decline in his production since coming to the Rangers in a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago. This past season, his 52 points in 75 games was his lowest scoring total since 2001/02, his second full season with Tampa Bay, when he scored 35 points in 53 games. That being said, he's still a productive player and considering the decline in overall scoring this past season, there's nothing wrong with staying above the 20 goal marker and 52 total points.

Also, considering his age, he has been a very durable and reliable skater. This past season, the seven games he missed was the most during a regular season dating back to that same 2001/2002 season. In 2011/12 he missed five games but other than that, he rarely misses any time. 

My prediction on where he signs:  Pittsburgh Penguins

Other possible destinations:  New Jersey, Montreal

I think he gets a larger financial offer from New Jersey but the chance for St. Louis to line up with Sidney Crosby is just too great to pass up. Not to mention, Pittsburgh is still a contending team and New Jersey simply isn't at this point in his career. 

I can see St. Louis signing a contract worth $2.5 – 3M for two years with the Pens. 

Chris Stewart

Minnesota Wild

Expiring Cap hit:  $4.15M

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STEWART, CHRIS

81

14

22

36

0.44

-26

88

155

110

5

10

0

16

01:57

41.6

0.1

15:53

26.1

The 27-year-old Stewart has everything that NHL GM's dream about. He has the size (6'2", 230 pounds) and the skill to be one of the leagues better power forwards yet his career has been as up and down like a yo-yo.

Expiring Cap hit:  $3.65M

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WILLIAMS, JUSTIN

80

18

22

40

0.50

8

29

173

29

4

12

0

24

01:38

32.6

3.1

15:50

26.0

What does someone who has won three Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe trophy command on the open market? We are soon about to find out. 

The Los Angeles Kings would love to bring Williams back, but with roughly $5M in cap space and other free agents to deal with (mainly Tyler Toffoli), the writing seems to be on the wall as far as Williams' time with the Kings. 

The 33-year-old probably has his best years in the rear view mirror, but he's still seen as Mr. Clutch in the playoffs and is still a solid point producer during the regular season. Other than the lockout season in 2013, he's scored 18, 19, 22, and 22 goals. Not only is his a consistent scorer, he rarely misses games. Since 2011/12, he's only missed one regular season game.

My prediction where he signs:  Washington Capitals

Other possible destinations:  Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington is looking for a top-line right winger and Williams would fit in nicely with the Caps.  His experience and consistency could be exactly what the Capitals need to help push them over the hump in the playoffs.

I can see Williams signing a three year deal worth $4.5M.

Carl Soderberg

Boston Bruins

Expiring Cap hit:  $1.008M

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SODERBERG, CARL

82

13

31

44

0.54

9

26

163

76

5

8

0

36

02:00

44.6

0.8

16:47

27.4

Boston would love to bring back Soderberg but cap restraints on this team are signalling the end of his time in Beantown. He's been playing on a bargain contract the past couple seasons and is due to cash in on his solid play for the Bruins. Unfortunately for the Bruins, he is going to be one of the more sought-after free agents on July 1st. The Bruins camp told his agent, J.P. Barry that they weren't even going to tender an offer. 

Playing as the team's third center this year, his 44 points was third highest in Boston. He was also one of only two Bruins to make it through all 82 games this year. Unfortunately for Soderberg, he tended to struggle when he was bumped up to the second line, having to face opponents' top D-men on a more regular basis.

My prediction where he signs:  New Jersey Devils

Other possible destinations:  Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes

I really want to say the Arizona Coyotes here as I think he would be a perfect fit for them but the issues around the arena in Glendale has me thinking they Coyotes won't be out buying any big name free agents this summer.

The Devils are next in line for his services and I think they step up and snag him. Travis Zajac still seems to be entrenched as the team's top center, and although they have Adam Henrique as an option for the second line center position I can see him being moved to the wing. Scott Gomez was productive for the Devils this year, but the fact that we even have to bring Scott Gomez into the discussion when talking about the centers for New Jersey says more than we need to say. Gomez alone is a main reason why the Devils need help down the middle and could really use Soderberg's help and offense.

I can see Soderberg signing for four years at an annual cap hit of $4 – 4.5M. 

So there are four potential landing spots for a few of the popular unrestricted free agents available. It's not a pretty group of names and believe me, these are some of the better options out there.

Thanks for taking the time to give it a read. Feel free to follow me on twitter @chrispudsey and feel free to leave a comment, if you feel so inclined.

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