Rank: Top 10 Free Agents of 2016

One of the regular articles you will see posted on the blog is called "Rank". This is a top ten countdown of various topics. Each edition of Rank will focus on a different subject related to a current NHL story. Enjoy these countdowns and please use the comments section to give your opinion on what should have been #1.

NHL free agency officially begins on July 1st. This year features one of the best free agent classes in recent memory. To get everyone prepared for the free agent frenzy, this edition of Rank will focus on the top ten free agents of 2016.

10. James Reimer - Florida-5 years-$17 million

This free agent class leaves very little options for teams needing help in the net. James Reimer is an unproven goaltender. In his career he has never been more than a part-time starter for his team. So there are a lot of question marks around Reimer's ability to be a starter. However, he is the best goalie available in free agency. 

9. Torey Krug (RFA) - Boston-4 years-$21 million

Krug is a restricted free agent, the only one on this list. This means that the Boston Bruins will have the right to match any offer made to Krug and he will be forced to re-sign with Boston. So most likely Krug will end up back in Boston, especially considering Boston's depleted depth on the blue-line. However, Boston may be forced to pay a premium for Krug's services. He is one of the most dangerous defenseman in the league with the puck on his stick. Some teams believe he has the potential to grow into a Kris Letang type of player. So expect Krug to receive offers north of $5 million per year.

8. Andrew Ladd - New York Islanders-7 years-$38.5 million

Ladd has scored 20+ goals in each of the last five full NHL seasons. He is a complete winger that could help make any playoff contender into a Stanley Cup contender. Maybe the most desirable thing about Ladd is he is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, with different teams. The Predators, Islanders, Lightning and Canadiens all expected to make a big push for Ladd.

7. Kyle Okposo - Buffalo-7 years-$42 million

Any team hunting for a first or second line winger will be talking to Okposo. He is a three time 20+ goal scorer that can play any role on your team. The biggest advantage for Okposo is he is only 28 years old, entering the prime of his career.


6. Loui Eriksson - Vancouver-6 years-$36 million

Eriksson is a power forward with a great goal-scoring touch. A consistent 20 goal scorer with a lot of size. He is a top-six forward on any team. At 30 years old, he still has some great years left. Most importantly for Eriksson, he had one of the best season's of his career in a contract year. He scored 30 goals last season and 30 goal scorers are rare in this league.

5. Dan Hamhuis - Dallas-2 years-$7.5 million

This free agent class is excitingly deep at forward, but it leaves something to be desired for defenseman. Hamhuis may not be one of the top defenseman in the league, but he is the best free agent. He is a veteran that plays well in both ends of the ice. He can join a team and play on their top pairing. There are always team's looking to improve on the blue-line, and willing to overpay. So expect Hamhuis to get a healthy long-term deal.

4. Milan Lucic - Edmonton-7 years-$42 million

There is no other player in the NHL like Milan Lucic. A 6'4" 230 lbs left wing that can play on your first line. Almost every team will inquiry about Lucic after July 1st hits. Vancouver is a team that could really use someone like Lucic.

3. David Backes - Boston-5 years-$30 million

Backes is a unique player. He looks like a goon on the ice at 6'3" and 221 lbs, he also plays extremely physical. He is the ideal defensive center to play against the other team's top player. He is a true two-way forward. He has scored 20+ goals in the last five full NHL seasons. Backes would be a great fit on almost any team. He would be an ideal player for a team like the New York Rangers. They play with an edge and need a shutdown center to go up against Crosby, Giroux, Backstrom and Malkin; who they face on a nightly basis in the Metropolitan Division. 

2. Eric Staal - Minnesota-3 years-$10.5 million

Staal was by far the biggest prize of this past season's trade deadline, won by the New York Rangers. He was looked at as an elite center that was good enough to play on the top line or potentially be the best second line center in the league. Things didn't work out as planned for Staal in New York. After the trade deadline, he managed only 6 points, zero in the playoffs. After the Rangers first round playoff exit, it appears Staal will be playing for a new team this season. It is hard to say what team's view Staal's role as. Will he be the shutdown center that scores 20+ goals or is he now just a glorified third line center?

1. Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay-8 years-$68 million

One of the most coveted and talked about free agents in the history of the game. Stamkos is the one player on this list that can potentially take a team from cellar dweller to division winner. When healthy, Stamkos is one of the top five players in the NHL, a two-time Rocket Richard winner (most goals in a season). The only hesitation would be that he has suffered a serious injury and missed significant time in two of the past three seasons. #StamkosWatch appears to be down to four teams; Toronto, Buffalo, Detroit and Tampa Bay. However, anything can happen once free agency opens on July 1st. Vote on where you think Stamkos will land in our poll at the top left of the page.