It’s been a fantastic opening stanza to the NHL season, with surprises and superstars in abundance. But one of the most interesting subplots to the 2017/18 season is the upcoming free agency, which could be the biggest for a long time. There is set to be a plethora of top-class talent up for grabs this summer, and who may even be traded at this year’s deadline. So, who’s been improving their value the most so far?
3. John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Defenseman John Carlson – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The long-time Capitals blueliner is set to hit the open market this summer and has certainly been proving himself to be among the best offensive defensemen in the league. With two goals and 17 points through 21 games, Carlson could very well exceed his career-best of 55 points from 2014/15.
A power play nemesis, the 27-year-old is a speedy skater, has an incredibly high hockey IQ, fantastic vision, and a deft pass; his offensive capabilities bring a bonus to his strong defensive work. Averaging over 27 minutes per game on the ice, Carlson is an elite NHL defenseman and will be much sought after should he hit the open market.
The Washington Capitals certainly won’t move Carlson by the trade deadline as he’s so crucial to their team. They’ve endured a tough start to the season, but by 21 games they have moved into the playoff spots. With a bit more consistency, the Caps should secure a divisional playoff spot and possibly go on a good run in the postseason. If you like sports, this is for you; the team boasting superstars John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby, and Nicklas Backstrom are at +800 to win in the Eastern Conference final this season.
2. Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres
Kane has been known throughout his career as a bit of a rogue; always causing trouble in one way or another wherever he goes. But, since Evander Kane moved to Buffalo
Evander Kane – file photo courtesy of NHL
and was given the star treatment that he deserves as well as some responsibility in the young and budding team, he’s rediscovered the spark that had him so highly rated as a youngster with the Atlanta Thrashers.
With the Buffalo Sabres, Kane has been a consistently high scorer while also willing to drop the gloves whenever necessary to protect his team. When his mind’s right – which it clearly has been over the last two seasons – he’s a phenomenal winger who can bring a bucket load of goals each season, as shown by his 11 goals and 19 points in 20 games this season.
Given the state of the Buffalo Sabres and their failure to launch after so many seasons of building, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kane was cashed in on at the trade deadline. However, given the potential of the team and manner in which he’s turned his career around there, it might be wise of Kane to stick around for another spell. After all, he’s still only 26-years-old.
1. John Tavares, New York Islanders
John Tavares could very well become the biggest player to hit the free agency in
Center John Tavares – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
modern NHL history. The Islanders captain is a superstar, a one-man army; he can carry an entire team on his back, and he’s proven that multiple times with the Islanders both in the regular season and during the playoffs.
Fellow superstar Steven Stamkos, who was in a similar situation last season, said that “you get to a point in your career where you’ve earned the right to make that choice, and that’s where I was, and that’s where [Tavares] is now,” per Newsday.
Any team with the finances available to sign up the likely $10 million per season star will be queuing up to get Tavares if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but it has looked as though he’d like to stay in Brooklyn. Either way, he’s having another mighty season with 14 goals and 22 points through 19 games, only adding to his value.
We’ll have to wait and see if these three impending UFAs can keep up their great play as the season continues but, as it stands, they headline the potentially massive free agency ahead.
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