As the start of the 2020-21 season approaches, teams are all looking for last-minute bargains in the free agent marketplace. Here are my top eight value bets for the available players. 1. Defenseman Zdeno Chara: As a general rule, I don't list year-to-year aging stars on my free agent list because they almost always re-sign with their teams. Chara has been with the Bruins 14 seasons. He's the team captain, not to mention an effective, essential performer. But why hasn't he signed already? According to CapFriendly.com, the Bruins have $2.9 million of cap space. That would seem more than enough to secure the 43-year-old Chara.
While it seems highly likely Chara will be a Bruin again, the delay makes me ponder what a difference-maker Chara would be if he landed with another contender. Most of the NHL teams could figure out how to shoehorn Chara's contract into their cap for one season.
2. Center Carl Soderberg: It always feels like every team in the NHL is looking for a dependable No. 3 center with some offensive ability. Soderberg has netted 56 goals over the past three seasons. He's also 6-3.
When teams are talking about finding a bargain among late-signing free agents, Soderberg may be their target. He's unlikely to get the $4.75 million, he earned in his last contract. 3. Left or right wing Mike Hoffman: Averaging 28.1 goals per season over the past six seasons, Hoffman is the answer for any team looking for goals. You hear that he will take a one-year deal, hoping he will score another bushel of goals and then secure a longer-term deal next summer.
That's where his real value lies in this market: Nobody wants to commit dollars long-term. He seems like a perfect fit for Columbus. Hoffman's production has been more consistent than Mikael Granlund's production. Granlund is the other scorer in the marketplace.
4. Forward Erik Haula: He's versatile, likable, a valued team player who won't cost you much money. He's not really the 29-goal scorer he showed in 2017-18. But if he plays among his team's top six forwards he can score 20 goals.
Depending on who the Golden Knights move to gain cap relief, we hear they would be interested in reacquiring Haula. 5. Defenseman Sami Vatanen: He's a proven defenseman who will have to sign for much less than the $4.75 million he was earning. Before moving to New Jersey, he had a 50.6 Corsi in six seasons in Anaheim. His career Corsi is 49.7.
He is good in transition, and he's an effective one-on-one defender. Vatanen can move the puck out of the zone with his passing.
6. Defenseman Travis Hamonic: He's an experienced, competitive player who can help a defense develop consistency. He seems right for the Winnipeg Jets. They will be looking for a bargain. His cap hit was $3.8 million. He's not a bargain at that price. 7. Left wing Matt Martin: If he will sign for $2 million, Martin is a good value signing. He makes your team braver. Martin adds spice to your bottom six forward group.H e hits, defends and chips in a goal now and then. Would not rule out the Islanders figuring out how to bring him back.
8. Left wing Andreas Athanasiou: If you like to saddle up a long shot bet. Athanasiou is always a step away from being on a breakaway. With his dynamic speed, he constantly slips behind the defense. He scored 30 goals in Detroit in 2018-19
But both the Red Wings and Oilers ended up disappointed in him. If he was willing to accept a $1 to $1.5 million deal, it might be worth it to see if he could develop consistency. The Senators or Kings might be in position to experiment with his talent.