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Last time out we talked about the "Perfect" cap scenario for the Los Angeles Kings if they wanted to keep together (for the most part) the core of the roster with minimal impact.
I think that has generally been written off as a poor idea all things considered. Keeping an aging Williams, giving a ton of money to Sekera, and trying to cut a lesser bridge deal to Toffoli are all things that seem like potentially dangerous ideas.
So the Kings may actually have a little bit of money to spend if things pan out in a certain way (Richards buyout, Voynov nullification).
However, with the idea that Toffoli still needs to be re-signed and Kopitar will also need a contract after next year, short term, low cost contracts or free agents may be needed as a stop gap. The Kings will be in need of at least a few players to fill out the roster, unless they plan to promote from within entirely (Jordan Weal and Derek Forbort anyone?).
Either way, let's take a look at some of the more low-budget, yet effective, free agents out there. When I say low-budget, I am talking nowhere north of $1.5M. So let's dive in and take a look at just a few of the many cheap, budget-oriented free agents.
1. Patrick Eaves, 31, RW
Eaves is arguably the best for value UFA that will be on the market. He has had one problem though throughout his entire career: Health. Granted, the same things were said about Williams and Gaborik, yet Dean Lombardi took a stab and has been rewarded by both for his bravery. The deterrence of injury may be exactly why Eaves is only getting contracts around the $750K mark. Since 2008, the former first round selection has never cost his team more than $1.4M dollars.
That is surprising when you look at Eaves body of work. By all accounts, he was a quality second line player this year, and has been almost his entire career save for a few slump seasons.
(Chart by ownthepuck.blogspot.com)
He broke into the league with 20 goals in his rookie season, but has never quite had the same pop. Last season with Dallas he was well on his way to a career year until a fluke puck to the dome sidelined him with a concussion.
When you go through all of Eaves' peripherals, like individual corsi, fenwick, goals and assists at the per 60 minute rate, not a whole a lot has changed. The only thing that changes quite consistently is his minutes year to year. He hardly gets the chance to play top 6 or even top 9 minutes in most rosters with an established "Core" of players taking up those minutes for better or worse.
(Stats provided by Stats.hockeyanalysis.com)
If you can get past the health issues, and the age, he is an incredibly low-risk signing that could turn into a quality depth forward. He has a career WAR of 6.00, which would rank sixth amongst L.A. Kings forwards.
2. David Booth, 30, LW
Booth is another player who has had his stock rapidly decline due to injuries. However, the former Panther has been sneakily good as a shutdown winger.
Booth made $1.1M dollars last season, and will likely see that number stay consistent or go down even given his contribution offensively. He had just 13 points and seven goals in 59 games with a -8 rating. If you look at the standard stats it does not look promising at all.
If you dig deeper though, Booth has been a tremendous shot suppressor over the last two seasons with Toronto and Vancouver. Two seasons in which he has stayed RELATIVELY healthy. Check out the team shot rates against with and without Booth.
Very good stuff. Teams are shooting just about at league average with him on the ice in the highest of high scoring areas, but when he was removed from the ice teams were teeing up in the slot. But hey, maybe he has been getting carried by really good defensive forwards right?
With Vancouver he logged the most time with Brad Richardson and Zach Kassian, and on the Maple Leafs he spent the most time with Trevor Smith and Richard Panik. There really is no standout amongst that group in terms of defensive play outside of Richard Panik.
Booth has had his troubles, but if he could be had for less than a mil, it would be worth taking a stab at for a depth winger.
3. Eric Fehr, 29, C
Fehr is coming off a pretty ho-hum year where he had 30 points playing primarily on the Caps bottom lines. Be that as it may, he is putting up per 60 minutes possession numbers equivalent to that of most second line centers
The Caps have a ridiculous amount of UFA and RFAs to deal with this offseason and next. That includes Holtby, Kuznetsov, Burakovsky, Mike Green, Johansson, Latta, and Tom Wilson. That is not including phasing in players like Madison Bowey or Vrana in the near future. At 29, Fehr may price himself out of Washington. He would be on the high side of our cheap status UFAs, considering he was a hit of $1.5M this season. That being said there was no real improvement in the superficial numbers of points from previous seasons, so it is hard to imagine he gets much of a raise in the free agent market. If he could be had for around $1.5M it's an absolute steal.
He is very good at killing penalties, and he also has had a 52% faceoff win percentage this year. Nothing to scoff at there. From a Kings' perspective, Fehr would fill in nicely in the 3C role for a year or two until Nick Shore is ready to assume duties full time. Not only would Fehr capably replace the numbers of Jarret Stoll, he would be a significant improvement in almost all areas.
4. Derek Roy, 32, C
If you wanted to risk a little bit defensively in order to have offense down the center, Roy would be a good solid add. Last season the diminutive center made a million dollars, and while a lot of people scoffed at that contract it was not the worst thing in the world. A similar low risk deal for around the same price would be an excellent stop gap contract for someone like Los Angeles, who again, are waiting on Nick Shore to take over the 3C role full time.
Roy's faceoffs leave a lot to be desired, and the Kings would more than likely have to protect his zone starts and not use him on the penalty kill. With that in mind, it would be place the role more firmly on the shoulders of Shore.
There is really no way Roy would cut it under Darryl Sutter. He hardly protects minutes of his centers, and the offensive oriented style would probably find the 23-year old parked on the bench more often than not. However, from a universal perspective, Roy is a good and cheap top 9 center still. He put up a per 60 minute rate of offensive numbers that would have just abotu tied him with Justin Williams on the Kings roster. He also wasn't THAT much of a defensive liability. He was joined at the hip to Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell this season, neither of which did anything to help lower his pretty hefty 57.8 Corsi against per 60. It would be a departure for defensive teams to swoop on Roy, but if you needed offense he can still provide it.
5. David Moss, 33, RW
Poor David Moss. He did everything right this year with Arizona, except for score. The standard stats are ugly. Hideous even. Four goals in 60 games and a minus 18 rating. Woof.
Perfect.
If you wanted someone on the cheap, looking for a bounceback year, this might be the guy. David Moss made $800K this last season, and was probably the least of Arizona's troubles. He didn't score, yes, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
The winger had the third highest shots per 60 rating on Arizona at 7.48. The problem was his 3.70 shooting percentage at even strength. Players on the Kings that shot at a similar rate 60 minute rate? Williams, Pearson, Clifford, Gaborik.
Also, look at where Moss's shots came from.
The guy was just ice cold ALL year.
His 95.6 PDO was one of the lowest on the Coyotes, despite him being just a tick below the 50% barrier in 5 on 5 corsi.
Given his age, his dreadfully unlucky 2014-15, he is a super candidate for a buy low. He is also plenty big at 6'4, and it is evident from his shot chart that he gets into the dirty areas. The Kings definitely love that style of play.
These are just a few of the quality free agents you can get some bang for your buck on. Will the Kings sign them? Will the Kings need them? Who knows, yes and no. Nevertheless, they are still worth noting and worth theorizing about for your own team.
Feel free to add in your own free agents who you think would be a steal in the comment section.
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