2020 NHL free agents: Top 20 players available
We rank the top 20 NHL free agents entering the 2020 offseason, including Alex Pietrangelo, Taylor Hall and Torey Krug.
The NHL offseason is fast approaching, and the 2020 free agent class will soon gets its chance to earn a nice payday.
This year's crop of free agents isn't loaded with superstars, but there are plenty of quality players available who could be important additions for contending teams or franchises in the middle of a rebuild.
Let's take a look at the top 20 NHL free agents this offseason.
UPDATE: Dillon has re-signed with the Capitals. It's a four-year contract worth $3.9 million per season.
2019-20 Stats: 69 GP, 1 G, 13 A, 14 P
Age: 30
Dillon is an experienced, defense-minded defenseman who plays a physical game (6-foot-4 and 225 pounds) and contributes to the penalty kill. He's the type of defenseman often targeted at the trade deadline.
2019-20 Stats: 41 GP, 12 G, 12 A, 24 P
Age: 28
Haula was fantastic for the Golden Knights during their run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final with 55 points in 76 regular season games. He's been unable to match that production over the last two years due to injuries. If healthy, he can be a productive second or third-line forward. A short-term, prove-it type of contract might help Haula get his career back on track.
2019-20 Stats: 46 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 P
Age: 36
Kovalchuk had a busy season playing for three teams. He started out with the Los Angeles Kings, then was waived and signed with the Canadiens as a free agent. The Capitals acquired him before the trade deadline, but the Russian winger failed to make much of an impact in the playoffs with zero goals and one assist. He would be a solid third-line winger for a contending team.
UPDATE: Khudobin reportedly is staying with the Stars on a three-year deal worth a total of $10.5 million.
2019-20 Stats: 16-8-4, 2.22 GAA, .930 SV%
Age: 34
Khudobin had a career resurgence during the regular season, and he was just as good, if not better, leading the Stars to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Khudobin has earned himself a nice raise once the season is over. He's still a quality goalie, whether that's in a starting or backup role.
UPDATE: Crawford reportedly has agreed to a two-year deal with the Devils worth $3.9 million per season.
2019-20 Stats: 16-20-3, 2.77 GAA, .917 SV%
Age: 35
Crawford has enjoyed a great run in Chicago with two Stanley Cup titles. He's still a starting-caliber goaltender, but given his age, a short-term deal makes the most sense for the Blackhawks if they want to re-sign him.
UPDATE: Shattenkirk reportedly has agreed to a three-year contract with the Ducks worth $3.9 million per season.
2019-20 Stats: 70 GP, 8 G, 26 A, 34 P
Age: 31
Shattenkirk has proven to be a good fit on the Lightning, who are one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final. If the Lightning don't re-sign him, any contender looking for a third-pairing defenseman with offensive upside would be wise to pursue him in free agency.
2019-20 Stats: 63 GP, 17 G, 13 A, 30 P
Age: 27
Granlund has struggled a bit offensively over the last two seasons -- he hasn't hit the 20-goal mark since 2017-18. He's an excellent playmaker, though, and is able to generate offense on the power play. Granlund could be a strong under-the-radar signing for a team in need of offense.
2019-20 Stats: 50 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 P
Age: 29
Hamonic is another defense-minded defensemen. He won't put up great offensive stats, but he'll match up against top-six forwards and kill penalties. The primary concern with signing him is his injury history. Hamonic has never played a full 82-game season, and he has missed more than 30 games over the last three years.
2019-20 Stats: 47 GP, 5 G, 18 A, 23 P
Age: 28
Vatanen is a smooth-skating, offensive-minded defenseman with enough playmaking skill to make an impact on the power play. His injury history makes him a bit of a risky free agent target, but when healthy, he'll play 21-plus minutes per night and create scoring chances.
UPDATE: Holtby has signed a two-year contract worth $4.3 million per season with the Vancouver Canucks.
2019-20 Stats: 25-14-6, 3.11 GAA, .897 SV%
Age: 30
Holtby had the worst season of his career in 2019-20. He finished with a save percentage below .907 for the first time. Still, his wealth of playoff experience -- 97 career games and a sparkling .926 save percentage -- make him an attractive netminder for a contender.
UPDATE: Brodie reportedly has agreed to sign a four-year deal worth $5 million per season with the Leafs.
2019-20 Stats: 64 GP, 4 G, 15 A, 19 P
Age: 29
Brodie has spent his entire 10-year career with the Flames and remains a dependable top-four defenseman. He won't provide much scoring production, but he's a strong defensive player who'll log 20-plus minutes per night and contribute to both special teams units.
UPDATE: Toffoli has signed a four-year, $17 million deal with the Canadiens.
2019-20 Stats: 68 GP, 24 G, 20 A, 44 P
Age: 27
Toffoli was acquired by the Canucks before the trade deadline and he paid immediate dividends with 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 10 games. He also posted four points in seven playoff games for Vancouver.
The Canucks have a lot of players to re-sign this offseason and over the next few years. Toffoli is a good player, but it probably makes more sense for Vancouver to let him go.
If he does hit the market, Toffoli should draw interest as a player capable of scoring 20-plus goals in a full season.
UPDATE: Barrie reportedly has signed a one-year contract worth $3.75 million with the Oilers.
2019-20 Stats: 70 GP, 5 G, 34 A, 39 P
Age: 29
Tyson Barrie will generate offense at a pretty good rate -- six consecutive seasons with 30-plus assists -- and play 20 or more minutes per game in a top-four role.
UPDATE: Lehner re-signed with the Golden Knights. It's a five-year contract worth $25 million.
2019-20 Stats: 19-10-5, 2.89 GAA, .920 SV%
Age: 29
Lehner was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights before the trade deadline and he helped lead them to the Western Conference Final, where they lost to the Dallas Stars in five games. Lehner's impressive play in the regular season and playoffs makes him an ideal target for teams in search of a goaltending upgrade.
UPDATE: Markstrom and the Flames reportedly have agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal.
2019-20 Stats: 23-16-4, 2.75 GAA, .918 SV%
Age: 30
Markstrom played a pivotal role in the Canucks ending their four-year playoff drought. But with the emergence of Thatcher Demko as a reliable netminder, does it make sense for Vancouver to spend around $6 million per season to re-sign Markstrom?
It does not.
UPDATE: Dadonov signed a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Senators.
2019-20 Stats: 69 GP, 25 G, 22 A, 47 P
Age: 31
Dadonov is a legit goal scorer. He's tallied at least 25 goals in three straight seasons. Any team that needs a boost to their top-six forward group should consider signing him.
2019-20 Stats: 69 GP, 29 G, 30 A, 69 P
Age: 30
Hoffman has scored 20-plus goals in six consecutive seasons, and he was well on his way to back-to-back 30-goal campaigns before the regular season was paused. Hoffman should have plenty of suitors given his consistent offensive production.
UPDATE: Krug has agreed to a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million with the Blues.
2019-20 Stats: 61 GP, 9 G, 40 A, 49 P
Age: 28
Krug is an elite offensive defenseman and a key contributor on the power play. He's averaged 51.2 points over the last five seasons. Krug has spent his entire career with the Bruins, but it might not be in Boston's best interests to pay him $7 million or more annually on a seven or eight year deal. Krug has already admitted he has no interest in a 1-year deal (and honestly, he shouldn't) and knows this is his time to cash in.
UPDATE: Hall has signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Sabres.
2019-20 Stats: 65 GP, 16 G, 36 A, 62 P
Age: 28
Injuries have slowed Hall since his Hart Trophy-winning 2017-18 season, but when healthy, he's still a reliable goal scorer who can thrive in a top-six role. It wouldn't be surprising if Hall signed with a playoff contender considering he's only played in 14 postseason games in his career.
UPDATE: Pietrangelo joins the Golden Knights on a seven-year, $61.6 million deal with a full no-move clause.
2019-20 Stats: 70 GP, 16 G, 36 A, 52 P
Age: 30
Pietrangelo has spent his entire 12-year career with the Blues and captained them to the franchise's first Stanley Cup title in 2019. He's still a legit first-pairing defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice. The Blues would be crazy to let one of their pillars walk in free agency.
