As NHL free agency enters its fifth day, who are some notable unrestricted free agents still on the market?
Here are some notable names among the remaining forwards and defensemen on the market, and the cap hit and term they are likely to command given the current market value for comparable players, according to the data from hockey-graphs.com.
FORWARDS
Derick Brassard
Brassard is definitely in line for a pay cut. His last deal was a five-year deal that carried an average annual value of $5 million. He's only 31 years old, but he's coming off of a rough season.
He could still draw a contract with a term of around three years, but with an average annual value of around $4 million. His options are likely limited, since he's not looking to take on another bottom-6 role.
Micheal Ferland
Ferland was targeted by the Penguins leading up to the trade deadline, but the addition of Brandon Tanev makes another run at Ferland unlikely.
Ferland is 27 years old, and is likely looking for a contract around four years, with an average annual value of around $4 million.
Patrick Marleau
Marleau was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Hurricanes to have his contract bought out, and is back on the market. Marleau's wife and children live in California, and Marleau has spoken about wanting to play closer to them, which limits his options.
At 39 years old, Marleau would only be looking for a one-year deal. He scored 16 goals and 21 assists in 82 games last season, however, and could still command a deal with an average annual value upward of $2 million.
Marcus Johansson
Leading up to the opening of free agency, Darren Dreger reported that Johansson was speaking with "several" teams, and not one of them was the Bruins, where he finished last season.
Johansson, at 28, could command a contract for four years with a $4.5 million average annual value.
Patrick Maroon
The Blues haven't closed the door on a Maroon return, but he is testing the market.
At 31 years old, Maroon is likely looking for a deal around three years, with an average annual value of $3.5 million. The Blues currently have 19 NHL roster players under contract with a cap hit of only $67.5 million, barely crossing the salary cap floor. They could afford to keep him.
Ryan Dzingel
Dzingel isn't looking to return to the Blue Jackets, according to the Columbus Dispatch. He's due for a raise on the $1.8 million average annual value of his previous contract, and could be looking at a deal with term of three or four years with an average annual value upward of $4 million.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Gardiner
Gardiner is the best defenseman still on the market. He just turned 29 years old on Thursday, and is coming off a season with the Maple Leafs that saw him record three goals, 27 assists, and a plus-19 rating in 62 games.
He'll likely draw a contract with term around six or seven years, and a cap hit nearing $7 million. The Maple Leafs currently have $3.765 million in cap space, so a return is unlikely.
"I don't think the door is closed on Jake, but he is totally unrestricted right now and could be having all types of discussions," Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said. "We are very limited with what we can do. As we said, we're making sure we're well protected for whatever comes our way. The door's not closed."
The market for remaining defensemen is weak, so Gardiner could likely earn a deal higher than his market value.
Ben Hutton
After Gardiner, Hutton is one of the next best available defensemen. Hutton was set to become a restricted free agent, but was not given a qualifying offer after the Canucks were reportedly nervous over what Hutton could draw in salary arbitration.
The market suggests that Hutton could draw up to a four-year deal, with a cap hit upward of $2 million.
