Mike Hoffman, LW
Previous Team: Florida Panthers
Previous Cap Hit: $5.1875 Million
Age: 30
Teams interested: Blue Jackets, Islanders, Oilers
Where he will sign: Columbus Blue Jackets
Projected Contract: $5 million x 1 year
A main need for the Blue Jackets is a great goal scoring winger to play along with Pierre-Luc Dubois. Hoffman would be a perfect fit on that top line. It is also reported that Hoffman only wants a one-year contract around $5 million. The Blue Jackets are one of the only teams that is interested and could offer him that type of contract.
Mikael Granlund, C/RW
Previous Team: Nashville Predators
Previous Cap Hit: $5.75 million
Age: 27
Teams interested: Hurricanes, Rangers, Wild
Where he will sign: Minnesota Wild
Contract: $4 million x 2 years
Granlund is an interesting free agent this offseason as he could be one of the biggest steals. He scored almost 70 points for the Wild a few years ago, but ever since being traded to Nashville, he has been disappointing. Granlund could go back to Minnesota to bounce back and be a first line center for the Wild, until Rossi is ready for that role.
Anthony Duclair, RW/LW
Previous Team: Ottawa Senators
Previous Cap Hit: $1.65 Million
Age: 25
Teams interested: Blue Jackets, Oilers, Senators
Where he will sign: Edmonton Oilers
Contract: $3 million x 1 year
Duclair has a breakout season this past season, as he was on pace for over 50 points and being an allstar. Despite his great season, he was not qualified by the Senators making him a free agent. Duclair could sign a cheap one year deal with the Oilers to play with McDavid and inflate his points and sign a big deal next offseason.
Sami Vatanen, D
Previous Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Previous Cap Hit: $4.875 Million
Age: 29
Teams interested: Canucks, Jets
Where he will sign: Winnipeg Jets
Contract: $4.5 Million x 3 years
The Jets have not addressed their main need of defense even with a flooded defensive market. Now, Vatanen is the best defenseman left in free agency and the Jets go all in on him. Even though Vatanen has had some injury problems recently, when healthy, he is a great top 4 offensive defenseman.
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