Top Restricted Free Agents

 

Usually there are one or two big RFAs testing the market this time of year however this offseason features 4 very highly touted young players.

 

 

 

Sergei Bobrovsky

 

Loyalty: LA

 

Position: Goalie

 

6’.02’’, 182 lbs, Age:28

 

96 SK, 80 DU, 78 EN, 71 SZ, 98 AG, 94 RB, 78 SC, 96 HS, 95 RT, 96 PH, 95 PS, 67 EX, 68 LD

 

THE best rated goaltender in the sim this upcoming season and rightfully so coming off his Vezina winning season. Bobs put up a 2.06 GAA, 7 Shutouts and a 0.931 SV % in 63 GP this season for the Bluejackets. He has shown the potential in the past but everything seemed to come all together for him this season. Something to consider is the Jackets did not lose any of their main D core through the expansion process (Jones, Werenski, Savard, Johnson,Murray) and actually ended up adding a good offencive boost when they acquired Artemi Panarin. The team is young and had a huge year last season despite coming up short Round 1 against the now Stanely Cup Champ Pens but look like they are definitely trending upwards and should find themselves towards the top of the Eastern Conference again this upcoming season. Basically the he should have all kinds of help in front of him again next year and at 28 would think has a very bright few years ahead IF someone can come up with enough compensation for GM Rumpy. Expecting him to keep Bobrovsky as his BRHL team is in a similar situation where they seem ready to take the next step and become a steady playoff team.

 

 

 

 

 

PK Subban

 

Loyalty: Florida

 

Position: Defence

 

`6.00`` ,214 lbs, 28

 

77 CK, 90 SK, 85 PH, 72 PA, 58 SC, 84 DF

 

Everyone remembers the huge 1 for 1 Weber from this time last year. Well the jury is still out on that but PK did put up 10 G, 30 A in 66 GP with his new club AND was a huge impact on the Preds run to the Cup Final this year putting up 12 points in 22 GP. He is solidified in the Preds top 4 which is arguably the best top 4 blueline set in the league. In Nashville he is no longer expected to be a bonified number 1 D and is more utilized for his bread and butter, the Power Play. He averaged 2:36 on the PP last season BUT still was able to average 2:05 in PK time a game (DF rate). The Preds may of lost Neal but they definitely added more depth in Bonino, Hartnell and Emelin this offseason. On paper this team should be really good again and probably have even more success in the regular season. PK is also in a unique BRHL situation because GM Rex has announced he will be stepping down and taking over an Expansion club. Perhaps someone who wants to invest in him more long term can come up with a better compensation package that would better help GM Rex win now and be enough to send PK packing.

 

 

 

Tyler Myers

 

Loyalty: New York Islanders

 

Position: Defence

 

6.08 feet, 229 lbs Age: 27

 

76 CK, 81 SK, 73 PH, 72 PA, 60 SC, 87 DF

 

Fortunate rerate. Myers suffered injuries all last year and only ended up playing 11 games. He went through hip and knee surgery in the offseason then went down Nov 11 with another lower body injury and did not return. But he made the most of it with 5 points and averaged 22:12 min a game with 1:42 PP and 2:57 PK. But all that being said it should be expected he will miss some time this BRHL season but in a limited role he could be a key contributor. When determining his future career he is buried on a very deep Winnipeg blueline behind Trouba and Byfuglien on the right side. But with a $5.5 mill AAV cap hit and his contract up at the end of 2018-19 one would think he gets moved or atleast end up in a better situation within the next year or two. Could be a good time to buy in low and be patient. Definitely a high Risk Reward player who could be negotiated into a good sign and trade situation for a team a year or two away from turning north.

 

 

 

Gabriel Landeskog

 

Loyalty: Chicago

 

6.01, 215lbs, Age: 24

 

85 CK, 84 SK, 80 PH, 66 PA, 76 SC, 78 DF

 

Could be a real great opportunity for someone looking to invest in a guy and buy low. Landeskog had a career low season putting up 18 G and 15 A in 72 GP and his effort many nights didn’t seem to be 100% playing on the league worst Colorado Avalanche. However he still put up the special team numbers 2:21 PP and 1:47 PK and most importantly has been a 50-65 point player 4 of the last 5 seasons and in 2012-13 played only 36 games. So at age 24 it is a pretty safe bet to think he can turn it back around and he hasn’t peaked yet. As for his situation next year a healthy Varlamov in net and Johnson on the blue line will help this team in a big way. The entire team had a down year and is expected to bounce back, and as for all the Landeskog and Duchene trade speculation well either he will be sent to a better situation OR one would think the return they get from Duchene would help this team out next year. Overall the team should improve and at the same time he will as well. So that being said GM Yee would love to sit and wait but wants to win now and he is a pricy project to keep around. Could see the right team come along and offer a package of pieces that are better suited to help win now and a possible sign and trade be done.