For teams looking for help on the blue line, there is an impressive list of defensemen who could become unrestricted free agents Wednesday.
Whether it is a top-two pairing guy, a depth infusion blueliner or a power-play specialist, the shopping list options are bountiful.
But, which of the potential unrestricted defensemen will provide the best value when the free agent market opens?
We asked seven NHL.com writers for their opinions.
John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
Kris Letang signing a six-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday opened up the board for Klingberg. The offensive defenseman will be prized in free agency by teams looking for a player who can drive the play. Klingberg scored 47 points (six goals, 41 assists) in 74 games in 2021-22, his highest point total since his career-high mark of 67 (eight goals, 59 assists) in 82 games in 2017-18. It looks like Klingberg will be finding a new address soon after spending the first eight seasons of his NHL career in Dallas, but he should have no shortage of suitors. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Klingberg is a skilled puck-moving defenseman who could play on the top pair for most teams. The 29-year-old had a points-per-game average of 0.64, best among defensemen eligible to become unrestricted free agents (minimum of 10 games played). He was third on the Stars in averaging 22:13 in ice time and led their defensemen with 20 power-play points and 19 power-play assists, which tied for eighth in the NHL among defensemen. Klingberg’s 86 power-play assists since the start of the 2017-18 season rank sixth in the NHL. A solid performer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Klingberg helped the Stars reach the 2020 Stanley Cup Final when he had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists), including seven power-play assists, in 26 games. — Tom Gulitti, staff writer
Klingberg has been a staple on the Stars’ power play for eight seasons. He is third all-time among Dallas defensemen with 374 points (71 goals, 303 assists) in 552 games. He is eighth among all defensemen in scoring since entering the NHL in 2014-15. Bottom line, Klingberg provides offense and he will likely be doing that for a different team starting next season. The Stars are not expected to re-sign Klingberg, who is 11th among defensemen in power-play points with 148 (19 goals, 129 assists) since 2014-15. He’s experienced. He scores. He understands what he does best. He will be in demand. — Dan Rosen, senior writer
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