About a month into the 2016-17 NHL season, there is already an eye on the players who are potentially going to hit the market as unrestricted free agents next July. Many of them played in the fall tuneup World Cup of Hockey tournament. Perhaps for some, that allowed them to hit the regular season in stride this year.
With names such as Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Kevin Shattenkirk all in the final year of their respective deals, there is plenty of star power making up an intriguing UFA lineup—assuming the majority do not re-sign with their current teams.
It's too early to suggest the way these players have started their season will continue, whether they've come out strong or flat. And the consideration of where their stock is at is dependent on more than just offensive numbers. We take into consideration things such as experience, potential to bounce back or falter from here and other intangibles, like leadership and work ethic, that have value for teams looking to add certain elements.
In the end, their performances as individuals this year will determine whether they will take a pay cut or land a big raise at the end of the ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Macfarlane
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