Arizona Coyotes Shopping For Free Agent D-men 2016

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There are 10 NHL D-men who will be free agents next July, available to the Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes could use some good defensemen who could improve their blue-line. They will still have Z Michalek for another year, but unless young Connor Murphy, or Brandon Gormley start to progress, they will need more experienced D-men to fortify things. They did sign Nicklas Grossmann for one-year at $3.5 million, and his contract will be up next July as well.

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The only Coyotes’ defenseman with a long-term contract is Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who is signed through the 2018-19 season. Michael Stone, Connor Murphy, Brandon Gormley, and Klas Dahlbeck will all become restricted free agents after the 2015-16 season. All the more reason to look at who is out there as free agents, to add to the Arizona Coyotes roster.

Next: Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano – Calgary Flames

Feb 20, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) during the warmup period against the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Saddledome. Anaheim Ducks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Flames are going to have salary cap issues come 2016. With Jiri Hurdler, Sean Monahan, and star forward Johnny Gaudreau up for new contracts, the cuts will need to happen to get under the cap limit. Gaudreau is a budding star who will demand a large contract. Giordano has battled some injury issues, but has made it known he wants a big contract (why does that not surprise you) to stay in Calgary .

Dustin Byfuglien – Winnipeg Jets

Mar 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (33) battles with New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello (36) during the third period at MTS Centre. New York Rangers win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Winnipeg will be having some head scratching to do in determining who to keep and who will go. Captain Andrew Ladd , Ondrej Pavelac, and Byfuglien will be free agents. Add to that, Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, and Michael Hutchinson will be restricted free agents. The Jets won’t be receiving any free money from Donald Trump, so they will be perplexed about what to do with BIG Byfuglien. The 30 year-old former forward, turned defenseman will be increasing his bank account by a hefty $6 million this season, and will look to better that if he can. He may just need to find greener pastures, since Winnipeg will have other players to satisfy as well.

At 6’ 5”, 260 lbs., Dustin is quite the intimidating force on the ice. He may be known as an intimidator, but he also is a good skater considering his huge frame. He possesses good offensive skills, and instincts and plays lots of minutes. He may lack discipline and consistency, but not many NHL teams would turn down the chance to have him on their blue-line. His blasting slap shots from the point have got to give opposing goalies nightmares, and he knows it, thus his salary demands will be met by some team.

Will that team be the Arizona Coyotes? It’s probably a bit too rich for the Coyotes’ appetite. They have the cap space, but apparently don’t have the green light from ownership to start spending closer to the cap limit. It may hurt their chances to advance, especially with the young talent breaking into their lineup the next several years. You get what you pay for.

Next: Alex Goligoski

Alex Goligoski – Dallas Stars

Mar 19, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Penguins 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

I know, WHO? Goligoski is a mobile, smart defenseman veteran who may fall into the same issue of his team having salary cap problems. RFA’s Valerie Nichushkin and Brett Ritchie, and UFA Jason Demers will need new deals and the cap will be hitting the Stars…HARD. They may need to look for more reasonable talent, since young John Klingberg 11-g, 29-a, 40 points in 65 games, is ready to take over the offensive role, Goligoski could become expendable. His size at 5’ 11”, 190 lbs., doesn’t help him against the growing larger NHL forwards, but his 240 points in 480 games (0.50 points per game) is hard to ignore. His experience will attract him to some teams if he becomes a free agent.

His shot suppression and work ethic are at the top of the pack, and he is a top-two NHL D-man at this point of his career. He will probably be seeking a deal above or in the range of his current salary of $4.6 million. If he lowers his salary demands to the $5 million vicinity, he may have some suitors for his services.

Believe it or not, he does fit the Arizona Coyotes mold and could be considered to join the Desert Dogs. He is a left-handed shot, but if Gormley doesn’t meet his long awaited expectations, there will be a spot for Goligoski.

Next: Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson – Colorado Avalanche

Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) during the game against the St. Louis Blues at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Avalanche missed the playoffs last season, and didn’t do much so far this off-season to improve upon that plight. Their forward lines are lacking at center ice, and the defense ranked 22^nd in goals against to further complicate things. Therefore, the team will be motivated to strike a deal with Johnson. Losing him to free agency would mean that they would lose their number one defenseman.

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Johnson has progressed into the strong NHL player lots of teams would love to have on their blue-line. He’s 6’ 4”, 232 lbs., and that’s not easy to find on most teams. He also has added 193 points in 456 games, at a 0.44 points a game ratio, so he has lots of value. His booming shot is awesome, and his skating for his size is exceptional. And, if you’re an opposing player in the NHL, you try to avoid his vicinity of the ice to prevent being on the receiving end of his excruciating checks.

Erik Johnson averages 24-25 minutes a game, making him very sturdy and durable. He has great puck management, and at his current $3.75 million salary, quite a bargain for some team to consider. He will want about $5 million to continue doing what he does best – dominate the blue-line.

I doubt that the Avalanche will be stupid enough to give Johnson away. He’s too valuable, and at 27 still has more to prove.

Therefore, the chances of the Arizona Coyotes having a shot at acquiring Erik Johnson are slim to none.

Next: Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle – New York Rangers

May 22, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) during the second period of game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Here in Arizona we know Yandle quite well since he played his entire NHL career up until last season on the Arizona Coyotes’ blue-line. He has proven to the Rangers he was worth giving up a young, promising prospect in Anthony Duclair. While the Coyotes are drooling over the possibilities that Duclair (especially when you add in Max Domi) presents, they really do miss Yandles’ offensive talents. Taking up those reins admirably has been Oliver Ekman-Larsson, without any disappointment. Yandle showed off his talents to the New York fans by putting up 11 points in 21 games, and then adding another 11 points during the Rangers playoff games.

For all his offensive abilities Yandle will be seeking a deal in the range of $6 million per season. Yands is known for his power play quarterbacking traits, and many teams covet that asset. He skates well, and stick handles with deft skills. He just logged so many minutes while here in the desert, it made his defensive games go south. His size at 6’ 1”, 190 lbs., doesn’t scare too many huge NHL forwards.

There’s literally a very miniscule chance that the Arizona Coyote want to eat crow and take Yandle back, or that he would even consider it. I say that with tongue in cheek, due to the fact that the Yotes have welcomed back Michalek, Vermette, and Gordon to the fold once again. I seriously doubt that Yandle will be headed back to Arizona.

Next: Brent Seabrook

Brent Seabrook – Chicago Blackhawks

Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) shoots and scores a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period in game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Seabrook has been discussed in trade rumors ever since the Blackhawks have discovered that paying their dynamic duo, Kane and Toews such huge contracts, has put them in a salary cap sinkhole. Something has to give. Even after the Hawks unloaded the contracts of Saad, Bickell, and Oduya they still have huge financial head-aches of paying Hossa, Anisimov, Keith, Hjamarsson, and Crawford besides Kane and Toews. GM Stan Bowman may have overextended his budget here, and keeping Seabrook while not downplaying his abilities — may not come to fruition.

The 30-year-old is known for handling a large workload, plays with confidence, and has a strong shot — with above average passing skills. He puts up points on the board with a 0.42 points per game numbers. His possession stats are less than impressive however, and he will still draw plenty of interest if he isn’t traded before becoming a free agent. He brings plenty of championship tradition with him, as well as durability. He has not missed a regular season game for the past five seasons.

As far as the salary he would command, he is at $5 million now, and will want an increase to about $6 million, purely due to his reputation and playoff experience. Besides being a bit out of the Arizona Coyotes’ pocketbook limit (whatever that is…) there has been a glaring reason why they haven’t taken Cody Franson, so why would I expect them to go for Seabrook? Just sayin’.

Next: Braydon Coburn

Braydon Coburn – Tampa Bay Lightning

Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) works out prior to the game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Coburn is a 30-year-old HUGE D-man, who stands 6′ 5″, and 220 lbs., but he is a smooth skater who can play the right or left side equally as well. He moves the puck, and is a terrific worker. He came to Tampa Bay from Philadelphia at last season’s trade deadline for Radko Gudas and Tampa’s first and third round picks in 2015. Maybe a bit too much to give up for the rearguard, because in Tampa Bay he was a bit inconsistent, and would not be able to hold on to the puck when needed.

Tampa Bay didn’t have patience to wait and see if he would improve, and needed cap space to make Steven Stamkos an offer equivalent to the Dynamic Duo of Towes and Kane in Chicago. This kinda concerns me that teams are awarding top players above $10 million to play. Where do they get the money for the payroll of the remainder of the team? It seems like it will dive-bomb a team to destructive levels if one (or in Chicago’s case TWO) player demands about one seventh of the team’s entire budget to get them signed.

Coburn was getting paid $4.5 million, and if he is willing to settle for a contract in that range, he may find a new address.

NO, he is NOT what the Arizona Coyotes are looking for, and not sure where he will land next summer.

Good luck Braydon.

Next: Brian Campbell

Brian Campbell – Florida Panthers

Jan 13, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Florida Panthers defenceman Brian Campbell (51) prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

At 36, Campbell’s not going to receive anything higher than his current inflated salary of a whooping $7.1 million. Teams interested in him may be teams in the Stanley Cup hunt, and wanting a highly skilled D-man who can quarterback the blue-line, and yet be a defensive force as well. He worked quite a bit this past season with rookie sensation Aaron Ekblad, and it is very obvious that Ekblad is the Panthers future star defenseman. Campbell could remain with those duties if he re-signs with Florida.

He also played some top defense line minutes, and works best controlling the puck, and making crisp passes to his forwards. He would fit best with an offensive style defenseman. He would be a prime candidate for a one-year contract (for less, of course) for a team needing his experience, and blue-line skills. Campbell is not a big guy, and really isn’t that physical, but gets the job done. He could be a rearguard in the same mold as a Keith Yandle going to the Rangers to aid in their Cup run.

At his age, even with his experience and skills, it is doubtful that the Arizona Coyotes would have any interest in signing him. With the current youth movement in full force, Campbell is not what the Yotes are looking for to move them up in the standings.

Next: Dan Hamhuis

Dan Hamhuis -Vancouver Canucks

Apr 21, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Hanhuis is in the middle of a Canuck youth movement; with the Sedin twins, and goalie Ryan Miller all nearing the golden years facing retirement, he may be able to stick around to help in that transition. Then, again he may be gone. At 32, demanding a $4 million contract may force him to pack his bags for another team. He is an experienced blue-liner, who possesses shutdown abilities, while playing large minutes, as well. Not a physical bruising type of D-man, he can still help a team’s defense, while not contributing a whole lot to the offense. He does put up quality assists, but has only exceeded 30 points twice in his career of 11 years in the NHL. He falls into a team’s third defenseman after the top two.

Can he help the Arizona Coyotes? Possibly. His age is a factor, which will probably eliminate his consideration. Still, he’s a solid player which a contending team may be interested in, it’s just not the Coyotes.

Next: Jason Demers

Jason Demers – Dallas Stars

Feb 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) stops a shot by Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers (4) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

At 27, Demers is still developing and has possibilities to advance yet. The issue for the Stars (as it seems for most teams, EXCEPT the Arizona Coyotes) is they will be facing some upcoming contract renewals, which could put them into the position of considering Demer’s future with the team. Fellow D-man Alex Goligoski, offensive juggernaut Jamie Benn, along with RFA’s Valeri Nichushkin and Brett Ritchie will all be hankering for more money. The problem is the Stars are within $2.3 million of the salary cap limit, and will need to cook the balance sheet to sign ALL these players. With Goligoski demanding more money, something’s got to give.

Demers has some awesome passing and puck moving abilities, averaging 0.33 point a game, with a good shot, and excellent mobility. He is ready for a bigger role, and if the Arizona Coyotes can oblige him, all the better for both parties. Add in the acquisition of Johnny Odyuya, and it’s easy to see that Demers may be moving on somewhere where he will be better appreciated. Could that be Arizona? It would be a good fit for him, as well as the Coyotes. We’ll see.

That pretty much covers the defenseman available next July. If the Arizona Coyotes can find themselves a player or two via free agency/trades all the better for the continuing “retool”. We all know that the Yotes will have some great potential offensively with the long list of awesome talent they possess — now it’s time to improve the defense, which as we all know needs an upgrade.

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