This year's free-agent class won't go down as the strongest that's for sure, but that doesn't mean there aren't some quality players to be had.

Related - Ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents: 10-1

Topping the list - especially after the signing of T.J. Oshie on Friday - is defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The 28-year-old is in his prime and has become one of the premiere offensive defensemen in the league over the last couple seasons.

He should garner a raise from his previous $4.25-million annual average, but who stands the best chance at landing the right-hander? Let's take a look.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to be among the teams getting ahead of the game, making their pitch to Shattenkirk.

On the first day of the negotiating window with potential free agents, the Lightning reportedly reached out to Shattenkirk. The Lightning certainly fit the bill as a potential landing spot for the veteran D-man.

They have over $23 million in cap space and, as they sit on Monday, have just three defensemen locked up to deals. Joining Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman would certainly help further bolster the club's blue line.

The Lightning had the sixth-most potent power play this past season, but with Shattenkirk at their disposal, they could challenge for top spot.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers right away appear to be the front-runner to land Shattenkirk.

The team has the need for Shattenkirk and his services, while it has also become known around the league that the former Washington Capitals defender would like to play in the New York area to be closer to home. In fact, a quick glance at Shattenkirk's Twitter profile will tell you just how special that would be to him.

The Rangers recently freed up a bunch of cap room by buying out Dan Girardi's contract and by shipping both Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes. They have the space and after Rick Nash's $7.8 million comes off the books following the 2017-18 season things will fit even nicer.

New Jersey Devils

Just a short skip across the pond is New Jersey, another club that would certainly fit the bill for Shattenkirk.

The New Jersey Devils would provide Shattenkirk that close-to-home prospect, while Shattenkirk would also be able to walk in as the team's undisputed No. 1 D-man.

Shattenkirk's 56 points this season were 25 more than Damon Severson, who led all Devils blue-liners with 31 points. The Devils also possessed the 22nd-ranked power play, a spot where Shattenkirk and his 27 power-play points could also lend a hand.

Columbus Blue Jackets

If the Columbus Blue Jackets could swing Shattenkirk it could help give them one of the stronger defense corps in the league.

The club is fairly solid for the time being with Seth Jones, David Savard - who continues to improve - Jack Johnson, and Calder Trophy nominee Zach Werenski.

That being said, their defense could use another right-handed defenseman and Shattenkirk is just that. His offense would certainly be a welcome, but on a young back end, Shattenkirk could also be a nice veteran addition.

Up front the Blue Jackets are pretty solid - especially with the acquisition of Artemi Panarin. Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky manning the back isn't bad either. Adding Shattenkirk could make the Blue Jackets a serious contender in the East.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are close to New York and they are in desperate need of some help on defense, so of course Shattenkirk makes sense.

Outside of Rasmus Ristolainen the Sabres' defense lacks any real offensive threat. Meanwhile, their back end as a whole remains largely inexperienced.

What could also bode well for both parties is that - surprisingly - the Sabres led the league in power-play proficiency last season with a 24.5 percent success rate and Shattenkirk should only make them better.

It's also worth noting that the Sabres have the most cap space available of any team.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed forward Derek Ryan to a one-year contract worth $1.425 million, general manager Ron Francis announced Monday.

"Derek proved he belonged in the NHL last season," Francis said. "He brings skill and versatility to our lineup and sets an example for our younger players with his character and determination off the ice."

The 30-year-old registered career highs in goals (11), assists (18), and points (29) last season, and was a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.

Ryan was not drafted by an NHL club, and didn't crack the league until 2015 after signing with the Hurricanes as a free agent. Immediately prior to that, he was named MVP of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2014-15.

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After being selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils at the NHL Entry Draft, there's no one better to talk to than the franchise's all-time leader in goals, assists, and points.

That's the opportunity that was presented to Nico Hischier, who dined with Patrik Elias on Sunday.

Elias, who announced his retirement late last season, registered 408 goals, 617 assists, and 1,205 points as a Devil, and also helped the club win two Stanley Cups.

That's quite a bar to reach for Hischier, but the Devils clearly believe he's a player to build around.

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Brayden Schenn didn't see it coming.

The forward says he was caught off guard when he found out he'd been traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night during the first round of the NHL draft.

“I was shocked,” Schenn told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday. “I wasn’t really paying attention to picks 10 to 20, and then I got a text from my agent saying St. Louis was involved (in talks with the Flyers), but really nothing was imminent."

Less than a minute later, general manager Ron Hextall called him to let him know he'd been dealt.

"And, boom, it happened,” Schenn said. “I just talked to (Hextall) quickly.”

The Flyers traded the 25-year-old for forward Jori Lehtera, the 27th overall pick (which they used to nab Morgan Frost), and a conditional first-rounder in 2018.

Schenn hit the 25-goal mark in each of the last two seasons, notching 26 in 2015-16, and Philadelphia will certainly miss his offensive contributions, considering only Wayne Simmonds scored more than Schenn did for the Flyers this past season.

Related: Hextall insists Flyers 'absolutely not' rebuilding despite draft moves

Schenn could get a chance to move back to his natural position with his new club.

"They told me they’ll give me an opportunity at center, so I’m excited,” he said. “They have a lot of skilled forwards there, obviously, in (Vladimir) Tarasenko, (Jaden) Schwartz and (Alex) Steen. The list goes on and on. They obviously have a great team and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity. I’ve been looking forward to playing center for the past little while, and if I get a chance to do that in St. Louis, I’m going to take it and run with it.”

Schenn had nothing but praise for the Flyers organization and the city of Philadelphia, but he's looking forward to playing for the Blues.

“I have mixed emotions,” he said. “I spent six years in Philly and had an awesome time there. Great teammates and a great organization. But I’m excited to go to St. Louis and get a great opportunity.”

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Brian Boyle isn't ruling out a reunion in South Florida.

The veteran forward and pending unrestricted free agent says he's open to the possibility of rejoining the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"We love Tampa," Boyle told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "If Tampa wanted to work out a deal, that's definitely a huge option for us. That's something that I've kind of always thought about. I haven't closed the door on anything."

The Lightning traded Boyle to the Toronto Maple Leafs for center Byron Froese and a second-round pick in February.

"I understand the part of the game - that makes sense to me," Boyle said Sunday. "I could definitely understand why thins were done the way they were done, the situation the team was in, with the cap. You have to roll with it, it's going to happen. It's not a personal thing, can't take it personally."

Boyle played 21 regular-season games for the Leafs down the stretch and suited up for all six tightly contested first-round playoff games against the Washington Capitals.

"That was a blast," Boyle said. "We had a pretty fun couple of weeks in the playoffs, wish it was a little bit longer. (Leafs) fans were a blast, jumping on board. They deserve to have a good team there, the support and passion they have for the game. They have some really good young players, they're in a good spot."

The 32-year-old told Smith that a few teams have already reached out to him about his future, reiterating that the Lightning would have a shot if they're interested.

"I had a great time there," Boyle said. "Everybody in that organization treated me unbelievable. It was a blast to be part of it. Getting traded sucks. At the time, it's always kind of a change. When the season ended, I'm a free agent, and I've kind of been here before in this position. And I've been fortunate to enjoy every place that I've played. (Tampa) is a great place to be, great place to start a family. And, honestly, we'll see what they say. You want to be wanted. That's the other part."

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The Anaheim Ducks made a move to shore up their blue line Sunday, signing rearguard Korbinian Holzer to a two-year contract extension, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Holzer, 29, only suited up in 32 contests last season for Anaheim, registering seven points, 71 hits, and 34 blocked shots while averaging 13:31 in ice time.

The former fourth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs plays a bottom-pairing role on a Ducks squad littered with talent on the back end, providing some depth for Randy Carlyle's club.

Prior to the extension, Holzer was slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

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Let the Kevin Shattenkirk sweepstakes begin.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were among a slew of clubs to check in on the soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent defenseman Sunday, sources told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Shattenkirk is the biggest prize in a relatively weak free-agent class this summer, so it's no surprise that he has multiple suitors, but it's interesting to see the Lightning involved even in a preliminary capacity.

Tampa Bay was the Eastern Conference club that nearly landed Shattenkirk in a seven-year, $42-million sign-and-trade agreement back in January before he turned it down, according to Smith and as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford believed at the time.

The window for teams to contact pending UFAs officially opened Sunday.

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Let the Kevin Shattenkirk sweepstakes begin.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were among a slew of clubs to check in on the soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent defenseman Sunday, sources told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Shattenkirk is the biggest prize in a relatively weak free-agent class this summer, so it's no surprise that he has multiple suitors, but it's interesting to see the Lightning involved even in a preliminary capacity.

Tampa Bay was the Eastern Conference club that nearly landed Shattenkirk in a seven-year, $42-million sign-and-trade agreement back in January before he turned it down, according to Smith and as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford believed at the time.

The window for teams to contact pending UFAs officially opened Sunday.

Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.