All posts by Josh Wegman

Top 50 pending UFAs: 50-41

With July 1 less than two months away, theScore takes a look at the top 50 pending unrestricted free agents heading into the start of free agency.

1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50

Stats Legend:
GV = Giveaways
TK = Takeaways
ATOI = Average time on ice per game
CF% = Percentage of shot attempts team took while player was on ice at even strength
(Rel) = CF% of player compared to when he's not on the ice

50. Kevin Bieksa

Position: Defense
Age on July 1: 37
2017-18 cap hit: $4M
2017-18 team: Ducks

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
59 0 8 8 41 12 18:01 44.3 (-6.0)

Bieksa is still tough in the corners but the game has caught up to him. He's a sixth defenseman at best, and he better be paired with someone who can skate and move the puck.

49. Chris Kunitz

Position: Left Wing
Age on July 1: 38
2017-18 cap hit: $2M
2017-18 team: Lightning

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
82 13 16 29 29 38 11:57 50.2 (-1.7)

A four-time Stanley Cup champion, Kunitz's leadership is immeasurable. However, at this stage of his career, he's nothing more than a fourth-liner. But, despite a lack of foot speed, he can still play that role adequately due to his grit and ability to finish.

48. Matt Cullen

Position: Center
Age on July 1: 41
2017-18 cap hit: $1M
2017-18 team: Wild

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
79 11 11 22 17 14 11:54 40.5 (-8.1)

Like Kunitz, Cullen brings championship pedigree and leadership with his three Stanley Cup rings. If he decides to play another year, he can still be a decent fourth-line center.

47. Cam Ward

Position: Goaltender
Age on July 1: 34
2017-18 cap hit: $3.3M
2017-18 team: Hurricanes

GP Rec. GAA SV% SO
43 23-14-4 2.73 .906 2

We've seen enough of Ward to know he's not a starter, but he could still be a serviceable backup for a team in the market for a solid No. 2.

46. Antoine Vermette

Position: Center
Age on July 1: 35
2017-18 cap hit: $1.75M
2017-18 team: Ducks

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
64 8 8 16 17 14 13:45 45.3 (-2.9)

Vermette has remarkably won at least 60 percent of his faceoffs in each of the last two seasons. Puck possession is so valuable in today's NHL, so even at 35, he will have no problem finding himself a one-year deal to be a team's fourth-line center.

45. Jay Beagle

Position: Center
Age on July 1: 32
2017-18 cap hit: $1.75M
2017-18 team: Capitals

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
79 7 15 22 10 25 12:27 39.2 (-10.8)

Beagle's possession numbers appear dreadful, but it's important to note he started nearly 75 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone. He's an elite faceoff man and penalty killer, and though he provides virtually no offense, he's still a valuable player in the right role.

44. Greg Pateryn

Position: Defense
Age on July 1: 28
2017-18 cap hit: $800K
2017-18 team: Stars

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
73 1 12 13 38 5 19:27 49.8 (-1.7)

Pateryn was probably miscast as nearly a 20-minute-per-game defenseman, but he managed to post bearable possession numbers despite an offensive-zone start percentage of just 38.6. With his size (6-foot-3, 224 lbs), relative youth, and right-handedness, Pateryn shouldn't have an issue finding a home as a bottom-pairing blue-liner.

43. Derek Grant

Position: Center
Age on July 1: 28
2017-18 cap hit: $650K
2017-18 team: Ducks

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
64 12 12 24 13 18 11:06 46.3 (-1.0)

A late bloomer, Grant had a breakout season for the Ducks. He's 6-foot-3 and 215 lbs, only 28 years old, and is skilled in the faceoff circle (53.1 percent) - qualities that should make him attractive to several teams for a bottom-six role.

42. Jaroslav Halak

Position: Goaltender
Age on July 1: 33
2017-18 cap hit: $4.5M
2017-18 team: Islanders

GP Rec. GAA SV% SO
54 20-26-6 3.19 .908 1

It's actually impressive that Halak's save percentage was only four points below the league average (.912) considering he had one of the worst defensive teams of all time in front of him. Regardless, if he's a starter, that team probably isn't postseason bound. He would be a good platoon goalie for a team trying to bring along a young starter.

41. Antoine Roussel

Position: Left wing
Age on July 1: 28
2017-18 cap hit: $2M
2017-18 team: Stars

GP G A P GV TK ATOI CF% (rel)
73 5 12 17 32 16 12:26 52.4 (+1.5)

Roussel scored between 12 and 14 goals the previous four seasons but struggled mightily in 2017-18. While enforcers are a thing of the past, having a player such as Roussel who will willingly drop the mitts is extremely valuable considering he's also effective in a bottom-six role.

(Salary information courtesy: Cap Friendly)
(Stats courtesy: Hockey Reference)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canada shuts out Germany, finishes 3rd in Group B

Canada wrapped up its round robin at the World Championship with a 3-0 win over Germany on Tuesday, clinching third place in Group B. That means the Canadians will play either Sweden or Russia in the quarterfinals.

Sweden and Russia square off at 2:15 p.m. ET to determine who wins Group A. The loser of that matchup faces Canada.

Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins led the way offensively for Canada, picking up two points apiece.

The team's goaltending has been shaky all tournament, but Darcy Kuemper earned the shutout Tuesday. He wasn't tested much, though, turning aside just 10 shots.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Finland clinches Group B with decisive win over United States

Finland took down another international hockey powerhouse Tuesday morning, defeating the United States 6-2 and clinching the Group B title in the process.

The Finns wrap up the round robin with 16 points - same as the Americans - but earn the tiebreaker with the head-to-head victory. They'll play Switzerland, which finished fourth in Group A, in the quarterfinals, while the U.S. will play Group A's third-seeded Czech Republic.

Carolina Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho was an offensive catalyst yet again, netting a hat trick that gave him nine goals in the tournament. Mikko Rantanen also scored, while Markus Nutivaara picked up two helpers. Harri Sateri continued his stellar play in goal, stopping 31 of 33 shots.

Patrick Kane led the way offensively for the Americans, recording a goal and an assist.

Finland has continued to prove in this tournament that it's one of hockey's top nations, defeating Canada and the U.S. by a combined score of 11-3.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carlson sets Capitals record for points by D-man in single postseason

John Carlson is going to become a very rich man this offseason.

A pending unrestricted free agent, Carlson recorded an assist on Devante Smith-Pelly's second-period goal, setting a Capitals record for points by a defenseman in a single postseason.

Carlson led all NHL blue-liners in points during the regular season with 68 and has produced at an even greater rate during the playoffs.

Hands down the best defenseman set to hit the open market this offseason, Carlson is playing the finest hockey of his life at an opportune time.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Watch: Lightning power play capitalizes on phantom high-stick call

Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie was issued a two-minute high-sticking minor in the first period of Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, even though his stick never touched Victor Hedman's face.

It's clear on the replay that Oshie's stick tipped the fluttering puck as Hedman went to catch it. When the puck changed direction off Oshie's blade, it hit Hedman in the face, which is why he went down.

On the ensuing power play, Steven Stamkos blasted home a one-timer that gave the Bolts a 2-1 lead Sunday night.

It may have been a tough call for the referee to make in the heat of the moment, but the Capitals likely don't feel much sympathy.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Report: Canucks prospect Pettersson to miss rest of worlds with thumb injury

The undefeated Swedes will have to play the rest of the tournament without a key offensive figure.

Vancouver Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson will miss the remainder of the World Championship after suffering a thumb injury Sunday against Switzerland, according to Uffe Brodin of Hockeysverige.

After setting the SHL (Sweden's top professional league) record for points by a U20 player in both the regular season and the playoffs, Pettersson finished with a goal and three assists in six games at the worlds.

Sweden should be well-equipped to handle the loss, though, as it recently added Nashville Predators forwards Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson to an already impressive crop of players up front.

Canucks fans will likely have to wait until training camp to get their next look at Pettersson.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blues prospect Kyrou named OHL player of the year

St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy on Saturday, recognizing him as the Ontario Hockey League's player of the year.

The Sarnia Sting forward racked up an incredible 39 goals and 109 points in just 56 games - good for 1.95 points-per-game.

He put himself on the map with an impressive performance at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship, collecting 10 points in seven games as Canada took home the gold medal.

The 20-year-old could very well find himself on the Blues' season-opening roster come October.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jets awarded 3rd goal after kicking motion, goalie interference reviews

The Winnipeg Jets scored their third marker of the game before the 10-minute point of the first period despite the fact that the goal was originally waived off due to goaltender interference.

In fact, two reviews took place: one to see if Joel Armia kicked the puck in the net, and then another to see if he interfered with goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Both rulings turned out in Winnipeg's favor, and the Jets took an early three-goal lead as a result.

As expected, Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant was not happy with the outcome.

This marks the first time this postseason that Fleury has allowed more than two goals in the first period of a game.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Report: Predators’ Turris to join Canada at World Championship

Nashville Predators players are heading to Denmark in flocks like the swallows of Capistrano.

On Friday, the team announced seven of its players would head overseas to take part in the World Championship, but TSN's Ryan Rishaug is reporting one more player is on his way.

New Westminster, British Columbia native Kyle Turris has been added to Canada's roster and will join the team in a few days, per Rishaug.

After a 5-1 trouncing at the hands of Finland, Canada will welcome any reinforcements it can get.

Turris has a wealth of international experience, most recently at the 2014 World Championship, in which he potted three goals and added three helpers in eight games.

In a season split between the Ottawa Senators and the Predators, Turris collected 51 points in 76 games.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Finland upsets Canada in blowout victory

Canada was decimated on Saturday, falling to team Finland by a score of 5-1.

Goaltending proved to be an issue for the Canadians, as Curtis McElhinney was pulled after allowing three goals, and Darcy Kuemper didn't fare much better upon his entry into the game, gifting Eeli Tolvanen a fourth goal for the Fins.

While Canada's play in the crease is certainly concerning, that wasn't the sole reason it lost. It only managed to score once against journeyman netminder Harri Säteri. Canada's struggles to generate scoring chances likely come from its inability to stay out of the penalty box, as it collected 22 minutes in penalties.

Mikko Rantanen, Teuvo Teravainen, and Tolvanen were the offensive catalysts for the Finns, combining for four goals and two assists.

Canada will close out the round robin on Monday and Tuesday with games against Latvia and Germany before the medal round begins.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.