Counting Down the Top 50 NHL UFA Skaters, 20-11: Is there untapped potential in Ilya Mikheyev and Mason Marchment?

Scott Cullen breaks down the Top NHL Free Agents this offseason with a top 50 countdown this week. You can see 50-41 here, 40-31 here, and 30-21 here.

Free agent signings can sometimes be more about making a big splash and getting headlines, but some of the players in today’s part of the countdown could be the kind of players that make a truly positive impact on their new teams without the kind of fanfare that might be more likely for the Top 10 free agent skaters.

This week, we are breaking down the Top 50 skaters available via unrestricted free agency and today the countdown gets into the Top 20, which includes some of the potential best value skaters on the board.

Free agency kicks off at 12 noon ET on July 13.

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20. Ilya Mikheyev, LW, Toronto (21 G, 11 A, 56.3 CF%, 57.1 xGF%, 53 GP)

Through his first two seasons in the league, the 27-year-old Maple Leafs winger established that he was a solid two-way player who had some trouble finishing around the net, scoring on just 7.3% of his shots. Last season, that shooting percentage spiked to 14.3% and Mikheyev finished with a career-high 21 goals in 53 games, so that should earn him a substantial raise with his next contract.

19. Reilly Smith, RW, Vegas (16 G, 22 A, 55.2 CF%, 54.1 xGF%, 56 GP)

A reliable and underrated winger, the 31-year-old has scored 20 or more goals four times in his career and has played more than 17 minutes per game in seven consecutive seasons. A strong complementary player who took his game to a new level over the past five seasons with the Golden Knights.

18. Nino Niederreiter, RW, Carolina (24 G, 20 A, 58.4 CF%, 58.2 xGF%, 75 GP)

While Niederreiter might never match the level of production that he had when he was first traded to Carolina from Minnesota, scoring 30 points in 36 games down the stretch in 2018-2019, A quality middle six winger who has been a consistent play driver, the 29-year-old has good size and enough skill to have scored at least 20 goals six times in his career.

17. Andre Burakovsky, RW, Colorado (22 G, 39 A, 55.1 CF%, 51.9 xGF%, 80 GP)

Although he showed flashes of talent earlier in his career with the Washington Capitals, the 27-year-old winger has elevated his play since joining the Avalanche, and hit career-highs with 22 goals and 61 points in 2021-2022. Given the big money that the Avalanche have committed to the stars at the top of the depth chart, they might not be able to keep Burakovsky so he could provide an offensive jolt to a new club.

16. Mason Marchment, LW, Florida (18 G, 29 A, 60.6 CF%, 63.4 xGF%, 54 GP)

Admittedly, this requires more projection than most unrestricted free agents because Marchment has been a late bloomer and the 26-year-old played a career-high 54 games for the Panthers last season. Late or not, he really bloomed, not only scoring at a high level, but delivering outstanding possession numbers in the process. A 6-foot-4 winger who can play a physical game and showed that he can hold his own playing with skilled players, Marchment is set to land a big free agent contract.

15. Ryan Strome, C, N.Y. Rangers (21 G, 33 A, 49.3 CF%, 48.2 xGF%, 74 GP)

A 28-year-old center who really found his groove with the Rangers, scoring a career-high 21 goals in 2021-2022, Strome would apparently like to stay with the Blueshirts, where he has enjoyed the benefits of playing alongside Artemi Panarin, but money could be a deciding factor. Strome has established his credentials as a second-line center and should be in demand if he hits the open market.

14. David Perron, RW, St. Louis (27 G, 30 A, 51.3 CF%, 48.9 xGF%, 67 GP)

Returning to St. Louis, again, has been a great fit for Perron, who has 221 points in 251 games in the past four seasons with the Blues. Given his continued high level of production, and his desire to stay, it would seem likely that something can be worked out between the team and the 34-year-old power play ace so that he does not have to leave and subsequently return to the team for a fourth time.

13. Vincent Trocheck, C, Carolina (21 G, 30 A, 55.2 CF%, 53.0 xGF%, 81 GP)

While Trocheck is not especially big, he plays a physical game, drives play, and has established that he is a fine complementary scorer. In 2021-2022, he exceeded 20 goals and 50 points for the fourth time in his career and with a relatively small group of centers available in free agency, Trocheck will have appeal on the open market if he is not returning to Carolina.

12. Andrew Copp, C, N.Y. Rangers (21 G, 32 A, 53.5 CF%, 52.2 xGF%, 72 GP)

The 27-year-old forward has really taken his game to new heights in recent seasons, not only showing that he is a reliable two-way forward, but that he can take an offensive role and thrive, too. Copp put up 32 points in 36 games with the Rangers down the stretch and through the playoffs and with his ability to play center and wing, checking role or scoring role, Copp is likely to be one of the most in-demand free agents this summer.

11. Ondrej Palat, LW, Tampa Bay (18 G, 31 A, 50.8 CF%, 54.8 xGF%, 77 GP)

A consistent and reliable winger who has excelled in a top line role for much of his career with the Lightning and while Palat last surpassed 50 points in a season back in 2016-2017, he has had six playoff runs in which he has amassed double-digit points, including 48 points in 66 playoff games (and counting) across the past three years. Palat is 31, so that might affect the term being offered on a new deal, but his championship pedigree and solid two-way performance will bring plenty of suitors.

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