Counting Down the Top 50 NHL UFA Skaters 30-21: Can P.K. Subban Get Back on Track?

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

As two teams prepare for the Stanley Cup Final and 30 others have already embarked on the offseason, it’s a good time to look ahead to this year’s class of unrestricted free agent skaters. Free agency starts at 12 p.m. ET on July 13.

This week, we are breaking down the Top 50 skaters available via unrestricted free agency and today the countdown hits free agent skaters 30 through 21. This list features a combination of big names on the downside of their careers as well as players who thrived in new environments after the trade deadline (stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick).

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30. Max Domi, LW, Carolina (11 goals, 28 assists, 50.0 Corsi for (CF)%, 48.2 Expected goals for (xGF)%, 72 games played)

An undersized but feisty forward, Domi can still contribute offensively. However, he played just 13:02 per game last season, easily the lowest average time on ice of his career. His defensive play is suspect and thus has moved back to the wing but the 27-year-old could fill a secondary scoring role in the right situation.

29. P.K. Subban, D, New Jersey (5 G, 17 A, 50.5 CF%, 52.3 xGF%, 77 GP)

33-year-old Subban is far removed from winning the Norris Trophy and even when he was last a finalist for the award in 2017-2018 with the Nashville Predators. Injuries and inconsistency have marked his play since, but he did have better results with a reduced role in 2021-2022, playing 18:18 per game last season — by far the lowest time on ice average of his career.

28. Paul Stastny, LW, Winnipeg (21 G, 24 A, 52.4 CF%, 53.1 xGF%, 71 GP)

He is 36 and not terribly fleet afoot, but Stastny is coming off a season in which he scored 21 goals, his most since 2013-2014 with the Colorado Avalanche. He remains a smart and skilled player who can fill a complementary role alongside skilled forwards. He is still an ace in the faceoff circle, winning 56.6% of his draws last season.

27. Calle Jarnkrok, C, Calgary (12 G, 18 A, 50.5 CF%, 47.2 xGF%, 66 GP)

A versatile 30-year-old forward whose point totals have ranged between 26 and 35 in each of the past seven seasons, Jarnkrok did not have a huge impact with Calgary after he was acquired from Seattle.

That should not affect Jarnkrok’s value in the marketplace too much, though. He has already established that he is a middle-six forward who can play center and wing.

26. Brett Kulak, D, Edmonton (5 G, 16 A, 50.8 CF%, 51.6 xGF%, 74 GP)

Often underrated throughout his career, the 28-year-old blueliner had a nice run down the stretch and through the playoffs with the Oilers. Kulak is not especially physical but skates well and can pass the puck to aid in transition.

25. Frank Vatrano, LW, N.Y. Rangers (18 G, 14 A, 54.2 CF%, 53.2 xGF%, 71 GP)

After he had a difficult time staying in the Florida Panthers lineup, Vatrano was deemed expendable and moved to the New York Rangers, where he produced 26 points in 42 games covering the end of the regular season and the playoffs. He is a proven shot generator who can contribute secondary scoring and his playoff performance should help 28-year-old Vatrano earn a new deal.

24. Nick Leddy, D, St. Louis (3 G, 21 A, 46.0 CF%, 46.4 xGF%, 75 GP)

Although the 31-year-old blueliner struggled with the Detroit Red Wings before getting traded to the St. Louis Blues, Leddy played more than 20 minutes per game for the eighth consecutive season. He contributed 13 points in 29 games covering the regular season and playoffs,.

Leddy has the experience and puck-moving ability to fit in a top-four role.

23. Josh Manson, D, Colorado (6 G, 10 A, 44.9 CF%, 44.0 xGF%, 67 GP)

A physical blueliner who is filling a complementary role on the Stanley Cup favorites, 30-year-old Manson has offensive limitations but does bring a physical element that will surely draw suitors when free agency begins.

The challenge for any team is how long to go on a contract for a physical defensive defenseman who will turn 31 in October. Players of Manson’s style tend to age poorly because the grind of those constant physical battles adds up over the years.

22. Nick Paul, LW, Tampa Bay (16 G, 16 A, 49.1 CF%, 48.3 xGF%, 80 GP)

After earning a reputation as a quality checking forward for the Ottawa Senators in recent seasons, the 27-year-old Paul has shown that he can be a major contributor to a Stanley Cup contender. He can play center and has 21 points in 38 games with the Lightning in the regular season and playoffs combined.

A forward who goes 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, and can skate? Paul is going to cash in this summer.

https://twitter.com/NHLGIFs/status/1525625029429538818

21. Rickard Rakell, LW, Pittsburgh (20 G, 21 A, 51.9 CF%, 52.0 xGF%, 70 GP)

One of the most snakebit forwards in recent seasons, 29-year-old Rakell bounced back with his first 20-goal season since 2017-2018. The puck tends to move the right way when he is on the ice and Rakell can move around the lineup, playing both wings and moving up and down the depth chart depending on his team's need.

The 2022 Stanley Cup Final drops the puck on Game 1 on Wednesday, but Caesars now has odds for the 2023 Stanley Cup champion.

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