2015 NHL Free Agents: Best Defensemen For Teams To Target

The NHL free-agent market isn’t loaded with superstar players, but teams in need of defensemen have plenty of options to pursue.

This year’s unrestricted free agent class doesn’t have any legitimate first-pairing blueliners, but several guys are capable of playing a second-pairing role at even strength and special teams.

Here are the five best defensemen for teams to target when free agency begins Wednesday at noon ET.

Mike Green
Age: 29
Stats: 10 goals, 35 assists (45 points) in 72 games
2014-15 Salary Cap Hit: $6.08 million
Analysis: Green has been a top-tier offensive defenseman for a long time, with 10 or more goals in five seasons. He’s also a tremendous power-play quarterback. That said, Green has a history of injuries, and it would be a risk to sign him for $6 million or more per season long term.

Christian Ehrhoff
Age: 32
Stats: 3 goals, 11 assists (14 points) in 49 games
2014-15 Salary Cap Hit: $4 million
Analysis: Ehrhoff is a veteran puck-moving defenseman who can excel on the power play and help improve a team’s transition game. He was pretty effective for Pittsburgh last season, considering his injury issues. Ehrhoff would be a tremendous pick-up for a team that needs a top-four defenseman with offensive skill and playoff experience.

Cody Franson
Age: 27
Stats: 7 goals, 29 assists (36 points) in 78 games
2014-15 Salary Cap Hit: $3.3 million
Analysis: Smart, two-way defensemen in their prime always will attract teams in free agency, so expect Franson to have plenty of suitors. Franson already is a top-four D-man, as the following HERO chart from Own the Puck shows, and he doesn’t even receive top-four minutes.

Paul Martin
Age: 34
Stats: 3 goals, 17 assists (20 points) in 74 games
2014-15 Salary Cap Hit: $5 million
Analysis: Martin primarily has been a defensive defenseman with the ability to tally 15 to 20 points per season throughout his career, but he’s no longer a legitimate top-four blueliner on a contending team. If he wants another chance at winning a Stanley Cup, he should accept a third-pairing role. That said, he’d still be a solid addition at a bargain rate given his experience.

Andrej Sekera
Age: 29
Stats: 3 goals, 20 assists (23 points) in 73 games
2014-15 Salary Cap Hit: $2.75 million
Analysis: Sekera is a legitimate top-four defenseman who can provide between 30 to 40 points, power-play skill and the ability to drive puck possession at even strength. He’s also a pretty good defensive player capable of taking on tough assignments against the opponent’s top forwards.

Thumbnail photo via David Banks/USA TODAY Sports Images