Speculation: Best bottom six centers available this summer?

[WhatTheDuck]

Who are the best "character" centers available in this summer's free agent crop? Specifically looking at defensive, PK and faceoff reliability.

I noticed that Teddy Blueger is having a really good season in the faceoff dot while leading the Canucks F group in PK mins. Sam Carrick brings grit, energy and likewise has done well in the circle. Are there any other free agent centers who fit the bill?

As far as the trade market goes, are there any potential candidates who are quality bottom six centers that may be squeezed out by their team's cap or depth situation?

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[Eegs]

Not sure if Jake Evans will be made available or not but he fits a lot of your description.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Christian ''vanilla'' Dvorak should be very available.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Maybe Ross Colton? Or even Dubois though 8 million dollar player shouldn't be a bottom six center. Nicolas Roy probably isn't available.

 

[seafoam]

J.G. Pageau, two more years at 5M per.

 

[HabsAddict]

Evans/Dvorak is a decent/ok bottom 6, but not worth much in a trade.

We got potential trade for 1C-2C or a draft one and we got Beck or Kidney coming in as 3C.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Blueger would be nice to re sign but if there’s a team out there willing to drop more than $2.5M for him he likely takes that offer and runs

 

[Chainshot]

In terms of UFA, Colin Blackwell is another high-effort depth guy who is slated to be UFA this summer. Stenlund has fit in well with the Panthers, he's a UFA. Zemgus Girgensons is slated to be UFA as well, but his time at center usually isn't his best - he makes a better winger than a center.

Up until Sid's act of will, I was wondering if the Pens would part with Eller this summer since he has one more year at $2.45M but you said free agent.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Maybe Ross Colton? Or even Dubois though 8 million dollar player shouldn't be a bottom six center. Nicolas Roy probably isn't available.

Hmm ross Colton would be a nice pick up

 

[duxfan1101]

Blueger and Stenlund are my favorite options at the moment. Colton is nice, but we really only need a 4C and he would be too expensive.

 

[Mac Attack]

Hmm ross Colton would be a nice pick up

Seems very likely that the Av's have to move on from one of their 4 mil guys for cap, and between Colton, Lehkonen, and Manson, Av's fans seem most ok with Colton going.

 

[viper0220]

Backlund might be available.

 

[dgibb10]

NJD will be in the market for a 4C.

The loss of McLeod from the lineup decimated the bottom 6, and a replacement is now needed to fill these exact areas. faceoffs, defense,PK.

 

[Chan790]

The Canes may move on from Kotkaniemi as it's pretty apparent that he's pretty strictly a bottom C (which we don't need) and could use the cap space.

He's not a bad defensive 3C. He's just not Jordan Staal.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

Jeff Carter is 100% more Jeff Cartery then the next bottom 6 player, plus Jeff Carter is in fact available.

 

[Djp]

The Canes may move on from Kotkaniemi as it's pretty apparent that he's pretty strictly a bottom C (which we don't need) and could use the cap space.

He's not a bad defensive 3C. He's just not Jordan Staal.

He has little value and can be bought out at 1/3 owed so cap hit under $1M thru buyout 2026 for 1/3

 

[Chan790]

He has little value and can be bought out at 1/3 owed so cap hit under $1M thru buyout 2026 for 1/3

Think the preference is to move him, even for FC, and recoup the whole cap hit.

Edit: I think the only way the buyout makes more sense for the Canes is if he can't be moved without retention. Retaining on him and then having someone else buy him out, tying up a retention slot for the Canes for many years, is a bad scenario.

 

[Sniperberg]

Id send the Habs a 3rd round pick for Suzuki or Caufield

 

[Djp]

Think the preference is to move him, even for FC, and recoup the whole cap hit.

Edit: I think the only way the buyout makes more sense for the Canes is if he can't be moved without retention. Retaining on him and then having someone else buy him out, tying up a retention slot for the Canes for many years, is a bad scenario.

Carolina needs to add something to unload him without retention.

For a 2 yr tryout then a 4 yrs to buy out at $900K for i yrs vs Carolina retains brining him down to $3M.
Carolina is going to have to eat it and buy him out

 

[SEALBound]

I would bet Dubas would make Eller or Acciari available if someone came asking. Preference to moving Acciari first. I honestly think a 4th or 5th, conditional even, would do it.

Eller, I'd want a 2nd or 3rd because he's proved to be a still viable bottom 6 center option.

 

[bleedgreen]

Carolina needs to add something to unload him without retention.

For a 2 yr tryout then a 4 yrs to buy out at $900K for i yrs vs Carolina retains brining him down to $3M.
Carolina is going to have to eat it and buy him

I think they would add on if they had to. They won’t have to retain or buy him out.

 

[pth2]

Christian Dvorak would likely be available. I could imagine a team trading for him this summer, in the hope of figuring out if he's worth trying to extend before he becomes a UFA. He's likely to be taking a pay cut next summer, though with UFAs you can never know.

Jake Evans could be available as well - I personnally hope my Habs extend him, but management doesn't take my calls when I try and offer my advice.

 

[Unbiased Fan]

I could see the Wild making Joel EK available. Would be a excellent 3C behind McDavid and Leon

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

Lindholm

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

I could see the Wild making Joel EK available. Would be a excellent 3C behind McDavid and Leon

Yeah, the Wild have so many centers that they should trade their 1C.