Again, rankings are based off of a special formula using the rates for the upcoming season.  Let's see who GM Junya Kato thinks are the top blueliners.

1. Mark Giordano - Not much of a depate with Giordano at the top.  Played out of his ass.  Great ratings almost everywhere.  This guy will break the bank on his new contract.  At age 35, not going to get a long term deal, but the way he played, someone might go 2-3 years for him and take a chance.

2. Shea Weber - Weber has average offenssive numbers, but great DF.  His DU is very low.  He could still get a large contract, since the FA class is so week.  This one is intriguing because someone may try to sign him for a long term deal, hoping they get a discount due to his DU issues.  If someone does that, it may be a bargain if he can stay healthy after next season.

3. Ryan McDonagh - This guy matched his career year, point-wise, in his first full season with the Lightning.  Not a surprise with all the weapons down in TB.  He has great blend of PA and DF.  McDonagh will get as huge contract, but def will be overpaid for a Dman only averaging .5 point per game.  He is 30 years old, so don't be surprised if he gets a long term deal.

4. Andy Green - WTF Andy Green at #4?!  This GM is dumb, what an idiot.  Max DF gets you very high on the list when the rest of the FA Dmen don't have versitility either.  He has gotten minimal salary, but someon will over pay for the 99DF.  36 years old so he will get a 1, MAYBE 2 year deal.

5. Anton Stralman - Wait did he even play last year?  I don't recall seeing much of him.  He did play, but for only half the season.  He has 66PA and 89DF.  In a normal FA year, he would be getting $1.4mil, but this offseason he will be overpaid.  He is a UFA in real life, so let's see if anyone rolls the dice on his with the years.  I would stay the fuck away for long term, overpaid, Stralman.

6. Alex Goligoski - Goligoski is similar to Stralman in terms or rates, except he is 6 points less in DF.  This will make him cheaper, but not by too much.  He had a down year and is a lot more consistent than Stralman, so someone might give him a little more term.  Maybe he get becomes a bargain in future years.  

7. Ron Hainsey - Too bad he wasn't going to stay on the Leafs or he would have been overpaid by one of those stupid Leafs fans.  All he offers is his 90DF.  This guy is ancient so he will get a 1 year deal.

8. Keith Yandle - Who wants banckend scoring?!  You all just raised your hands, don't lie.  Yandle has excellent PA and average SC, but in this class, he is only one of 3 Dmen with PA in the 80s.  He will get paid nicely and should get some term on his deal since he's only 32.  His DF is like Toby in his ball hockey league, terrible.

9. Matt Nikanen - Another very high DF and low scoring guy on the list.  Seems like there are a ton of them.  Shouldn't get too much, unless if someone thinks he will bounce back IRL and add some term to his contract.

10. Dustin Byfuglien - The 3rd Dman on this list with exceptional PA.  SC has been going down in recent years, but had a career year in assists.  He will get a very large contract for 1-2 years for his offense.

With the BRHL Stars just trading for Brett Pesce, they won't be in on these high priced FA Dmen.  I know many contenders have big holes they want to fill with D, so they better be prepared to overpay for some of these mediocre guys.  This year will have many terrible contracts.