This year's crop of free agent defenseman are not as exciting as previous years.  No true big names or superstars in their prime, but definitely still some very useful and effective veterans who can help a top team succeed and win.
Let's take a look at some who I believe will get some extra attention in free agency as the bidding starts going.

Mattias Ekholm
Age 32
Key ratings:  DF91 PA65 CK75
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  23.48
PK/G:  3.26
PP/G:  1.55
Blocked shots/G:  1.26
Probably the best of this year's free agent class, Ekholm is still in his prime with many more prime years ahead.  He and perennial Norris trophy candidate Roman Josi have anchored the Nashville Predators defense for years.  He plays in all situations reliably with PK and PP times; and although he will never get the attention or accolades that Josi gets, he is just as valuable to his NHL team and any BRHL team would be blessed to have him anchoring their own top 4 defensive pairings.

Ben Chiarot
Age 31
Key ratings:  DF91 PA57 CK86
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  22.85
PK/G:  2.97
PP/G:  0.98
Blocked shots/G:  1.75
Strong DF and CK ratings make Ben Chiarot one of the better defensive dmen.  In the NHL, his value was apparent when the Panthers paid a high price to add him to their roster to bolster their playoff run.

Radko Gudas
Age 32
Key ratings:  DF89 PA52 CK99
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  18.02
PK/G:  2.09
PP/G:  0.04
Blocked shots/G:  1.53
A fan favourite; you love to have him on your team, but hate to play against him.  He is not perfect but his effectiveness especially on the PK is very useful and makes him a bit special with his 99 CK rating.

Justin Braun
Age 35
Key ratings:  DF88 PA52 CK78
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  19.55
PK/G:  2.17
PP/G:  0.06
Blocked shots/G:  1.75
As reliable as they come, he contributes on the PK and reliably at EV.  He is the veteran that playoff teams looking for depth and stability always ask to trade for.  Traded to the NYR after 2 seasons with the Flyers; we will see which NHL team he lands on next!

Jake Muzzin
Age 33
Key ratings:  DF87 PA57 CK87
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  20.73
PK/G:  2.61
PP/G:  0.25
Blocked shots/G:  1.27
One of the 3 Toronto Maple Leafs on this list; former Olympian was considered one of the better defenseman in the NHL entering his prime just a few years ago when he was traded from the Kings to the Leafs.  His regression may be attributed to his durability issues as he has not come close to playing a full NHL season since the year he joined the Leafs almost 4 years ago.  Can he get healthy and become an all-star defenseman who contributes in all situations again?  Regardless, his ratings do make him useful, just not at his NHL salary.....what will BRHL GM's bid for his services?

Kevin Shattenkirk
Age 33
Key ratings:  DF87 PA65 CK73
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  21.42
PK/G:  2.21
PP/G:  1.98
Blocked shots/G:  1.64
After a few strong NHL seasons with the Blues where he established himself as one of the better offensive defenseman in the league, Kevin was traded for a big return, and then jumped around to a couple of different teams where his role seemed be in question and thus his regression.  This past season was a huge surprise as he starred in a strong veteran role as one of the go-to defenseman on the Ducks.  This meant that his NHL production and NHL stats improved drastically from his previous couple seasons.  He played in all situations on the PK and PP, and his ratings reflect that as he is one of the best rated defenseman in this year's free agency!  Can he keep it up or was it all a fluke?

TJ Brodie
Age 32
Key ratings:  DF85 PA63 CK67
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  21.31
PK/G:  2.28
PP/G:  0.18
Blocked shots/G:  1.29
Another Toronto Maple Leaf; Brodie has always been a solid reliable defenseman.  I once considered him one of the very underrated players in the league, but becoming a Toronto Maple Leaf has turned him into a very underappreciated player, as expectations are always high as a Maple Leaf.  Let's not kid ourselves.....Brodie is not an allstar but he is effective and useful for what what he does bring to the team, and he should be appreciated for his efforts.

Mark Giordano
Age 38
Key ratings:  DF82 PA67 CK75
Key 21/22 NHL stats:
TOI/G:  20.88
PK/G:  1.60
PP/G:  2.46
Blocked shots/G:  1.85
Another Toronto Maple Leaf, this veteran was once considered one of the top defenseman in the league.  A true #1 dman who could play in all situations and dominate the game.  Mark is now nearing age 40, and as impressive as that is, he is no longer that superstar defenseman.  However, without a doubt, he is still a very effective and useful veteran with well-rounded but unspectacular stats and ratings.  He has recently signed to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 2 more NHL seasons at a very team-friendly deal, so his heart is definitely in the right place as he nears the end of his career.  Gotta love him but can we afford to pay him in the BRHL?

Please enjoy.....free agency auction period is coming!  Who needs what and who wants what?  Only time will tell.....

Love,

Leon