The Frenzy that is Free Agency is almost upon us…  This article would be so much easier to compile if Sumit Purba was not a member of our league.  But that’s one of the many factors that will make the next couple of weeks extremely entertaining.   Here is a breakdown of this summer’s crop, along with a few teams who may or may not target those specific players due to team needs or wants.

Erik Karlsson… What you need to know… Karlsson has now won the Norris Trophy 3 times.  He is aging like a fine wine.  Only 5 other D-men in the history of the National Hockey League have put up 100 point seasons.  He was rewarded with absolutely incredible offensive rates, but of course soft defensive ones.   Whoever lands Karlsson will be ecstatic, but will want to pair him with someone more responsible in their own end.  Despite the fact he seemingly has been around forever, Karlsson only just turned 33.  Possible suitors – Canucks, Lightning, Sharks, Wild

Drew Doughty… What you need to know… Doughty might have the least weaknesses out of the entire UFA class of defensemen, but he has a lot of wear and tear on those tires despite being only 33.  Either way, he will definitely demand a big chunk of change along with term.  Possible suitors – Flames, Preds, Sharks

Roman Josi… What you need to know… While Josi did take a small step back from his incredible Norris candidate season, he was still brilliant all year long.  He is slightly better defensively than Karlsson and the same age.  He should get big bucks and big term.  Possible suitors – Coyotes, Knights, Red Wings

Alex Pietrangelo… What you need to know… Petro was on the verge of retirement this past year due to health issues within the family.  Thankfully he didn’t.  He doesn’t play the body much, but had a strong season on both sides of the puck and should generate plenty of buzz from our bidders.  Possible suitors – Flyers, Red Wings, Canucks

Devon Toews… What you need to know… Toews is one of the top younger free agents this summer.  Don’t be surprised to see him get the max 6 years from someone.  He’s good defensively… despite being smaller… and good offensively… despite being an average puck handler.  That might be because Cale Makar gets all the PP1 minutes.  Yeah, that makes you a bad puck handler around these parts.  Possible suitors – Blues, Habs, Sens

Jared Spurgeon… What you need to know… Is it just me, or is this class of UFA defensemen a strong one?  Spurgeon features stellar defensive rates and can skate like the wind.  He can also chip in a bit offensively making him a perfect top 4 for most teams needing help in that area.  Possible suitors – Ducks, Hurricanes, Penguins

Kris Letang… What you need to know… The future Hall of Famer had another strong season as he enters his late 30s.  He can be a bit sluggish coming back to his own end, but lands a lot of hits and can still flash some offense.   Possible suitors – Avs, Sabres

Jeff Petry… What you need to know… He is so, so offensively at best, but solid on the defensive and hitting side of things.   He’ll be 36 early in the season, so you’d have to expect things to slow down soon.  Seeing if anyone offers him anything more than a 1-2 year contract will be fun to follow.  Possible suitors – Bruins, Isles, Stars

Oliver Ekman-Larsson… What you need to know… Recently bought out by the Canucks means OEL gets to cross the continent and hone his craft in the Sunshine State.  He does a lot of things “averagely” to maybe even slightly above average currently.  Could he be a candidate for a big bounce-back story this season?  We’ll see if the bidders think so.  Possible suitors – Avs, Wild, Kraken

Jani Hakanpaa… What you need to know… He’s going to probably put his team short-handed lots, and won’t be scoring much, if at all, but he’s great at staying put in his own end and defending.  Will slot nicely into someone’s 3^rd pairing or 2^nd PK spot.  Possible suitors – Caps, Panthers, Rangers

Darcy Kuemper… What you need to know… Kuemper fit in great during his first year in the nation’s capital (well, capital if you’re American).  The Caps seem to be trying to stay competitive this season which should bode well for him again.  Possible suitors – Jackets, Lightning, Habs, Sharks

Jacob Markstrom… What you need to know… The massive Swede has been stellar most of his career despite more downs than ups last season.  You can almost bet on a bounce-back, but will he get paid for potential rather than current rates?  Possible suitors – Lightning, Canucks, Devils, Knights

Casey DeSmith… What you need to know… He should continue to split time with the Pens this season.  Which is never a guarantee he’ll get his 35 games in.  But he did last year, and performed well.  He doesn’t have the rates to be a top number 1, but is serviceable for a lot of teams just trying to stay competitive.  Possible suitors – Jets, Leafs, Rangers

Scott Wedgewood… What you need to know… I really think Wedgewood could take a run at the starter’s gig on a number of other teams.  Unfortunately for him, he is stuck behind Oettinger in Big D.  He is, however, headed into his final year on his contract, and that could open up an opportunity down the road elsewhere.  Possible suitors – Rangers, Sens, Ducks