With the calendar set to flip to July 1, along with it comes NHL Free Agent Frenzy on Wednesday.
The crop of unrestricted free agents set to hit the open market isn't as decorated as it has been in other years, but there are still some high-quality players that will be looking for new homes or to re-sign with their old clubs.
Here are our five top available free agent forwards come Wednesday.
Honorable Mention: Martin St. Louis: The future Hall of Famer had a tumultuous time in what will likely prove to be his final season with the New York Rangers as he went through myriad scoring droughts and was held to just one goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 19 games, but he brings a veteran presence and a winning pedigree to any team in need of some depth.
5) Joel Ward, Right Wing
Ward, 34, made $3 million with the Washington Capitals last season and showed that he could be a dynamic threat on any line, while he meshed well playing with superstars Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom as well. Ward has said he wants to remain in Washington, but the Capitals may be limited by other offseason priorities.
Ward played in all 82 games of the regular season in 2015-16, scoring 19 goals and adding 15 assists for 34 points while he had three tallies and nine points in 14 playoff games.
4) Antoine Vermette, Center
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes in February, and it's unlikely he'll be back due to the Original Six franchise's myriad cap issues. Vermette was slow to develop during his time in Chicago, but after starting the playoffs as a healthy scratch, he scored four goals in the postseason, including three game-winners and two overtime winners.
Vermette, 32, went 13-25--38 while playing all 82 games between the Coyotes and Blackhawks this past season and made $3.1 million. The center is also a solid face-off man, and he won 58.9 percent of his draws during the Blackhawks run to the Stanley Cup.
3) Matt Beleskey, Left Wing
Beleskey. 27, is one of the most intriguing options in free agency as he is coming off a tremendous season with the Anaheim Ducks and helped them get to the Western Conference Final.
Beleskey doubled his career-high for goals by notching 22 tallies in the regular season and he added 10 assists for a career-best 32 points in 65 games. In the playoffs, Beleskey found the twine eight times and had one helper in 16 games. Beleskey is sure to get a pay bump from the $1.35 million he made last year wherever he signs after his career-year.
2) Brad Richards, Center
While Richards is getting up there in age (35), he still has heart and brings a winning pedigree fresh off of his second-career Stanley Cup championship victory and first since he hoisted the greatest trophy in sports with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. Richards made $2 million last season from the Blackhawks after being bought out by the New York Rangers.
Richards had an important role as a second-line center down the stretch for Chicago, but it's likely he'll be moving on due to the Blackhawks' aforementioned cap issues. Richards went 12-25--37 in 76 games during the regular season and followed it up with a solid playoff performance that saw him notch 14 points in 23 contests.
1) Mike Ribeiro, Center
Following a buyout from the Coyotes, Ribeiro had a career resurgence with the Nashville Predators, which will surely make him a coveted free agent target. One thing holding him back, however is his alleged sexual assault crime that is currently making headlines.
Putting his personal problems aside, Ribeiro is coming off of a season where he led the Predators with 47 assists and placed second on the club with 62 points while scoring 15 goals. Ribeiro helped carry Nashville to its first playoff appearance since 2012 and had one tally and five points in six playoff games. Ribeiro, 35, made $1.05 million last season and played all 82 games.
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