5 Best NHL Free Agents Still Available

The first day of free agency has passed us by and with it a lot of key players have come off the board. Despite big names finding new homes, some intriguing players still remain and these are the top five available UFA's after day one.

5. Pat Maroon

Maroon only had 28 points last season (10 goals, 18 assists) but his impact was felt as much off the ice as it was on it. The big-bodied forward wreaks havoc on the forecheck and played a pivotal role in the Blues winning the Stanley Cup, tallying seven points in the playoffs.

4. Ryan Dzingel

Dzingel is a skilled forward who has watched his point total grow in each of his three seasons in the NHL. Registering 26 goals and 30 assists for a career high 56 points last season, Dzingel is a solid player that can slot up and down a team's top-nine forwards.

3. Justin Williams

At 37 years old, Justin Williams may not be as spry as he once was, but the veteran winger still managed to put up 53 points last season. Couple that production which his playoff ability and leadership qualities and it is a no brainer that Williams will benefit whatever team he signs with.

2. Jake Gardiner

Gardiner tallied just 30 points in 62 games next season, but the defenseman has proven that he can put up way more than that if healthy. Although he is sometimes a defensive liability, Gardiner is one of the purest offensive defenseman in the game, and will be a boost to whichever defensive corps he joins.

1. Marcus Johansson

Johannson is a veteran winger that at times looked like the Bruins best player during the Stanley Cup Finals. He registered 13 goals and 17 assists last season in just 58 games, while also being traded midseason. Although injuries have derailed his production the last two seasons, at 28, Johansson has loads of skill and will be a productive top-six forward if he remains healthy.