2020 NHL UFA Top 75: Dylan DeMelo, Mike Smith, Michael Frolik, Mattias Janmark and Cam Talbot

Welcome to the DailyFaceoff UFA preview. Over the next 15 days, I’ll be profiling the top 30 players in this years UFA class, as listed by TSN. Contract information is from our friends at Puckpedia. Full UFA list via puckpedia here. Analytics provided by hockeyviz.com and naturalstattrick.com. Contract projections are done by evolving-hockey.com with the presumption contracts are signed between Aug. – Oct. 11 with different teams. 

Today, we’re looking at the 45th ranked @Dylan DeMelo, 44th ranked @Mike Smith, 43rd ranked @Michael Frolik, 42nd ranked @Mattias Janmark and the 40th ranked @Cam Talbot. The 41st ranked @Andrej Sekera re-signed with Dallas.

@Dylan DeMelo

DeMelo is heading to the free agent market after bouncing between the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets in the last three years. This year he split time between Ottawa and Winnipeg scoring 10 assists in 59 games.

The 27-year-old has offered up solid play in both ends of the ice as a second-pairing defenceman. DeMelo provided offence last year at a six percent rate higher than league average and defence at a five percent rate above league average. At 5v5, he posted a 52.5 CF%, a 53.96 xG% and a goals for rate of 50 percent.

DeMelo would be a rock solid addition for any NHL club.

Contract projection: One-year, $1.344-m.

@Mike Smith

Smith struggled for the overwhelming majority of the Oilers season, but had some nice moments. He posted a 19-12-6 record and a .902 save percentage. His GSAA, however, was among the worst in the league at -7.71.

At 38, Smith is closer to being out of the league than he is to being a solid contributor.

Contract projection: N/A

@Michael Frolik

Traded from the Flames to the Buffalo Sabres in January, Frolik, 32, scored six goals and 14 points in 57 games this year. As a third-liner, he provided offence at six percent rate below league average and defence at four percent rate above league average.

At 5v5, he posted a CF% below 50, a 47 xG% and a goals for rate of 32 percent.

He’s struggled, but may be able to rebound as his numbers sunk in Buffalo.

Contract projection: One-year, $897k.

@Mattias Janmark

Janmark, 27, is coming off his fourth year with the Dallas Stars and scored six goals and 21 points in 62 games this year. Offensively he contributed at a two percent rate below league average and defence at a five percent rate above league average.

At 5v5 this year, Janmark played in the middle six and posted a 51.18 CF%, a 54.57xG% and a goals for rate of 40.91 percent.

While his actual goals rate was poor, I think Janmark would be a solid bottom-six player who could be a strong option in the defensive zone.

Contract projection: One-year, $867k.

@Cam Talbot

After playing for the Edmonton Oilers, Talbot travelled south and signed with the Calgary Flames for last season and was better than anyone expected. He posted a 12-10-1 record in 26 appearances posting a .919 save percentage and a +7.53 GSAA.

He ran away with the starting role late in the season and into the playoffs where he went 5-4 with a .924 save percentage.

He’s a candidate to take over a starting job in what’s a crowded goaltending carousel.

Contract projection: N/A