Backes' 45 points were his lowest finish — outside the 2012-13 lockout — since going for 31 in 2007-08. But even just a tick below his average over the past decade, the 32-year-old brings plenty of value and production potential to the table.
Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is about to hit the open market, along with plenty of other unrestricted free agents. Free agency gets in full swing at midnight on July 1. Here are some of the top players expected to be on the market as unrestricted free agents.
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