Mattias Janmark, Vegas Golden Knights, 2020-21 Cap Hit: $2.25M
In regards to free agent forwards who are realistic and fairly priced that are due to hit the open market, Mattias Janmark is one that really interests me.
Janmark’s time with the Chicago Blackhawks last season was brief after spending his entire NHL career with the Dallas Stars. He eventually landed with the Vegas Golden Knights to finish out the 2020-21 season.
The Blackhawks probably didn’t want to part ways with Janmark, but they took that strategy as they were fading out of the playoff picture, and Vegas scooped him up.
I’m not entirely convinced that Vegas will keep Janmark. He underproduced for them, but it doesn’t mean his career is a dud. He’s a player that can play a vital role in a team’s depth chart, and also hit his peak in the next year or two.
Janmark would be a great fit for the Predators as a versatile player who can score, help the power play and easily become a 30 to 40-point scorer in an 82-game season. He’s also entering the prime of his career at age 28, so the best could definitely still be to come for him.
If the Predators end up losing a forward in expansion, and also lose someone like Erik Haula in free agency, then there will be a need for a free agent forward. I like Janmark to fill in for a lost player, and you can argue he’d even be an upgrade to the bottom-six.