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How much can Ryan Strome ask for and what does he deserve?

By Steve Paulus

Dec 28, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome (16) scores past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome (16) scores past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Wild right wing Mikael Granlund (64) scores his second goal of the period past New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (90) . Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Wild right wing Mikael Granlund (64) scores his second goal of the period past New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (90) . Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Free agent centers to watch

While there is a limited number of top free agent centers available on the free agent market, there are a few who remain unsigned.  They could set the bar for what Strome is worth in today’s NHL.  Strome’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for November 5 and you can be sure that the Rangers will be watching the financial fate of these four centers very closely.

Mikael Granlund, 27 -Nashville Predators

Granlund is a 27 year old center, most recently with the Nashville Predators.  His previous salary was $5.75 million based on a career that has seen him as a top six center for the Minnesota Wild who has had seasons of 69 and 67 points.   He had an off year with the Predators last season with 17 goals and 30 points.

Granlund’s career numbers of 0.21 goals per game and 0.65 points per game over eight years are better than Strome’s, but are comparable to his averages in New York.  He’s better on draws with a 49.3% career winning percentage.  Granlund remains the top unsigned free agent center and if he is forced to settle for less than $5 million a year, it could set the going rate for centers like Strome.

Erik Haula, 29  – Florida Panthers

Haula is a seven year NHL veteran who had played for three teams in two seasons.  He had a breakout year in the Golden Knights’ first season with 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points, but has come nowhere near those numbers the last two years, mostly due to a string of debilitating knee injuries .  It led to his trade to Carolina and a trade deadline swap to Florida in February.

The 29 year old has posted career averages of 0.21 goals per game 0.43 points per game and he is an outstanding faceoff man with a career winning percentage of 51.3%.

Haula was thought to be one of the most sought after free agents, but it’s clear that the dollars are not there.  He will be signed and for more than the $2.75 million AAV he was making, but for how much is the question.

Carl Soderberg, 35 –  Arizona Coyotes

Soderberg is a different story as he is 35 years old and will probably be satisfied with a one year deal, unlike Granlund and Haula who have to be seeking longer term.  He had been signed to a five year deal with a $4.75 million AAV.

Soderberg’s career averages are almost identical to Strome’s as he has scored at a pace of 0.19 goals per game and 0.51 points per game and his skill at draws is slightly better at 47.7%.   The key for Soderberg is that he has been doing it longer than the Ranger center.

Alex Galchenyuk, 26 – Minnesota Wild

Galchenyuk is a center who’s star has fallen, though he still young.  After a 30 goal season in 2015-16 for Montreal, he signed a three-year, $14.7 million contract with an AAV of $4.9 million. Since then, he has been traded three times and his numbers have fallen.

Galchenyuk’s career numbers are still solid as he averages 0.25 goals per game and 0.58 points per game,  better than Strome’s.   He isn’t the best on faceoffs with  45.9% career percentage, identical to Strome.

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