Free agent meetings are coming fast and furious these days, and Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that at least ten teams have checked in with both Nick Bonino and Justin Williams. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch adds that the Blue Jackets are definitely one of those teams looking at the former Pittsburgh pivot. According to Arthur Staple the Islanders have reached out to Williams, who recently told the Washington Post that he wanted to “go to a team that has a chance to win.”
Williams and Bonino ranked 7th and 11th respectively on our free agent rankings, projecting a two-year $6.5MM deal for Williams, and a four-year $14MM deal for Bonino. Though Williams obviously has some more scoring upside, Bonino is more than six years younger and plays center ice. Whoever gets Williams won’t be upset with his production though, as the three-time Stanley Cup champion is one of the more durable and consistent wingers in the league.
It’s not surprising that each of these two have a big market, and it could very well result in one of the biggest contracts of the offseason for Bonino. One of the few players available under the age of 30 without any glaring flaws, he will stand out as a safe option for teams looking to make an impact on July 1st.
Williams on the other hand is a mercenary at this point, going to the bidder with the best chance at the Stanley Cup. While some may point out that team is the one he’s leaving—the Capitals have won the President’s Trophy as the best regular season team in both seasons with Williams—he likely feels frustrated with their inability to finish in the playoffs. That, and the fact that Washington has almost no cap flexibility for him should have him going somewhere else.
I’d bet Carolina is in on both. It would be nice to land Bonino.