Over the past several years, winger Daniel Winnik has carved out a role as a quality bottom-six checking forward with the ability to score a few goals here and there as well. Despite his reputation though, he still finds himself unsigned more than a month into free agency.
2016-17 was actually a career year for the 32-year-old in terms of goal production as he potted a dozen goals while it was the first time he hit the double digit mark since 2010-11 with Colorado. He also accomplished that while averaging just under 13 minutes per game, the lowest ATOI of his career. He was a regular in Washington’s postseason lineup although he failed to hit the scoresheet in any of their 13 postseason contests.
While his overall ice time dropped, it didn’t affect his usage when it came to the penalty kill. Winnik logged 2:31 per game shorthanded, the second highest among forwards for the Capitals (only behind Jay Beagle). Washington ranked seventh in the league in that department.
What may be working against him a bit here is his contract history. While the league has continued to trend towards going cheaper with bottom forwards, Winnik has managed to buck that trend in each of his three trips through free agency already, most recently landing a two year, $4.5MM deal from the Caps in the summer of 2015. At this stage of free agency, he’s likely not going to be able to command that type of money so teams may be waiting to see how low he may go.
Potential Suitors
Generally speaking, there are two types of potential fits depending on what Winnik is looking to accomplish. If he’s looking to find a soft landing spot on a one-year deal in the hopes of getting a better contract next summer, then looking to a team with less depth on the wing that could give him more playing time. Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado are teams in that situation and if they’re out of the hunt by the trade deadline, he could be flipped for a draft pick as a rental player.
The other possible fit is trying to find a contending team that would see him as more of a depth penalty kill specialist, similar to the role he had with the Capitals. Teams that are in that situation are Calgary, San Jose, and even Washington although Winnik would have to take a substantial pay cut to stick with the Caps.
Projected Contract
Back in June, Winnik ranked 34th on our Top 50 Free Agents list with a projected two-year, $3.5MM contract. With the market drying up both in terms of possible fits and money available to spend, it’s not likely that he will be able to land a contract like that. A one-year pact worth between $1MM and $1.25MM is where his market is at this point although like most free agents at this stage, going the international route to maintain Olympic eligibility is certainly a possibility as well.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I’m surprised he’s still available. Every time I watched him he was really solid the past couple years