Stamkos off the board, Lucic, Ladd, Backes among those still available

Steven Stamkos is now off the board after agreeing to remain in Tampa, but more intriguing names remain available as NHL free agency opens Friday. Here’s a look at a few of the top players:

Milan Lucic

Position: Left Wing

Last season: 20 goals, 55 points, 59 per cent puck possession

Coming off a quality bounce-back season with the Kings, the 28-year-old Lucic may be the most attractive asset on the market after Stamkos. Six foot three and more than 230 pounds, the Vancouver native can be a punishing physical force and a reliable bet for at least 20 goals, almost all at even-strength. Despite that brute style, which has seen him rack up more than 1,500 hits in the NHL, Lucic rarely misses a game. In fact, he’s missed just 10 games over the past six seasons. It’s fair to wonder how long he remains healthy and effective as age and continued physical punishment takes its toll, but for now, he’ll rightfully draw plenty of interest.

Andrew Ladd

Position: Left Wing

Last season: 25 goals, 46 points, 49 per cent puck possession

Ladd was unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Jets before the trade deadline last season and was moved to Chicago as the Blackhawks loaded up for a Cup run. Paired with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, Ladd produced eight goals and 12 points in 19 games in his return to the Windy City, held to just a goal and two points in the playoffs. The B.C. native has been a reliable commodity for years now, scoring at least 23 goals in five straight full seasons. At six foot three and 200 pounds, Ladd is a heavy force to contend in the offensive zone, bothersome in front of the net on the power play, where he popped 10 goals last season. Ladd turns 31 in December meaning a decline, however slight, has likely begun.

Loui Eriksson

Position: Left Wing

Last season: 30 goals, 63 points, 52 per per cent puck possession

Eriksson was largely forgotten in Dallas despite being one of the more effective players in the league. Over one four-year period with the Stars, the Swedish winger averaged 30 goals and 70 points only to fall off for a few seasons, including his first two in Boston. Eriksson returned to his productive old ways last year though, hitting 30 goals for the second time in his career, while managing 63 points. Eriksson is a well-rounded talent, a sharp defensive player and effective penalty killer who boasts fine-looking puck possession indicators. Like Ladd, Eriksson is turning 31, but given his style, more finesse than brawn, rapid decline seems unlikely anytime soon.

David Backes

Position: Centre

Last season: 21 goals, 45 points, 51 per cent puck possession

A career member and long-time captain of the St. Louis Blues, the 32-year-old is not quite the performer of younger days. Backes did manage more than 20 goals for the fifth straight 82-game season and averaged more than 19 minutes, mostly against top competition, for the second best team in the West. Still, below the surface numbers suggest a player in decline as does Backes’ point production last year, his lowest mark in a full season since 2009-10. That’s not to say that Backes can’t be helpful. The Minnesota native remains an ace in the faceoff circle, a quality penalty killer and defensive centre, and rugged performer who’s a strong bet to chip in close to 20 goals. He’s just an aging version of the old model.

Troy Brouwer

Position: Right Wing

Last season: 18 goals, 39 points, 49 per cent puck possession

A seventh-round pick 12 years ago, Brouwer has got more out of his career than could be expected. He’s scored at least 17 goals in each of the last seven seasons and won a Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. Brouwer soaked up heavy defensive minutes for the Blues last season, but he’s versatile enough to rise up in the lineup if needed. He kills penalties and helps a power play more than one might think. In fact, his 27 power-play goals over the past three seasons tops the likes of Corey Perry, Jeff Carter and James van Riemsdyk. Brouwer is best suited to a depth role a playoff team, a reliable bet for 15-20 goals and 35-40 points.

Mikkel Boedker

Position: Right Wing

Last season: 17 goals, 51 points, 47 per cent puck possession

One of only seven Danish players in the league last season (and one of two on this list), Boedker tends to get overlooked having spent his entire career with the Coyotes. A skilled creator of offence on the wing and eighth overall pick of the 2008 draft, the 26-year-old has managed a 51-point-pace over the past three seasons, solid second line numbers, if not quite elite. Boedker has only just begun to come into his own though, offering some upside to his next suitor.

Kyle Okposo

Position: Right Wing

Last season: 22 goals, 64 points, 51 per cent puck possession

Since he became a full-time Islander in 2008, Okposo has been one of the most productive American players in the league with 364 points. Okposo has spent the bulk of that time alongside Islanders captain John Tavares, the two forming an effective first-line duo for years on Long Island and then in Brooklyn more recently. A big, thick body and gifted scorer, Okposo is among the more talented offensive players in this year’s free agent class, offering an immediate jump-start to the attack of any top-six forward group.

Frans Nielsen

Position: Centre

Last season: 20 goals, 52 points, 51 per cent puck possession

Nielsen probably doesn’t get his due as one of the more effective two-way centres in hockey, but outside of Backes he may be the most attractive one available this summer. The second Danish player on this list, Nielsen is a dependable defensive player who can match up against top lines, kill penalties, score a bit (20 goals on average the past three seasons), and help a power-play, where he produced 20 points last year. The 32-year-old also finished 17th in Selke Trophy voting, for the league’s top defensive forward. He’s a solid second or third centre option for interested teams on July 1.

Jason Demers

Position: Defence

Last season: 7 goals, 23 points, 54 per cent puck possession

If not the biggest name, Demers might be the most enticing available on defence this summer, especially after Keith Yandle and Alex Goligoski both agreed to new deals ahead of July 1. Demers is the kind of defenceman who’s more valuable today in the age of analytics, a reliable puck-mover who boasts exceptional puck possession numbers. A right shot with good size (six foot one, 200 pounds), the Quebec native should be a helpful add to any top-four defence group next season.

Brian Campbell

Position: Defence

Last season: 6 goals, 31 points, 53 per cent puck possession

Campbell just turned 37, but age seems not to be such a huge issue for the Strathroy, Ont., native, primarily because he remains a terrific skater and puck-mover. Campbell is no longer the Norris Trophy candidate he once was, but he’s an experienced, able hand on defence. The Panthers employed him as a steadying presence next to Aaron Ekblad for the past two seasons. Campbell did not miss a single game in five seasons with Florida, becoming the franchise leader in consecutive games played.