There are still a good amount of unrestricted free agents (UFAs) still looking for their next contracts.
When looking at the UFA defensemen still available for the taking, a former Columbus Blue Jackets defender is arguably the best of the bunch: Nick Blankenburg.
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It is a little surprising that Blankenburg has still not been signed at this point in the summer. The former Blue Jackets defenseman just had the best season of his NHL career so far. In 61 games split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, he set new career highs with eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points.
Teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman could very well consider signing Blakenburg to a short-term deal or a professional tryout (PTO) agreement before training camp. He would have the potential to be a solid addition to a team needing more defensive depth and offense from the point.
Overall, with Blankenburg being a top UFA defenseman left, it would not be surprising if he lands a new home soon.
Blankenburg spent each of his first three NHL seasons from 2021-22 to 2023-24 as a member of the Blue Jackets. In 55 games with the Metropolitan Division club over that span, the 5-foot-9 defenseman posted six goals, 12 assists, 18 points, and 101 hits.
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