Free Agent Profile: Logan Stanley

Still, he put most of that behind him last year. Before being moved to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline, Stanley had registered nine goals and 21 points in 59 games with a -2 rating, averaging 17:12 of ice time per game. Even before the trade, that was the most offensive output Stanley had ever had at the NHL level. After the trade to the Sabres, in which they departed with Jacob Bryson, Isak Rosen, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick for his and Luke Schenn‘s services, he registered five assists in 17 games, having his ice-time diminished.

In Stanley, the offensive output is just an added benefit if he can find his way on the scoresheet. Normally, the 6’7″, 231 lbs blue liner is much more of a defensive asset, registering over 100 hits twice in his career, and owning a career 93.0% on-ice SV% at even strength throughout his career. However, it’s worth mentioning that Stanley was playing in front of one of, if not the best netminder in the NHL for the last several years.

Regardless, given his size and the added ability to use it, it’s somewhat surprising that Stanley hasn’t generated more interest on the free agent market. It could be that his ask is far too high for what he brings to the table, or related to his recent injury history.

Stats

2025-26: 76 GP, 9 G, 17 A, 26 PT, 3, 128 PIMS, 96 shots, 16:42 ATOI, 47.0 CF%
Career: 278 GP, 14 G, 48 A, 62 PTS, 29, 333 PIMS, 328 shots, 15:18 ATOI, 45.0 CF%

Potential Suitors

Unfortunately for Stanley, although his size is unique, there is already a decent saturation of left-handed defensemen in the NHL, leaving his current market relatively limited. If he had any hopes of finding a top-four role this summer, that moment has passed, unless there is an injury during training camp or preseason. If Stanley has any hopes of finding legitimate money this summer, that’s the bittersweet option he’s left with.

Of the teams that could use some more depth, especially on the left side of the blue line, a few options remain. The Detroit Red Wings are as big a question mark as any team heading into next season, but they could use an improvement over Albert Johansson on the team’s bottom-pairing. Johansson has provided some decent energy to the Red Wings on some nights over the past two years, though his ceiling is likely that of a decent seventh defenseman.

Staying in the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators, another question mark, could also use some added defensive depth. Stanley would make for an improvement over Tyler Kleven in the immediate future, though the Senators may also want to see if Kleven can take an even larger step forward than the one he took last season.

Although the San Jose Sharks made significant investments in their defensive corps this summer, they could still benefit from adding one or two more pieces. As of now, Luca Cagnoni is positioned to be on the left side of the Sharks’ bottom-pairing, but he only has nine games of NHL experience. If San Jose is intent on getting into the postseason next season, Stanley could be an intriguing piece to help round out their defense.

Projected Contract

At the beginning of the offseason, AFP Analytics projected Stanley to command a two-year, $6MM ($3MM AAV) contract. We weren’t far off that projection, speculating that Stanley would eventually sign a three-year, $10MM ($3.3MM AAV) contract.

Clearly, neither outcome has materialized thus far, but a $3MM salary still seems possible. Obviously, it may have to be capitalized off of a professional tryout agreement, but that’s the going rate of bottom-pairing defenseman in today’s NHL. Stanley’s best chance to secure a guaranteed contract is if a team faces injury issues during training camp or preseason, as mentioned earlier.