Top available defensemen in free agency after Capitals' extension of Jakob Chychrun

There's less than a month to go in the regular season. With the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks eliminated from postseason contention and many more to join them soon, here are the five most interesting defenseman who will hit the free-agent market.

(All contract figures are from Spotrac.)

1. Vladislav Gavrikov (left-handed), Los Angeles Kings
Last contract: Two years, $11.75M ($5.875M AAV)

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Gavrikov is having a monster season with the Los Angeles Kings. He was counted on as their No. 1 defenseman during Drew Doughty's 48-game run on injured reserve. He didn't disappoint. 

Gavrikov, 29, is top 10 in the NHL in five-on-five minutes per game for one of the best defensive teams in the league. At five-on-five, they are first in the league in Natural Stat Trick's expected goals per 60 (2.15), third in fewest high-danger chances against per 60 (9.38) and second in fewest goals allowed per 60 minutes (1.92). Los Angeles is giving up less than that with Gavrikov on the ice. 

Los Angeles also has the eighth-best penalty kill in the league (81.8 percent). He's not typically known as an offensive player, but Gavrikov is doing this while on pace for just the second 30-point season of his career. If the Kings don't agree to a new deal with Gavrikov, expect him to cash in close to Chychrun's $9M average annual value.

2. Aaron Ekblad (right-handed), Florida Panthers
Last contract: Eight years, $60M ($7.5M AAV)

Florida trading for defenseman Seth Jones, plus Ekblad's recent suspension, could lead him out of Florida. Ekblad, 29, has been up-and-down for a few seasons now, but this year is back on the upswing. Ekblad has 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) in 56 games this season while grading out with some of his best possession metrics. He's 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, a much-harder-to-find right-shot defenseman and plays in all situations.

3. Brent Burns (right-handed), Carolina Hurricanes
Last contract: Eight-years, $64M ($8M AAV)

Burns, 40, may be showing signs of slowing down. The team's defense has been a little leakier this season, though it's still sixth-best in NST's scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes stat. Burns has been slower offensively this season with 25 points in 70 games, on pace for his lowest full-season output since 2006-07. 

4. Neal Pionk (right-handed), Winnipeg Jets
Last contract: Four-years, $23.5M ($5.875M AAV)

Pionk will be 30 when next season begins, but he's having another strong season in Winnipeg. The former undrafted free agent carved out a nice career after being included by the Rangers in the 2019 Jacob Trouba trade with Winnipeg. This season, he's contributed well offensively with 37 points (nine goals, 28 assists) in 66 games while taking on top-pair minutes at five-on-five and playing both power-play and penalty kill minutes. 

5. Dmitry Orlov (left-handed), Carolina Hurricanes
Last contract: Two-years, $15.5M ($7.75M AAV)

Orlov, like to Gavrikov, signed a two-year deal during the flat-cap era likely with the intention of striking big when the salary cap started finally rising in a post-COVID era. Orlov is probably a step below Gavrikov at this point — smaller, older (34 to start next season) and not as productive. Still, he has been reasonably productive with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 65 games while putting up effective possession numbers.

Teams have until July 1 to get these players under contract.