from Andrew Gross of The Record,

It’s certainly not upscale shopping.

Which is not to say the unrestricted free agents class of ’15 is a dud, just not star-studded.

Teams can begin signing UFAs at noon on Wednesday and the window to start discussing deals opened Friday.

A good representation of the risk-reward offered in this market is Capitals defenseman Mike Green, once one of the most feared — he had 31 goals and 42 assists in 2008-09 and 19 goals and 57 assists the following season — offensive-minded blue-liners in the NHL. He’s still just 29 and has a hard slap shot despite injuries diminishing his production. Green still had 10 goals and 35 assists in 72 games this past season.

The Predators’ Cody Franson might be a cheaper alternative for teams seeking a point-producing defenseman while the Ducks’ Francois Beauchemin, 35, might be the steadiest blue-liner available in a group that includes ex-Devils Johnny Oduya, 33, who just won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks and Paul Martin, 34.

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