from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

Here we round up the rumours and assess the value of the free agents who are taking a more patient approach this summer (in some cases, that’s even by choice).

1. Jake Gardiner
Age: 28
Position: Defence
2018-19 salary cap hit: $4.05 million

Gardiner, a Minnesota native, enjoyed being a Maple Leaf, and despite his defensive lapses — which can be magnified — the Leafs weren’t happy to let him walk.

The Canada Day acquisition of Tyson Barrie, however, officially brings Gardiner’s tenure in Toronto to a close. (Rumour had it, the defenceman was partly waiting to see if there was a way Kyle Dubas could make room for a return.)

That Gardiner’s back ailed him during the post-season and he considered surgery should serve as a yellow flag for pursuant teams.

Yet he’s a solid power-play quarterback, an excellent skater and passer, and a 50-point defender when healthy. He should be trying to fetch a long-term deal in the ballpark of $6 million to $7 million annually, using Tyler Myers’ deal in Vancouver as his base.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens are also rumoured to be interested in Gardiner, while the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons reported Florida, L.A. and hometown Minnesota as some of the player’s preferred destinations.

I made a case for Detroit’s Steve Yzerman to inquire.

read on for the other players on the list...