Top free agent defensemen: Vatanen on the market

The NHL free agent signing period began Oct. 9. NHL.com takes a closer look at the top unrestricted free agent defensemen remaining on the market (listed in alphabetical order):

RELATED: [Top free agent forwards: Hoffman on the market]

Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

The 35-year-old became an unrestricted free agent when he and the Jets mutually agreed to terminate his contract April 17, and he likely will draw interest if he decides to continue playing in the NHL. Byfuglien is a scorer (five seasons with at least 50 points) who is also a big, physical presence (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) that every team craves. A Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, he has scored 525 points (177 goals, 348 assists) with 1,094 penalty minutes in 869 regular-season NHL games and 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 66 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Possible landing spots: Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers

Cody Ceci, Toronto Maple Leafs

He scored eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 56 games with the Maple Leafs last season and one goal in five playoff games. Ceci, who was traded to the Maple Leafs by the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2019, has 126 points (33 goals, 93 assists) in 496 regular-season games. The 26-year-old has four points (one goal, three assists) in 30 playoff games.
Possible landing spots: Maple Leafs, Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

The 43-year-old, who is the oldest player in the League, scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 68 games with the Bruins last season and two assists in 13 playoff games. Chara has played 22 NHL seasons, including the past 14 with the Bruins and won the Stanley Cup in 2011. He has 656 points (205 goals, 451 assists) in 1,553 NHL games with the Bruins, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, and 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) in 195 playoff games and is a mentor and leader in the locker room.
Possible landing spots:Bruins, Oilers, Florida Panthers

Sami Vatanen, Carolina Hurricanes

Although an injury prevented Vatanen from playing in the regular season after being acquired in a trade from the Devils on Feb. 24, he returned for the postseason and had three assists (two on the power play) in seven games. He scored 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 47 games with the Devils, playing in all situations. The 29-year-old has scored 194 points (45 goals, 149 assists) in 434 regular-season games with the Devils and Ducks, and 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 51 NHL postseason games.
Possible landing spots: Hurricanes, Sabres, Flames, Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins