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UFA of the Day: Justin Williams

Los Angeles Kings v Dallas Stars

Los Angeles Kings v Dallas Stars

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Check PHT every day until June 30 for a new pending unrestricted free agent of the day. Today’s UFA of the Day is…

Justin Williams

If you look at his regular season numbers, Williams’ career has been fine, but hardly unique. But of course, Williams isn’t known for what he does in the regular season.

He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion that’s scored 30 goals and 78 points in 115 playoff games. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014 and has been called Mr. Game 7 for scoring seven goals and 14 points in his seven career Game 7s, per ESPN.

That has to be balanced against the fact that he scored a comparatively lukewarm 18 goals and 41 points in 81 contests in 2014-15, but certainly any team that’s been struggling to live up to expectations in the playoffs would have to be intrigued by the possibility of signing Williams on the open market.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, are looking to bolster their supporting cast as they try to capture a second Stanley Cup championship during the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin era.

That’s assuming of course that he doesn’t re-sign with the Kings first. Los Angeles doesn’t appear to have the cap space at the moment to re-sign him, although depending on what happens with Mike Richards in terms of a possible trade or buyout, that could change.

“At this point, I love L.A. If I re-sign here, great. I’ll be part of a great team moving forward,” Williams told Sportsnet.

“But if not, I’m going to try to restart my career somewhere else, turn the page and try to win as many hockey games as I can. I’m at a point in my career where it’s not all about money, it’s about winning for me.”

Click here for more UFAs.

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