3 Free Agent Destinations For Tanner Jeannot

Tanner Jeannot won't be returning to the Los Angeles Kings next season and will hit the open market as a UFA on July 1, per Russell Morgan. In his one and only season with the Kings, the physical forward scored seven goals and 13 points in 67 games. The 28-year-old also had 89 penalty minutes and 211 hits.

The Kings will have a little extra cap space and will now have to replace some physicality in the bottom-6. Jeannot was a risk for LA that didn't pay off. They overpaid by sending the Tampa Bay Lightning a fourth-round pick in 2024 and a second-round pick in 2025.

Jeannot's career has all been based off of his one 24 goal season with the Nashville Predators in 2021-22. Of course if he could get anywhere close to that again, he would be much more valuable, but he didn't seem like a fit for the Kings. Let's have a look at a few teams that could use a player like him next season.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils still have quite a bit of moves left to make to reformat their forward group. The team has moved on from multiple players already, but haven't brought anyone in. While the Devils may be waiting for free agency, a couple of trades are also possible. Jeannot would add a different level to the bottom-6. Even though he hasn't scored more than seven goals in any season but the one he put up 24, there's a chance he brings a whole new game than what the previous depth had. He will be inexpensive and doesn't have to play every game.

Dallas Stars

Speaking of inexpensive, that's what the Dallas Stars really need right now. They can't dive into their system with too many players right off the bat and Jeannot would likely get $1 million AAV or less. He would keep the team more physical as is the style in the West and maybe he finds some chemistry at the bottom of the lineup. Stars players usually can. If it's a low AAV signing, it isn't a risk since the Stars need players to fill holes.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have at least three spots to fill at the bottom of their lineup. Even though they have a guy like Zack MacEwen, I think Jeannot would be an upgrade, whether he stays or not. Ottawa isn't working with a ton of money and could use some cheap contracts in order to bring back Claude Giroux and have some room for the trade deadline. The Senators are now in a position where they will be competing in the playoffs and who may be suitable for that style of game as well.