BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Alex Goligoski's decision to sign with the Arizona Coyotes could benefit longtime Coyotes blueliner Keith Yandle, who clearly is the top option on the unrestricted free-agent market and now has even less competition.

In a year in which the July 1 UFA crop actually presents a number of solid forward options, it's tangibly thinner on the back end, especially after Yandle.

Veteran Brian Campbell is available, although he’s going to be picky -- I think -- about where he goes for his last kick at the can, and then there’s Jason Demers and Kris Russell, among a few others.

It’s not deep in high-end talent on defense.

Which is also why the St. Louis Blues might get a nice return on Kevin Shattenkirk if they do trade him.

The Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres top the list of a number of teams who desperately need top-four defensive help.

In the meantime, the Florida Panthers are trying to convince Yandle to sign after acquiring his rights from the New York Rangers earlier this week.

"We've had talks yesterday and we're going to have additional talks today and just see how it progresses from there," Yandle’s agent Jerry Buckley said over the phone Wednesday morning.

Given the market, however, I think it would take a sizable commitment from the Panthers -- north of $6 million a year in my mind -- to get Yandle to pass up the chance to capitalize on his place in that thin free-agent defensemen crop come July 1.

"I mean, Keith is close to free agency but we continue to talk to Florida," Buckley said. "It’s not a case where he’s made up his mind 100 percent he’s going to free agency.

"We're still having discussions with Florida and we’ll see where it goes from there."

"I think they’re good," Panthers GM Tom Rowe said Wednesday afternoon after being asked about his chances of signing Yandle. "Obviously you don't totally know until you shake on it and move on. But we've been going back and forth since we got his rights. We like how he fits into what we’re trying to do.

"There’s a deal to be had there, that’s the best way to put it."

Rowe feels Yandle would greatly help the team’s 23rd-ranked power play.

"We need a mobile defenseman like Yandle that can help us on the power play," said Rowe. "Our goal next season is to be at least in the top 10 on the power play, hopefully top five, and we feel Keith would help us get there."

Could P.K. Subban be on the move before July 1? Steve Russell/Toronto Star/Getty Images