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2025 Free Agency

Kings Sign RFA Alex Laferriere To Three-Year Deal

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The Los Angeles Kings have signed restricted free agent Alex Laferriere to a three-year, $12.3MM contract, per a team announcement. The deal comes with a $4.1MM cap hit per season. The deal includes a $3.5MM salary for year one and $4.4MM salaries for years two and three, per PuckPedia. The Kings extended a qualifying offer to Laferriere on July 1, and it took exactly one month for both sides to come to terms on a new deal.

Coming off of his second season in the league, the 24-year-old right winger posted a solid 19 goals and 42 points in 77 games. He also produced a plus-22 rating, 124 hits, and 43 blocked shots while averaging 16:22 of ice time per night. He added three assists in six playoff games.

A third-round selection in the 2020 draft (83rd overall), the New Jersey native quickly established himself as one of the franchise’s key prospects. After being drafted, Laferriere spent two seasons in the NCAA at Harvard University, where he put up 73 points in 69 games. He then made his pro debut in the AHL with the Ontario Reign at the tail end of the 2022-23 season.

That was all the minor league experience the 6’1″, 205-pound winger needed. The following season, he broke camp with the Kings and appeared in 81 games as a rookie, posting 12 goals and 23 points. He took a major step forward offensively this last season (doubling his point total), and it’s reasonable to expect continued growth.

Frank Seravalli was first to report the agreement.

Western Notes: Dostal, Jets, Garland

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The Anaheim Ducks face several key questions heading into the 2025–26 season, one of which is whether goalie Lukas Dostal can deliver a breakout campaign following the trade of veteran John Gibson, per NHL.com’s David Satriano.

Dostal appeared in a career-high 54 games with Anaheim last season, securing a 23-23-7 record and a .903 save percentage that aligns with his career average of .902. That performance allowed the Ducks to trade Gibson to the Red Wings at the draft for goaltender Petr Mrazek and two draft picks, as well as land Dostal a five-year, $32.5MM contract on July 17.

A 25-year-old native of the Czech Republic, Dostal is expected to lead one of the league’s only true three-man rotations in net, along with Mrazek and Ville Husso. But according to new head coach Joel Quenneville, Dostal possesses special traits that could help him take the next step in his career.

“Dostal had a tremendous year. I don’t know too many people that get a rave review at this age of their career about what a professional, what a competitor (they are), but everybody always says the greatest things about him. … I don’t know if this guy’s a stereotypical goalie, but at the same time, he’s got some different ways about him that makes him special,” he said.

Elsewhere in the Western Conference:

  • While the Winnipeg Jets added veteran leadership to their forward group this offseason by signing the likes of Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist, NHL.com’s Darrin Bauming wonders if a few rising forward prospects could crack the lineup to start the season. Bauming lists both 22-year-old Nikita Chibrikov and 21-year-old Brad Lambert as being “on the cusp” of regular NHL time. Chibrikov appeared in four games for the Jets last season, recording three points. The 5’10”, 175-pound winger added 18 points in 30 games for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Lambert posted 35 points in 61 games last season for Manitoba, and 55 points in 55 points in 64 games for the squad the year before. The native of Finland has yet to appear in an NHL game but should break through at some point this upcoming season.
  • The road for Vancouver Canucks’ forward Conor Garland wasn’t always easy, which makes his six-year, $36 million extension he signed on July 1 all the sweeter, outlines Ben Kuzma of The Province. As Kuzma notes, Garland has faced adversity throughout his hockey journey (largely due to his small stature), which included not making the famed Shattuck-Saint Mary’s junior team in Minnesota that produced several NHL stars, including the aforementioned Toews. That adversity, however, has been a driving force behind the player Garland is today — one who has missed just two games over the past three seasons while tallying 143 points. Garland feels his extension was not just for prior results, but also for the continued growth he and the team expect. “I try to come back each year better, and I know I have to produce more. I’ve learned most about consistency. When the puck wasn’t going in, or I wasn’t making plays, I became a pretty responsible defensive forward on a shutdown line,” he said.

Free Agent Profile: Max Pacioretty

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Despite registering multi-goal seasons (six of those being 30-goal campaigns) for the bulk of his NHL career, veteran winger Max Pacioretty can no longer be relied upon as a primary scorer, nor a secondary one. Essentially, since his second Achilles tendon tear in mid-January of the 2022-23 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Pacioretty has been a shell of the player he once was.

Still, despite a down season (for his standards) with the Washington Capitals throughout the 2023-24 campaign, Pacioretty turned a professional tryout agreement into a bonus-laden deal with the Maple Leafs last summer. Unfortunately for his earning power, Pacioretty spent much of his year on the injured reserve, scoring five goals and 13 points in 37 contests, averaging 13:30 of ice time.

He turned things around during a brief playoff stretch, scoring three goals and eight points in 11 games while averaging 12:51 of ice time. Hindsight being 20/20, Pacioretty’s strong postseason performance wasn’t good enough to earn him a guaranteed contract early on this summer, but he did finish fourth on the Maple Leafs in playoff scoring ahead of John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Pacioretty hasn’t given any indication this summer that he’s ready to hang up his skates, as he believes he has a little more left in the tank to offer a contending team.

Stats

2024-25: 37 GP, 5 G, 8 A, 13 PTS, -2, 16 PIMS, 70 shots, 13:30 ATOI, 48.4 CF%
Career: 939 GP, 335 G, 346 A, 681 PTS, +53, 80 PIMS, 3,048 shots, 17:16 ATOI, 53.4 CF%

Potential Suitors

It’s already public information that Pacioretty would like to be close to southeastern Michigan, where he spent his collegiate hockey days with the University of Michigan Wolverines, and where he and his family reside in the off-season (the latter lives there year-round). Assuming Toronto is no longer interested in retaining Pacioretty, only two options remain.

The Columbus Blue Jackets would be the next closest option outside of the Detroit Red Wings, being approximately 80 miles closer to his family than the Maple Leafs offered. There is a pending trade request from Columbus’s Yegor Chinakhov, making Pacioretty a potential stopgap if they don’t get another winger in a hypothetical trade.

While the Red Wings have seemingly addressed their need for a veteran winger this offseason by signing James van Riemsdyk, they have also realized that they cannot rely on consistent offensive production from anyone other than Lucas Raymond. Even as a veteran with postseason experience, Pacioretty may even resign to a plug-and-play role, being a healthy scratch most nights unless needed for additional offense, if only for a chance to play closer to his family.

Projected Contract

Although he doesn’t know where he’s playing yet, Pacioretty should know exactly what kind of contract he’s getting. Due to the consistent injury concern, Pacioretty should only receive a one-year deal with a salary between $775K and $850K. The signing team could include a handful of games played bonuses, as did the Maple Leafs, but those may not even be required to give Pacioretty another chance to close out his career on a positive note.

Photo courtesy of Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images.

Current NHL Free Agents

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The following players are currently free agents. Each player’s 2025 age is in parentheses. Only players who saw NHL action last season and ended the year on the active roster are listed here. Players who have announced their retirement or signed overseas are not included.

Updated Aug. 15, 2025

Unrestricted Free Agents

Centers

Luke Glendening (36)
Kevin Rooney (32)
Jack Roslovic (28)

Left Wingers

Robby Fabbri (29)
Noah Gregor (26) – non-tender
Brock McGinn (31)
Tyler Motte (30)
Matthew Nieto (32)
Victor Olofsson (30)
Max Pacioretty (36)

Right Wingers

Cam Atkinson (36)
Hudson Fasching (30)
Klim Kostin (26) – non-tender
Luke Kunin (27)
Kevin Labanc (29)
Brett Leason (26) – non-tender
Trevor Lewis (38)
Craig Smith (35)

Left-Shot Defensemen

T.J. Brodie (35)
Calvin de Haan (34)
Matt Grzelcyk (31)
Jack Johnson (38)
Oliver Kylington (28)
Jonathon Merrill (33)
Brendan Smith (36)
Ryan Suter (40)
Marc-Édouard Vlasic (38)

Right-Shot Defensemen

Robert Bortuzzo (36)
Jani Hakanpää (33)
Erik Johnson (37)
Jan Rutta (35)

Goaltenders

Alexandar Georgiev (29)
James Reimer (37)
Georgi Romanov (25) – non-tender
Ilya Samsonov (28)

Restricted Free Agents

Centers

Mason McTavish (22)
Marco Rossi (23)
Connor Zary (23)

Left Wingers

none

Right Wingers

Luke Evangelista (23)
Alexander Holtz (23)

Left-Shot Defensemen

Luke Hughes (21)
Wyatt Kaiser (23)
Donovan Sebrango (23)

Right-Shot Defensemen

none

Goaltenders

none

Oilers GM Bowman Encouraged By McDavid Extension Talks

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One of the major storylines heading into the 2024–25 season is the uncertainty surrounding Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton. The 28-year-old superstar is entering the final year of his contract, and while a departure still feels unlikely, the mere possibility of him reaching free agency next offseason has sparked plenty of speculation. But don’t count Oilers general manager Stan Bowman among the concerned.

According to a TSN report, Bowman said that extension talks with the team’s franchise player are progressing. Speaking with Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on CHED 880 Edmonton, Bowman said he is “very encouraged” by the initial discussions he’s had with McDavid’s agent, Judd Moldaver.

“I’ve had really good conversations with Judd since the season ended, and I’ve tried to give Connor his space, and I think that it’s important,” Bowman said. “You know, a lot of this is respecting the athlete and their timeline,” he said. “So, we haven’t had any of those types of detailed discussions yet, but we certainly will, and I think we’re very encouraged by all the conversations I’ve had to date. And when the time comes, the time comes.”

McDavid, who has one year left on his deal that comes with a $12.5MM AAV, became eligible for an extension on July 1. While there is speculation on what McDavid’s next contract would demand annually, it’s fair to assume he’ll seek to at least match teammate Leon Draisaitl’s deal that comes with a $14MM AAV over the next five seasons.

In 67 games last season, McDavid recorded 26 goals and 100 points, marking the seventh 100-point campaign of his already illustrious career. He added a league-high 33 points in the postseason — the second consecutive year he led all players in playoff scoring — but he and the Oilers were once again defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Despite the disappointment, along with McDavid’s post-season admission to the media that he was in no rush related to extension talks, Bowman believes an extension with his captain is imminent.

“He’s a huge part of everything we do here, and so I don’t have a timeline update, but I do expect to have some conversations with them soon and. And hopefully get that wrapped up,” he said.

Free Agent Profile: Alexandar Georgiev

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Despite posting solid career numbers and demonstrating the ability to step up as a number one goaltender when needed, free agent Alexandar Georgiev is coming off the worst season of his career, which has made his NHL future uncertain. Split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks, last season Georgiev posted a less-than-desirable 7-19-4 record to go along with a .875 save percentage and 3.71 goals against average.

While that performance may be enough to keep Georgiev from getting a guaranteed deal in the NHL, it’s far below his otherwise solid career numbers. Given that the Bulgaria native is still 29 years old, he could still generate interest from a team in need of an experienced backup or simply someone to provide organizational depth.

Georgiev also isn’t far removed from significant success in the league. In the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he combined for 78 wins with Colorado, leading the league in victories both years and earning his first career All-Star selection. His performance during the 2022-23 season, in which he posted 40 wins and a .918 save percentage, earned him a seventh-place finish in Vezina Trophy voting. That success makes last season’s steep decline all the more puzzling, and may be enough for a team to view last season as more of a one-off.

Stats

2024-25: 49 GS, 7-19-4, 1152 SV, .875 SV%, 3.71 GAA, 0 SO, 2671 MIN, .362 QS%
Career: 288 GS, 151-108-26, 7,892 SV, .903 SV%, 2.99 GAA, 15 SO, 17,010 MIN, .500 QS%

Potential Suitors

At this point in the process, most teams have a clear idea of who their starter and backup will be for next season. However, teams not fully comfortable with their backup situation may take a chance on Georgiev bouncing back from his difficult 2024-25 campaign.

One of Georgiev’s former employers may fit this bill. The New York Rangers — where he began his career — currently have 39-year-old Jonathan Quick set to back up star Igor Shesterkin. While the Rangers do have prospect Callum Tung waiting in the wings, the 21-year-old will need another year of development in the AHL. Adding Georgiev could provide valuable depth within the organization, offering a veteran presence to mentor Tung and someone they can rely on in case of injury.

Teams not expecting to contend next season could also take a run at Georgiev, hoping he can revitalize his career, potentially making him a valuable trade asset come the deadline in March. However, those same teams might be better off giving opportunities to prospects looking to establish themselves in the league.

Projected Contract

Georgiev just finished the final year of his three year, $10.2MM contract, which came with a $3.4MM AAV. Unless he experiences a complete resurgence, those kinds of numbers are unlikely to come around again for Georgiev. For now, he’d likely be open to any one-way deal, even if it’s at the veteran minimum. At this stage of the offseason, no option is off the table, including a two-way contract, a PTO, or even a return to Russia, where he began his pro career and holds dual citizenship.

Photo credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Rangers Sign Conor Sheary To PTO

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In an effort to extend his NHL career, veteran winger Conor Sheary has agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Rangers, per the NY Post’s Mollie Walker.

Sheary has played in 593 games throughout his 10-year career, posting 124 goals and 267 points. He has also shown an ability to elevate his game in big moments during the playoffs, as evidenced by his contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins early in his career, when he often played a key role alongside Sidney Crosby. Notably, some of his best professional seasons came in Pittsburgh under head coach Mike Sullivan. After signing a five-year deal in May to lead the Rangers, Sullivan is bringing in a familiar face as he looks to implement a new game plan in New York.

However, Sheary has struggled in recent years. After producing just 15 points in 57 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023-24 season—his lowest output since his rookie year—he dressed in only five games last season with the team. He spent the majority of his year with Tampa’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he produced 20 goals and 61 points in 59 games.

Sheary, 33, will now look to rejuvenate his career with the Rangers, a team in the midst of transition. Beyond the obvious changes that come with a new head coach, the team has also seen longtime staples Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller depart, while adding forward Taylor Raddysh and prospect Carey Terrance. While PTOs are anything but guaranteed, Sheary’s history of producing quality offense, combined with his relationship with Sullivan, should give him a strong chance to make the opening night roster.

Free Agent Profile: Joel Kiviranta

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Perhaps no remaining free agent is harder to gauge than forward Joel Kiviranta, who flashed unexpected scoring touch last season with the Colorado Avalanche that vastly deviated from his career norm. In 79 games last season, Kiviranta produced 16 goals, doubling his previous career high of eight goals during the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old native of Finland was aided by a 19 percent shooting percentage, nearly doubling his career average of 10.9 percent.

With that said, he made the most of his career-high 12:31 average ice time, which included setting career highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, faceoff percentage, and blocked shots. He also recorded 114 hits—the second-highest total of his career—and contributed on the penalty kill, notching his second career shorthanded goal last season. Although he achieved career-high marks in the regular season, things came to a halt in the postseason, as Kiviranta posted zero points across seven games while averaging 10:05 of ice time per game.

While his shooting success from last season is nearly impossible to sustain, he could still appeal to a team looking for a veteran presence in its bottom six who can contribute offensively. Remarkably, his 16 goals last season rank second among all remaining free agents, trailing only Jack Roslovic.

Stats

2024-25: 79 GP, 16 G, 7 A, 23 PTS, +15, 20 PIMS, 84 shots, 12:31 ATOI, 46.7 CF%
Career: 298 GP, 35 G, 25 A, 60 PTS, +1, 92 PIMS, 320 shots, 11:16 ATOI, 47.7 CF%

Potential Suitors

As previously discussed, Kiviranta’s 16 goals last season are likely more of an aberration than an expectation moving forward. This likely leaves him seeking a fourth-line role, with the potential to move up the lineup if needed. To that end, a wide range of teams could kick the tires on adding the veteran, at a minimum to compete for a roster spot.

While this time of year is ideal for rebuilding teams to pick up veterans with hopes of flipping them at the deadline for assets, Kiviranta likely doesn’t fit into that strategy. His best path to a new contract may lie with a contending team in need of a veteran depth piece—like his most recent employer, the Avalanche. A reunion isn’t out of the question.

Projected Contract

It’s hard to believe, after a 16-goal season, that Kiviranta’s contract may be similar to last year’s $775,000 deal he signed with Colorado, but here we are. This late into free agency, his best opportunity may come without a guaranteed roster spot on opening night. Even so, given his experience, physicality, and ability to contribute on the penalty kill, he could still earn a one-year, one-way deal.

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent Profile: Victor Olofsson

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While Victor Olofsson struggled to stay healthy last season (a common theme for his career), the 29-year-old winger produced 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games for the Vegas Golden Knights. That put Olofsson on an 82-game pace for 22 goals and 42 points, which would have been his highest total since recording a career-best 49 points in the 2021-22 season. His plus-17 rating last season was also a career-high by a wide margin.

When healthy, Olofsson may be the most offensively gifted remaining free agent. He has produced three career 20-plus goal campaigns, including 28 with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022-23 campaign. He could provide quality depth scoring and might even contribute in a top-six role. However, the Swedish winger has played 75 or more games just once in his NHL career and has averaged only 60 games per season over six full seasons.

As a three-time 20-goal scorer, Olofsson should appeal to a range of teams, whether it’s contenders looking to bolster their depth or rebuilding clubs eyeing a potential trade chip for next season’s deadline.

Stats

2024-25: 56 GP, 15 G, 14 A, 29 PTS, +17, 16 PIMS, 109 shots, 14:30 ATOI, 57 CF%
Career: 370 GP, 105 G, 106 A, 211 PTS, -46, 44 PIMS, 777 shots, 15:18 ATOI, 55.5 CF%

Potential Suitors

As mentioned above, Olofsson may be the best offensive threat still available on the open market, making his services attractive to several potential suitors. His ability to produce 20-goal seasons, combined with his anticipated affordability, should land him a deal in the not-too-distant future.

A reunion with the Golden Knights seemed like a logical fit at the start of free agency, but Vegas is now more than $7 million over the cap, according to PuckPedia. However, a reunion with the Sabres, with whom he spent his first six seasons, could be a fit. The Sabres have more than enough cap space to sign Olofsson and could benefit from a veteran presence within its top-nine. Another team to monitor could be the Minnesota Wild, who despite making the playoffs last season, finished 25th in the league in goals for with 225. Signing Olofsson at a bargain price could help strengthen Minnesota’s depth scoring. Prior to free agency, ProHockeyRumors identified the Seattle Kraken as a potential destination as well.

Projected Contract

Olofsson is coming off a one-year, $1.075 million deal with the Golden Knights. While last season was seen as a “prove-it” year, he ironically proved what’s been true all along: when healthy, he can produce, but injuries continued to limit his overall impact.

The 5’11”, 180-pound winger will likely have to settle for a similar deal this late into the process, although seven figures probably isn’t a guaranteed.

Metropolitan Notes: Clifton, Karlsson, Berard

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When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton and the 39th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenders Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, the biggest asset coming back to Pittsburgh appeared to be the pick. However, Clifton is working hard to make a name for himself with his new team.

Speaking with reporters, including Seth Rorabaugh of Triblive.com, Clifton noted his desire to get back to the physical play that became his calling card early in his career. Though the 30-year-old defenseman stands at just 5’11” and 195 pounds, he’s never hesitated to throw big hits or drop the gloves when needed to shift momentum. As Rorabaugh notes, Clifton has led his team in hits each of the last three seasons.

“Working to get to the next level, it was always a big part of my game. I feel like I out-competed my way to the NHL with that sort of style, and that’s what’s going to keep me there,” he said.

Through seven NHL seasons, Clifton has recorded 1,014 hits to go along with 77 points and a plus-43 rating. While Clifton admitted that his two seasons in Buffalo “put my career at a standstill,” he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh.

“The change of scenery, I got that call that I’m going to be a Pittsburgh Penguin, I was really excited for the change. I want to get back to my old self and how I play and the impact that I have on the game,” he said.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan:

  • Clifton’s new team—for now—still includes Erik Karlsson, whose name has been a constant in trade rumors. While Karlsson has two years remaining on his contract, giving GM Kyle Dubas some flexibility, The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman notes that Karlsson’s age and the risk of a sudden decline could push the Penguins to move him sooner rather than later. As Goldman notes, the pool of quality defensemen available on the open market is drying up. At the same time, the number of teams with an urgent need for a top-pairing blueliner is also shrinking. The offensive-minded Karlsson put up 11 goals and 53 points for the Penguins last season, but also struggled with defensive breakdowns throughout the season.
  • New York Rangers winger Brett Berard played 35 games throughout his rookie campaign last season, but the majority of them were done so while playing through a significant injury. According to USA Today Sports reporter Vince Mercogliano, Berard suffered a torn labrum in his fourth game of the season on November 30 and played through it the rest of the season. The injury did not require surgery, and the offseason layoff has allowed Berard to return to full health ahead of training camp. In those 35 games, Berard produced six goals and 10 points.

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