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2025 Free Agency

Pacific Notes: Kane, Demko, Turcotte

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Although recently traded Evander Kane has just one year remaining on his four-year, $20.5MM contract, the Canucks are eyeing him as a potential long-term asset beyond this season.

Per Thomas Drance of The Athletic, GM Patrik Allvin stated that in his estimation, Kane has matured over the past few years in Edmonton and is a candidate for a long-term deal in Vancouver. NHL.com’s Chris Faber adds that Allvin believes Kane’s physical presence will make the Canucks hard to play against.

“Every team is looking to be harder to play against and for us, with the group we have here, when a player like this comes available [at this] cost, we felt we have a chance to upgrade our top-nine [and] middle-six, and become a harder team to play against,” said Allvin.

The 33-year-old winger put up 24 goals, 44 points, and a staggering 250 hits in 77 games for the Oilers last season. He currently ranks 20th all-time with 2,216 career hits.

Elsewhere in the Pacific:

  • The Canucks are interested in extending goalie Thatcher Demko, and TSN’s Darren Dreger said on Toronto 1050’s Overdrive that he believes an extension is more likely than a trade at this point. While Demko is coming off his worst NHL season (due in large part to injuries), posting an .889 save percentage in 23 games, he carries a career .910 save percentage and is still on the right side of 30. Demko has one year remaining on his $5MM AAV deal and is set for unrestricted free agency next year. While the Canucks extended goalie Kevin Lankinen to a five year, $22.5MM deal, Dreger believes the team is still interested in getting a deal done with Demko. “It made sense until recently that they would have to consider trading Demko. But I was told by a couple teams today that Demko is more or less off the market,” he said. While Dreger said he wouldn’t call a deal close or imminent, he does feel both sides are getting closer on a multi-year extension.
  • Multiple teams are interested in trading for Los Angeles Kings’ forward Alex Turcotte, per Mayors Manor. While speculation has been ramping up surrounding defender Jordan Spence and forward Trevor Moore, Turcotte is an interesting name to monitor. While Turcotte, a former first-round pick, has underperformed so far in his career, he’s coming off a career-high 68 games played and 25 points, and he’s still just 24. The fifth-overall selection in the 2019 draft could benefit from a change of scenery.

 

Central Notes: Marchessault, Predators, Dobson

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Despite ample trade rumors, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz has shut down speculation surrounding veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault. Per John Glennon of the Nashville Post, Trotz stated today that there is no truth to the rumors related to Marchessault’s availability.

Trotz admitted the speculation around Marchessault reached a point where he felt compelled to call the forward’s agent, Pat Brisson, to ensure the rumors weren’t true. As Trotz was quoted, “There’s nothing happening. I didn’t know if anything was happening, so I just double-checked with him that maybe I missed something. I didn’t miss anything.”

Just last offseason, Marchessault signed a five-year, $27.5MM free agent deal with the Predators. In 78 games, the 34-year-old posted 21 goals and 56 points, marking the eighth time he has eclipsed the 20-goal plateau. However, his goal total was half of what he produced in his final season with the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Preds finished with the third-worst record in the league. Moreover, Marchessault had the second-worst plus/minus rating on the team (minus-29), behind only fellow veteran Steven Stamkos. These factors have sparked speculation that Marchessault could draw significant trade interest, but Trotz’s comments today appear to put those rumors to rest.

Elsewhere in the Central:

  • Trotz also expressed confidence in the Predators’ roster, stating his belief that the team is built to compete in the near future. Per team reporter Brooks Bratten, Trotz noted, “We still have enough good players that if we go in the right direction, yes [we can win and compete].” Despite the team’s offensive struggles last season (finishing second-to-last in the league with 212 goals), the Preds do have pedigree at the top of their lineup with the likes of Marchessault, Stamkos, Filip Forsberg, as well as defensemen Brady Skjei and Roman Josi. Holding the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft, the team is also expected to add an impact prospect to its pipeline.
  • The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta appeared on “The Sheet with Jeff Marek” and shared his belief that the St. Louis Blues have at least some level of interest in acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old defender posted 10 goals and 39 points in 71 games this past season while averaging just north of 23 minutes per night. While Dobson didn’t replicate his 70-point 2023-24 campaign—due in part to injuries—he should still command a significant return if the Islanders decide to move him.

Metropolitan Notes: Devils, Allen, Lemaire

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The Devils were among a myriad of teams interested in signing Jonathan Toews, and GM Tom Fitzgerald is still in the market for top-six forwards, per The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun. Lebrun notes that Fitzgerald may be monitoring situations like the one Jason Robertson is currently facing with the Dallas Stars, and added, “Fitzgerald has been active fleshing out the forward market.” While Toews recently agreed to a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets, Robertson has been rumored to be available via trade.

While the Devils are led by young stars like Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Nico Hischier, they were the only players on the team to record more than 55 points last season. The Devils finished 20th in the league last season with 240 goals in the regular season and managed just 11 goals over five playoff games before being eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes. If they hope to contend with the Eastern Conference’s top teams, they’ll need to boost their offensive production.

Elsewhere in the Metro:

  • Lebrun also notes that Devils’ pending unrestricted free agent goalie Jake Allen is in a strong position, given the limited depth available at the position in this year’s free agency market. As LeBrun notes, Allen led all soon-to-be free agent goalies with a .906 save percentage last season. While Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has expressed interest in re-signing last year’s backup, Allen is expected to draw substantial interest on the open market. Notably, the Flyers, Oilers, and Sharks have already been linked to Allen.
  • Jacques Lemaire, who has been serving as the New York Islanders’ special assignments coach since 2018, is no longer with the organization, per NHL.com reporter Stefen Rosner. His departure from the Isles makes sense considering he was brought to the team by former GM Lou Lamoriello. Lemaire, 79, enjoyed a Hall of Fame playing career, recording 835 points in 853 NHL games. In 2017, he was named to the league’s “100 Greatest Players” list. He later transitioned to coaching, serving as an NHL head coach for 17 seasons, most notably leading the Devils to a Stanley Cup title in the 1994-95 season.

Sabres Notes: Peterka, Byram, Samuelsson

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While NHL teams are preparing for the start of free agency, the Buffalo Sabres are actively working the phones on a few key potential trades, according to The Fourth Period.

The expectation is that general manager Kevyn Adams will be busy this week, with forward JJ Peterka at the top of the trade block rumor mill. Despite his youth, potential, and the fact that he seemingly fits perfectly into Buffalo’s long-term plans, Peterka is also considered an ideal candidate for a change of scenery.

While the Sabres appear to have hesitancy toward trading Peterka, the list of teams interested in his services continues to grow. And as Peterka nears restricted free agency, the Sabres are now more open to listening to offers for the 23-year-old, amidst the belief that Peterka’s preference would be to move on. Peterka set career highs this past season with 68 points, finishing tied for second on the team with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, just behind forward Tage Thompson. The 23-year-old has increased his point total by 18 points in each of the last two seasons, and his stock is rising as he looks for his first long-term deal.

Elsewhere with the Sabres:

  • The league also appears to have significant interest in defender Bowen Byram, who originally joined the Sabres at the 2024 Trade Deadline in a one-for-one swap that sent center Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche. Byram was a staple in the Sabres’ top four during the 2024-25 season, playing all 82 games and averaging over 22 minutes per night. He also set career highs with 38 points and 116 blocked shots. While Byram has had some struggles in the defensive zone, his offensive upside and age make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their defensive core. Like Peterka, Byram is believed to be seeking a fresh start. Per The Fourth Period, the Sabres are not interested in moving either player for future assets and would prefer to receive NHL-ready talent in return.
  • The Fourth Period also notes that the Sabres are actively shopping defender Mattias Samuelsson, who put up 14 points in 62 games. The 25-year-old was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2018 draft and has played 212 games for the team over the course of five seasons. The 6’4″, 220-pound lefty has brought a physical presence to the Sabres over that span, posting more than 100 hits in each of the last four seasons, despite never playing more than the 62 games he suited up for last year. Samuelsson is entering the third year of a seven-year deal that carries a $4.285MM AAV.

Ducks Interested In Tavares, Boeser As Marner Backup

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While the Anaheim Ducks may be prepared to offer pending free agent Mitch Marner a record-breaking offer, the team is interested in several other additions if Marner signs elsewhere. This list includes veterans John Tavares and Brock Boeser, per The Fourth Period.

Anaheim holds more than $30MM in cap space (per PuckPedia), and ownership recently discussed the desire to build a Stanley Cup-caliber team as soon as possible, setting off speculation that they’ll aggressively pursue Marner. Yet with only one winner in that sweepstakes, the Ducks are also eyeing pending free agents like Tavares and Boeser to bolster their offense.

While Marner appears almost certain to leave Toronto, Tavares remains optimistic about re-signing with the Leafs. Still, at 36, he may view Anaheim’s cap-rich, rebuilding opportunity as perhaps his final shot at a big payday. After posting 38 goals last season (his most since the 2018-19 season), Tavares proved he still has a lot left in the tank. Although his next contract won’t match his current $11MM AAV, Tavares could still land a significant multi‑year deal if he tests the open market.

Anaheim is also among a host of teams reportedly tied to Boeser. As David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported, Boeser is a “longshot” to return to Vancouver, setting the stage for the 28-year-old sniper to hit the open market. While the interest in Boeser’s services appears lengthy, the type of deal he’ll command is a bit murkier than other pending free agents. Unlike Tavares, Boeser didn’t set the world on fire in his contract year. His goal total dropped from 40 during the 2023-24 season to just 25 last season. His points also fell by 23, and his plus/minus dropped from plus-23 to minus-25 year over year. Still, Boeser posted his sixth career season with at least 23 goals and remains on the right side of 30. The limited options in this free agent class also work to his advantage.

Heeding the turnaround desire from ownership, the Ducks have already had a busy offseason, including the hire of Joel Quenneville as head coach, trading for veteran forward Chris Kreider, and resigning pending restricted free agent Nikita Nesterenko. The team also faces a tough decision regarding goalie John Gibson, who has long been rumored to be on the trade block. Through it all, it’s expected that the Ducks will seek to add offensive firepower in free agency, with Tavares and/or Boeser potentially serving as solid backup options if they miss out on Marner.

UFA Notes: Marner, Tavares, Toninato, Del Gaizo

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As the top pending unrestricted free agent, winger Mitch Marner will have a chance to choose between a bunch of contract options.  According to Pierre LeBrun in his latest post for The Athletic (subscription link), a couple of teams believe that Marner is considering signing just a two-year deal this summer with the hopes of getting a long-term contract in place in 2027 when the Upper Limit of the salary cap is projected to be around $113MM at that time.  The value of the two-year pact would still likely surpass that of Mikko Rantanen’s AAV ($12MM) with Dallas, the new benchmark for a contract given to a winger.  The 28-year-old had 27 goals and 75 assists in 81 games this season for the Maple Leafs while adding 13 points in 13 playoff contests.

Other news regarding players set to hit the open market next month:

  • The Maple Leafs and center John Tavares are still not close on a new contract. Tavares has made it known that his desire is to remain with Toronto while the Leafs are hoping that he’ll leave some money on the table to do so.  However, he’s the top middleman in a thinning UFA group at that position and is coming off a 38-goal, 74-point season.  Realistically, he could push for $7.5MM or more on a multi-year deal if he gets to July 1st.  Speculatively, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Toronto offering a long-term deal at a lower rate per season to maximize their cap flexibility this summer.
  • Pending UFA center Dominic Toninato has dropped his agent Neil Sheehy, relays Murat Ates of The Athletic (subscription link). Instead of hiring a new one, he plans to represent himself in negotiations this summer.  The 31-year-old has spent the last five seasons with the Jets although most of his playing time has come with AHL Manitoba.  Toninato was held off the scoresheet in five games with Winnipeg this season while he had 18 goals and 18 assists with the Moose.  He’s a strong candidate to sign another two-way pact with the team before much longer.
  • Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo won’t be returning to the Predators next season, reports Lower Broad Hockey’s Nick Kieser (Twitter link). The 25-year-old is eligible to become a Group Six free agent next month and it appears that he’ll test the market instead of re-signing.  Del Gaizo played in 44 games with Nashville this season, picking up nine points, 53 blocks, and 71 hits while averaging 16:45 per game.  He also suited up in 30 games with AHL Milwaukee, notching eight goals and four assists after putting up at least 30 points at that level the previous two years.

Ilya Samsonov Won’t Re-Sign With Vegas, Will Test Free Agency

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It will be a one-and-done stay for Ilya Samsonov in Vegas.  Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reports that the goaltender does not intend to re-sign with the Golden Knights and will instead test the open market when free agency opens up on July 1st.

Samsonov didn’t have a great tour through free agency last year.  After making $3.55MM in his final year in Toronto, the 28-year-old took nearly a 50% pay cut, inking a one-year, $1.8MM pact in Vegas.  Seeing his salary take a dip wasn’t surprising given that his 2023-24 performance was the worst of his career, one that saw him record a 3.13 GAA and a .890 SV% in 40 starts with the Maple Leafs while even clearing waivers at one point.  Joining Vegas seemed like a good idea for a soft landing spot to allow him to rebuild some value.

Whether he accomplished that to a significant degree is up for some debate, however.  While he shaved 31 points off his GAA (down to 2.82), his save percentage only went up by one point although his Goals Saved Above Expected went up by nearly nine, per MoneyPuck.  Instead of making the case that he can still be a starter or at least a platoon player, Samsonov basically cemented his status as being more of a backup goalie heading into his now third foray on the open market.

Still, Samsonov should be able to generate some interest in free agency in a UFA class that isn’t particularly deep.  Jake Allen is the headliner and in a tier of his own while Samsonov will be competing with the likes of Alexandar Georgiev, Daniel Vladar, and Anton Forsberg to try to secure a contract to be a second-string option for next season.

As for Vegas, it’s possible that they could be on the lookout for a new backup themselves.  While Adin Hill is now entrenched as the starter as he begins a new six-year deal next season, Akira Schmid is currently penciled as the backup but is coming off a rocky year with AHL Henderson.  If they want a more proven option behind Hill, they could look to free agency but if they want to keep as much cap space intact as possible, they might opt to give Schmid the first opportunity to secure the number two role.

Claude Giroux, Senators Continue Negotiations

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The Ottawa Senators and pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux have reportedly been in contract talks for several weeks. While the two sides remain at a stalemate, they recently met in an effort to close the gap, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen.

Garrioch shares his belief that the Sens would like to bring Giroux back on a one-year deal. While Giroux just put up a solid 50-point campaign (and added five points in six playoff contests), it did represent a 14-point decrease from the prior. A one-year deal could protect Ottawa from the potential of the 37-year-old Giroux completely hitting the wall.

Giroux recently completed a three-year, $19.5MM contract with the Senators in which he scored 71 goals and 193 points in 245 games. With 1,263 games played and 1,116 points to his name, Giroux boasts a resume that warrants consideration for the Hall of Fame. He’s also contributed 86 points in 101 playoff games, giving the young Senators a veteran presence as they aim to take the next step. The team ended its eight-year playoff drought this past season, and with key pieces like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Cozens, Jake Sanderson, and Thomas Chabot locked in for the foreseeable future, Ottawa appears poised to become a legitimate contender.

For his part, Giroux appears to have an interest in returning to Ottawa. However, with fewer than two weeks remaining until free agency, the Senators have just $15 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), and as Garrioch notes, the team has also held discussions with fellow pending free agent forwards Adam Gaudette, Nick Cousins, and Matthew Highmore. They also face key decisions regarding restricted free agents like forward Fabian Zetterlund and goalie Leevi Merilainen. It remains to be seen where Giroux falls in that list of priorities.

If Giroux does hit the open market, Garrioch believes the Montreal Canadiens would have interest in his services. Like Ottawa, the Canadiens have a young, talented core leading the way. However, with just over $6 million in cap space (per PuckPedia), they’d need to get creative to add Giroux and other assets once free agency begins.

Free Agent Focus: Seattle Kraken

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Free agency is less than a month away and teams are looking ahead to when it opens.  There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign as well.  We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Kraken.

Key Restricted Free Agents

F Kaapo Kakko – After joining the Kraken in a mid-season trade from the New York Rangers, Kakko seems to have found his stride in Seattle. While he recorded just 14 points in 30 games with the Rangers, he flourished in 40 games with the Kraken, scoring 10 goals and totaling 30 points. That level of production over 82 games would equate to a 50-point season. Given that the former second-overall pick is still just 24 years old, he may be finally finding his footing in the league. A continued partnership appears to make good sense for both parties.

F Tye Kartye – If the Kraken and new head coach Lane Lambert prioritize bottom-six forwards with a physical presence, bringing Kartye back into the fold would be a logical move. While the forward saw his offensive numbers slightly dip from his rookie campaign, Kartye finished second on the team with 175 hits despite skating in just 63 games. The 24-year-old put up 11 goals and 20 points during the 2023-24 season, showcasing some offensive upside.

D Ryker Evans – While there weren’t many positives for the Kraken during the 2024-25 season, the emergence of Evans as a bona fide NHLer was one of them. Frequently paired with veteran Brandon Montour, Evans posted solid numbers in his first full NHL season, registering 25 points, 123 hits, and 106 blocked shots. His hit total ranked first among the team’s defensemen and third overall, while his blocked shots also finished third. A long-term deal could pair Evans and Montour for years to come.

Other RFAs: D Cale Fleury, D Peetro Seppala

Key Unrestricted Free Agents

F Michael Eyssimont – Acquired by the Kraken as a part of the Yanni Gourde trade, Eyssimont made a moderate impact in Seattle. In 20 games, he contributed four goals and six points while averaging 10:26 of ice time per game. Eyssimont, 28, has skated in over 200 NHL games and will provide whichever team he lands with a reliable bottom-six depth piece. However, he was simply a secondary addition to the first-round picks Seattle received the Gourde deal. A veteran of four NHL seasons, Eyssimont has already played for four different franchises and could add a fifth when free agency begins. He represents the team’s only non-roster player set for unrestricted free agency.

Other UFAs: F Brandon Biro, F Luke Henman (Group6), D Gustav Olofsson, D Maxime Lajoie, D Nikolas Brouillard, G Ales Stezka

Projected Cap Space

With minimal players set to hit free agency, the Kraken, president of hockey ops Ron Francis and GM Jason Botterill find themselves with plenty of spending room. According to PuckPedia, Seattle has nearly $20MM in cap space. While some of that will likely go towards retaining restricted free agents like Kakko and Evans, Botterill and company should still have plenty of wiggle room to make a splash in free agency if they choose to do so. Now that the team has finalized its coaching staff, they can turn their attention to the future of the roster. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that he feels the Kraken could play a factor in outbidding other teams for restricted free agents.

“I think Seattle is really eager to take a step this year. They have a lot of cap room, a lot of draft picks, and a lot of flexibility. I don’t know how Jason Botterill or Ron Francis feel about offer sheets, but it was pointed out to me that Seattle has the flexibility to go down that route if they wanted to. So, that’s another team people should be watching,” he said.

Sam Bennett’s Next Contract Expected To Exceed Teammate Verhaeghe’s

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Forward Sam Bennett is having a phenomenal postseason run for the Panthers, and it’s coming at an opportune time for the pending free agent. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is set to land a hefty contract, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared on radio show SN590 that while the Panthers have reportedly offered Bennett a deal similar to Carter Verhaeghe’s recent extension, he believes it won’t be enough to keep him in Florida.

The Panthers and Verhaeghe agreed to an eight-year extension in October. He will earn $7MM each year of the deal, with $46MM of the $56MM being paid out in bonuses. Florida also gave Verhaeghe a six-year no-move clause that began this past season and will last the first five years of his new deal. However, Friedman believes Bennett has priced himself out of a similar deal.

“I think they tried to sign Bennett to the Verhaeghe deal, which was eight years times $7MM with bonus structure. That’s not going to get it done,” he said.

While Verhaeghe and Bennett posted similar regular-season numbers (Verhaeghe recorded 53 points to Bennett’s 51 this past season), Bennett has elevated his game in the postseason. While playing with his usual physicality, Bennett has taken his game to another level ahead of free agency with an impressive 15 goals in 22 postseason games. Add in that he and Mitch Marner are poised to set the market for free agents as the top two names available, and Bennett is poised for a big payday. Even if he takes a hometown discount to remain in Florida, he’ll command much more than his expiring deal, which came with a $4.425MM AAV. To keep Bennett in the fold, the Panthers may need to offer a deal closer to the eight-year, $69MM extension that kept star Sam Reinhart off the market last summer. That deal came with a cap hit of $8.625MM per season.

However, as Friedman points out, the Panthers have some other key pending free agents to consider, including franchise staple Aaron Ekblad and veteran Brad Marchand, who is having his own heroic postseason run. With $19MM in cap space, per PuckPedia, Panthers GM Bill Zito will need to get creative if he hopes to retain all three players next season. And while hometown discounts are always possible—especially for a team as successful as Florida—Friedman cautions that those can’t be relied upon.

“I think people can always take a little less, and that’s fine. Do what makes you happy. But while you’re always willing to take a little bit less, the question is how much? I think for every person that’s different. And I think there are some teams out there that are really prepared to make Marchand some big, short-term offers. And nothing in the playoffs has changed my opinion on that. In fact, it’s only grown. So, I think the biggest question for Florida is what they can do against what some other teams are going to be able to do,” he said.

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