Seattle Kraken Extend Vince Dunn
6:17 p.m.: Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Dunn’s new contract will come in at a four-year deal worth $29.4MM, or $7.35MM per season. It’s top-pairing money for the Kraken’s number-one defender, who could very well exceed that contract’s value if he continues on his current path. CapFriendly reports the breakdown of the deal is as follows:
2023-24: $9MM salary
2024-25: $8MM salary (full no-trade clause)
2025-26: $7MM salary (16-team no-trade list)
2026-27: $5.4MM salary (16-team no-trade list)
Seattle promptly confirmed the contract. Dunn will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of his deal, when he’ll be 30 in the offseason of 2027.
3:58 p.m.: By far the team’s most important restricted free agent heading into this summer, Kevin Weekes of ESPN reports the Seattle Kraken are closing in on an extension for defenseman Vince Dunn. After almost doubling his career-high in points this past season, Dunn was due for a healthy raise from the Kraken front office.
Dunn, who was originally the 56th overall pick of the St.Louis Blues back in the 2015 NHL Draft, never got a huge shot with the Blues. Seemingly capable of playing top-four minutes in his last year with St.Louis back during the 2020-21 season, Dunn was behind the likes of Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, and Marco Scandella on the team’s depth chart.
Nevertheless, he was always a capable contributor during his time with the Blues, scoring anywhere from 20-35 points a season, averaging a tad over 17 minutes a night in four seasons. Thankfully for Dunn, an opportunity came knocking during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, as St.Louis opted to protect Faulk, Krug, and Parayko, leaving Dunn exposed for the Kraken to select him at no cost.
As expected, most of the upstart Seattle roster struggled during their inaugural season in 2021-22, but Dunn managed to match a career-high in points, scoring seven goals and 28 assists in 73 games played. He was given ample opportunity on the team’s powerplay, a situation that was previously rare to him during his time with the Blues. The Kraken powerplay struggled overall in the team’s first year, only producing at a 14.55% clip, good for 29th in the league.
As the team grew closer, added more talent last offseason, and absorbed head coach Dave Hakstol‘s tactics, Dunn and the Kraken put up an exceptional 2022-23 season. Early on, Dunn immediately earned the spot as the team’s top defenseman, quarterbacking a powerplay that took a 5.2% jump in one season. Overall, Dunn would score 14 goals and 50 assists in 81 games played, while 15 of those points would come on the Kraken powerplay.
Not only would Dunn lead all Seattle defensemen in points, but he also finished second on the team overall, only sitting behind forward Jared McCann by six points for the team lead. In 14 playoff games, Dunn would score one goal and six assists, helping the team eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in the first round of the postseason.
Still only 26 years old, Dunn picked a fantastic time to have a breakout campaign, as the Kraken currently have a decent cap situation to retain him for as long as they’d like. Proving to be the most offensively gifted defenseman on the roster, Dunn could become a staple on Seattle’s blue line for quite some time.
Seattle Kraken Extend Head Coach Dave Hakstol
The Seattle Kraken have announced that they’ve signed head coach Dave Hakstol to a contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2025-26 season. No financial details have been released at this time but the two-year contract gives the 54-year-old some security coming on the heels of the first 100-point season in franchise history.
Hakstol led the franchise to a series of firsts in just their second season of existence. The Kraken made the playoffs for the first time and even knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the opening round for their first playoff series win.
Hakstol oversaw one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent history as he took the Kraken from a 30th overall finish in 2021-22 to the second round of the playoffs. Seattle went from just 60 points in 2021-22 to 100 points this past season. The team’s point percentage nearly doubled going from .366 to .610. It was by far Hakstol’s most successful season as a head coach in the NHL with his previous best coming while he was overseeing the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017-18. That year he led the Flyers to a 98-point regular season before they were dumped in six games by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs.
Hakstol might not have big-name recognition, but he fits with what Seattle has built throughout their lineup. They don’t have many big names in their lineup, but the club showed incredible resiliency and grit throughout this past season. Something Hakstol himself showed after an initially disappointing first season in Seattle.
Calgary Flames To Retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s Number
Long-time Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff will have his jersey number retired by the team next season, according to a media release this morning. Kiprusoff’s number 34 will be the fourth in franchise history to receive the honor, and the ceremony will take place on March 2, 2024, before a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
One of the greatest Finnish netminders of all time, Kiprusoff played nine seasons and nearly 600 games for the Flames across the late 2000s and early 2010s. His goaltending oversaw one of the more sustained periods of success in recent years for the Flames, highlighted by a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004 and a Vezina Trophy win in 2006.
That 2004 run is the defining achievement in Kiprusoff’s career – and it came before he had solidified himself as the full-time starter he’s remembered as. His 38 games played in the 2003-04 regular season was a career-high, but his .933 save percentage and league-leading 1.69 goals-against average that year was good enough to earn him second place in Vezina voting despite the lack of playing time.
He stepped it up a notch in the postseason, taking the Flames to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final with a 15-11 record, .928 save percentage, 1.85 goals-against average, and a league-leading five shutouts. They would eventually lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning despite holding a 3-2 series lead thanks to Martin St. Louis‘ Game 6 overtime heroics and a two-goal performance from Ruslan Fedotenko in Game 7. In the process of getting to the Final, Kiprusoff became the only goalie in NHL history to defeat three division winners in the same postseason.
After the 2004-05 lockout, Kiprusoff would become nothing short of a workhorse. He played at least 70 games in the eight following seasons, consistently sitting near the league’s top in most statistical categories throughout that run. He played just 24 games in his final season, the 2012-13 lockout-shortened campaign, before calling it a career.
“I am honored and humbled by this recognition of my career in Calgary,” said Kiprusoff. “To have my name and number hanging next to those great Flames players, and especially my friend and legendary goalie Mike Vernon is truly a highlight of my career.”
In hindsight, the seemingly menial trade that brought him to Calgary at the time is now one of the most consequential in franchise history for both teams. After several seasons as a backup to Evgeni Nabokov with the San Jose Sharks, the Flames acquired him for a 2005 second-round pick early into the 2003-04 campaign. The Sharks would select defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic with Calgary’s pick, arguably the greatest shutdown defender in Sharks history (even if he is in a steep decline now) and their all-time leader in games played by a defenseman with 1,239.
Kiprusoff remains the Flames’ franchise leader in games played (576), wins (305), saves (14,631), shutouts (41), and save percentage among goalies with at least 50 games in a Flames jersey with a .913 mark. Among Finnish netminders, only Pekka Rinne has won more NHL games.
He joins Lanny McDonald‘s number 9, Jarome Iginla‘s number 12, and Vernon’s number 30 atop the rafters of the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Connor Bedard Signs Entry-Level Contract With Blackhawks
9:08 a.m.: Chicago has now made the deal official, confirming the maximum cap hit of $950K for Bedard on his three-year ELC. CapFriendly provides the full breakdown of the deal, which carries the same structure in all three seasons: an NHL salary of $855K, a $95K signing bonus, a Schedule ‘A’ performance bonus worth $1MM, and a Schedule ‘B’ performance bonus worth $2.5MM.
8:09 a.m.: 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard has agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on his three-year entry-level contract today, The Athletic’s Scott Powers reports.
The surely multi-million dollar commitment from Chicago to Bedard on his 18th birthday is quite the present. Signing Bedard to his ELC officially paves the way for him to suit up in a Blackhawks uniform on opening night in a few months, as expected.
Labeled the best prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015 and Auston Matthews in 2016, Bedard will look to make a splash with the Blackhawks next season after dominating the WHL with the Regina Pats, notching 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points in just 57 games. His 2.51 points per game tied him for the highest rate in a single season for a 17-year-old with former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rob Brown, who had 173 points in 69 games with Kamloops in 1985-86.
With that in mind, Bedard is expected to assume a first-line center role in the Windy City out of the gate, a glimpse into the team’s long-term future after an aggressive roster restructuring. The Blackhawks made multiple roster moves this offseason with Bedard in mind, acquiring a former Hart Trophy winner in Taylor Hall and retaining some skill for the top-six in Andreas Athanasiou to give Bedard at least some talent to play with in a Chicago forward group devoid of much to write home about.
Bedard’s six-figure cap hit could be the biggest bargain bin deal in the league by its conclusion in 2025-26, at which point he’ll be able to sign quite a lucrative second deal with the salary cap expected to rise north of $92MM by that point.
Among U-25 forwards in Chicago’s top-six next season, he’ll likely be joined by 2020 17th overall pick Lukas Reichel, who’s coming off a pair of excellent campaigns in the minors with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and added 15 points in 23 games with the Blackhawks last year. Those two are the shining stars at forward of a prospect pool that’s quickly grown into one of the league’s best, including a pair of top-20 picks in Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore still to come.
Philadelphia Flyers Waive Tony DeAngelo For Purposes Of Buyout
Saturday: DeAngelo has cleared waivers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports, paving the way for the buyout to be completed.
Friday: It appears the rumored trade between the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes won’t be happening after all. Today, the Flyers placed defenseman Tony DeAngelo on unconditional waivers, which CapFriendly initially clarified is for the purpose of contract termination. The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor later contradicted CapFriendly’s initial report, claiming DeAngelo’s waiver placement is for the purposes of a buyout, which was later confirmed.
After the Flyers acquired DeAngelo’s negotiating rights from the Hurricanes last summer and promptly signed him to a two-year, $10MM deal, his relationship with head coach John Tortorella became tenuous, culminating in a string of healthy scratches to end the season. Reporting suggested the Flyers and Hurricanes had worked out a deal to send DeAngelo back to Raleigh this offseason, which would have involved the Flyers retaining half of DeAngelo’s $5MM cap hit on the final season of his contract and receiving center prospect Massimo Rizzo in return. However, the league blocked the trade at the time, claiming it circumvented the salary cap, and didn’t permit the deal to go through until July 8, 2023, exactly one year after the initial trade, which sent DeAngelo’s rights to Philadelphia.
The trade never actually went through, though, and now DeAngelo will find himself free to sign with any team that will have him – including Carolina. The buyout option became available to the Flyers after settling with forward Noah Cates before his arbitration hearing.
The buyout will cost the Flyers $1.67MM against the cap for the next two seasons compared to a one-time $2.5MM cap hit next year via salary retention. While the team is in the throes of a rebuild and doesn’t anticipate spending to the salary cap, the decision to buy DeAngelo out rather than trade him does offer slightly more short-term financial relief.
DeAngelo is an elite offensive-minded defender but a rather significant defensive liability, which chiefly contributed to his fallout with Tortorella in Philadelphia. When taking into consideration he’s played on three teams in the past three seasons and has now been bought out twice in that time frame, it seems unlikely he’ll find any long-term commitments on the open market.
Moving on from DeAngelo will certainly shift more point-producing burden onto youngster Cam York, who looked quite capable last season with 20 points in 54 games. The 22-year-old signed a two-year, $3.2MM extension with the Flyers earlier this week.
DeAngelo, 27, led Flyers defensemen in scoring last season with 42 points in 70 games. It was his third straight full season posting more than 40 points – he played just six games in 2020-21 before getting involved in a post-game altercation with then-teammate Alexandar Georgiev, which resulted in a waiver placement and assignment to the team’s taxi squad for the remainder of the season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Detroit Red Wings Acquire Alex DeBrincat
Much of the recent speculation surrounding Alex DeBrincat and the Ottawa Senators largely centered around the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks as being the most likely suitors in any trade. At the beginning of the offseason, once news broke that DeBrincat may find his way out of Ottawa, the Detroit Red Wings were deemed the likeliest landing spot, but seemed to have fallen out of the running.
In a surprising turn of events, the Red Wings eventually came out on top, trading Dominik Kubalik, Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in 2024, and a fourth-round pick in 2024. Furthermore, Detroit also announced a four-year, $31.5MM contract with DeBrincat, paying him an AAV of $7.785MM. The Farmington Hills, MI native is now officially a part of his childhood team.
By acquiring DeBrincat, Detroit immediately addresses one of the major problems that has plagued them the last several seasons, their offense. Two seasons ago, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks at the time, DeBrincat scored 41 goals and 37 assists in 82 games. This past season with the Senators, DeBrincat scored 27 goals and 39 assists in 82 games. Interestingly enough, DeBrincat has also been extremely good all-time against his new team, scoring 11 goals and 30 points in 23 games against the Red Wings in his career.
In context to the condition attached to the first-round pick headed to the Senators, Detroit will have the option to send either their own 2024 first-round selection or the Bruins’ 2024 first-round selection. On Boston’s draft pick, if the pick falls within the top ten of the 2024 draft, the pick will convey to the Bruins’ 2025 first-round selection. At that time, the Red Wings will have the option of sending their own 2024 first-round selection, or the 2025 first-round selection originally owned by Boston.
The contract for DeBrincat will place him second among Red Wings’ earners, sitting behind the eight-year, $69.6MM extension the team handed out to captain Dylan Larkin last season. Given that the 2023-24 season would have been DeBrincat’s last as a restricted free agent, the contract also buys out three years of unrestricted free agency, putting DeBrincat at 29 years for the first time he hits the open market.
From Ottawa’s standpoint, it is hard to imagine this as a positive return. Kubalik has shown offensive skill in the past but struggled mightily down the stretch for the Red Wings last season. In 81 games played for Detroit last year, Kubalik scored 20 goals and 25 assists in 80 games, something that should play well in the Senators’ middle-six forward group. The other player in the deal, Sebrango, was a former 63rd overall pick of the Red Wings back in the 2020 NHL Draft, and split time between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toledo Walleye last year.
Unfortunately for Ottawa, they were unable to recoup the draft capital they once spent to acquire DeBrincat in the first place. At last year’s draft, the Senators sent their first-round pick, second-round pick, and a third-round selection in 2024 to acquire DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks. That first-round selection would be seventh overall, allowing the Blackhawks to select defenseman Kevin Korchinski. Given the condition of the first-round pick going to Ottawa in this deal, it is unlikely that it will get even close to seventh overall in whichever year the condition is met.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to report that DeBrincat had been traded, and the first to report he would land with Detroit.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was the first to report the contract details between the Red Wings and DeBrincat.
PuckPedia was the first to report the conditions of the first-round pick going to the Senators in the deal.
Los Angeles Kings Sign Anze Kopitar To Two-Year Contract Extension
The Los Angeles Kings have signed captain Anze Kopitar to a two-year contract extension carrying a $7MM AAV. As Kopitar already has a contract through the end of next season, this deal will start with the 2024-25 campaign and will cover Kopitar’s age-37 and age-38 seasons.
The deal carries a full no-move clause, and financially Kopitar is set to be paid almost exclusively in signing bonus in year one, and entirely in base salary in year two.
Many viewed the Kings’ acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets as succession planning for when Kopitar would no longer take up the mantle as the Kings’ number-one center.
Seeing as fellow era-defining two-way center Patrice Bergeron could be calling it a career at the age of 37, it could reasonably be assumed that Kopitar, set to turn 36 years old in August, would be nearing the end of his storied career as well.
That won’t be the case, though, at least for the next three seasons.
By spending $7MM per year on two seasons of Kopitar in his late thirties, the Kings have placed a significant bet that one of their franchise’s greatest players will remain a great one even as he ages. It’s easy to see why they’ve made that bet, as Kopitar was almost every bit as brilliant at 35 years old as he was in his mid-twenties.
Kopitar scored 28 goals and 74 points in 82 games in 2022-23, and added seven points in the Kings’ six-game first-round series loss to the Edmonton Oilers. As he’s done throughout his career, Kopitar paired that offensive production with exceptional defensive play, playing the most minutes of any Los Angeles forward on the team’s penalty kill.
The two-time Selke Trophy winner might have a few more of those trophies on his resume had he not had the misfortune of playing at the same time as Bergeron, one of the greatest defensive forwards of all time, and Kopitar’s defensive game gives him a high floor in terms of the value he’s providing Los Angeles should his offense start to dry up as he gets older.
With Kopitar locked up through 2025-26 at a below-market rate compared to what he provides, the Kings have secured arguably the best set of four centers in the entire NHL. While he’s a somewhat divisive player, Dubois is certainly a great fit in a second-line center role behind Kopitar.
Having a center like Phillip Danault, who can score 50 points on offense and routinely appear in the top ten of Selke Trophy ballots, in the third-line center role is the kind of stuff coaches dream about. Even their projected fourth-line center, the energetic Blake Lizotte, might be overqualified for that role coming off of a career-best 34-point season.
With this extension, the Kings have bet on Kopitar maintaining his brilliance into his late thirties. If that bet pays off, the Kings will have secured themselves an embarrassment of riches at one of the game’s most important positions, and built the foundation for a team that could very well contend for Stanley Cups once again.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Detroit Red Wings Expected To Terminate Filip Zadina’s Contract
Jul 6: As expected, Zadina is on the waiver wire today for the purposes of mutual contract termination, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He’s joined by New York Islanders farmhand Andy Andreoff, who had one season left on a two-way contract.
Jul 5: The Detroit Red Wings are expected to place 2018 sixth-overall pick Filip Zadina on waivers again tomorrow, this time for the purpose of terminating his contract, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
There’s little reason to believe anyone would issue a claim if Detroit does opt to go the contract termination route, considering Zadina cleared just yesterday and was made available to all 31 teams via trade – yet he remains a Red Wing today.
The reason for that isn’t necessarily that no one wants to take him on as a reclamation project. It’s the financial commitment that comes with him – he’s got two seasons remaining on a backloaded $1.825MM AAV contract that would result in a costly gamble for a team claiming him if it doesn’t pan out. In real cash, he’s owed $4.56MM over the next two seasons.
It’s money that Zadina could willing to walk away from entirely to have a better chance of a successful NHL career, says Friedman. Although Zadina’s agent, Darren Ferris, declined to comment on the matter, Friedman’s reporting suggests Zadina has made it clear he would not report if assigned to the AHL next season, which would violate his contract and result in suspension without pay.
With both Zadina and Detroit cleared of any contractual obligation to each other, he would then be free to sign with any team in the league – giving him full control over his destiny, at least among the teams interested in adding him. Zadina had already requested a trade before the draft, which Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman expressed earlier in the week, but again cited Zadina’s contract as a significant obstacle in moving him.
Yzerman had expressed his reluctance to put Zadina on waivers, considering he’d signed the winger to a three-year contract just a year ago with the belief that he would continue to develop. It didn’t happen this season, as he posted just seven points in 30 games and averaged 13:05 per game.
All that being said, it’s fair to speculate now which teams could have interest in picking up the Czech-born winger, and where he could have success and ultimately develop into the top-six (or top-nine, at this point) forward he was projected to be.
Somewhat ironically, Zadina has some history with two teams that could make sense. Before falling to Detroit at sixth overall at the 2018 Draft, Zadina said regarding two teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, that “if they will pass on me, I’m going to fill their nets with pucks.” Montreal selected Jesperi Kotkaniemi third overall, while Ottawa selected now-captain Brady Tkachuk with the fourth selection. Both teams are looking to add some forward depth today, and Montreal has displayed a liking to taking on reclamation projects in recent years (Kirby Dach, Denis Gurianov, Alex Newhook).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Alain Vigneault Announces Retirement From Coaching
After a 19-season head coaching career spanning four teams, seasoned NHL bench boss Alain Vigneault has declared his retirement from coaching in an interview with the Journal de Québec, according to a report from French-Canadian outlet RDS.
Vigneault, still under contract with the Flyers after being fired in December of 2021, made it clear that his last contract would be his final one and that he has no intention of returning to coaching. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported last summer that Philadelphia was likely Vigneault’s final stop as an NHL head coach.
The 62-year-old Canadian coach leaves behind a rather illustrious coaching career – Vigneault’s 1,363 games behind an NHL bench places him 15th in NHL history for most games coached. He accumulated over 700 wins throughout his coaching journey, a feat achieved by only nine other coaches in NHL history.
However, he didn’t quite reach hockey’s pinnacle, never getting his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Although he made the playoffs in 12 of his 19 seasons, he advanced twice to the Stanley Cup Final, losing in both tries.
Vigneault’s coaching tenure in the NHL began in the 1997-98 season when he took the helm of the Montreal Canadiens. He then went on to coach the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and finally, the Philadelphia Flyers.
Vigneault’s primary piece of individual hardware came in 2006-07, winning the Jack Adams Award in his first season with the Canucks after guiding the team to a 49-26-7 record and Northwest Division title. Vancouver would bow out in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, thanks to a relatively innocuous double-overtime winner in Game 5 from Ducks defender Scott Niedermayer (video link).
Vancouver was undoubtedly Vigneault’s most successful stop, as he would win back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies with the team in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Canucks made their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in nearly two decades in 2011 but fell to the Boston Bruins in seven games after taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
Vigneault made it back to the Final three seasons later with the New York Rangers but lost all three overtime games in the series en route to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings.
Before starting his coaching career, Vigneault had a brief playing stint as an NHLer. He played 42 games as a defenseman for the St. Louis Blues in the 1980s before transitioning to coaching at just 25 years old.
He does boast an all-time playoff record of 78-77, a rare mark above .500 for a coach without a Cup victory. With his longevity placing him in the upper echelon of all-time NHL coaches, as well as a Jack Adams and two conference championships, it wouldn’t surprise many to see a call from the Hockey Hall of Fame in his future.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
PHR’s 2023 Top 50 NHL Unrestricted Free Agents
Originally published June 27, 2023
The 2023 offseason is in full swing with the trade market as hot as ever – and we still have four days until free agency begins. Kevin Hayes, Damon Severson, Ivan Provorov, Taylor Hall, and Ryan Johansen will all be with new teams next season, and high-end stars like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex DeBrincat, and Norris winner Erik Karlsson could all find themselves on the move in the coming days as well.
On Saturday, though, the focus will turn to a crop of players that can be had for free, at least in terms of asset management. The 2023 unrestricted free agent class may be an unusually weak one, but it still boasts a mix of high-end role players looking to cash in on career seasons and skilled veterans looking for a change of scenery. There’s still time for extensions to come in, but most of the extremely prominent players available are expected to go to market.
With that being said, it’s time for another edition of our yearly Top 50 Unrestricted Free Agents list here at PHR. Our rankings and predictions are all voted on by our whole writing team based on a combination of talent perception and expected demand.
These predictions are independent of each other – i.e. just because we predict Orlov to sign with Washington doesn’t prevent us from predicting another free agent to land there later on. While we acknowledge retirement is a strong possibility for more than a handful of players on our list, it’s not something we predict as a possibility.
Players who were bought out or left unqualified before June 27 appear on this list.
1. Dmitry Orlov – Washington Capitals – 6 years, $37.5MM ($6.25MM AAV)
Orlov is a smooth-skating, steady defender who, in most years, would barely crack the top five of pending UFA rankings. He finds himself in the number one spot on our list thanks to a rather weak class, but he also saw his stock skyrocket after a spectacular post-trade deadline showing with the Boston Bruins. The team does have some more cap space to play with after trading Taylor Hall‘s $6MM cap hit to the Chicago Blackhawks, but they have other holes to fill on their roster and won’t be able to accommodate Orlov’s next contract, which will undoubtedly be higher than $6MM. With the Capitals looking to stay in the playoff mix while Alex Ovechkin is still playing, don’t rule out a reunion between the two parties.
Signed in Carolina, 2 years, $15.5MM ($7.75MM AAV)
2. Patrick Kane – Buffalo Sabres – 2 years, $11.5MM ($5.75MM AAV)
One of the league’s most dynamic and skilled forwards, Kane enters his first unrestricted free agent period with some fair question marks after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery this offseason. A reunion with the Chicago Blackhawks seems unlikely – the organization’s public messaging has indicated 2022-23 was their last season with Kane and Toews on the roster. Don’t expect any long-term commitment or an extravagantly high cap hit for Kane, who could go unsigned well into the offseason based on how his recovery goes. That being said, while he looked overmatched at times with the New York Rangers after a late-season trade, he still recorded six points in seven playoff games and is a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer.
3. Vladimir Tarasenko – Seattle Kraken – 4 years, $24MM ($6MM AAV)
After a turbulent last few seasons that saw trade rumors swirl, Tarasenko’s recovered nicely from some serious shoulder injuries, recording 132 points in 144 games over the past two seasons. His ability to find the back of the net may be trailing off, though – his 18 goals this season were his worst total in a full season, as was his 10.7% shooting rate. It doesn’t change the fact he’s still a high-end second-line winger at this stage in the game, though, and his career reputation is exceeded only by Kane among UFA wingers. He’ll likely get a richer deal than his longtime divisional rival.
Signed in Ottawa, 1 year, $5MM
4. Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins – 1 year, $2MM + bonuses
The future Hall of Famer put off retirement for another year, and it was a good decision. He had another successful season, leading all UFA centers in scoring with 58 points while being elite at the faceoff dot like usual. If he wanted to actually test the market, he could very well be the most sought-after free agent, but instead, the decision Bergeron will be pondering is the one he was a year ago – does he give it one more go with the Bruins or hang up his skates and call it a career?
Retired
5. Alex Killorn – Detroit Red Wings – 4 years, $20MM ($5MM AAV)
The high-energy top-six winger is coming off three Stanley Cup Final appearances in four seasons, although his performance in Tampa’s run to the 2022 Final left much to be desired. He quieted all doubters in 2022-23, though, recording career-highs across the board with 27 goals and 64 points. The 33-year-old’s set himself up nicely for a mid-tier term commitment on his next deal, which could be his last, and has likely priced himself out of a return to the Sunshine State in the process.
Signed in Anaheim, 4 years, $25MM ($6.25MM AAV)
6. J.T. Compher – Colorado Avalanche – 5 years, $27.5MM ($5.5MM AAV)
After a strong performance in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup win, Compher positioned himself nicely for unrestricted free agency with a career-high 52 points in 2022-23. He played in all 82 games, averaging a whopping 20:32 per game in the second-line center spot after Nazem Kadri‘s departure and Alex Newhook falling down the lineup after an early-season look in that role. Colorado went out and acquired Ryan Johansen last week in case Compher goes somewhere else, but teams could be wary of how much of Compher’s uptick in production is sustainable, given his ice time won’t be nearly as high next season.
Signed in Detroit, 5 years, $25.5MM ($5.1MM AAV)
7. Ryan O’Reilly – Detroit Red Wings – 3 years, $16.5MM ($5.5MM AAV)
Now 32 years old, O’Reilly’s offensive form declined in his final season with the Blues, just as the Blues themselves had an underwhelming campaign. But a mid-season trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs illustrated exactly why the Lady Byng, Selke, and Conn Smythe Trophy winner remained an in-demand player league-wide. He managed a combined 20 points in 24 regular season and playoff games, including production in some big moments helping Toronto achieve a long-awaited playoff series win. There are questions about how well he’ll age, but in a thin center class, he’s in the conversation as the best option available.
Signed in Nashville, 4 years, $18MM ($4.5MM AAV)
8. Ivan Barbashev – Carolina Hurricanes – 7 years, $42MM ($6MM AAV)
He may not get the highest cap hit of anyone on this list, but we’re predicting Barbashev to get the highest total value deal after the market opens on Saturday. He’s one of the youngest top UFAs available at age 27, and he just recorded 18 points in 22 games while playing a first-line role on a Stanley Cup champion. Needless to say, he’s priced himself out of a return to Sin City, but a contending team with flexibility looking to make a splash to their top six will find room for him on a max-term deal.
Re-signed in Vegas, 5 years, $25MM ($5MM AAV)
9. Ryan Graves – Toronto Maple Leafs – 4 years, $20MM ($5MM AAV)
Graves is a great player the Devils would love to have back. It’s a mere roster crunch, though – they have better players coming in Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. The 2013 fourth-round pick has since made a name for himself as a steady top-four defenseman ever since leading the NHL in plus-minus during his first full season in 2019-20. This season, though, his advanced defensive metrics weren’t all that impressive despite another sky-high plus-minus rating of +34. He did, however, see some of the toughest competition out of anyone in the league and still has the tools to post better results with some slightly eased minutes. He’ll land top-four money on the open market, no doubt.
Signed in Pittsburgh, 6 years, $27MM ($4.5MM AAV)
10. Tyler Bertuzzi – Nashville Predators – 4 years, $22MM ($5.5MM AAV)
In 2021-22, Bertuzzi showed how productive he can be when he’s able to stay healthy and in the lineup. This past season, he struggled and dealt with injury trouble in Detroit, but after being moved to Boston, his production improved considerably before tying for the team lead in playoff points against Florida. At 28, he’s one of the younger wingers on the market and should have several more top-six seasons in him. If he can stay healthy, Bertuzzi should be one of the more impactful players from this free-agent class.
Signed in Toronto, 1 year, $5.5MM
11. Max Domi – Chicago Blackhawks – 3 years, $13.5MM ($4.5MM AAV)
Getting some long-term security has been a challenge for Domi as he has yet to sign a contract longer than two years since his entry-level contract. That should change this time around. After spending most of 2021-22 on the wing, the 28-year-old spent a lot of this past season playing at center, having his second-best offensive year in the process. With many teams looking for help down the middle and offensive versatility, Domi’s market should be considerably stronger than it was a year ago when he had to settle for a one-year deal.
Signed in Toronto, 1 year, $3MM
12. Michael Bunting – Toronto Maple Leafs – 4 years, $22MM ($5.5MM AAV)
Poised to be one of the top UFAs just a few months ago, Bunting falls down our board after some shaky play down the stretch and, more importantly, in the postseason. The high-energy winger can be a valuable pest at times but doesn’t have the refinement in his edgy game that a Brad Marchand type does. That doesn’t mean he’s not a great player – he’s a more-than-capable offensive threat who’s coming off back-to-back 23-goal seasons. His stock is undoubtedly elevated by his star-studded linemates, though, and he may not get the Zach Hyman-type contract some thought he would earlier in the season.
Signed in Carolina, 3 years, $13.5MM ($4.5MM AAV)
13. Shayne Gostisbehere – Florida Panthers – 4 years, $19.4MM ($4.85MM AAV)
Now 30, a pair of seasons spent mostly with the Arizona Coyotes have rejuvenated Gostisbehere’s offensive game. While he dipped to a third-pairing/power-play specialist role after he was dealt to Carolina at the trade deadline, Gostisbehere actually posted very strong defensive numbers while averaging over 22 minutes per game with the Coyotes as their de facto number one throughout most of the year with Jakob Chychrun out of the lineup for extended periods of time. He won’t win any Norris trophies, but Gostisbehere now is much closer to the player that finished second in Calder voting in 2016 than some would have you think. He’s the highest-upside defender available on the open market, although he falls to third on our list among D, given his inconsistent career track record.
Signed in Detroit, 1 year, $4.125MM
14. Tristan Jarry – Pittsburgh Penguins – 4 years, $20MM ($5MM AAV)
With the 14th spot, we arrive at our first goalie. Jarry’s performance in Pittsburgh has been oft-discussed, and injury concerns are a valid complaint about his viability as a long-term starter. But he’s posted numbers few can complain about, averaging a .915 save percentage over the past four seasons, winning at least 20 games every year. He’s undoubtedly the top netminder available – if Pittsburgh lets him walk.
Re-signed in Pittsburgh, 5 years, $26.875MM ($5.375MM AAV)
15. Jason Zucker – Winnipeg Jets – 5 years, $25MM ($5MM AAV)
The 31-year-old had a career revival of sorts in 2022-23, posting his highest goal total in five years. He played like a true top-six winger in a contract year, and he’s set himself up nicely to get a decent financial commitment, although it may be from another team. He did struggle mightily in Pittsburgh for two out of his three seasons there. That being said, his 27 goals this year tie him for first among all pending UFAs.
Signed in Arizona, 1 year, $5.3MM
16. David Krejci – Boston Bruins – 1 year, $1MM + bonuses
Krejci is likely one of the top five players available in this market based on talent, but possible retirement looms and drops him down our list significantly. The 37-year-old veteran had a spectacular campaign after taking a one-season absence from the NHL to play at home while still in his prime, but he came back and recorded 56 points in 70 games while continuing to display supreme playmaking skills. He won’t play anywhere else than Boston if he does return, much like Bergeron.
17. Scott Mayfield – New York Islanders – 4 years, $15.4MM ($3.85MM AAV)
Mayfield signed a contract that proved to be an absolute steal for the Islanders earlier in his career, and he’s established himself as a quality defensive defenseman in the NHL – costing New York just $1.45MM against the cap. This is his chance to cash in, and as a 6-foot-5 right-shot defenseman who ranked second on the Islanders in average ice time and led them in time logged on the penalty kill, he’s likely to have strong interest on the open market but could end up finding his way back on a healthy raise.
Re-signed in New York, 7 years, $24.5MM ($3.5MM AAV)
18. Matt Dumba – Seattle Kraken – 4 years, $21MM ($5.25MM AAV)
Dumba, 28, might not be the dynamic two-way force capable of scoring 50 points as he was earlier in his career, but he remains a valuable player due to his ability to soak up difficult minutes and be a valuable leader and locker room voice. While the 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner’s average ice time dipped to the lowest point of Dumba’s career since 2016-17, he’s widely considered a top-four defenseman and should be a premier option for a team looking to add a reliable veteran to its blue line.
19. Frederik Andersen – Carolina Hurricanes – 2 years, $8.5MM ($4.25MM AAV)
The Great Dane had a spectacular playoff performance for the Hurricanes but finds himself slotted behind Jarry on our final list thanks to similar injury concerns and a much weaker regular season in 2022-23. The two-time Jennings Trophy winner is coming off a nearly Vezina-caliber season in 2021-22, though, and he’s shown the capability to be a top-ten netminder in this league – just never for multiple seasons in a row. At 33 years old, he may not have a lot of career runway left with his injury history. He’ll likely be settling for another short-term deal.
Re-signed in Carolina, 2 years, $6.8MM ($3.4MM AAV)
20. John Klingberg – Arizona Coyotes – 3 years, $15MM ($5MM AAV)
Few players have proved themselves less on a prove-it deal than Klingberg did last season with the Ducks, having one of the worst seasons defensively of any top-of-the-lineup player in the post-lockout era. He hasn’t met the eye test without the puck at any point recently, either, although he was still on pace for 40 points in a full campaign and is worth a spot in the lineup with more sheltered minutes. Look for a team with severe depth deficiencies on defense (and cap room to spare) to nab Klingberg on the open market, much like last season.
Signed in Toronto, 1 year, $4.15MM
21. Evan Rodrigues – Chicago Blackhawks – 3 years, $12MM ($4MM AAV)
An oft-cited analytics darling, Rodrigues has finally broken out into a high-end, two-way forward in a middle-six role. He’ll never break the bank offensively – he’s yet to score more than 20 goals and 45 points in a full season – but he was on pace to do so this year had he played in all 82 games (he missed 13 with injuries). He’s also by no means a sharpshooter, but he’s an incredible play driver who, as he’s shown over the past few campaigns, makes the players around him better. He could be a good fit as a complementary piece to a team looking to get some insulation for their young stars.
Signed in Florida, 4 years, $12MM ($3MM AAV)
22. Tomas Tatar – Dallas Stars – 2 years, $7.6MM ($3.8MM AAV)
After a slow start to his two-year deal in New Jersey, Tatar had a bounce-back 2022-23 campaign, reaching the 20-goal mark for the sixth time in his career and scoring 48 points, his most since 2019-20. Tatar was signed by New Jersey despite only weeks after sitting as a healthy scratch for the majority of the Montreal Canadiens’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. Tatar has always struggled to be an impactful player in the playoffs, but for the Devils, their worry was more about actually reaching the postseason and ending their rebuild than anything else. While Tatar is unlikely to suddenly become a playoff difference-maker at 33 years old, he’s still a productive middle-six scorer with a lot of value for a team looking to make a push for a playoff spot.
23. Carson Soucy – San Jose Sharks – 3 years, $10.5MM ($3.5MM AAV)
Like Graves, Soucy will be one of the more coveted shutdown defenders available on the open market. A lack of top-four minutes will likely limit what offers he’ll get, but Soucy’s defensive play has been quite good over the past few seasons, and maybe more importantly, it’s been incredibly consistent. He’s one of the safest players available on the open market – at 28, he’s not prone to a sudden decline. Teams will know what they’re getting in Soucy, who can also play either side of the ice as a left shot and has good size at 6-foot-5 and 208 pounds.
Signed in Vancouver, 3 years, $9.75MM ($3.25MM AAV)
24. Joonas Korpisalo – Ottawa Senators – 2 years, $7MM ($3.5MM AAV)
After multiple seasons of sub-.900 save percentage with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Korpisalo finally emerged as a potential regular-season starter in 2022-23, exceptional playoff appearances notwithstanding. He had his best campaign since his .920 rookie year in 2015-16, solidifying Los Angeles’ goalie situation down the stretch after a trade with a .921 mark in 11 starts. He’s got no semblance of consistency throughout his career, though, and likely won’t be relied upon as “the answer” for any team – although he could land a tandem role with some increased activity in the crease.
Signed in Ottawa, 5 years, $20MM ($4MM AAV)
25. Alexander Kerfoot – Edmonton Oilers – 3 years, $11.25MM ($3.75MM AAV)
Now 28, Kerfoot’s got six NHL seasons and nearly 500 NHL games under his belt after being one of the more highly-touted collegiate free agents in 2017. His offensive numbers took a dip to just 32 points in Toronto this season, but he still put together very solid defensive play and carries some value with his versatility, able to play both center and wing rather comfortably. He won’t change the direction of your team, but there are much worse middle-six options out there, especially for a team with a need for a defensively responsible forward and strong penalty killer.
Signed in Arizona, 2 years, $7MM ($3.5MM AAV)
26. Evgenii Dadonov – Washington Capitals – 1 year, $2.25MM
While Dadonov was a quality contributor in his final season with Vegas, after an offseason trade to the Canadiens, his form took a nosedive. He struggled to build momentum in Montreal and was largely unproductive, leaving many to wonder if, after finishing the year in Montreal, he would return to the KHL. Nobody is wondering now, though, as Dadonov reminded everyone of his offensive capabilities after a mid-season trade to Dallas. He scored a combined 25 points in 39 games in the regular season and playoffs and helped the Stars on a run to the Western Conference Final. He’s unlikely to receive any major multi-year commitments, but he’ll likely be of interest to teams looking to add a skilled offensive player on a one-year deal.
Re-signed in Dallas, 2 years, $4.5MM ($2.25MM AAV)
27. Semyon Varlamov – New York Islanders – 2 years, $5MM ($2.5MM AAV)
Varlamov continues to excel quietly into his late 30s, although he’s now completely overshadowed by Ilya Sorokin on Long Island. He’s been a decidedly above-average netminder throughout his four seasons with New York, and he still posted a .913 save percentage and two shutouts this season, although he received just 22 starts. That’s likely what he’ll be in line for again if he re-signs with New York – Sorokin won’t be cooling off anytime soon.
Re-signed in New York, 4 years, $11MM ($2.75MM AAV)
28. Jonathan Toews – Edmonton Oilers – 1 year, $1.5MM + bonuses
Retirement could very well be the most likely option for Toews, who was in and out of the lineup this season as he continues to deal with long-term health issues stemming from CIRS and COVID. The 35-year-old isn’t a top-six caliber center on a contending team anymore, although he could make sense for some in a third-line role. He did put up 31 points in 53 games with Chicago last season in his final year with the franchise, but he’s best described as a non-factor defensively at this stage in his career.
29. Connor Clifton – New Jersey Devils – 3 years, $9.3MM ($3.1MM AAV)
Clifton had played an understatedly strong game with Boston over the past few seasons but oftentimes became a healthy scratch. That all changed this season, skating in 78 out of 82 games and posting a career-high 23 points and +20 rating in a bottom-pairing role for the record-breaking Bruins. There’s no doubt he’s an everyday NHL player at age 28, and the 2013 fifth-round pick is a strong penalty killer too. He’ll make a difference for a team looking to upgrade their third pair in a big way.
Signed in Buffalo, 3 years, $10MM ($3.33MM AAV)
30. Radko Gudas – Ottawa Senators – 3 years, $10.5MM ($3.5MM AAV)
Another player who saw their stock rise from a playoff performance, rumors say Gudas could receive a longer-term commitment than expected for a 33-year-old physical defenseman. Still a very strong lockdown defender, Gudas is worth the money for his very unique blend of physicality and more-than-competent two-way play from a blueliner. He’s never scored more than six goals or 25 points in a season, but he’s got enough smarts to his game to not limit the offensive capabilities of those around him.
Signed in Anaheim, 3 years, $12MM ($4MM AAV)
31. Connor Brown – Columbus Blue Jackets – 1 year, $2MM + bonuses
Brown is one of the wild cards of this free agent class. The Capitals brought him over from Ottawa last summer, hoping he’d bolster their middle-six forward group and serve as a good replacement for Tom Wilson, who was set to miss part of the season with a torn ACL. Instead, the 29-year-old tore his ACL in just his fourth game, ending his year prematurely. Brown averaged 35 points over the six previous seasons and is a dependable defensive forward as well. Had he been healthy, he’d likely slot in a fair bit higher on this list, but the uncertainty around his injury hurt him in our voting. It’ll be interesting to see what type of impact that uncertainty has on general managers around the league.
Signed in Edmonton, 1 year, $775K + $3.225MM in bonuses
32. Erik Gustafsson – Buffalo Sabres – 2 years, $6MM ($3MM AAV)
Gustafsson went a long way toward repairing his reputation around the league this season, posting very solid numbers on both sides of the puck en route to his highest-scoring season since he had 60 points with the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2018-19. He averaged nearly 20 minutes per game this season across 70 games with the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs, notching seven goals and 42 points while not looking out of place wherever he played in the lineup. Questions about his year-to-year consistency remain, but he’ll be an intriguing option for a team looking to add some versatility to its defense.
Signed with New York Rangers, 1 year, $825K
33. Max Pacioretty – Carolina Hurricanes – 1 year, $2MM + bonuses
This past season was one to forget for the veteran. Given away to Carolina for free as a straight cap dump, Pacioretty tore his Achilles tendon in off-season training, resulting in a long recovery time. When he came back, he tore it again, ending his year after just five games. However, the 34-year-old has reached the 20-goal mark in seven of the last ten seasons, and if he’s healthy, Pacioretty has a good chance to do that once again. With the recent injury history, he’s a buy-low candidate with some upside.
Signed in Washington, 1 year, $2MM + $2MM in bonuses
34. Gustav Nyquist – Colorado Avalanche – 1 year, $3.25MM
The 33-year-old has had multiple severe shoulder injuries over the past few seasons, but a strong showing in nine games to end the season with the Minnesota Wild will cause a team looking for scoring depth to bite. Notching a goal and nine assists, Nyquist showed he’s still got solid playmaking ability but will need a more limited role. Teams expecting him to rebound to 60-point form will be disappointed, especially given the extremely high likelihood he won’t play all 82 games, but he’s got a few seasons left in the tank.
Signed in Nashville, 2 years, $6.37MM ($3.185MM AAV)
35. Pierre Engvall – New York Islanders – 3 years, $9MM ($3MM AAV)
After getting traded by the Maple Leafs in February, Engvall gave the Islanders an extra push to make the playoffs. He spent most of his time as an Islander on a line with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, which was by far their most consistent offensive force down the stretch. Engvall was a solid fit, bringing more offensive depth to a team that sorely needed it. General manager Lou Lamoriello already expressed his wishes to re-sign the Swedish winger, and there’s no reason to think it won’t happen.
Re-signed in New York, 7 years, $21MM ($3MM AAV)
36. Conor Sheary – Florida Panthers – 2 years, $6.3MM ($3.15MM AAV)
Sheary is a skilled depth player who seemed to find a career rebirth in Washington, recording back-to-back 15-goal seasons. With the Capitals looking for a retool, he could find his way elsewhere on the open market, especially as he’s in line to earn a bit of a raise on his previous AAV of $1.5MM. Wherever he lands, Sheary is a good two-way forward and a veteran with a good bit of playoff experience.
Signed in Tampa Bay, 3 years, $6MM ($2MM AAV)
37. Luke Schenn – Toronto Maple Leafs – 2 years, $3MM ($1.5MM AAV)
The 33-year-old former top-ten pick returned to the team that drafted him at this year’s trade deadline, looking like he never left. 2022-23 was some of Schenn’s best hockey in years, proving he can still stick around as a serviceable and effective bottom-pairing defenseman. His 22 points in 70 games actually tied a career-high, and he tacked on some spectacular defensive play in the postseason to boot.
Signed in Nashville, 3 years, $8.25MM ($2.75MM AAV)
38. David Kampf – Pittsburgh Penguins – 3 years, $7.5MM ($2.5MM AAV)
Kampf’s emerged as a premier shutdown center during his time with the Maple Leafs, winning more than 500 faceoffs in each of the past two seasons and seeing his ice time creep up to over 15 minutes per game. He’s become a solid bet for 20 to 30 points and is an ideal pivot for a defensively inclined third line, and he’d fill Pittsburgh’s largest problem area from last season. Expecting him to join the GM who brought him to Toronto in the first place is a rather reasonable prediction.
Re-signed in Toronto, 4 years, $9.6MM ($2.4MM AAV)
39. Antti Raanta – Carolina Hurricanes – 2 years, $6.6MM ($3.3MM AAV)
There are few that would argue against Raanta’s ability. He has found great results when he plays, recording a save percentage of over .900 in every season since 2014-15 and a collective .910 in the 67 games he’s played since 2021. But a long history of injuries has made Raanta into little more than an exciting backup option. He appeared in 27 games this season, battling with a groin injury in March and an illness in April that forced the Carolina Hurricanes to turn to Pyotr Kochetkov. There is a lot to like about Raanta, and his results are undeniable, but unless a team is feeling particularly risky, it’s unlikely he’ll find a starting net with a new team.
Re-signed in Carolina, 1 year, $1.5MM
40. Jesper Fast – Carolina Hurricanes – 2 years, $5MM ($2.5MM AAV)
Jesper Fast is not a high-end scorer, but he showed a penchant for some key goals throughout their run to the Eastern Conference Final. A capable defensive presence, you could do much worse for a dual-threat third-line winger. He’s scored 30 goals and 82 points in 208 games with Carolina over the past three years, and it’s a marriage both sides would be happy to extend at a fair price.
Re-signed in Carolina, 2 years, $4.8MM ($2.4MM AAV)
41. Brian Dumoulin – Colorado Avalanche – 3 years, $10.5MM ($3.5MM AAV)
Kris Letang‘s longtime partner could be looking for a new home this offseason, with Pittsburgh looking to make some roster overhauls. He’s maintained pretty consistent defensive play over the past few years, with his plus-minus rating in 2022-23 tanked by some unusually poor on-ice shooting percentage from his teammates (8.6%). He’s maybe better suited for a second- or third-pairing role as he gets up there in age, but would be a quality add for a team looking to get a competent shutdown defender.
Signed in Seattle, 2 years, $6.3MM ($3.15MM AAV)
42. Kevin Shattenkirk – Minnesota Wild – 2 years, $5MM ($2.5MM AAV)
While not a flashy option, Shattenkirk has stayed on NHL payrolls because of the serviceable, bottom-four reliability that he offers. The right-shot defender averaged just over 19 minutes per game with the Anaheim Ducks last season, filling in on both the penalty kill and power play when needed. While plagued by injury concerns throughout his career, Shattenkirk played in 82 games in 2021-22 and 75 games this season – losing seven games to various lower-body injuries – marking the most games he’s played over a two-year stretch in his entire career. If he really is past the injury plague, Shattenkirk will be a well-rounded and flexible defender for teams looking to complete their bottom pair.
Signed in Boston, 1 year, $1.05MM
43. Garnet Hathaway – St. Louis Blues – 4 years, $8MM ($2MM AAV)
Trade rumors have followed Garnet Hathaway for many years, but it wasn’t until this season that Washington sent away the bottom-six forward, including him as an additional piece in the blockbuster deal that sent Orlov to the Bruins. While he wasn’t too flashy in Boston, the team felt inclined to roster him in all seven of their playoff games, speaking to the attractive reliability that he offers on the fourth line. Boston also utilized Hathaway as a fallback option for the penalty kill, providing a small boost to his value heading into free agency. Every team wants a hardy, veteran presence in their bottom six, and Hathaway is a cheap way of finding it.
Signed in Philadelphia, 2 years, $4.75MM ($2.375MM AAV)
44. Justin Holl – Anaheim Ducks – 3 years, $9.75MM ($3.25MM AAV)
Holl’s been one of the more maligned players in recent Maple Leafs lore, thanks to some very visible and costly defensive miscues. Overall, though, he generally makes up for them in a quieter way and remains an effective mid-pair defender who can eat over 20 minutes per game. You know what you’re getting for his offensive production – he’s notched between 18 and 23 points the past four seasons. He falls below the similarly-rated Dumoulin on our list thanks to those defensive inconsistencies, although he is a bit more proficient offensively.
Signed in Detroit, 3 years, $10.2MM ($3.4MM AAV)
45. James van Riemsdyk – Vegas Golden Knights – 2 years, $5.5MM ($2.75MM AAV)
The 2007 second-overall pick is officially over the hill, recording just 12 goals and 29 points in 61 games with the Flyers last season. It may be buyer beware in case his decline exaggerates as he enters his mid-30s, but he could still absolutely be a capable third-line scoring winger with a much stronger team around him. The veteran of 14 seasons and 940 games is still looking for a Stanley Cup.
Signed in Boston, 1 year, $1MM
46. Ian Cole – Vancouver Canucks – 2 years, $4MM ($2MM AAV)
Cole quietly played a very important role for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022-23, picking up a lot of the slack for Ryan McDonagh after his departure. He excelled mightily in a shutdown role, averaging over 19 minutes per game, recording 17 points in 78 games and a +13 rating. He’s been linked to the Canucks on a multi-year deal by both Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal.
Signed in Vancouver, 1 year, $3MM
47. Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Tampa Bay Lightning – 2 years, $4.5MM ($2.25MM AAV)
A late (and perhaps surprising) entrant to the UFA market, which resulted in him not hitting all of our writers’ ballots, Ekman-Larsson isn’t the number one defenseman he was previously in Arizona. That resulted in him not living up to his contract, and eventually, Vancouver felt it was better to buy out the final four years of his deal. But that doesn’t mean he’s finished as an NHL defenseman. The 31-year-old is likely to be quite motivated, and in the right setting in a complementary role, he could be a nice under-the-radar addition this summer.
Signed in Florida, 1 year, $2.25MM
48. Zach Parise – New York Islanders – 1 year, $1.15MM
Parise’s given the Isles solid value after a massive buyout from the Minnesota Wild, providing good goal-scoring depth and veteran leadership. He’s played in all 82 games the past two seasons and scored 15 and 21 goals, respectively – he’s still got some left in the tank at age 38 (soon to be 39). It seems unlikely he’d have much of a desire to go anywhere else at this point, and there’s little reason to believe the Islanders wouldn’t be open to a reunion.
49. Nick Bjugstad – Boston Bruins – 3 years, $5.25MM ($1.75MM AAV)
Last summer, his market wasn’t the strongest after playing a very limited role in Minnesota. He signed a low-cost deal in Arizona with the idea of getting a bigger role to show he can still contribute. He did just that, picking up 17 goals, taking over 1,000 faceoffs, and averaging over two hits per game. Those are elements that many teams will want to see from their role players, and after a decent playoff showing with Edmonton, Bjugstad should have a much better market this time around.
Signed in Arizona, 2 years, $4.2MM ($2.1MM AAV)
50. Miles Wood – San Jose Sharks – 2 years, $5.2MM ($2.6MM AAV)
Wood had a somewhat disappointing season in 2022-23, but it may take him a while to get back to his previous form after missing nearly all of 2021-22 with injury. Now 27, Wood likely won’t ever be good for more than 35 points in a season, but he can be effective as a hard-nosed winger in a third-line role. He could land somewhere lacking forward depth, looking for more upward mobility that he won’t get by re-signing in New Jersey.
Signed in Colorado, 6 years, $15MM ($2.5MM AAV)