NHL Free Agency Tracker: Updating 2023’s Top 50 FAs
Grant White
Host · Writer
The NHL‘s free agency window officially opened on July 1, with a bevy of action on Day 1. This year’s crop of UFAs and RFAs isn’t particularly deep, meaning most of the contracts handed out came with short terms. Still, there are some noteworthy players still available.
These are SportsGrid’s Top 50 NHL free agents.
1) RW Patrick Kane (UFA)
Three-time Stanley Cup winner and former MVP Patrick Kane is still looking for a new home. Effectively, Kane forced the Blackhawks into trading him to the New York Rangers ahead of last year’s trade deadline. New York is tight against the cap and likely can’t offer Kane what he’s looking for, leaving the 34-year-old out in the cold.
2) RW Vladimir Tarasenko (UFA)
Another one of the Rangers’ prized trade deadline acquisitions remains unsigned a little over a week in free agency. If he’s willing to forego playing in the NHL, Vladimir Tarasenko could probably earn a lot more money returning home to Russia to play in the KHL.
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3) C/LW Trevor Zegras (RFA)
One of the unspoken rules in the NHL is not poaching players with offer sheets. Nevertheless, the Anaheim Ducks would be wise to ink their franchise centerpiece, Trevor Zegras, to a long-term deal. Zegras led the team in goals and points last season, and is due for a hefty pay increase.
4) RD Evan Bouchard (RFA)
Anyone could back the Edmonton Oilers into a corner by signing RFA Evan Bouchard. The Oilers are up against the wall in terms of cap space and need to carve out some money for one of their top rearguards.
5) C Patrice Bergeron (UFA)
He will not sign anywhere other than Boston. Still, Patrice Bergeron must decide if he’s returning for one more kick at the can.
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6) C David Krejci (UFA)
Likewise, David Krejci’s contract expired at the end of the 2022-23 campaign and the Czech forward is non-committal on a return. Krejci hasn’t averaged fewer than 0.69 points per game in any of the past five seasons.
7) C/RW J.T. Compher, Red Wings (5 Years, $25.5 Million)
J.T. Compher, a casualty of the Colorado Avalanche’s cap woes, was forced to find a new landing spot when free agency opened. Things turned out well for the former second-round pick, with Compher inking a five-year, $25.5 million deal in Motor City.
8) G Tristan Jarry, Penguins (5 Years, $26.875 Million)
Re-upping Stanley Cup-winning netminder Tristan Jarry was a top priority for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jarry was rewarded with a five-year deal, earning north of $5 million per season.
9) LW/RW Tyler Bertuzzi, Maple Leafs (1 Year, $5.5 Million)
Tyler Bertuzzi was nearly a point-per-game player after getting dealt to the Bruins, matching his pace from the year before. The Toronto Maple Leafs are paying him at that rate, but only on a one-year term to see how things go next to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
10) C Ryan O’Reilly, Predators (4 Years, $18 Million)
The Nashville Predators rolled the dice on a four-year contract with Ryan O’Reilly. The centerman plays a tough-nosed style, incompatible with success into your mid-to-late 30s. But that’s what the Preds are on the hook for with this signing.
11) RW/LW Alex Killorn, Ducks (4 Years $25 Million)
The Tampa Bay Lightning dynasty is starting to show cracks after Alex Killorn’s departure. Killorn had 25 or more goals in three of the past four seasons while being a prominent part of special teams.
12) RW/C Matt Duchene, Stars (1 Year, $3 Million)
A surprise buy-out ahead of free agency, Matt Duchene was free to sign anywhere in the league. He elected to ink a one-year bargain deal with the Dallas Stars to prove that he’s still got some magic left in his twig.
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13) RW/LW Tomas Tatar (UFA)
Tomas Tatar is arguably one of the game’s most underrated players. The 12-year veteran has never made an All-Star Game or won any awards but has sterling underlying metrics. Tatar put up a 57.4% Corsi rating and 62.8% expected goals-for percentage last year. Whatever he’s holding out for, he’s worth every penny of it.
14) G Ilya Samsonov (RFA)
The Maple Leafs are going for salary arbitration with their primary netminder. Ilya Samsonov shone in his first season in Toronto, going 27-10-5, with a career-best 91.9% save percentage. He’ll be asking for a pay raise, but there’s no guarantee the Leafs can afford it.
15) G Joonas Korpisalo, Senators (5 Years, $20 Million)
Goaltending was a noticeable shortcoming for an otherwise competitive Ottawa Senators squad. Needing to secure a primary goalie, the Sens may have overpaid to lure Joonas Korpisalo to the capital city.
16) LW/RW Jason Zucker, Coyotes (1 Year, $5.3 Million)
Only once in his 12-year career has Jason Zucker surpassed 48 points, which was back in 2017-18. Nevertheless, the Arizona Coyotes were willing to splurge on the winger, offering him $5.3 million to come play in a college arena in the desert.
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17) C/LW Max Domi, Maple Leafs (1 Year, $3 Million)
Max Domi has been a competent producer at every stop throughout his career. Still, he’s joining his seventh team after just nine years in the NHL. Maybe he will stick around Toronto a little longer, but he’ll have to earn anything more than a season.
18) LW Michael Bunting, Hurricanes (3 Years, $13.5 Million)
After falling out of favor with the Maple Leafs, Michael Bunting is off to Raleigh. He won’t have the supporting cast he’s used to, but he has three years to show he’s worth the transaction.
19) LD/RD Shayne Gostisbehere, Red Wings (1 Year, $4.125 Million)
The Detroit Red Wings leveled up this offseason. Included in that is Shayne Gostisbehere, who has 92 points over the last couple of seasons combined.
20) G Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes (2 Years, $6.8 Million)
Year after year, the Canes remain one of the best analytics teams in the league. They are running things back with their primary netminder, re-signing Frederik Andersen to a two-year pact.
21) C/LW Jonathan Drouin, Avalanche (1 Year, $825K)
Not sure how many more fresh starts Jonathan Drouin needs. If he can’t do it with the Colorado Avalanche, he can’t do it anywhere.
22) LW/RW Conor Sheary, Lightning (3 Years, $6 Million)
An unsuspecting secondary scorer, Conor Sheary, could be part of his best ensemble yet.
23) C/RW Morgan Geekie, Bruins (2 Years, $4 Million)
Surprisingly, the Seattle Kraken moved on from youngster Morgan Geekie this offseason. After not getting tendered a qualifying offer, Geekie was free to sign anywhere of his choosing. He’ll do just fine in Beantown.
24) RW/LW Connor Brown, Oilers (1 Year, $775K)
The Oilers found another winger to skate next to Connor McDavid, but Connor Brown comes at a discounted minimum.
25) LW/RW Alexander Kerfoot, Coyotes (2 Years, $7 Million)
Players are a function of their environment, and everyone thrives with the Maple Leafs. Alexander Kerfoot parlayed that into $7 million with the Arizona Coyotes. Although it’s unlikely he replicates his metrics from Toronto.
26) RD John Klingberg, Maple Leafs (1 Year, $4.15 Million)
Just last year, John Klingberg sought an eight-year, $50 million contract. He settled for a show-me deal with the Anaheim Ducks that didn’t pan out, signing for pennies on the dollar with the upstart Leafs.
27) RW/LW Pierre Engvall, Islanders (7 Years, $21 Million)
Another Leafs castoff, Pierre Engvall, was traded to the New York Islanders for a third-round pick. The Islanders must have liked what they saw from Engvall across those 18 games, signing him to the longest contract of free agency.
28) RD Matt Dumba (UFA)
Right-handed defensemen remain a commodity in the NHL, but teams are shying away from Matt Dumba. Last season, the former seventh-overall draft pick tallied a forgettable 14 points amid deteriorating analytics. Dumba has much to prove, and his next deal will reflect that.
29) G Laurent Brossoit, Jets (1 Year, $1.75 Million)
The writing was on the wall for Laurent Brossoit, who was part of a four-goalie rotation with the Vegas Golden Knights. He returns to a familiar landing spot, returning to the Jets.
30) RW/C Blake Wheeler, Rangers (1 Year, $800K)
Twelve underachieving seasons was enough for Blake Wheeler, who finagled a buy-out from the Jets. Once free, he signed a discounted deal to land with a top contender.
31) LW/RW Milan Lucic, Bruins (1 Year, $1 Million)
Milan Lucic returns to his former squad in what could only be considered a victory lap.
32) F Vladislav Namestnikov, Jets (2 Years, $4 Million)
A versatile forward that could play any position up front, Vladislav Namestnikov is trading away warm winters in the Sunshine State for the bitter cold the Winnipeg Jets have to offer.
33) C/LW Teddy Blueger, Canucks (1 Year, $1.9 Million)
Teddy Blueger had a disappointing campaign, fitting the Vancouver Canucks profile to a T.
34) LW/RW James van Riemsdyk, Bruins (1 Year, $1 Million)
Like several other notable free agents, James van Riemsdyk is trying to revive his career with the Bruins.
35) G Mackenzie Blackwood, Sharks (2 Years, $4.7 Million)
Formerly, Mackenzie Blackwood was a top goaltending prospect. Now, he has to revive his career with the San Jose Sharks.
36) C Lars Eller, Penguins (2 Years, $4.9 Million)
A depth center with scoring upside is precisely what the Pens need to kickstart a renaissance.
37) LD Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Panthers (1 Year, $2.3 Million)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson didn’t expect to become a free agent, but the Canucks had other plans. He made the most of his situation, joining the defending Eastern Conference Champions on a show-me deal.
38) C Jonathan Toews (UFA)
No one really knows whether Jonathan Toews will play hockey again, but if he does come back, a few teams have already expressed interest in the Conn Smythe-winning center.
39) LW/RW Alexis Lafreniere (RFA)
Former first-overall selection Alexis Lafreniere remains unsigned. Although he hasn’t panned out offensively, Lafreniere has been a decent middle-six forward for the Broadway Blueshirts.
40) C/RW Noel Acciari, Penguins (3 Years, $6 Million)
This is 100% a Kyle Dubas legacy signing. Dubas brought Noel Acciari in as part of the O’Reilly deal in Toronto this past season. Obviously, Dubas grew fond of Acciari, inking him to a three-year deal in Pittsburgh.
41) RW Phil Kessel (UFA)
A postseason benching isn’t stopping Phil Kessel from pursuing his iron-man streak next year. Still without a home, Kessel showed he has gas left in the tank last year, compiling 14 goals and 22 assists while playing in every game for the 13th straight season.
42) G Semyon Varlamov, Islanders (4 Years, $11 Million)
This deal has got to be a sun-downing moment for Lou Lamoriello. Semyon Varlamov is 35 years old and hasn’t started more than 29 games in any of the past two seasons.
43) RD Justin Holl, Red Wings (3 Years, $10.2 Million)
Justin Holl was a late bloomer, playing in just 13 NHL games before turning 28. Nevertheless, he earned a reputation as an above-average bottom-pairing defenseman, enticing the Red Wings.
44) LW/RW Klim Kostin, Red Wings (2 Years, $4 Million)
The Oilers couldn’t afford to re-sign Klim Kostin, and the Red Wings are better because of it.
45) RD Radko Gudas, Ducks (3 Years, $12 Million)
Somehow, the Ducks found $4 million to sign Gudas but can’t agree to terms with their best two restricted free agents.
46) LD Brian Dumoulin, Kraken (2 Years, $6.3 Million)
The Seattle Kraken built a contender but decided to make a few tweaks throughout their roster. Brian Dumoulin solidifies the backend, albeit with limited offensive upside.
47) RW/LW Garnet Hathaway, Flyers (2 Years, $4.75 Million)
It’s unlikely that Garnet Hathaway got nearly $5 million from any other team, but thankfully there are the Philadelphia Flyers.
48) RD Kevin Shattenkirk, Bruins (1 Year, $1.05 Million)
Kevin Shattenkirk’s tenure with the Ducks was an underwhelming one. However, he upgraded to the Bruins and will help them defend their crown as President Trophy winners.
49) LW Miles Wood, Avalanche (6 Years, $15 Million)
In cap hell, the Avalanche desperately needed to rebuild their bottom six. They got an adequate replacement at a bargain price; however, it cost them a little more on term.
50) C/RW Nick Bjugstad, Coyotes (2 Years, $4.2 Million)
The Coyotes found an infinite glitch. They traded away Nick Bjugstad this past season for a handful of pieces, only to re-sign him this off-season. If they could do this four or five more times, they might actually be able to build their squad into a competent product.
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