Best Landing Spots for the 14 Best Remaining NHL Unrestricted Free Agents of 2025

14. Jan Rutta

Previous team: San Jose Sharks

Best fit: Tampa Bay Lightning

Projected Contracted: One year, $2 million

While a one-year deal for defenseman Jan Rutta is likely, a reunion with the Tampa Bay Lightning could be too. Rutta helped Tampa Bay to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2021 and 2022. After a few years out of town, including his best year since he was a rookie, the 34-year-old would be a strong add to the Lightning's thin defense corps. The team has just six defensemen signed as of July 21, with three of them set to be free agents next season. He would add a valuable right shot to a team that was the fourth-best in terms of goals allowed last year.

2. Matt Grzelcyk

Previous team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Best fit: San Jose Sharks

Projected Contracted: One year, $2.5 million

The Sharks badly need help on the left side of their defense, making Matt Grzelcyk a potential fit. He could slot into their second pairing and contribute on the power play, while also serving as a veteran presence for their young core. Grzelcyk proved this season he can still be effective on a non-playoff team, so a short-term deal with San Jose could make sense for both sides. The 31-year-old had career highs in points (40) and blocked shots (101) in 2024-25.

3. Victor Olofsson

Previous team: Vegas Golden Knights

Best fit: New York Islanders

Projected Contracted: Two years, $5.5 million

Victor Olofsson is often touted as a forward who won't blow you away at even strength because he lacks some defensive skill, but is great on the man advantage. The Islanders finished last season ranked 31st in the NHL in power play percentage (.126), and could use a player like Olofsson to strengthen their second unit. The 29-year-old missed 26 games last season due in part to lower body injuries, but he still scored 15 goals with six on the power play.

4. Max Pacioretty

Previous Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Best Fit: Detroit Red Wings

Projected Contracted: One year, $1 million

Max Pacioretty has battled a wild injury history to get to this point—a possible payday ahead of his age-37 season. After making the Maple Leafs off a PTO, he put up five goals and 13 points in 37 games while still battling injury woes. Now it might be time to settle down in Michigan, where he attended college, and where his family has been living. Beyond that, should he stay healthy, he could provide a veteran presence on Detroit's third line.

5. Evgeny Kuznetsov

Previous Team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Best Fit: New York Rangers

Projected Contracted: One year, $3.5 million

Evgeny Kuznetsov is trying to make his way back into the NHL after playing last season in the KHL, where he put up 12 goals and 37 points in 39 games. But it will be a tough sell for some NHL teams, considering some previous off-ice issues and that his contract has been terminated each of the past two hockey seasons. Nonetheless, the Rangers could provide the 33-year old with NHL minutes right away, without having to take an established center out of the lineup. Plus, Kuznetsov likely wont fetch a high price, ideal for a team strapped for cap space.

6. James Reimer

Previous team: Buffalo Sabres

Best fit: Montreal Canadiens

Projected Contracted: One year, $1.5 million

There are very few teams in the league looking to add a goalie this summer, but the Habs could pick up Reimer on an inexpensive one-year deal as security for their young tandem. Reimer put up a goals against average of 3.04 with a save percentage of 89.6% in 24 games between Anaheim and Buffalo. Numbers like that at age 37 could still warrant a competition for the number two spot on the depth chart.

7. Luke Kunin

Previous team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Best fit: Winnipeg Jets

Projected Contracted: Two years, $4.5 million

Winnipeg reportedly had interest in acquiring Luke Kunin at the trade deadline, but instead, he was traded to Columbus from San Jose. He'll likely be a fourth-line center, but scoring will have to come early for him to stay in the lineup consistently. In 12 games with the Blue Jackets after being traded, he had 0 points and was -4.

8. Ilya Samsonov

Previous team: Vegas Golden Knights

Best fit: Vegas Golden Knights

Despite a save percentage below 90.0%, Ilya Samsonov had a successful season as a backup with the Golden Knights. With Akira Schmid currently slotted as the backup behind Adin Hill, it seems like Samsonov would be able to remain as the number two option for the 2025-26 season. Plus, he has the experience as a starter that Vegas will need as a contender if Hill goes down with injury.

9. Joel Kiviranta

Previous team: Colorado Avalanche

Best fit: Seattle Kraken

Projected Contracted: Three years, $5.5 million

After going back-to-back years on one year, league minimum deals with Colorado, Joel Kiviranta finally had a surge in production at age 28. Last year he played the most games in a season to date (76) and put up career highs in goals (16) and points (23) while also being +15. Seattle would make sense as a destination for Kiviranta to fill out the bottom six. It's a group populated by young talent, but he could make a difference for the team offensively if he matches or exceeds his 2024-25 production.

10. Alexandar Georgiev

Previous team: San Jose Sharks

Best fit: Columbus Blue Jackets

Projected Contracted: Four years, $20 million

A stud in 2022–23 with 40 wins and a 91.9% save percentage for Colorado, Alexandar Georgiev’s drop-off has been steep. He got dealt to the lowly Sharks mid-season and posted a career-worst 87.5% save percentage. San Jose GM Mike Grier informed him in April that he wouldn’t be re-signed, and buzz around his next team has been quiet. With Elvis Merzlikins a likely trade candidate, the Bulgarian netminder could step in as Columbus' starter and bounce back as many are expecting him to. 

11. Craig Smith

Previous team: Detroit Red Wings

Best fit: Washington Capitals

Projected Contracted: One year, $2 million

Craig Smith is set to enter his age-36 season, likely to get another one-year deal like the last couple years. A reunion with the Washington Capitals, where he played 22 games in 2023, could be plausible. Washington is one of the only teams not seemingly set on their bottom six down the middle, leaving a potential opening for the 14-year NHL veteran.

12. Robby Fabbri

Previous team: Anaheim Ducks

Best fit: Edmonton Oilers

Projected Contracted: One year, $2.75 million

Robby Fabbri’s injury history has limited his impact in recent years, but he still brings skill and offensive upside. He’s expected to land a one-year deal worth under $2 million AAV, which is a cheap deal the Oilers can afford to bring him in on. The nine-year veteran posted eight goals and 16 points in 44 games this season and holds a career scoring rate just under 0.5 points per game. While durability remains a concern, he’s still capable of contributing in a third-line role and on the second power play.

13. Jakub Lauko

Previous team: Boston Bruins

Best fit: Philadelphia Flyers

Projected Contracted: One year, $3 million

Despite many predicting Jakub Lauko would be back with the Bruins next season, he wasn't given a qualifying offer, and therefore became a free agent. His gritty and energetic style of play make him a target for the Philadelphia Flyers, who are lacking on forwards (and cap space) heading into the 2025-26 season. The team has just 11 signed as of July 21, and only a few of those are centers. Lauko could fit in as a fourth-line center nicely with Philadelphia, even on a two-way contract. He had 11 points last season averaging just over 10 minutes of ice time between Minnesota and Boston.

14. Jan Rutta

Previous team: San Jose Sharks

Best fit: Tampa Bay Lightning

Projected Contracted: One year, $2 million

While a one-year deal for defenseman Jan Rutta is likely, a reunion with the Tampa Bay Lightning could be too. Rutta helped Tampa Bay to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2021 and 2022. After a few years out of town, including his best year since he was a rookie, the 34-year-old would be a strong add to the Lightning's thin defense corps. The team has just six defensemen signed as of July 21, with three of them set to be free agents next season. He would add a valuable right shot to a team that was the fourth-best in terms of goals allowed last year.