NHL’s Prime 12 UFAs of 2024: Newest rumours, experiences

Captains, Stanley Cup champs, top-pair defencemen, and elite scorers.

Sure, even with a number of franchise studs (Anze Kopitar, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Sebastian Aho, Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck) and key assist gamers (Noah Hanifin, Devon Toews, Gustav Forsling, Tom Wilson, Marcus Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, Dylan DeMelo, Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Eberle) signing pocket-padding extensions nicely earlier than deadline and avoiding the stress of free company, the NHL’s 2024 UFA class is an intriguing one.

And with the wage cap rising by $4.5 million — the primary vital bounce for the reason that pandemic — these spendy common managers could have much more cause to splash the pot on this summer season’s Johnny Gaudreau.

Right here’s a rundown and rating of hockey’s finest impending unrestricted free brokers, plus the newest buzz circulating about their future.

1. Sam Reinhart

Age on July 1: 28
Place: Proper wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $6.5 million

The most recent: Like Nylander, Reinhart chosen a wonderful season for one of the best one in all his NHL life.

Already a 20-goal man seven instances over, Reinhart was a beast in 2023-24, piling 57 objectives, 94 factors, and sniping the Cup-clinching purpose in Sport 7.

No surprise the Florida Panthers will take a severe run at extending the ahead’s Dawn days long-term.

“Sam has had a beautiful 12 months, and I’m proud and comfortable for him,” Panthers GM Invoice Zito advised The Athletic in April. “Fantastic achievement. I believe round 100 gamers all-time have (scored 50 objectives in a season). However I do know his focus is on profitable. Generally the contracts take time. That’s not essentially a nasty factor. I imagine we’ll discover the fitting contract for Sam and the Panthers. If he desires to be one of many prime 100 all-time scorers within the playoffs … that’s OK too.”

Reinhart is however one in all 13 pending free brokers on Zito’s roster, nevertheless, and RFA centre Anton Lundell additionally wants a elevate.

The Cats have the pliability to maintain many of the band collectively, supplied the core items are keen to take a hair much less and fall underneath an inside cap.

The means Reinhart accepting lower than leaders Aleksander Barkov ($10 million) and Matthew Tkachuk ($9.5 million). A profitable tradition, tax-free state, and balmy winter climate all assist issues.

The person would stir a bidding conflict if he hit the open market, however Reinhart says he “completely” desires to remain put and there’s a perception a contract is simply ready to be made official with the Panthers.

“It actually feels like Sam Reinhart, if not introduced, that’s occurring in Florida,” Elliotte Friedman stated on a 32 Ideas Podcast earlier than the draft. “All people thinks the Reinhart factor is finished, I assume round $9-$9.5M.”

2. Jake Guentzel

Age on July 1: 29
Place: Left wing / Proper wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $6 million

The most recent: Regardless of present process ankle surgical procedure final summer season, the harmful winger is one in all simply three pending UFAs who averaged greater than some extent per recreation.

No surprise the Carolina Hurricanes have been keen to commerce Michael Bunting plus a bundle of prospects and excessive conditional picks for Guentzel’s providers.

The market is wealthy for the two-time 40-goal man, with the L.A. Kings, Detroit Purple Wings, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and now, out of the blue, the Tampa Bay Lightning amongst groups after they unloaded Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot on Day 2 of the draft to open up extra cap area.

The place Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky had been hopeful an eight-year, $64 million deal would maintain Guentzel in Carolina, the market appears to have shifted with free company a day away.

“Final week Carolina knowledgeable (Guentzel) they’d be keen to match his ask about 8×8,” Elliotte Friedman stated on the newest 32 Ideas Podcast. “The market can change. Perhaps 8×8 was interesting to him on the time, however what when you hear there’s a workforce keen to do 7×9 or 7×9.5? Carolina’s a very good tax state, however Florida, the place the Lightning are based mostly, is a no tax state. The longer this takes and the nearer you get to free company the extra your thoughts wanders, the extra circumstances can change and I believe that’s what occurred right here.

“I believe proper now the workforce to beat for Guentzel is Tampa Bay.”

Be careful on Sunday for a doable Guentzel commerce, if Tampa or one other workforce within the operating desires to have a day of unique negotiations with him earlier than the market opens July 1.

3. Brandon Montour

Age on July 1: 30
Place: Defence
2023-24 wage cap hit: $3.5 million

The most recent: Very similar to teammate Reinhart, Montour had spent years elsewhere earlier than lastly discovering his finest match with Florida, the brand new Stanley Cup champs.

And like Reinhart, Montour got here into the season with zero safety or contract safety, however all indicators level to a willingness to increase a working relationship.

The offence-fuelling blue-liner loved a profession 12 months in 2022-23 (16 objectives, 73 factors) that sprung nearly out of nowhere.

Prudently, GM Zito was not in a rush to purchase Montour inventory on July 1, when it was at its highest. As an alternative, Florida’s entrance workplace selected endurance, ready to see how Montour’s shoulder responded from summertime surgical procedure.

Late to get operating, the right-shooting Montour didn’t gentle up the league once more, however he’s been stable (eight objectives and 25 assists in 66 video games).

Montour was a warrior within the ’23 and ’24 post-seasons. And puck-moving, right-shot defencemen of their prime aren’t precisely in abundance.

Zito took care of one other pending UFA D-man, Forsling, first, signing him to an eight-year extension at a $5.75-million cap hit. Montour will ask for extra.

“In the future at a time. My purpose is to attempt to maintain the core collectively,” Zito stated of Montour’s future on March 8. “On the identical time, be respectful that you understand folks should make particular person selections.”

However the sharks are circling ought to Montour hit the open market. The Utah Hockey Membership, for one, has already began re-shaping its blue line with draft weekend trades for Sergachev and John Marino, two of simply three blueliners underneath contract with the workforce. They’re nonetheless underneath the wage flooring by simply over $5 million, too.

A number of cash for aggressive new proprietor Ryan Smith to splash the desk with.

“Utah I nonetheless assume there are some individuals who imagine they’re going to be in on Brandon Montour if he hits the market,” Friedman stated.

After all, they gained’t be the one ones after the puck-moving blueliner, and you’ll’t depend out the Stanley Cup champs protecting him, even when he does make it to the open market.

4. Elias Lindholm

Age on July 1: 29
Place: Centre
2023-24 wage cap hit: $4.85 million

The most recent: Lindholm indisputably turned probably the most reliable centre headed towards the open market as soon as Matthews, Aho, and Scheifele re-signed final summer season, a undeniable fact that concurrently elevated the participant’s bargaining leverage and commerce worth.

Lindholm and the Flames took an earnest run at a contract extension, however when the participant’s ask exceeded Calgary GM Craig Conroy’s finances, it shortly turned clear that he’d be traded away.

Conroy secured a good bundle by renting Lindholm to the Canucks — a first-round decide, a conditional fourth-rounder, winger Andrei Kuzmenko, plus a pair defence prospects — however the two-way centre’s slot in Vancouver was initially underwhelming.

That Vancouver locked up Elias Pettersson long-term and gave the bag to Filip Hronek suggests there may be not sufficient finances to show Lindholm into greater than a pure rental.

On the commerce deadline, there have been even murmurs that Lindholm was being thought-about in a three-way flip commerce to the Boston Bruins that might then ship Guentzel to the Canucks as a substitute.

The centre’s inventory had been on decline, however a stellar post-season did wonders for his market worth.

As a lot because the Canucks loved his crucial contributions this Could, accommodating Lindholm’s elevate will likely be troublesome.

Cities that make sense as potential touchdown spots: Boston, Carolina (once more), Chicago, Utah, and San Jose.

5. Steven Stamkos

Age on July 1: 34
Place: Left wing / Centre
2023-24 wage cap hit: $8.5 million

The most recent: Stamkos was “upset” that Tampa Bay Lightning common supervisor Julien BriseBois didn’t a lot as entertain an extension for the all-time franchise chief in objectives, factors, and power-play objectives over the summer season. 

When issues began getting all the way down to the wire, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that Tampa tried to do one thing with Stamkos that they tried with Alex Killorn: provide a long-term deal to get him his cash, however with a smaller AAV. Killorn, after all, signed for 4 years and a $6.25 million AAV with Anaheim as a substitute. For Stamkos, LeBrun believed the same provide was for eight years and round a $3 million AAV. However that, too, is on monitor to finish with Stamkos testing the waters elsewhere.

“We’re each going to go forward and comply with by with our due diligence, seeing what’s on the market and seeing what’s finest,” Tampa GM Julien BriseBois stated following the conclusion of the draft. “My duty is to see what’s finest for the Lightning group, and Steven has to do what’s finest for him, his profession and his household. So, except one thing modifications between now and July 1 — and it doesn’t seem like it should — we’ll get to July 1.”

Issues might nonetheless change after Stamkos hits the open market, however with $16.5 million in cap area, Guentzel a reported goal, and Victor Hedman on monitor to get prolonged when he’s eligible on July 1 as nicely, the {dollars} are shortly drying up. Traditionally, it is a franchise that will get its gamers re-signed early, however after taking Stamkos to the wire the final time he was inches away from unrestricted free company in 2016, it’s occurring once more and, this time, might result in the No. 1 general decide from 2008 really placing on a unique sweater after a 40-goal season.

“They haven’t completed it with Stamkos twice now and even folks as good and well mannered as Stamkos are who’re fierce rivals, they’ve had sufficient and that’s the case right here,” Friedman stated.

There will likely be a whole lot of groups keen on speaking to Stamkos, however the Nashville Predators are one with probably the most noise round them.

6. Jonathan Marchessault

Age on July 1: 33
Place: Proper wing / Left wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $5 million

The most recent: The Conn Smythe–profitable Marchessault is an authentic Misfit integral to the defending champions’ off-ice tradition and on-ice success. Little question, in a cap-free world, the perimeters can be content material to increase their relationship past this season.

But one solely must look so far as Reilly Smith, GM Kelly McCrimmon’s 2023 cap casualty, to see the road between sentiment and enterprise.

“He’s a extremely essential chief, essential man in our dressing room, so there may be definitely a robust willingness from each side to have actual good discussions,” McCrimmon stated upon elimination.

McCrimmon will likely be hard-pressed to re-up Marchessault, centre Chandler Stephenson, and rental Anthony Mantha now that he’s locked up Noah Hanifin.

Nobody would blame the late-blooming Marchessault ($29 million in profession earnings) for pulling an Alex Killorn and taking one of the best provide accessible.

“We’ve had conversations with Vegas,” Marchessault’s agent Pat Brisson advised Pierre LeBrun. “Clearly July 1 is approaching. We’re at some extent clearly that if we had a deal, it might be introduced. So we don’t have one. So we’ll maintain having discussions.”

On the very least, neither facet has stated but that the participant is unquestionably going to market. Tick, tock.

Interviewing Marchessault in March, he made it clear that the worth of his subsequent contract motivated his efficiency. (He crushed a profession excessive in objectives, with 42.) So, too, was the prospect to win once more.

“I wish to give a very good future for my youngsters, proper? That’s what drives me, familywise,” stated the daddy of 4.

“However when you style profitable, it’s greater than a drug. We have been on such a excessive of emotion final 12 months, it’s one of the best feeling. You simply wish to maintain going in the direction of it. That’s what drives me. Additionally, my Cup day, I had a lot issues occurring. I wish to win once more, put it in my front room and do (expletive) all all day.”

On Could 28, Marchessault went public with frustration over the shortage of negotiations.

“I didn’t have a name but or something,” Marchessault advised the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal. “They stated they have been to positively re-sign me, and we’ll see. Technically they’ve time till June 30, so we’ll see the way it goes.

“The Golden Knights, they wish to be good yearly in order that they’re most likely taking a look at all their choices and doubtless checking what’s on the market.”

Marchessault wished to speak extension in 2023.

“I requested final summer season. I used to be like, ‘You realize what? I might moderately do it in the summertime earlier than the season.’ They usually stated they’re not prepared to do this. And after there’s not even a single discuss that occurred in the course of the season,” Marchessault stated.

7. Matt Duchene

Age on July 1: 33
Place: Centre / Proper wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $3 million

The most recent: A shock free agent in 2023 after getting purchased out by new Nashville GM Barry Trotz, Duchene signed with the Dallas Stars as a result of they “checked off each field.”

Having fun with higher matchups as a second-line centre and being surrounded by a extra full assortment of expertise, Duchene thrived in Huge D.

The 1,056-game veteran rebounded with a 65-point marketing campaign and helped push the Stars to the Western Convention Remaining.

With Chris Tanev traded to Toronto, there’s one much less pending UFA for GM Jim Nill to seek out room for underneath the cap. He nonetheless should accommodate raises for RFAs Thomas Harley and Sam Metal, however there may be rising perception that Duchene and the Stars are on the best way to extending their relationship.

Issues can nonetheless change in any negotiation, after all, however don’t be shocked if we strike Duchene’s title off this checklist a while on Sunday and substitute it with one other.

8. Brett Pesce

Age on July 1: 29
Place: Defence
2023-24 wage cap hit: $4.025 million

The most recent: Commerce rumours and Pesce had all the time gone collectively like fish and grits.

And now it seems the D-man will merely stroll out the door for nothing.

Rumblings that groups have been calling on the participant and/or the Hurricanes have been contemplating transferring him has grow to be an annual custom in Carolina — largely as a result of a right-shot, penalty-killing, shutdown defenceman with a steady monitor file is such a uncommon commodity.

Contemplating the offers given in 2023 to UFAs Vladislav Gavrikov and Damon Severson, Pesce must be taking a look at a long-term contract with a $6-million (plus?) AAV.

The participant is on file saying he’d welcome an extension with the membership that drafted him again in 2013. However with Guentzel, Martin Necas, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo, and Teuvo Teravainen all on expiring offers, Tulsky has loads of troublesome selections to make for his cash-conscious group.

Pesce seems to be pricing himself out.

The Predators, Maple Leafs and Devils have been among the many groups with reported curiosity, however whereas Nashville now may be gearing as much as chase Stamkos, and the Maple Leafs acquired Tanev in a commerce, the Devils have been the one one of many three who moved out a defenceman Saturday, buying and selling John Marino and his three-year, $4.4 million cap hit to Utah.

May that be to clear one proper handed shot defenceman for an additional?

“Marino being traded confirms what lots of people have anticipated for some time that Brett Pesce is heading to New Jersey,” Friedman reported Sunday.

9. Teuvo Teravainen

Age on July 1: 29
Place: Left wing / Proper wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $5.4 million

The most recent: The four-time 20-goal scorer routinely produces sturdy offensive numbers whereas taking part in reliable defence and staying out of the penalty field.

In late summer season, former GM Waddell advised Chip Alexander of the Raleigh Information & Observer that each one extension talks with Teravainen, Pesce and Skjei had silenced.

There’s definitely a wait-and-see vibe popping out of Carolina, a corporation recognized for its monetary prudence.

Teravainen framed this season as “a giant 12 months” for himself and the workforce and famous that “not an excessive amount of” extension talks have been had in-season.

Would he desire to re-sign?

“After all,” he stated, upon elimination. “I’ve had such a very good time right here with all these folks, and the workforce’s been superior. Every little thing is sweet right here, so hopefully I can keep. You by no means know. It’s type of a brand new state of affairs for me proper now.”

Teravainen’s abilities would complement many a prime six. If the Hurricanes don’t pay up, one other workforce will.

Sources say, he’s open to a recent state of affairs.

10. Tyler Toffoli

Age on July 1: 32
Place: Proper wing / Left wing
2023-24 wage cap hit: $4.25 million

The most recent: When New Jersey’s Tom Fitzgerald acquired Toffoli from the Flames within the low season, the Devils GM hoped the scoring winger would develop into greater than a one-year rental.

(In truth, Fitzgerald practically signed Toffoli within the 2020 low season, earlier than the Montreal Canadiens locked him up for 4 years and $17 million.)

So, sure, the prolific scorer and the workforce supposedly on the rise had mutual curiosity on an extension.

After which New Jersey’s losses started to outweigh its wins, prompting a deadline deal to all-in Winnipeg.

“We’re trying ahead to it,” Toffoli stated of he and his spouse, Cat Belanger. “We’re going to a different Canadian metropolis. There’s nothing higher than taking part in in a Canadian market. It’s a bizarre feeling, however on the identical time we’re excited. Winnipeg, the followers are very passionate. I’m excited to go there and maintain pushing for the playoffs and try to make a run there.”

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff additionally went deep with leases Sean Monahan and Colin Miller, plus held tight on three “personal leases,” but his Jets have been swift first-round fodder for Colorado.

The Toffoli file is one in all many Winnipeg should type by this summer season because the entrance workplace adjusts from one other playoff flop.

“There are going to be modifications,” Cheveldayoff stated. “Modifications are inevitable each low season. We have to come again 10 per cent higher. All people. By some means.”

11. Chandler Stephenson

Age on July 1: 30
Place: Centre
2023-24 wage cap hit: $2.75 million

The most recent: Very good within the spring of 2023, Stephenson piled up 20 factors in a middle-six minutes in the course of the Golden Knights’ 22-game Cup run and performed an integral function en path to his second championship ring.

The centreman’s manufacturing scuffled in 2023-24, nevertheless. Stephenson was a minus participant (dash-9) for the primary time in 5 seasons, and his 51 factors marked a three-year low.

That stated, the NHL’s demand for each centres and confirmed post-season performers stays sky excessive. The Purple Wings splashed $25.5 million at centre J.T. Compher in 2023’s free company, and his earlier finest was 52 factors.

Backside line: There will likely be a strong marketplace for the two-way Stephenson if he stays unsigned by July 1.

12. Brady Skjei

Age on July 1: 30
Place: Defence
2023-24 wage cap hit: $5.25 million

The most recent: Regardless of the top-four defenceman’s insistence that he’d love to stay in Carolina, Skjei’s profession season ought to value him out.

The versatile, all-situations lefty is snug taking part in the fitting facet and is coming off profession highs in each regular-season factors (47) and playoff factors (9).

“There hasn’t been a ton (of negotiating),” Skjei advised reporters as soon as the Hurricanes have been eradicated. “It’ll most likely decide up now earlier than July 1. Clearly, that is an unbelievable place. Nice folks right here, teaching employees, gamers, medical, all the pieces. It’s an unbelievable place to be. We’ll see what occurs.”

Skjei says he’s searching for a “truthful” provide.

“That’s the most important factor,” he stated. “We’ll see what that appears like.”

Seems prefer it might begin with a six on a long-term deal.

Extra notable UFAs in 2024: Jeff Skinner, Patrick Kane, Tyler Bertuzzi, Cam Talbot, Ilya Samsonov, T.J. Brodie, Adam Henrique, Sean Walker, Nikita Zadorov, Max Domi, Jake DeBrusk, Viktor Arvidsson, Blake Wheeler, Vladimir Tarasenko, Daniel Sprong, Alexander Barabanov, David Perron, Tyson Barrie, Jakub Vrana, Sean Monahan, Max Pacioretty, Tony DeAngelo, Tomas Tatar, Tyler Johnson, Jack Roslovic, Shayne Gostisbehere, Victor Olofsson, Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, John Klingberg, Chris Tanev, Pheonix Copley, Anthony Duclair, Pat Maroon, Anthony Mantha, James Reimer, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jonathan Drouin, Corey Perry, Alexander Wennberg, Jordan Martinook, Matt Roy, Jani Hakanpaa, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz, Joe Pavelski, Ryan Suter, Cam Atkinson.

All wage data through the indispensable CapFriendly.com.