After a few chaotic years, the 2023 NHL free agency period is finally back on its usual day: July 1.
On Saturday, the NHL’s free agency period will open to all 32 teams, officially ushering in the start of summer season for hockey. With the Stanley Cup awarded and the 2023 NHL Draft still ongoing, free agency is the last big event of the hockey calendar until players hit the ice for training camp in the fall.
This year, the 2023 free agency class is a bit weaker than usual. While there is talent to be had, there are not as many superstar players up for grabs as there have been in the past. At the very least, that means NHL general managers will likely have to get creative in the form of trades to spice things up this summer.
With 12 p.m. ET on July 1 come and gone, here are the top 20 UFAs headed to market that you should watch out for.
MORE NHL:
- 2023 NHL Free Agency live tracker: Catch up on all the major signings
- 2023 NHL Draft tracker: Grading every pick in the first round
- The NHL Draft 2023 winners (Blue Jackets and Flyers) and losers (no trades?) from the first round
1
F Ryan O'Reilly, Toronto Maple Leafs
In a perfect world, the Maple Leafs would find a way to keep Ryan O’Reilly after his key contributions to the team’s first playoff series victory in 19 years. Alas, with a stagnant salary cap, O’Reilly now looks to greener — and more lucrative — pastures in free agency. After putting up 16 goals and 30 points in 53 games last season, O’Reilly leads this summer’s free agency class as the best all-around forward despite a down year due to injury.
Plus, as a center, his talents will be highly sought after by teams looking for a dependable down-the-middle talent and a leader in the locker room.
Update: The Predators have signed O’Reilly to a four-year deal.
Ryan O'Reilly to Nashville
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
2
D Dmitry Orlov, Boston Bruins
Dmitry Orlov is set to get a big pay day this summer after joining the Bruins roster as a trade deadline acquisition. The soon-to-be 32-year-old defenseman is a solid top-four blue liner who can chew up lots of minutes while also putting up a fair share of points as well.
Orlov may not get the seven-year deal he was looking for from his previous team, the Washington Capitals, this offseason, but he’ll be in high demand as the best defenseman of this free agency class.
Update: The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Orlov to a two-year deal.
Hearing #LetsGoCanes are signing Dmitry Orlov, the No. 1 player on the board, to a 2-year deal just under $16 million total.@DailyFaceoff @CapFriendly
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
3
F Vladimir Tarasenko, New York Rangers
The Rangers made the biggest splash at the 2023 NHL trade deadline, yet it’s hard not to feel disappointed by the end result. After building quite the super team with Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane at the deadline, the Rangers unceremoniously lost in the first round of the playoffs. Still, free agency should be a good fresh start for Tarasenko, as the high-octane sniper still has some juice left in him as a good secondary scorer in a team’s top-six.
Tarasenko may not get the pay bump he wants, but his services will definitely be of use to a team looking for some extra offense.
4
F Tyler Bertuzzi, Boston Bruins
Tyler Bertuzzi did all he could for the Bruins in the postseason, posting five goals and 10 points in seven playoff games. Even though the Bruins weren’t able to progress into the second round, Bertuzzi’s acquisition at the trade deadline certainly elevated the team’s performance.
After a solid showing in the postseason, Bertuzzi sits as one of the top forwards on the free agent market this summer for a team looking for some offensive punch in their top six. If healthy, Bertuzzi can no doubt hit the 20-plus goal plateau he’s managed three times so far in his career.
Update: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Bertuzzi to a one-year deal.
🖊 We’ve signed forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a one-year contract pic.twitter.com/T8PLhhOqRP
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 2, 2023
5
F Patrick Kane, New York Rangers
Buyers may be wary on Patrick Kane headed into the 2023-24 season due to the forward undergoing offseason hip surgery. With a four to six month recovery period, it’s hard to say if Kane will be ready to start the regular season, but there will no doubt be interest in the forward from all across the NHL this summer.
Kane will have a lot to prove, however, as his numbers from his time with the Rangers — five goals and 12 points in 19 games — were well behind his pace earlier in the season. Still, Kane is only one season removed from a 92-point year back in 2021-22 and will still be of use to a team in the playoff hunt.
6
D John Klingberg, Minnesota Wild
Right-handed defensemen are always a hot commodity in the NHL and teams looking to bolster their blue line will likely look John Klingberg’s way this offseason. In 67 games last season, Klingberg had 10 goals and 33 points during his time in Anaheim and Minnesota while also averaging over 20 minutes a night as well. Klingberg shouldn’t be relied upon as a team’s No. 1 blue liner, but he’s a more than capable offensive defenseman who can have success in a top-four role.
Update: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Klingberg to a one-year deal.
John Klingberg’s deal with #LeafsForever is 1 year.@DailyFaceoff @CapFriendly
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
7
F Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
It’s still a mystery as to whether or not Patrice Bergeron will retire from the NHL after a 19-year career with the Boston Bruins. If Bergeron does hit the free agent market this summer, he’ll instantly become one of the premier players of the class due to his status as the best defensive forward of this generation. We’re doing our due diligence by putting him on this list as an upcoming free agent, but Bergeron’s future is currently uncertain and can change at any moment.
8
G Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
There are a lot of goaltenders set to become free agents this summer, but Frederik Andersen is likely the best of the bunch. Andersen had a down year last year (.903 save percentage but a 21-11-0 record), yet was only just off the mark of the NHL’s average save percentage this season. The Hurricanes’ second netminder — Antti Raanta — is also set to become a free agent, but was the better goaltender this season for them and has the higher possibility of being re-signed.
Update: The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed Andersen for a two-year deal.
Frederik Andersen 2x$3.4 to return to Carolina
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
9
F Max Pacioretty, Carolina Hurricanes
Max Pacioretty’s stock has unfortunately fallen out of favor with general NHL fans due to some terrible injury luck. When healthy, Pacioretty is quite the talented hockey player that could instantly boost a team’s offense if he’s able to return to form. Given Pacioretty’s injury history and unsure status for the start of the upcoming season, he should be available for cheap in free agency on a prove-it contract. Low risk but possibly high reward.
Update: The Washington Capitals have signed Pacioretty to a one-year deal.
Hearing Max Pacioretty is going to #AllCaps: 1 year x $2 million plus another $2 million to earn in potential bonuses.@DailyFaceoff @CapFriendly
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
10
F Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penguins
It’s been a rough road recently for Jason Zucker, but the forward bounced back quite nicely in 2022-23 with 27 goals and 48 points for the Penguins. Given Pittsburgh’s recent trade to acquire Reilly Smith, Zucker feels like the odd man out on this Penguins squad now. Still, Zucker will likely find himself a good home this offseason as a secondary scoring option.
Update: The Arizona Coyotes have signed Zucker to a one-year deal.
Zucker is 1x$5.3M to the Coyotes
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
11
F Michael Bunting, Toronto Maple Leafs
While Michael Bunting is not a big name superstar player, he’s been quite the important piece for the Maple Leafs these last few years. A 20-plus goal scorer with stellar defensive metrics, Bunting’s bread and butter is his nose for the puck and his tenacious attitude on the ice. You will not see Bunting getting power play time, but his impact at even strength more than makes up for that deficit.
Update: The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Bunting to a three-year deal.
Carolina finalizing signing of Micheal Bunting, three years and $4.5M AAV per season@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
12
F Alex Killorn, Tampa Bay Lightning
Alex Killorn has been a key contributor to the Lightning’s success these last few years and has been criminally underpaid while doing so. Coming off a seven-year, $31.15 million deal that came out to $4.45 AAV per year, Killorn will no doubt be looking for a raise this offseason. It seems as if Tampa Bay won’t be able to give Killorn his due with the tight salary cap, but the Lightning will no doubt miss his offensive spark should the forward test the free agent waters instead.
Update: The Anaheim Ducks have signed Killorn to a four-year deal.
Killorn agrees with Anaheim to four-year deal x $6.25M AAV https://t.co/3l7I60itYS
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
13
G Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins
New President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas no doubt wants to put his own stamp on the Penguins this summer. One way the Penguins will look to improve their roster is by upgrading at the goaltending position, which would likely leave Tristan Jarry on the outs. While Jarry’s been a true workhorse for the Penguins in his career, starting 30-plus games in each of his last four seasons, there’s no real indication that the netminder could high higher peaks than an average starting NHL goaltender.
Update: The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed Jarry to a five-year deal.
The Penguins have agreed to terms with goaltender Tristan Jarry on a five-year contract.
The deal begins in the 2023.24 season and runs through the 2027.28 campaign, carrying an average annual value of $5.375 million.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 1, 2023
14
F J.T. Compher, Colorado Avalanche
After a breakout season posting the best numbers of his career (17 goals and 52 points), J.T. Compher is no doubt looking for a raise this summer after making $3.5 million a year for the last four. Billed as a solid two-way center, Compher will likely pick up interest from teams looking for some middle-six depth with a surplus of playoff experience.
Update: The Detroit Red Wings have signed Compher to a five-year deal.
#LGRW sign J.T. Compher: 5 years x $5.1 million.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
15
D Shayne Gostisbehere, Carolina Hurricanes
Shayne Gostisbehere’s style of play certainly won’t win defensive awards, but he is for sure one of the best offensive defensemen available this summer. Gostisbehere has found success in the past playing sheltered minutes — he only averaged 17 minutes of ice time in 23 games with the Hurricanes — while also picking up time on the power play where he can really flex his playmaking skills.
Update: The Detroit Red Wings have signed Gostisbehere to a one-year deal.
Not sure if this is out there but as I sip on my beer, Gostisbehere signs one year, $4.125 M in Detroit 🍺
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2023
16
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Vancouver Canucks
After being bought out by the Canucks from his massive eight-year, $66 million contract, Oliver Ekman-Larsson will hit the free agent market this summer. If properly utilized as a middle-pairing offensive defenseman and given sheltered minutes, Ekman-Larsson could be a good pick up for added depth on the blue line.
Update: The Florida Panthers have signed Ekman-Larsson to a one-year deal.
1x$2.25M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
17
F Max Domi, Dallas Stars
Given Max Domi’s rough and tumble style of hockey, there will always be teams inquiring after his services. In 2022-23, however, Domi broke out in a big way, posting 20 goals and 56 points between Chicago and Dallas. Plus, Domi had a real solid postseason, with 13 points in 19 games. There’s always the risk that Domi won’t live up to the highs he set last season, but he’s certainly due for a sizable paycheck this summer.
Update: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Domi to a one-year deal.
🖊 We’ve signed forward Max Domi to a one-year contract
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 3, 2023
18
D Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche
Erik Johnson will likely end his reign as the longest-tenured Denver athlete this summer when he tests free agency. The defenseman still has some legs in him as a depth two-way blue liner if put in the right situation. There’s also the possibility that Johnson retires this summer as well, possibly hanging up his skates after 15 seasons in the NHL.
Update: The Buffalo Sabres have signed Johnson to a one-year deal.
The Sabres have signed defenseman Erik Johnson to a one-year contract worth $3.25 million. pic.twitter.com/aFpfhHxc2G
— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) July 1, 2023
19
F James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers
After the Flyers failed to trade James van Riemsdyk by the deadline, the forward is set to walk for nothing as free agency begins. Van Riemsdyk’s days as a high profile scorer and point producer may be behind him, teams will certainly be taking a look at the forward as a cheap depth option on a short deal.
Update: The Boston Bruins have signed van Riemsdyk to a one-year deal.
Hearing #NHLBruins are closing in on adding James van Riemsdyk 1 year x $1 million.
They've got a few other veterans in the mix today on inexpensive deals.@DailyFaceoff
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 1, 2023
20
D Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
Rounding out this list is Matt Dumba, the long-time defenseman from the Wild. Dumba’s name was on the block at the trade deadline, but the Wild decided not to move on from the veteran. Now, Dumba will certainly attract attention from teams looking to add right-handed depth to their blue line.
