Captains, Cup champs, top-pair defencemen and elite scorers.
Yes, even with several franchise studs (Anze Kopitar, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Sebastian Aho, Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck) and key support players (Devon Toews, Gustav Forsling, Tom Wilson, Marcus Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, Sam Montembeault, Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Eberle) signing pocket-padding extensions before deadline and avoiding the stress of free agency, the NHL’s 2024 UFA class should be an intriguing one.
And with the salary cap expected to rise by $4.2 million — the first significant jump since the pandemic — those spendy general managers should have all the more reason to splash the pot on next summer’s Johnny Gaudreau.
Here’s a rundown and ranking of hockey’s best impending unrestricted free agents, plus the latest buzz circulating about their future.
Happy contract year, fellas. Get that stock up.
1. Sam Reinhart
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.5 million
The latest: Like Nylander, Reinhart has selected a fine season for the best one of his NHL life.
Already a 20-goal man seven times over, Reinhart has been a beast in 2023-24 and has already cracked 45 goals and 75 points.
No wonder the Florida Panthers will take a serious run at extending the forward’s Sunrise days long-term.
“Sam is a guy we would like to keep around,’’ GM Bill Zito told NHL.com. “I am thrilled with the production and very happy for him. He works awfully hard and does so many little things for our team.
“He is a great leader and is a great person. It has been fun to see him get off to this start. He’s a pretty good hockey player. Last year he was snake-bitten, but he is off to a great start.”
Reinhart is but one of nine pending free agents on Zito’s roster, however, and RFA centre Anton Lundell also needs a raise.
The Cats have the flexibility to keep the band together, provided the core pieces are willing to take a hair less and fall under an internal cap.
This means Reinhart accepting less than leaders Aleksander Barkov ($10 million) and Matthew Tkachuk ($9.5 million). A winning culture, tax-free state and balmy winter weather all help matters.
The man could stir quite a bidding war if he hit the open market, but Reinhart says he “absolutely” wants to stay put.
“That’s obviously the goal — that’s from both sides. We both made that clear. So, time will tell, but that’s Option A for sure,” says Reinhart, whose extension talks remain ongoing.
If things get settled in-season, great. If the hard negotiating waits until after what the forward hopes is another long playoff run, that’s fine too.
“We’re both comfortable with where we’re at. We’re both trying to ultimately win a Stanley Cup this year, and that’s where our focus is mainly,” says Reinhart, who wants term.
“We both know where each other stands. We both know we want to get something done. And we’re both comfortable with how it’s going, so it’s not distracting me by any means. And I think when you’re trying to build something we’re trying to in Florida, some things take time.”
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Left wing / Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million
The latest: Despite Guentzel’s off-season ankle surgery, the dangerous winger is the only pending UFA other than Reinhart averaging more than a point per game this season.
No wonder the contending Carolina Hurricanes were willing to trade Michael Bunting plus a package of prospects and high conditional picks for Guentzel’s services, recent injuries be damned.
“There are times that you have to make a move to reward what you’ve been doing, and we felt this year was good timing for us to do that,” Hurricanes GM Don Waddell told The Athletic.
“We’re not typically a rental-type team, but this just fits us so well. When you can make something fit and you can get it without giving up the pieces, where you feel good about where your depth is, I think you put that all together and it makes sense for us to move forward.”
Waddell has 11 roster players on expiring contracts; his 2024-25 roster will look different.
Whom he tries to keep in the fold will depend on how his players perform in the postseason.
As for Guentzel, let’s see how much the 40-goal man enjoys the fit and who else makes offers. He’ll be in great demand in free agency, just as he was at the deadline.
Sniper Patrik Laine’s contract ($8.7 million times four years) may be a suitable comparable for Guentzel, who is speeding toward a payday — be it from Carolina or elsewhere.
Age on July 1: 30
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3.5 million
The latest: Much like teammate Reinhart, Montour had spent years elsewhere before finally finding his best fit with Florida, the reigning Eastern Conference champs.
And like Reinhart, Montour came into the season with zero protection or contract security, but all signs point to a willingness to extend a working relationship.
The offence-fuelling blueliner is coming off a gaudy career year (16 goals, 73 points) that sprung almost out of nowhere.
Prudently, GM Zito was not in a rush to buy Montour stock on July 1, when it was at its highest. Instead, Florida’s front office chose patience, waiting to see how Montour’s shoulder responded from summertime surgery.
Late to get running, the right-shooting Montour hasn’t lit up the league like he did in 2022-23, but he’s been solid (six goals and 19 assists through 49 games played).
Remember, he was a warrior in the ’23 postseason. And puck-moving, right-shot defencemen in their prime aren’t exactly in abundance.
Zito took care of another pending UFA D-man, Forsling, first, signing him to an eight-year extension at a $5.75-million cap hit. Montour will command more.
“One day at a time. My goal is to try to keep the core together,” Zito said of Montour’s future on March 8. “At the same time, be respectful that you know people have to make individual decisions.”
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.85 million
The latest: Lindholm indisputably became the most dependable centre headed toward the open market once Matthews, Aho, and Scheifele re-signed in the summer, a fact that simultaneously increased the player’s bargaining leverage and trade value.
Lindholm and the Flames took an earnest run at a contract extension, but when the player’s ask exceeded Craig Conroy’s budget, it became clear early that he’d be traded away.
Conroy secured a decent package by renting Lindholm to the Canucks — a first-round pick, a conditional fourth-rounder, winger Andrei Kuzmenko, plus a couple of defence prospects — but the two-way centre’s fit in Vancouver has been underwhelming at best.
That Lindholm only had seven points and was a minus player through his first 17 games in his new sweater, and that Vancouver was able to lock up Elias Pettersson long-term, suggests Lindholm is a pure rental.
At the trade deadline, there were even murmurs that Lindholm was being considered in a three-way flip trade to Boston that would send Guentzel to the Canucks instead.
The centre’s stock is on decline, but a stellar turn in the post-season would still do wonders for his value on the open market. He’s heading there, to be sure.
5. Noah Hanifin
Age on July 1: 27
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.95 million
The latest: The Flames were close to locking up their top-four, left-shot defenceman in late October, according to multiple reports, before negotiations stalled and both sides took a breath.
Then, eventually, a permanent break.
The extension that didn’t happen was for eight years and $60 million ($7.5 million AAV), per Pierre LeBrun.
By holding some trade protection, Hanifin was able to steer his trade destination south and warm. Tampa Bay was a potential landing spot, but Vegas make the successful pitch and bulked up its already formidable blueline for a championship repeat bid.
“I was never holding the Flames hostage,” said the left-shot defenceman told colleague Eric Francis.
“That was one of the more difficult things to hear towards the end because I personally felt I was never doing that.
“Talking to Connie, I don’t think either side felt that.”
The Golden Knights have a series of high-profile UFAs and won’t keep all of them. Still, there is mutual interest in making Hanifin more than a rental.
“I felt I should give Calgary a list of teams I would sign with, and then it got out there I was holding the team hostage and would only sign with one team,” Hanifin said. “I wasn’t ever going to sign an extension just anywhere in the league.
“I don’t think any player in the NHL would do that.”
Age on July 1: 34
Position: Left wing / Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $8.5 million
The latest: Stamkos was “disappointed” that Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois didn’t so much as entertain an extension for the all-time franchise leader in goals, points, and power-play goals over the summer.
Since BriseBois was already willing to sit on this touchy subject until the off-season, surely Stamkos’s solid start (he’s tracking another 80-point season) and the club’s middling one haven’t changed matters.
The Bolts have already committed more than $75 million toward 2024-25’s salary cap. Even if the sides want to continue the relationship, Stamkos will be asked to take a pay cut.
“I mean, there’s not much that can be done,” Stamkos reasoned in November. “We said what we needed to say. “Everyone understands where everyone’s at and will continue to play hard.”
Is Stamkos drawing extra motivation from his unsettled contract situation?
“No, I don’t think so,” he replied. “Listen, if you need motivation in other ways, then you’re probably not playing for the right reason, right? I’m going out there trying to perform every single night. Whether you have eight years left on your deal or you got half a year left on your deal, it doesn’t change my mindset. I think that’s been a pretty easy thing for me to not think about.”
With the Lightning scrapping for a wild-card spot, BriseBois came out well before the trade deadline and promised fans that his captain will not be traded.
What he did not promise, however, is that Stamkos will be re-signed.
If he really wants to stay, Stamkos will be pressed to accept a team-friendly discount. Again.
Age on July 1: 33
Position: Right wing / Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $5 million
The latest: Everything seems status quo with the Vegas Golden Knights and the franchise’s lone Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
Marchessault is an original Misfit integral to the defending champions’ off-ice culture and on-ice success. No doubt, in a cap-free world, the sides would be content to extend their relationship beyond this season.
Yet one only need to look as far as Reilly Smith, GM Kelly McCrimmon’s 2023 cap casualty, to see the line between sentiment and business.
“There are no negotiations that have been done. I know that sometimes the Golden Knights like to take their time with that. We will see what it will give,” Marchessault told TVA Sports over the summer.
McCrimmon will be hard-pressed to re-up Marchessault, centre Chandler Stephenson, and rentals Anthony Mantha and Hanifin unless “hometown” discounts come into play, and no one would blame the late-blooming Marchessault ($29 million in career earnings) for pulling an Alex Killorn and taking the best offer available.
Interviewing Marchessault in March, he made it clear that the value of his next contract is motivating his performance. (He’s already crushed a career high in goals, with 35.) So, too, is the chance to repeat.
“I want to give a good future for my kids, right? That’s what drives me, familywise,” says the father of four.
“But once you taste winning, it’s more than a drug. We were on such a high of emotion last year, it’s the best feeling. You just want to keep going towards it. That’s what drives me. Also, my Cup day, I had so much things going on. I want to win again, put it in my living room and do (expletive) all all day.”
8. Matt Duchene
Age on July 1: 33
Position: Centre / Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3 million
The latest: A surprise free agent in 2023 after getting bought out by new Nashville GM Barry Trotz, Duchene signed with the Dallas Stars because they “checked off every box.”
Seeing better matchups as a second-line centre and being surrounded by a more complete collection of talent, Duchene has thrived in Big D.
The 1,000-game veteran bested last season’s total production with six months to go, and the all-in Stars are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Surely, there will be interest in extending the relationship since Duchene has been a smart fit. But fellow forwards Ty Dellandrea (RFA), Sam Steel (RFA), and the ageless Joe Pavelski (UFA) are also building a case for a raise.
We’ll see how this plays out, but there is no question Jim Nill scooped up Duchene at a bargain. And no question that a proven centre of Duchene’s calibre will have more suitors this time around.
9. Brett Pesce
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.025 million
The latest: Trade rumours and Pesce go together like fish and grits.
Rumblings that teams are calling on the player and/or the Hurricanes are considering moving him has become an annual tradition in Carolina — largely because a right-shot, penalty-killing, shutdown defenceman with a stable track record is such a rare commodity.
Once again, the Hurricanes appear destined for a serious playoff run. And once again, the puck is going into the opponents’ net when Pesce is on the ice, despite a heavy load of D-zone starts and tough matchups.
Considering the deals given in 2023 to UFAs Vladislav Gavrikov and Damon Severson, Pesce should be looking at a long-term contract with a $6-million (plus?) AAV.
The player is on record saying he’d welcome an extension with the club that drafted him back in 2013, but with Guentzel, Martin Necas, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo, and Teuvo Teravainen all on expiring deals, GM Don Waddell has plenty of difficult decisions to make for his cash-conscious organization.
Pesce may well be pricing himself out. And if he does hit the open market, the Maple Leafs will be one of many teams lining up.
10. Teuvo Teravainen
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Left wing / Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $5.4 million
The latest: The four-time 20-goal scorer routinely produces strong offensive numbers while playing dependable defence and staying out of the penalty box.
In late summer, GM Waddell told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer that all extension talks with Teravainen, Pesce and Skjei had silenced, but that the executive wasn’t concerned.
There is certainly a wait-and-see vibe coming out of Carolina, an organization known for its financial prudence. (Heck, the Hurricanes are letting an excellent coach in Rod Brind’Amour run out his contract year, too.)
Teravainen has framed this season as “a big year” for himself and the team. His skill-set would complement many a top six. If Waddell doesn’t pay up, another GM will.
11. Tyler Toffoli
Age on July 1: 32
Position: Right wing / Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.25 million
The latest: When New Jersey Devils’ Tom Fitzgerald acquired Toffoli from the Flames in the off-season, the GM hoped the scoring winger would grow into more than a one-year rental.
(In fact, Fitzgerald nearly signed Toffoli in the 2020 offseason, before the Montreal Canadiens locked him up for four years and $17 million.)
So, yes, the prolific scorer and the team supposedly on the rise had mutual interest in an extension.
And then New Jersey’s losses began to outweigh its wins, prompting a deadline deal to all-in Winnipeg.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Toffoli said of he and his wife, Cat Belanger. “We’re going to another Canadian city. There’s nothing better than playing in a Canadian market. It’s a weird feeling, but at the same time we’re excited. Winnipeg, the fans are very passionate. I’m excited to go there and keep pushing for the playoffs and try and make a run there.”
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff also went deep with rentals Sean Monahan and Colin Miller, plus held tight on three “own rentals.”
The Toffoli file seems destined to be sorted out after the post-season.
12. Dylan DeMelo
Age on July 1: 31
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3 million
The latest: Cheveldayoff’s early-December extension for Niederreiter helped turn attention to another impending UFA on the Winnipeg Jets.
The contributions of right-shot DeMelo are relatively unsung, but he is eating top-pair minutes on a good squad and is one reason why partner Josh Morrissey is free to create at the other end.
For a top-pairing defenceman, DeMelo is on a sweetheart of an expiring contract and is in line for a significant raise.
He acknowledges his bargaining power has never been stronger.
He kills penalties, is an important cog of the NHL’s stingiest defensive team, and is producing points and tilting the ice at a career rate.
What team couldn’t use a guy like DeMelo?
During my late-January interview with him, DeMelo said “there hasn’t been many talks” between he and the Jets on an extension. Only a general discussion to see what the sides are thinking.
DeMelo sounds genuinely eager to stick in Winnipeg, though.
“I would love to stay, absolutely. There’s no doubt,” he said. “If it works out, I’d be more than willing to sign and be here for whatever it is, how many years. I really do think this group has something special, and it’s something I’d love to be a part of.”
Morrissey wastes no time making his pitch for Cheveldayoff to re-sign his partner:
“That’s where my vote stands. I understand it’s a business. I’ve been around the game long enough to know there’s so many variables at play for teams and players, but certainly I love playing with him. I think he’s really allowed me to take the next step in my game, just with our partnership. And I just think he’s a great player, a great teammate, a great guy in the locker room, so I sure hope he’ll stick around for a long time going forward.”
More notable UFAs in 2024: Patrick Kane, Chandler Stephenson, Tyler Bertuzzi, Cam Talbot, Ilya Samsonov, Joe Pavelski, 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, Brady Skjei, Matt Dumba, John Klingberg, Chris Tanev, Pheonix Copley, Anthony Duclair, Pat Maroon, Anthony Mantha, James Reimer, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jonathan Drouin, Anthony Manta, Corey Perry, Alexander Wennberg, Jordan Martinook, Matt Roy, Tyler Myers, Jani Hakanpaa, Marc-Andre Fleury, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz
All salary info via the indispensable CapFriendly.com.
