Captains and Cup champs. Top-pair defencemen and elite playmakers. All-world goalies and 50-goal chasers.
Yes, even with several franchise studs (Leon Draisaitl, Sidney Crosby, Victor Hedman, Carter Verhaeghe, Travis Konecny, Linus Ullmark) and key support players (Adam Larsson, Esa Lindell, Matt Duchene, Pavel Buchnevich, Joey Daccord) signing pocket-padding extensions way before deadline and avoiding the stress of free agency, the NHL’s 2025 UFA class sets up to be an intriguing one.
And with the salary cap projected to rise by another $4.5 million — to $92.5 million — those spendy general managers should have even more budget to splash the pot on the next Steven Stamkos or Jake Guentzel to test the open waters.
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. Make ’em pay.
1. Mikko Rantanen
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing / Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $9.25 million
The latest: Coming in hot off 105- and 104-point seasons, Rantanen is looking every bit like a star the Colorado Avalanche must re-sign long-term.
That said, there is a significant gap between the power forward’s initial ask and how much the team is willing to commit before getting clarity on injured captain Gabriel Landeskog’s health.
GM Chris MacFarland set the high bar for the club’s internal cap structure when he re-upped MVP Nathan MacKinnon for $12.6 million per season.
Because the league’s cap will have jumped twice since MacKinnon’s deal kicked in, Rantanen — one of the best power forwards and playoff performers in the sport — deserves to get near that figure.
Rantanen has a Cup ring and 101 points in 81 post-season appearances.
“No concern about it going into the season. These are not easy deals to do,” MacFarland told reporters in October. “The player obviously has the UFA right to go, and the club has to make smart decisions, both for the short term and the long term.”
The Avs don’t have a goalie signed beyond this season, so MacFarland must budget for an Alexandar Georgiev extension or find a replacement.
Extension talks with Rantanen’s agent Andy Scott — who also got the Draisaitl deal done — are ongoing.
“It’s done when it’s done. Business will always take care of itself. I’m just here to play hockey,” Rantanen said. “I like the team. I like the city. If you win the Stanley Cup here, then why would I want to leave?”
2. Mitch Marner
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $10.9 million
The latest: While we could debate if Marner is the most impactful pending UFA of the season, there is no disputing that he’ll be the most discussed.
Toronto Maple Leafs management, the all-star winger himself, and agent Darren Ferris are all on the same page when it comes to handling what could be Marner’s final tour with his hometown team: Silence is golden.
Marner has expressed his desire to re-sign on multiple occasions, and he’ll be targeting a long-term deal that falls between William Nylander’s $11.5 million AAV and Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million. (Does $12.5 million times eight years — the new richest contract in franchise history — get it done?)
“Growing up in this area, I’ve always been a Leafs fan. I’ve always wanted this team to succeed and to win just to see what that would feel like fanwise. Now being part of it is very special,” Marner said. “It’s my home. It’s the place I’ve grown up. I’ve got many, many memories watching this team play Saturday night hockey with my family. Sitting there for hours watching.”
Because the two-way forward holds a full no-move clause, he can simply rack up points and skate this out.
So, the onus falls on GM Brad Treliving — who bought high on peak Nylander last winter. The GM must decide whether to meet Marner’s price now, or let this breathe and see if his pricy core can finally make a deep playoff run before committing to a third eight-figure forward.
“Mitch has always been a very committed person, very committed hockey player,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said. “When you see the work he puts in, and you see his love for the game and his love for the city of Toronto, that’s what helps you believe in Mitch Marner.”
3. Igor Shesterkin
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Goaltender
2023-24 salary cap hit: $5.7 million
The latest: “You can see why he’s going to be the highest-paid goalie in the league,” Toronto’s Anthony Stolarz proclaimed of his fellow union member, following the Russian’s late-October star turn against the Leafs.
Yep, that’s the goal of Shesterkin and his agent, Maxim Moliver.
Combine the Vezina Trophy and the playoff track record (.928) with a spiking salary ceiling, and Shesterkin should have no issue exceeding Carey Price’s $10.5-million AAV to become the most handsomely paid goaltender of the cap era.
Shesterkin also wants to be the highest-paid New York Ranger, though, and that means eclipsing Artemi Panarin’s $11.64 million.
GM Chris Drury offered eight years times $11 million before puck drop, according to Kevin Weekes, which was turned down by Shesterkin.
“I’m not going to get into any private discussions or negotiations with Igor or his agents publicly, but you all know what I think of Igor and what we all think of Igor around here and we certainly hope he’s here and a Ranger for a long time,” Drury told reporters on Sept. 20. “You know how important he is to our team and our organization. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s here for a long time.”
The goalie is pushing for $12 million on a long-term pact, and his play hasn’t slipped through the uncertainty of his future.
“I have one more year, so I don’t care about it,” Shesterkin said at training camp. “I love the organization. I love the team. I love the fans.
“So of course it will be great to stay here, but you never know what can happen.”
4. Brock Boeser
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.65 million
The latest: Boeser has come out of the gates flying after his first 40-goal season, making Vancouver Canucks fans wonder if a 50-goal showing is far off. (This despite the fright Boeser had with blood clots in the playoffs.)
Such a performance would only ratchet up the price for a sniper in his prime.
“I’m expecting him to continue where he finished off last year, find the consistency and play good hockey for us,” GM Patrik Allvin told colleague Iain MacIntyre at the outset of Boeser’s contract year. “I have a good relationship with his agent, Ben Hankinson, and we’ll see when the time is right.”
Allvin confirmed that he’ll need to make a decision on Boeser’s future prior to the March 7 trade deadline.
The player holds a 10-team no-trade list.
5. Sam Bennett
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.4 million
The latest: When Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito identifies a core piece of his championship roster worth retaining, he usually finds a way to keep his man — with an assist from his state’s tax laws, of course.
Zito prioritized locking up Gustav Forsling, then Sam Reinhart, then Verhaeghe. All re-upped for fair rates.
Now, Zito is grinding away with Bennett, that rare middle-six centre who can score, defend, and truck over an opponent.
That Verhaeghe came in at a reasonable $7-million AAV helps with the Bennett budget.
Leverage rests here with player agent Darren Ferris, who has a reputation for stressing deadlines and knows his client would be coveted leaguewide because of his unique skill set and the dearth of under-30 centre options.
Ultimately it boils down to this: If Bennett likes the South Florida life, a deal will be made. If he wants top dollar, he’ll find that elsewhere.
No doubt, he’d spark a bidding war — presumably landing somewhere between $6 million and $7 million per season, depending on term — if he reaches July 1.
6. Shea Theodore
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $5.2 million
The latest: Though Theodore’s career has been hampered by injuries, the puck-moving defenceman has jumped to a strong contract year. And his chemistry with righty Alex Pietrangelo is so effortless, Team Canada might just plop that pair on the national roster.
The Vegas Golden Knights, however, are seldom in a rush to lock up core players when a pay raise looms. Just ask 2024 UFAs Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Alec Martinez how this goes.
According to Elliotte Friedman, as of early September, GM Kelly McCrimmon had yet to engage Theodore’s camp in serious extension negotiations.
Theodore has minimal trade protection (five-team no-trade list), but with the Golden Knights forever in go-for-it mode, it’s difficult to imagine him going anywhere before the final buzzer sounds.
7. Aaron Ekblad
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $7.5 million
The latest: An occasional subject of trade rumours, the second-longest-serving Florida Panther played an integral role in the franchise’s two trips to the fourth round and is finally entering the eighth year of his max-term contract.
While GM Zito has not made Ekblad first on his to-do list, the executive will be hard-pressed to replace the minutes and leadership Ekblad provides on the right side. And, remember, the Cats already lost another key righty, Brandon Montour, to the free agent market over the summer.
Neither Ekblad nor management are projecting concern here, despite the uncertainty.
“We had some great examples last year of how it can play out right with Reino and Forsling, all different kinds of scenarios,” Ekblad told reporters. “You never know what’s going to happen. I’m just going to ride it out and see what happens.”
Ekblad does hold a 12-team no-trade list, but the champs are expected to be a buyer, not a seller.
8. Nikolaj Ehlers
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Right wing / Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million
The latest: Unlike the monster extensions for centre Mark Scheifele and goalie Connor Hellebuyck signed in 2023 just ahead of their walk years, all is quiet in Winnipeg on the Ehlers extension front.
A frequent subject of trade rumours, the speedy Dane was reportedly open to a change of scenery in the off-season, according to The Fourth Period.
The scoring winger and his Jets are off to a fine start, so there is no pressure to decide just yet.
We wonder: Does a fresh set of coaching eyes offer Ehlers more opportunity and security under Scott Arniel?
“I’ve been here for nine years, but there’s nothing new to tell,” Ehlers said this fall. “(My contract situation) doesn’t change anything for me. I’m gonna go out playing the same way I always do. I got teammates that I love, that I love playing with, hanging out with, so it doesn’t change anything for me.”
The seven-time 20-goal man holds a 10-team no-trade clause.
9. John Tavares
Age on July 1: 34
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $11 million
The latest: Already top 80 on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, the still-productive Tavares is not entertaining any notions of quitting.
While his captaincy has been removed by the new GM and his ice time lessened by the new coach, the proud Toronto Maple Leaf is still a force in the face-off dot, a threat on the power-play and below the hash marks, and the consummate professional.
Armed with a full no-move clause and understanding he’s up for a pay cut, Tavares has already shown a willingness to sacrifice a little me for the sake of the we.
His agent, Pat Brisson, and Treliving have begun preliminary extension talks — and it’s clear that Tavares wants to stay.
“His goal is to probably retire as a Leaf,” Brisson told The Fan Pregame on Sept. 17. “There’s no timeline, but we understand clearly that the Leafs would like to keep John for a long time, and John made it clear that he would like to be a Leaf forever.”
Tavares and wife Aryne are raising three young children in the city. He is close to the necessary support of his extended family. He has benefitted from multiple outside endorsement deals. And he did score the clinching goal of the one series the Leafs have won since ex-GM Kyle Dubas backed up the Brink’s truck with $77 million.
“I love playing here. It’s a remarkable place to play,” Tavares said. “And when I committed here six years ago, obviously I saw a tremendous amount of talent and an amazing hockey market and organization that’s fully committed to winning and doing whatever it can — and I still feel that way.”
10. Brad Marchand
Age on July 1: 37
Position: Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.1 million
The latest: The Boston Bruins captain’s ability to produce deep into his 30s and elevate his impact in important moments has made his previous contract look like a bargain.
But how much (and for how long) does the organization wish to invest in a core player as he nears 40?
“I want to say this now and leave it at that,” Marchand told reporters in September. “I’ll never talk about contract stuff in the media. I saw a report the other day. I don’t know where (the reporter) is getting his information, but it wasn’t from our side. We’re not going to talk about it. Whatever goes on will stay between (general manager Don Sweeney) and our group, and we’ll leave it at that. I think there’s enough respect between the two sides that we can deal with it.”
While it is difficult to imagine Marchand, like Patrice Bergeron, pulling a different sweater over his head, it would make sense for the winger to push for term here as opposed to playing this one season at a time.
The Marchand file got pushed to the backburner over the summer, as the Jeremy Swayman re-signing saga took top priority.
The Bruins don’t want another sideshow, but it did raise eyebrows when coach Jim Montgomery publicly lit into his captain after a bad early-season turnover.
“We’re going to get to Brad. He’s learning patience as a captain as well,” Sweeney said, prior to extending Swayman. “Eventually he’ll extend here.
“He’ll be a lifelong Bruin. That’s what we should do. But we’ll check that box.”
11. Jakob Chychrun
Age on July 1: 27
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.6 million
The latest: From his spotty injury history to wearing three sweaters by age 26, there’s been so much commotion in Chychrun’s career, you wonder if the well-rounded defenceman wouldn’t leap at the chance for long-term security.
The left shot has fit in seamlessly with the Washington Capitals, a post-season dark horse, and it will be up to GM Chris Patrick to either bank on a good thing or slow-play this situation and consider flipping the valuable Chychrun at the deadline.
“I think they’ve done a great job of improving the team, and I’m thrilled honestly. I think it’s a great fit for me personally, and I’m just so excited to be able to help contribute to this team and try to take this team into the playoffs,” Chychrun told reporters upon getting dealt by the Senators.
“I guess you could say (my time in Ottawa was) shorter than I thought it would be. It’s just unfortunate, the way everything went when I was there. I felt I wasn’t playing my best hockey. I was a little bit frustrated with the way I was playing.”
12. Brock Nelson
Age on July 1: 33
Position: Centre / Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million
The latest: A late-career surge has Nelson riding a three-season streak of 35-plus goals into his last best chance for another payday.
No doubt, his New York Islanders covet scoring, and the first-round pick has remained loyal to the team that drafted him back in 2010.
It’s difficult to imagine Nelson not re-signing with Lou Lamoriello.
Counterpoint: The Isles have the fourth-oldest roster in the league, so perhaps committing the type of term Nelson could command isn’t the wisest path to getting younger.
The veteran Nelson seemed unflustered that an extension was not signed prior to puck drop.
“I’m indifferent,” Nelson told reporters in late September. “I know that’s the backside of it, but at the same time, right now, it’s just about coming in here, working, playing, having fun, and worrying about your game.
“All of that will sort itself out. I’m pretty comfortable with Lou, and I have a great relationship with him. We’ll sort things out and see how it plays out.”
How it plays out should depend on how New York — a bubble team — fares in the standings between now and March.
More notable UFAs in 2025: Jamie Benn, Brent Burns, Adin Hill, Patrick Kane, Claude Giroux, Neal Pionk, Frank Vatrano, Gustav Nyquist, Dmitry Orlov, Vladislav Gavrikov, Ivan Provorov, Taylor Hall, Ryan Lindgren, Marcus Pettersson, Jake McCabe, Brandon Tanev, Anthony Mantha, Nicklas Backstrom, Ryan Johansen, Jeff Petry, Andrew Mangiapane, Andrei Kuzmenko, Yanni Gourde, Mikael Granlund, Reilly Smith, Tanner Jeannot, Jeff Skinner, David Savard, Alexander Georgiev, Charlie Lindgren, Logan Thompson, Marc-Andre Fleury
All salary info via the fine folks at PuckPedia.com.
