If a prizefighter took the type of beating this free agent list has absorbed over the past couple days, his trainer would toss the towel and beg the ref to stop the fight.
The Florida Panthers re-signed all three to go for a threepeat. The Toronto Maple Leafs reached a verdict on half of their Core Four. And a whole bunch of old guys — John Tavares, Brad Marchand, Jamie Benn, Claude Giroux and Patrick Kane — are wise enough to know that moving is a pain in the butt.
Welcome, then, to Ehlers-a-Palooza, Boeser Bonanza and Gavrikov Gala.
It’s Pius Suter’s world. We’re just living in it. One refreshed Twitter timeline at a time.
July 1 is upon us. Free agency opens at noon ET.
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Age: 29
Position: Right wing / Left wing
2024-25 salary cap hit: $6 million
The latest: While the Winnipeg Jets are maintaining communication with the dynamic winger, Ehlers is testing the market.
(The last-ditch pitch out of Manitoba: Does the idea of playing with centreman Jonathan Toews change his thinking? “Hopefully, it moved the needle,” GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said.)
Carolina — which swung and missed on both Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner, original projected members of this UFA class — is the consensus front-runner.
But Washington, Anaheim and the Rangers are among those with reported interest.
The trouble with Winnipeg matching hefty outside offers is that Cheveldayoff must accommodate raises for Gabriel Vilardi (RFA), Dylan Samberg (RFA), Kyle Connor (UFA 2026) and captain Adam Lowry (UFA 2026).
2. Brock Boeser
Age: 28
Position: Right wing
2024-25 salary cap hit: $6.65 million
The latest: Boeser is staying in Vancouver after signing a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $7.25 million
Age: 29
Position: Defence
2024-25 salary cap hit: $5.875 million
The latest: Gavrikov has signed a seven-year deal with the New York Rangers with an average annual value of $7 million.
Age: 33
Position: Centre
2024-25 salary cap hit: $5 million
The latest: Granlund is headed to California after signing a three-year, $21 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
5. Pius Suter
Age: 28
Position: Centre
2024-25 salary cap hit: $1.6 million
The latest: As with the decision to hang on to Boeser at the trade deadline, hanging on to the expiring Suter amid a career year and potential offensive peak — 25 goals, 46 points — was met with derision in the market.
“Not a whole lot of market on our players,” Allvin said at the time.
Suter’s situation is an interesting one.
Now that the Canucks have dealt away J.T. Miller, and Filip Chytil’s durability is of concern, the roster needs a centreman who can find the net.
Are they able to re-sign Suter? They’re taking a stab at it.
But with the clock ticking, it appears the undrafted, underpaid Swiss player could explore the market.
This is his best chance to get (over?)paid, especially with the cap spiking and so few centres available.
With RFA pivot Morgan Geekie re-upping in Boston for six years at a $5.5-million AAV, Suter’s paycheques could well triple.
6. Jake Allen
Age: 34
Position: Goaltender
2024-25 salary cap hit: $3.85 million
The latest: After posting his best save percentage (.908) in five seasons, Allen is returning to the Devils on a five-year, $9 million deal.
The reliable, veteran No. 2 has appeared in at least 30 games in each of his past four seasons and now stays in New Jersey as the primary backup to Jacob Markstrom.
7. Dmitry Orlov
Age: 33
Position: Defence
2024-25 salary cap hit: $7.75 million
The latest: The Carolina Hurricanes took a giant swing at Orlov two years ago and weren’t thrilled with how things ended in the post-season, so he’ll be seeking work elsewhere — likely at a reduced salary.
Top-four two-way defencemen with 13 years of experience are hard to find, though. Once Gavrikov and Provorov are spoken for, interest in this veteran Russian will rise.
Orlov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, is on record saying his client has no intention of departing for the KHL. Babaev told Match TV’s Vladimir Pushkarev that Orlov will be hunting another NHL contract.
Potential landing spots should include Los Angeles (if Gavrikov leaves) and Washington — where Orlov played his best hockey. One more year with Alex Ovechkin?
8. Ryan Lindgren
Age: 27
Position: Defence
2024-25 salary cap hit: $4.5 million
The latest: Lindgren signed a four-year, $18-million deal with the Seattle Kraken.
9. Andrew Mangiapane
Age: 29
Position: Left wing
2024-25 salary cap hit: $5.8 million
The latest: Mangiapane returns to the Battle of Alberta on the opposite side, signing a two-year deal worth $7.2 million with the Edmonton Oilers.
10. Nate Schmidt
Age: 33
Position: Defence
2024-25 salary cap hit: $800,000
The latest: After winning a Cup with the Panthers, Schmidt parlayed that success into a three-year, $10.5-million deal with the Utah Mammoth.
11. Jonathan Drouin
Age: 30
Position: Left wing
2024-25 salary cap hit: $2.5 million
The latest: Drouin is heading to New York to join the Islanders on a two-year, $8-millon deal.
12. Corey Perry
Age: 40
Position: Right wing
2024-25 salary cap hit: $1.15 million
The latest: Perry is heading to the Los Angeles Kings, switching sides in a longtime playoff rivalry.
More notable UFAs in 2025: Jack Roslovic, Ilya Samsonov, Brent Burns, Gustav Nyquist, Dan Vladar, Brandon Tanev, Anthony Mantha, Ryan Johansen, Jeff Petry, Max Pacioretty, Tanner Jeannot, Jeff Skinner, Alexander Georgiev, Tony DeAngelo, Victor Olofsson, Ryan Suter, John Klingberg, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Nick Bjugstad, Cody Ceci, Nick Perbix, Radek Faksa, Cole Koepke, Mikey Eyssimont, Anthony Beauvillier
All salary info via the fine folks at PuckPedia.com.
