Whereas this year's crop of right wingers is a little more focused on depth, the group of left wingers hitting free agency on Wednesday includes some bonafide superstars.
Would-be UFA Taylor Hall has already found his new hockey home. His four-year, $24-million deal with the Bruins keeps him in Boston, where he fit in well to close out the season.
And, earlier Tuesday, the Washington Capitals made official what we all knew to be true: That captain Alex Ovechkin will play for one NHL team, and one NHL team only. The Great No. 8 inked a five-year, $47.5-million deal with a $9.5 cap hit to stay in D.C.
So, who's up next? Here's a look at the top left wingers due new deals this summer.
Gabriel Landeskog
Age: 28
2020-21 cap hit: $5.571M (Avalanche)
RE-SIGNED: Late on the eve of free agency, Landeskog and the Avalanche agreed to terms on a lucrative new deal that keeps him in Colorado for eight more years. His new cap hit comes in at $7 million per season.
Zach Hyman
Age: 29
2020-21 cap hit: $2.25M (Maple Leafs)
SIGNED: After playing himself out of Toronto's budget, Hyman is joining Connor McDavid & Co., signing a seven-year deal with the Oilers worth $5.5 million a year.
Jaden Schwartz
Age: 29
2020-21 cap hit: $5.35M (Blues)
SIGNED: Schwartz is heading west to join fellow former Blue Vince Dunn in Seattle. The winger signed a five-year, $27.5M contract with the Kraken on Wednesday.
Mike Hoffman
Age: 31
2020-21 cap hit: $4M (Blues)
SIGNED: Hoffman is Montreal-bound, signing a three-year contract with the Canadiens.
Brandon Saad
Age: 28
2020-21 cap hit: $6M (Avalanche)
With the Avalanche reaching an agreement with Landeskog, the club is all but guaranteed to be moving on from fellow UFA left-winger Brandon Saad due to cap space -- especially if he's eying a similar salary to what he's been earning. In one season with Colorado, Saad registered 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points while playing mostly alongside Name Kadri.
Friedman suggests St. Louis, the Islanders, Pittsburgh or Los Angeles as potential destinations there, which all have a strong need for a versatile, middle-six forward.
More LW names to watch: Tomas Tatar, Zach Parise.
