Are you planning to move on July 1st? Thinking about celebrating Canada Day? Do it with peace of mind. Don’t change your plans even as the NHL free agent market opens on its traditional date for the first time since 2019.
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There will be no big fuss. Of course we’ll want to keep an eye on the three big names available: Dmitry Orlov, Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. Otherwise there is no point in sitting in front of the television or smartphone all day.
This summer’s market will mostly interest teams looking for depth. Apart from the trio mentioned above, no top player, number one defender or star goalkeeper will break the bank.
There will definitely be a little overkill. A manager will offer an inflated contract to a skater who is not worthy. This is the norm and custom. But the increase in the salary cap, which ultimately only increases by one million ($83.5 million) after being estimated at $4 million, urges caution.
Featured:
Patrick Kane
Getty Images via AFP
- Right Wing | 34 years old | 57 points (21g, 36 points) in 73 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $10.5 million
He underwent hip surgery in early June, an operation that could allow him to regain some range of motion while skating. Despite being marred by this malaise for the past season and a half, he still retained some offensive prowess. He may be out for a few weeks at the start of the season.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Getty Images via AFP
- Right Wing | 31 years old | 50 points (18g, 32 points) in 69 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $7.5 million
He obviously didn’t like the atmosphere in Manhattan. Despite his presence in the front row and in the first numerically superior unit, the Russian was far from achieving the 30-goal seasons he’s used to from us. He risks getting a negative contract.
Dmitry Orlov
Getty Images via AFP
- Left-handed defender | 31 years old | 36 points (29g, 7 points) in 66 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $5.1 million
Acquired in a three-team trade as the trade deadline neared, Orlov served the Bruins well. With more than 20 minutes of action in Boston, he was approaching an average of one point per game. As the best available defender, he could take advantage of a weak market to land an interesting contract.
durability and reliability :
Ryan O’Reilly
Getty Images via AFP
- Left-Handed Center | 32 years old | 30 points (16g, 14 points) in 53 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $7.5 million
The most persistent rumors send him back to St. Louis, where he played for the last five seasons before solidly serving the Leafs as a third-line center. Without him, Toronto could bend again in the first round. However, his best years are behind him.
Jordan Staal
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
- Left-Handed Center | 34 years old | 34 points (17g, 17p) in 81 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $6 million
One of the last players in history to sign a 10-year contract, he just completed his 11th deal at Raleigh. The center, a defense operations specialist, appears to want to remain with the Hurricanes in hopes of completing a task he feels is unfinished.
JT Compher
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
- Left winger| 28 years old | 52 points (17g, 35 points) in 82 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $3.5 million
Compher was intense when it came to pressuring and effectively outnumbered. He used the Avalanche’s many injuries to show he could make a contribution on offense as well. He had a career-best 52 points.
Results:
Tyler Bertuzzi
Getty Images via AFP
- Left Wing | 28 years old | 30 points (8g, 22p) in 50 games
- 2022–2023 Salary Print: $4.75 million
With the Bruins, he showed he had the profile of a playoff player. He can bring an offensive touch without being afraid of the physical game. Skills that could allow him to land the biggest contract of his career.
Michael Bunting
Getty Images via AFP
- Left Wing | 27 years old | 49 points (23g, 26 points) in 82 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $950,000
He had to wait until he was 25 before establishing himself regularly in the NHL. It’s time for him to go to the bank. And with the Maple Leafs in danger of being sidelined, the Torontonian’s career could pick up somewhere other than near home. It remains to be seen if he’ll be able to do justice to himself without the Leafs’ big guns at his side.
Ryan Graves
Getty Images via AFP
- Left-handed defender | 28 years old | 26 points (8g, 18 points) in 78 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $3.17 million
A tall guy of 1.80m who can move around easily. As a penalty shootout specialist, he is reliable on the defensive. He surpassed the Devils’ defensemen with a record +34.
Tristan Jarry
Getty Images via AFP
- 28 years old | 24-13-7 | 2.90 | .909 | 2 DB
- 2022–2023 salary print: $3.5 million
Kyle Dubas wants to keep Jarry in Pittsburgh, but not at any cost. The problem for the Penguins is that the goaltender market is thin and several teams are looking to fill that position. The penguins won’t be Jarry’s only option.
Adin Hill
Getty Images via AFP
- 27 years old | 16-7-1 | 2.50 | .915 | 0 DB
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $2.18 million
He made his name by helping the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup. For him it is about securing the future of his descendants. Now or never. Let’s hope for him that it’s not just a bengal fire.
surprise boxes:
Fredrik Andersen
Getty Images via AFP
- 33 years old | 21-11-1 |2.44 | .917 | 3 DB
- 2022–2023 salary print: $4.5 million
He had some great successes but was often injured. He has spent many weeks in the infirmary for the past three seasons. And at 33, he’s not getting any younger. A team will certainly be willing to take him on, but they will play it safe and offer him a short-term contract.
Joonas Korpisalo
Getty Images via AFP
- 29 years old | 18-14-4 | 2.87 | .915 | 1db
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $1.3 million
After his takeover by the Kings, he had some good times, averaging a .921 save percent and a 2.13 GAA. Is that enough to convince Rob Blake to offer him a contract? His inconsistency throughout his eight seasons at Columbus will potentially tarnish his reputation.
Max Domi
Getty Images via AFP
- Left-Handed Center | 28 years old | 56 points (20g, 36 points) in 80 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $3 million
He has played for four teams in two seasons since the Canadiens traded him to Columbus for Josh Anderson. He was never able to build on the successes of his first season in Montreal. Still, he will certainly be looking for some stability.
John Klingerberg
Getty Images via AFP
- Right-handed defenders | 30 years | 33 points (10g, 23 points) in 67 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $7 million
The Ducks surprised many by offering him a $7 million contract in July 2022. The Swede must be a little less greedy. He has above-average offensive feel, but not at the level of the best in the circle. And his defensive play leaves a lot to be desired. However, he could benefit from the effects of superiority.
As shown:
Matt Dumba
Getty Images via AFP
- Right-handed defenders | 28 years old | 14 points (4g, 10p) in 79 games
- 2022–2023 salary print: $6 million
He wants to stay in Minnesota. However, things can get tight under the hood with game. With Jared Spurgeon ($7.58 million) and Jonas Brodin ($6 million) the Wild will already have almost $14 million down the blue line. If he wants to stay there, he will surely have to take a pay cut.
Scott Mayfield
Getty Images via AFP
- Right-handed defenders | 30 years | 24 points (6g, 18 points) in 82 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $1.45 million
He’s the perfect example of a defensive back. He learned his craft from the Islanders, masters of the game. He led his team in blocked shots (168) and shorthanded game time with an average of 2 minutes and 42 seconds. He should get a raise.
Radko Gudas
Getty Images via AFP
- Right-handed defenders | 33 years old | 17 points (2g, 15p) in 72 games
- 2022-2023 salary footprint: $2.5 million
The deep defender par excellence. He’ll be a bit more reserved in the season, but his weight is worth its weight in gold when robust playoff hockey gets going. With the spring he experienced, he certainly spoke in his favour.