Several weeks after the National Hockey League’s (NHL) free agent market opened on July 1, some high-profile names are still available as training camps begin next month.
While some juggle the idea of retiring, others are crossing their fingers for what they consider a satisfactory contract offer. Here are skaters who don’t officially have a home base for the 2023-2024 season.
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– Patrick Kane
Photo Martin Chevalier / JdeM
The 34-year veteran’s hip surgery appears to have dampened NHL organizations’ enthusiasm for him. In fact, Patrick Kane will likely be inactive for several weeks and observers also assume he will be back playing in December. However, if he returns fully fit he should be a reliable attacking partner for his next team. We can expect the American to try his luck at a club aiming for the Stanley Cup, which he won three times with the Chicago Blackhawks.
-Jonathan Toews
Photo Stacy Revere/AFP
According to many pundits, the retirement will represent the path Kane’s former teammate has taken in the Windy City. Though Connor Bedard has just landed in Illinois, the Hawks captain will not return to head coach Luke Richardson’s group. This week, website Daily Faceoff and its journalist Frank Seravalli reported that Jonathan Toews is set to retire soon. If so, it would be the end of a journey punctuated by a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Frank Selke Trophy, as well as the three trophies won by Chicago between 2010 and 2015.
-Maxime Comtois
Photo Derek Leung/AFP
The Quebec native was among the free agents without compensation after the Anaheim Ducks gave up on making him a qualifying offer. Injuries didn’t help matters, Maxime Comtois’ production has suffered a significant drop in the last two years. The ice hockey player was satisfied with a total of 35 points in 116 games. Anyone who’s worked in a formation that’s struggled to win could end up with the Sharks, who may be interested in acquiring them, according to the San Jose Hockey Now website.
-Tomas Tatar
Photo Elsa/AFP
The former Habs forward failed to make the playoffs again this year and has yet to find a buyer after his two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils ended. His continued lackluster performance in the postseason raises serious doubts among team captains, even though Tomas Tatar has 455 career points in the regular season. Sportsnet pundit Elliotte Friedman recently linked his name to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
-David Krejci
Photo Mike Ehrmann/AFP
Like Toews and his former Boston Bruins pal Patrice Bergeron, the Czech could ditch his skates for good. Speaking to website sport.cz, he said he needed more time to determine the rest, who spent a year in his country from 2021-2022. However, with the Quebecois confirming his retirement, David Krejci could well emulate him. After all, he has nothing left to prove after helping the Oursons to 65 wins and 135 points last season. However, the pivot has shown he can still perform as he has amassed 56 points in 70 encounters.
– Phil Kessel
Photo Ethan Miller/AFP
As for the American winger, retirement is not in his notebooks as he previously mentioned to reporters. Even though he just won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights, he’s still hungry for victories and not just for the hot dogs he likes to eat from time to time. Limited to four games during his winning streak, Phil Kessel has a good chance of returning to Nevada. Last year, he signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract; The whole thing was sealed on August 24, 2022.
-Zach Parise
Photo Bruce Bennett/AFP
Like other names mentioned here, Zach Parisé could have played his last game in the NHL. Such a decision risks disappointing the New York Islanders players who have worked with him for the past two years. Despite a dip in performance, he still has the talent to play his part offensively, hitting the 20-goal mark for the eleventh time in the 2022–2023 season. A return remains a possibility and if he decides to go that route, the 38-year-old sportsman is expected to sign a one-year contract with performance bonuses dependent on the number of games played.