NHL teams just finished addressing their own long-term future during the two days of the draft.
Now they will address their more immediate future when the free agency signing period opens at noon ET on Saturday, and one big name is no longer available.
The Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights used the $5 million annual savings in cap hit from their trade of Reilly Smith to the Pittsburgh Penguins to sign Ivan Barbashev to a five-year, $25 million contract. Barbashev, acquired at the trade deadline, played on the top line with Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault and had 18 points in 22 playoff games, plus provided physical play.
Golden Knights president George McPhee told NHL Network on Thursday he believes a new deal with goalie Adin Hill will get done soon, removing another big name from the list.
Our updated NHL free agent list:
Orlov provides steady top-four play and he showed more of an offensive side after his trade from the Washington Capitals to the Bruins. He had 17 points in 23 games plus eight in seven games in the playoffs.
He has three 20-goal seasons, including a 30-goal one, plus is a gritty player. He was injured on two occasions after blocking shots with Detroit, but he took off after his trade to Boston and was impressive in his playoff debut.
He leads all free agents with 64 points. The bigger draw is his two Stanley Cup rings and two other trips to the Final. Teams value championship experience.
4. Forward Ryan O’Reilly, Toronto Maple Leafs
More championship experience. He won the 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Plus, he’s a former winner of the Selke Trophy.
The former Cup winner rebounded from two injury-filled seasons to score 34 goals in 2021-22. Last season, he dropped to 18. But teams will be intrigued by the production from his heyday.
Hip-resurfacing surgery will keep the three-time champion out four to six months, so a team will have him in the lineup at some point in the season. How effective will he be, though? If he’s vintage Kane, that’s a good risk to take.
7. Forward Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penguins
He bounced back from two down seasons to score 27 goals. He’s had five 20-goal seasons and one 30-goal season. He was a good fit on Evgeni Malkin’s line.
He scored a career-best 52 points while filling the No. 2 center role in the absence of Nazem Kadri. He wasn’t a factor in the playoffs.
The top-six forward averaged 23 goals and 56 points in his two seasons in Toronto. He was suspended three games for a hit in the playoffs.
Andersen has won the William Jennings Trophy (lowest team goals-against average) twice in his career. He has five 30-win seasons but also has his share of injuries.
He recovered from a torn Achilles tendon, only to tear it again five games later. He’s a 30-goal scorer when healthy.
He had a strong season on the stripped-down Chicago Blackhawks and a good playoff run with the Stars (13 points in 19 games). The gritty forechecker should be able to turn that into more than last year’s one-year, $3 million contract. His defense is an issue.
His 13 goals rank first among free agent defensemen and his 41 points rank second.
He provides secondary scoring and can move up a line if needed, as he did with Pittsburgh two seasons ago when he filled in for an injured Malkin.
He’s a two-time All-Star and has a career .914 save percentage, but his injury issues could give teams pause.
He’s prized for his feistiness and physical play. He has had 250 or more hits the past two seasons and has hit double digits in goals.
17. Defenseman Luke Schenn, Maple Leafs
He led the league with 318 hits and tied his career high with 22 points.
He was right behind Schenn with 312 hits and plays a solid defensive game.
The choice seems to be return to the Bruins or retire. But considering he just won his sixth Selke Trophy, he deserves a spot on this list. If he were looking to go elsewhere, he would be near the top. Teammate David Krejci also seems to be in the return-or-retire category.
20. Forward Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks moved on from their longtime captain, who has missed time with chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID. He’s valued for his leadership, two-way play and three championships. However, Toews said his health is the biggest factor determining whether he returns for another season.
He got back to the 20-goal mark last season but was ineffective in the playoffs.
He scored 10 goals between the Ducks and Wild last season on a one-year, prove-it deal, but he’s also a -53 over the past two seasons. He was a plus player after leaving the defensively porous Ducks.
23. Defenseman Matt Dumba, Wild
He doesn’t put up the offensive numbers anymore, but right-shot defensemen are usually in demand.
He was solid (2.13 goals-against average, .921 save percentage) after his trade from Columbus, showing what he could do behind a better defense.
He led free agent defensemen with 42 points and was strong when John Carlson was hurt in Washington. But the Leafs didn’t use him much after trading for him.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL free agency 2023: Top 25 players to watch
