The National Hockey League’s pending class of unrestricted free agents is relatively thin of elite talent – a point that general managers across North America would be wise to keep in mind as they engage in bidding wars this summer.
David Pastrnak, Bo Horvat, Dylan Larkin, Joe Pavelski, and Andrei Kuzmenko – who were set to headline free agent frenzy – all inked contract extensions midseason.
However, there will still be an eclectic mix of free agents on the table, with bottom-six role players, boom-or-bust netminders, and over-the-hill stars set to hit the market.
Despite a distinct lack of top end talent, overpays and home runs are still there to be had – which will make for an exciting offseason in a flat salary cap environment.
Ranking the NHL’s top six unrestricted free agents of 2023
With that in mind, British Ice Hockey presents the NHL’s top six pending unrestricted free agents – ranked.
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Boston Bruins Defenceman Dmitry Orlov
Dmitry Orlov is a top-four defenceman who will command a pay rise with term on his next contract.
The Russian, traded to the Boston Bruins from the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline, is confident in all situations and approaches the free agency window top of the class in time on ice (22:33).
The Bruins face an uphill battle in their bid to extend Orlov, who earned $5.1 million per season on his last contract. Unfortunately, for Boston general manager Don Sweeney, the 31-year-old reportedly covets a seven-year deal in addition to a raised cap hit.
“I still don’t know what my plan is, if I fly back to Washington or stay here, so it’s just a lot of things,” Orlov said of his future after the Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs. “Obviously, [I’m] going to have to make a decision where I’m going to be. I need to talk to my family and go from there.”
Orlov will have plenty of suitors once free agency opens, with the Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres early favourites to land the top defenceman on the maket.
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Toronto Maple Leafs Centreman Ryan O’Reilly
Ryan O’Reilly, unlike Orlov, is a lock to hit the open market after his brief stint as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canadian was traded to Toronto from the St. Louis Blues just before the deadline and made an instant impact for his new team, helping the Maple Leafs snap their run of playoff futility with a series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Although O’Reilly said he would “absolutely” consider re-signing with the Maple Leafs, his future is unclear amidst a general manager switch in Toronto.
“Going forward here, I have a lot to think about, what I’m going to do. But this organization is incredible,” O’Reilly said last month.
“Obviously, you guys see the players that they have and such, but the people in the organization, every facet that’s looked after — the strength training, the nutrition, everyone on the staff is just incredible and the best at what they do. It’s such an amazing place. I’m so thankful that I was brought into it.”
O’Reilly, a former Selke Trophy winner, remains one of the best two-way centres in the sport and is likely to earn a new contract in the $6 million range.
The Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes are both expected to table offers for O’Reilly this summer.
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Minnesota Wild Defenceman Matt Dumba
Matt Dumba is in the final weeks of a five-year contract worth $6 million per season.
The Minnesota Wild are in an extremely difficult salary cap situation – due to buyouts for Ryan Suter and Zach Parise – and therefore in no position to table an extension offer to the 28-year-old defender.
Despite his flaws, Dumba will command a hefty contract this offseason because he is a right-handed option who excels in top-four situations.
The Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators all reportedly kicked tires on a midseason trade for Dumba. They would be foolish not to renew their interest this summer.
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New York Rangers Forward Vladimir Tarasenko
When it comes to injecting firepower into any top-six forward group in the league, general managers should look no further than Vladimir Tarasenko.
Acquired by the New York Rangers from the Blues before the trade deadline, the Russian showcased his scoring ability throughout the season and will attract interest from a variety of clubs this summer as a result.
Tarasenko notched an impressive 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 69 regular-season games in 2022-23, contributing four points in seven playoff games. That kind of production, delivered in his age-31 season, provides a window into his ability.
Despite his fine form, Tarasenko is unlikely to receive an extension offer from the Rangers as general manager Chris Drury tiptoes around a tricky salary cap situation.
“My family was taken care of very well, and I cannot say a single bad word about my time here,” Tarasenko told reporters at New York’s end-of-season media availability.
“It’s important to know you have a family, too, so it’s important to be set. Of course, I want play on a competitive team. I’ve been lucky enough to win one [Stanley Cup], and I want to win more, if possible.”
Like Orlov and O’Reilly, Tarasenko will expect a hefty cap hit with term on his next deal.
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Vegas Golden Knights Forward Ivan Barbashev
Per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, extension talks between the Vegas Golden Knights and forward Ivan Barbashev broke down before the playoffs. While the Stanley Cup champions are expected to make another approach for the Russian, his stint in Nevada caused his market value to skyrocket as the offseason approaches.
The 27-year-old was electric down the stretch for the Golden Knights, recording 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 23 regular-season appearances.
And if you thought that was impressive, the former second round selection hit 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 22 outings en route to the Stanley Cup.
Barbashev is set to earn a major pay rise on his expiring $2.5 million deal, with a whole host of teams interested in acquiring his services.
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Boston Bruins Forward Tyler Bertuzzi
Tyler Bertuzzi expressed his desire to finish the season, and his contract, as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman had other plans, trading the 28-year-old to the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline.
Bertuzzi was extremely impactful for the Bruins in his debut playoff series, recording 10 points (five goals, five assists) in seven postseason appearances.
Stylistically, the Canadian is certainly a Bruin.
But there is no guarantee Sweeney will be able to re-sign him with the organisation’s salary cap crunch.
“I couldn’t just categorically sign those players today,” Sweeney said of his unrestricted free agents. “Everybody knows our overage at [$4.5 million]. So, we have some constraints, as do several other teams around the league. Our goal was to put the season on the absolute best roster we could put together and try and take a real legitimate run. And we failed, no question.
“So, we have to pay that forward a little bit. That might mean we’re instituting younger players. That might mean roster changes, which we would like to make. That might mean I might be able to sign… one of those three players or other unrestricted players. We have to address the two RFAs in [Trent] Frederic and [Jeremy] Swayman, which we will do. And roster changes are likely coming.”
