The 2022 NHL free-agent period begins at noon ET today. Here are five notable players worth watching and their potential suitors.
Johnny Gaudreau: The 28-year-old left winger will draw the most interest given his 115-point performance last season. He rejected an eight-year deal worth over $10 million annually to remain with the Calgary Flames. The Calgary Sun‘s Wes Gilbertson speculated that the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and Seattle Kraken could pursue him.
Nazem Kadri: A career-best 87-point regular season plus a strong performance in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs pushed the 31-year-old center’s stock sky-high. NYI Hockey Now’s Stefan Rosner reported the New York Islanders could be interested. NorthStarBets’ Chris Johnston wondered if the Flames would give Kadri a call as Johnny Gaudreau departs via free agency.
Darcy Kuemper: Kuemper’s decision to head to market prompted the Colorado Avalanche to acquire and sign Alexandar Georgiev. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believed the Washington Capitals are the front-runners to land the 32-year-old goaltender after they traded Vitek Vanecek and cut ties with Ilya Samsonov.
Claude Giroux: Trade to the Florida Panthers last march, the versatile 34-year-old forward proved he still had plenty left in the tank with 23 points in 18 regular-season contests. The Ottawa Sun‘s Bruce Garrioch reports the Ottawa native could be intrigued by the idea of joining the Senators.
Jack Campbell: The 30-year-old goaltender’s tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended with their acquisition of Matt Murray on Monday. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes he’s headed to the Oilers. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks recently linked him to the New York Rangers.
