By Neil Becker
Once the calendar hits July 1st, hockey fans from all across the globe can expect to read about many major signings in what can be classified as a richly talented pool of Unrestricted Free Agents.
The NHL Free Agent signing period offers a wide range of emotions for fans who, on the first few days, are often closely analyzing the various signings on television while hoping that their favourite team will come through with that crucial homerun signing.
Arguably the best UFA available this summer is former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who in nine seasons as a Leaf has scored 221 goals while totalling 741 points and a plus/minus of +128 in 657 games played.
Days prior to the free agency signing period, general managers from all around the league received some bad news when it was revealed on Friday, June 27th that the Florida Panthers have re-signed 29-year-old forward Sam Bennett to an eight-year contract worth $64 million, while the Toronto Maple Leafs took 34-year-old forward John Tavares off the Unrestricted Free Agent market by re-signing him for four years at $18 million dollars.
Bennett has played a critical role in helping the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups. This past season, the rugged forward scored 15 goals along with 51 points before following that up by scoring 15 playoff goals and totalling 22 points in earning the Conn Smythe Trophy. Besides offence, Bennett also brings grit, character and leadership to his game. He is the type of player who will do whatever it takes to win.
Tavares seems to be getting only better with age. Last season, he scored 38 goals along with 74 points and finished with a plus/minus of +10. Heading into what will be his eighth season with the Leafs, Tavares finds himself only six goals shy of the magical 500 mark and has 1,114 points in what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
If Tavares or Bennett hadn’t re-signed, they would have no doubt been a tremendously popular commodity among the bidding teams.
While this is an exciting time of great anticipation for fans, it’s a stressful time for general managers who, as history has shown, can end up having buyer’s remorse by signing players only to see things not work out.
The latest example of this was last July when the Nashville Predators made a loud statement by signing two 34-year-old forwards: future Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Stamkos to a four-year $34 million dollar contract, and Jonathan Marchessault, who agreed to a five-year $27.5 million dollar contract.
Stamkos, who has played over 1,000 games and scored over 500 goals, produced in his first year with Nashville only 53 points while finishing with an unflattering plus/minus of -36. Meanwhile, Marchessault went from 42 goals and 69 points to 21 goals along with 56 points and a -29 in his first year with Nashville.
Overall, to say it wasn’t a good year for the Predators would be a complete understatement. Signing free agents is a big gamble which could really pay off in the springtime with a successful run at the Stanley Cup.
Starting on Tuesday, July 1st at noon, the excitement of free agency will begin as general managers take those big gambles on what they believe will be successful signings which will get their loyal fanbase pumped.
The following is a list of the top five Unrestricted Free Agents who will no doubt receive a big payday:
1. Mitch Marner, F
Mitch Marner, who is an elite playmaker, was drafted 4th overall in 2015 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his nine years as a Leaf, Marner — known for his strong edge work and vision — became a fan favorite as he produced 221 goals and 741 points in 657 games played.
During this past season, Marner made it clear that he didn’t want to renegotiate a new contract. At last year’s March trade deadline, Marner nixed a deal which would have sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for star forward Mikko Rantanen.
Last year saw Marner score 27 goals along with a career-high 102 points. Despite the strong regular season, he took a lot of heat after he scored only two goals and 13 points in last spring’s playoffs, which saw the Leafs eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Florida Panthers.
Marner finished this past season, his final year of a six-year $65.358 million dollar contract which he signed back on September 19, 2019.
Apparently, several teams have been rumored to be strongly interested in signing Marner. The list includes the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth.
Whoever signs this talented winger will be getting a 100-point producer — but as mentioned, the million-dollar question is: can Marner figure out how to produce on a nightly basis come playoff time?
2. Nikolaj Ehlers, F
Ehlers, who is 29 years old, completed his 10th season with the Winnipeg Jets where he scored 24 goals along with 63 points and 17 PIMs.
Originally selected in 2014, 9th overall by the Jets, Ehlers has scored 225 goals along with 520 points and 222 PIM in 674 career games. Ehlers, who just completed the final year of his seven-year $42 million dollar contract, possesses great speed and puck-handling skills.
This veteran, who also excels at creating scoring chances, is coming off a solid season which saw him produce 24 goals along with 63 points while finishing with a plus/minus of +14.
3. Aaron Ekblad, D
Aaron Ekblad is a veteran two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenceman who has played his entire career with the Florida Panthers.
Ekblad, drafted 1st overall in 2014 by the Panthers, produced this past season three goals along with 33 points and a plus/minus of +11.
In the playoffs, this 29-year-old was his steady self as he scored four goals and 13 points along with a plus/minus of +10.
Despite being a little past his prime, Ekblad still excels at skating along with physical play and is a strong asset on the power play. He also has great vision and is the kind of defenceman who will get lots of suitors on the open market.
During his career, Ekblad has won the 2015 Calder Memorial Trophy and has played in the 2015 and 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
Ekblad, who this past season played the eighth and final season of an eight-year $60 million dollar contract, is, according to The Fourth Period, drawing interest from a variety of teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks.
4. Brad Marchand, F
A strong argument can be made that Marchand, who is also a two-time Stanley Cup winner, should be occupying the second or third position on this list.
Marchand, who has played over 1,000 games and has scored more than 400 goals, will be a hot commodity on the UFA market. This veteran, who plays with grit and will do whatever it takes to win, is coming off a solid playoff run which saw him produce 20 points for the two-time Stanley Cup-winning Panthers.
However, the reason why he wasn’t placed higher on this list is because Marchand is 37 years old and endured an injury-plagued regular season which saw a decrease in his numbers.
Three years ago, in the 2021–22 season, Marchand enjoyed an 80-point campaign. Following that season, Marchand’s numbers decreased as he notched consecutive 67-point campaigns. This past season, Marchand couldn’t improve on those statistics as he produced 51 points in 71 games.
To be fair, it was a season of transition for Marchand as he was traded at the deadline from the only team he had played for — the Boston Bruins — to the Florida Panthers.
Marchand just completed the eighth and final year of an eight-year contract worth $49 million dollars. In his career, Marchand has played 1,100 games and scored 424 goals, 980 points while recording a plus/minus of +285.
5. Patrick Kane, F
It will be interesting to see how many teams will go after this future Hall of Famer.
Looking to once again defy Father Time, this 36-year-old elite playmaker is coming off a solid season which saw Kane produce 21 goals along with 59 points in 72 games played for the Detroit Red Wings.
Two years ago, Kane’s days with the Chicago Blackhawks came to an end when, after undergoing major hip surgery, he signed with Detroit and made a statement that he could still play by scoring 106 points in 122 games as a Red Wing.
Besides the offence, what also makes Kane so appealing on the open market is the fact that he won three Stanley Cups during his prime years with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Though not the boisterous type, Kane quietly — whether it be on the ice or in the dressing room — leads by example. Kane still has the offensive skills and would be an asset to any team as a top-six forward.
Throughout his Hall of Fame career, which saw Kane play for the Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Red Wings, he has played 1,302 games where he has scored 492 goals and 1,343 points. He is coming off a one-year deal with the Red Wings and can still help plenty of contending teams.
As mentioned earlier, it’s a richly talented group of UFAs who will be available at the right price.
Players such as forward Brock Boeser, defenceman Ivan Provorov, along with goalies such as Dan Vladar and David Rittich, are just a few more of the many talented UFAs who will more than likely be getting that fresh new start with another organization next year.
