NHL Free Agency 2022: Predicting Where the Top 15 Remaining NHL Free Agents Will Sign

NHL Free Agency 2022: Predicting Where the Top 15 Remaining NHL Free Agents Will Sign

Matthew Tkachuk, Patrik Laine, and Pierre-Luc Dubois are notable free agents who recently signed contracts to remove themselves from the market. Florida cleared enough cap space by trading Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar to Calgary to obtain Tkachuk's scoring ability, rewarding him with an eight-year, $9.5 million AAV. Meanwhile, Laine signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract extension to stay in Columbus alongside Johnny Gaudreau, while Dubois inked a one-year, $6 million deal with Winnipeg.

Following these transactions, Matt MacKay is back to rank the top 15 players remaining in NHL free agency based on talent, salary cap, and roster depth.

NHL Free Agency 2022: Predicting Where the Top 15 Remaining NHL Free Agents Will Sign

1. NAZEM KADRI, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Front offices are stuck in a bidding war to attempt signing Nazem Kadri after his career year with Colorado. Not only did Kadri help propel the Avs to win the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, but he also scored 28 goals, the second-highest mark of his 13-year career. Kadri is a veteran, but he's got plenty of speed, puck handling, and finishing ability within the offensive zone for teams like Anaheim, Calgary, or Nashville to pursue.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: DUCKS, FLAMES, PREDATORS

2. PATRICE BERGERON, C, BOSTON BRUINS

Yes, there is still a demand for veterans who can score consistently in the league. For example, Patrice Bergeron scored the third-most goals (25) for Boston in 2022 and added 40 assists, which was the most since 2019. Bergeron has spent his entire 18-year career with the Bruins, but many young rosters could benefit from his presence and abilities. He could return to Boston if contract negotiations get hashed out; otherwise, Bergeron returning to play for his hometown Montréal Canadiens would be a likely scenario.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: BRUINS, CANADIENS

3. DUSTIN BROWN, RW, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Dustin Brown fell under double-digit goals for the second time in his 18-year career during the Kings' 2022 season. The veteran winger has only played for Los Angeles but is a quality facilitator and an aggressor in transition. Durability concerns abound, but Brown has the talent to be a steady contributor on a second or third attack line for teams like Arizona, Anaheim, and Winnipeg.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: COYOTES, DUCKS, JETS

4. JOHN KLINGBERG, D, DALLAS STARS

Defensemen are a massive difference maker for a team's ability to reach the postseason. John Klingberg is fresh off of a 41-assist season with the Stars, averaging over 22 minutes of time on ice in 2022. However, what Klingberg lacks in goal-scoring, he makes up for with a high motor and fearlessness in the defensive zone, finishing with 77 blocked shots last season. He's rumored to be staying in Dallas for the upcoming season, but plenty of defensively-inept teams, such as the Islanders, Kraken, and Blue Jackets, would benefit from his presence.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: ISLANDERS, KRAKEN, BLUE JACKETS

5. JESPER BRATT, LW, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Jesper Bratt has entered the salary arbitration period with New Jersey, which could mean his RFA status could morph into UFA if he doesn't like the Devils' offer. The 23-year-old winger had a breakout campaign in New Jersey last season, finishing with 26 goals and 73 total points. He's only entering his sixth year in the league and is rounding into top form, meaning Bratt will be an asset for salary-cap-friendly teams such as Ottawa, Winnipeg, or the New York Islanders.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: SENATORS, JETS, ISLANDERS

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6. SAM GAGNER, RW, DETROIT RED WINGS

Detroit replenished its roster with heavy activity in free agency and the 2022 draft class, which frees up Sam Gagner as an underrated free agent prospect. The 32-year-old veteran winger is not a star by any means, but he finished 2022 with double-digit goals (13) for the first time since 2018. Gagner added 18 assists and averaged 13 minutes per night for the Red Wings last season, making him a good fit on teams like Minnesota or Ottawa.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: WILD, SENATORS

7. SONNY MILANO, LW, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Sonny Milano revived his career in Anaheim last season, tying his career-high in goals (14) and also set a personal record with 20 assists. He's more of a supporting role player than an offensive juggernaut; however, Milano will likely be out with the Ducks based on their draft haul. Teams like Boston, Minnesota, and Carolina would benefit from signing an experienced winger to bolster their lower attack lines in 2023.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: BRUINS, CANADIENS, HURRICANES

8. MIKKO KOSKINEN, G, EDMONTON OILERS

Edmonton needed to make a change in net, so they signed Jack Campbell to a massive contract when free agency began. Mikko Koskinen is 34 years old, but he's only played five seasons, finishing with under 3.00 GAA in 2019 and 2020 but regressing over the past two years with the Oilers. Koskinen is not a primary starter, but he's a quality back-up who can fill in for needy teams such as New Jersey, Columbus, and San Jose.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: DEVILS, BLUE JACKETS, SHARKS

9. PAUL STATSNY, C, WINNIPEG JETS

Paul Statsny may be behind his primary years, but he scored 21 goals for the Jets in 2022, a mark he had not reached since 2014 during his tenure with Colorado. The 36-year-old center currently earns $3.75 million with Winnipeg but could cash in on his 2022 bounce-back campaign. Teams like Minnesota, Boston, and Chicago emerge as viable suitors for Statsny in free agency.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: WILD, BRUINS, BLACKHAWKS

10. P.K. SUBBAN, D, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Teams aren't going to sign P.K. Subban based on his talent in the offensive zone, but he is a quality two-way defenseman with 13 years of experience. Subban racked 90 blocked shots and 69 hits in 2022 with the Devils, adding five goals and 17 assists in 77 games. He's durable and a speedy enforcer who still has enough talent to shore up leaky defenses in places like Chicago or Buffalo.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: BLACKHAWKS, SABRES

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11. ALEXANDER RADULOV, RW, DALLAS STARS

Alexander Radulov is a couple of years removed from back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons, finishing 2022 with four goals and 22 total points across 71 games for the Stars. The veteran winger is 36 years old, but he still possesses enough appeal for teams with anemic offenses and young rosters such as Buffalo, Anaheim, or the New York Islanders.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: SABRES, DUCKS, ISLANDERS

12. BRADEN HOLTBY, G, DALLAS STARS

Goaltenders are always a premium in the NHL. Braden Holtby was traded from Vancouver to Dallas last season, where he started 22 games and finished with a .913 save percentage and 2.78 GAA. These are impressive numbers, and Holtby could stay with the Stars in 2023. Otherwise, teams like Detroit, Chicago, or Buffalo have plenty of cap space to pay up for the 32-year-old netminder.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: RED WINGS, BLACKHAWKS, SABRES

13. EVAN RODRIGUES, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Evan Rodrigues made the most of his ample opportunities in Pittsburgh during the 2022 season. The 28-year-old center filled in for the oft-injured Evgeni Malkin, netting 19 goals and 24 assists to set a career-high with 43 total points. He's only earning $1 million AAV, so expect teams with big salary caps and anemic offenses like Arizona, Buffalo, or Winnipeg to increase Rodrigues' contract to instill his talent on their rosters.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: COYOTES, SABRES, JETS

14. PHIL KESSEL, RW, ARIZONA COYOTES

It was a down year for Phil Kessel during his 2022 campaign in the Desert. However, he still finished with 44 assists and possesses speed, handles, and vision to always be an asset on any roster. He's currently earning $6.8 million from the Coyotes, but after their massive haul of young talented wingers and centers in the draft, Kessel will likely be signed elsewhere. Teams such as Ottawa, Dallas, and Chicago make a lot of sense.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: SENATORS, STARS, BLACKHAWKS

15. JOHAN LARSSON, LW/C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Capitals didn't get much chance to utilize Johan Larsson in 2022, but he still finished with six points across 14 games. Larsson is a versatile winger who can skate minutes at center, relying on a high motor, strength, and good puck handling in the offensive zone. He's definitely a third or fourth-line contributor, but Larsson could be an asset for the Kings, Sharks, or Predators.

PROJECTED LANDING SPOT: KINGS, SHARKS, PREDATORS

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