The season is wrapping up in a hurry, with the Stanley Cup awarded last Monday, the draft taking place on the weekend, and now free agency beginning on July 1. It’s been a hectic week of action, with a quiet period set to follow immediately.
Before we get to the three-month pause, there are a lot of players in need of new contracts for the 2024-25 season. We’ve also seen a few of them taken off the market. Jake Guentzel has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Max Domi has re-upped with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Patrick Kane has returned to the Detroit Red Wings. But there are a lot of other names on the list of free agents, and a whole slew of restricted free agents who were left unqualified yesterday and hoping for a new opportunity elsewhere.
The salary cap has gone up $4.5 million this summer, with a similar increase expected next year, meaning teams have more financial wiggle room than they have in previous years. There could be a lot money flying on the official first day of the new season, and some surprising news as teams try to shift the balance of power in the league.
A selection of top unrestricted free agents available
Steven Stamkos
Jonathan Marchessault
Brandon Montour
Elias Lindholm
Matt Duchene
Brett Pesce
Teuvo Teravainen
Tyler Toffoli
Chandler Stephenson
Brady Skjei
