NHL Free Agents 2022: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Johnny Gaudreau, More Top UFAs

It's almost time for the NHL offseason to go up another gear. Free agency is set to begin Wednesday at noon ET, when players who hit the market without any restrictions will be able to sign with any of the league's 32 teams.

There are some notable players who should become unrestricted free agents, assuming they don't agree to deals with their current teams over the next 24 hours. But it's already known that numerous standouts are expected to test the market.

Once free agency begins, it may not take long for players to start signing. And by the time the 2022-23 season arrives, the landscape of the league could look a bit different.

Here's a look at some of the latest buzz surrounding several impending free agents, along with predictions for where each will end up this offseason.

Johnny Gaudreau, LW

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CALGARY, ALBERTA - MAY 20: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 20, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Calgary Flames are running out of time to work out a deal with Johnny Gaudreau before the 28-year-old forward becomes a UFA. Not only does free agency begin Wednesday at noon ET, but 12 hours prior to that, teams lose the ability to offer eight-year deals to their pending UFAs.

As Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff noted, that would "significantly narrow" and potentially eliminate the Flames' advantage over the market. Yet the time crunch hasn't seemed to help the negotiations between Gaudreau and Calgary.

"Sources say there has been no traction in talks to this point between Gaudreau and Calgary," Seravalli tweeted late Sunday night.

If the Flames can't get a deal done, there will likely be plenty of suitors for Gaudreau, who ranked second in the NHL last season with 115 points (40 goals and 75 assists). It wouldn't be surprising if Gaudreau hits free agency and moves on, either.

One possible fit could be with the Philadelphia Flyers, and it might be hard for Gaudreau to turn them down, considering he's from Salem, New Jersey, which isn't too far from Philly. Gaudreau could be heading close to home to try to help the Flyers turn things around, giving them a huge offensive boost for the future.

Prediction: Gaudreau signs with the Flyers

David Perron, LW

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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 12: David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck during the first period against the Minnesota Wild in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff at the Enterprise Center on May 12, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)

David Perron began his NHL career with six seasons with the St. Louis Blues, and he's also spent the past four seasons with them. In between those stints, he played for four other teams. And the 34-year-old forward could again be on the move soon.

Seravalli reported that Perron is expected to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, which might bring an end to his time in St. Louis. Seravalli tweeted that "lines of communication remain open" between Perron and the Blues but that the team "doesn’t have the cap space to make a proper offer at this time."

Perhaps that could change depending on the moves that St. Louis makes. He continues to play at a high level, having tallied at least 57 points in each of the past three seasons. So the Blues may want to find a way to keep him on their roster. If not, there should be teams interested in signing him.

Even though Perron is going to hit the market, it's been clear that he's enjoyed playing in St. Louis, considering he signed with the team last time he was a free agent in 2018. Expect him to find his way back there again this summer.

Prediction: Perron re-signs with the Blues

John Klingberg, D

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 13: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars handles the puck against the Calgary Flames in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on May 13, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

After eight seasons with the Dallas Stars, John Klingberg could soon be on the move for the first time in his NHL career. The 29-year-old will be one of the top defensemen on the UFA market, and it appears plenty of teams will show interest in him.

According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, a "long list of teams will be calling" in pursuit of Klingberg, who has provided solid play throughout his time in the league. LeBrun believes the Seattle Kraken will be among the "serious suitors" for Klingberg in free agency.

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski also linked the Kraken to Klingberg while noting that the Carolina Hurricanes are speculated to be in the mix. Or perhaps Klingberg could even be heading back to the Stars.

However, the prediction here is that Klingberg will be leaving Dallas and will be heading to Carolina instead. The Hurricanes have plenty of cap space this offseason, and they're a contending team that could give Klingberg a strong chance to compete for a Stanley Cup in the near future.

Prediction: Klingberg signs with the Hurricanes