2023 NHL Free Agents Who Would Be Foolish to Change Teams
For the first time since 2019, the NHL free-agent market opens at noon ET on July 1, 2023.
This year's crop of unrestricted free agents isn't as deep as in previous years. Most of the notable talent is now in their 30s and either past their prime or approaching it. Still, we can expect the usual frenzy of bidding within the opening days as teams jockey to sign the best available players.
For players slated to become unrestricted free agents, this could be their best opportunity to land lucrative, long-term contracts, even if it means changing teams to do so. However, the grass isn't always greener elsewhere.
Some pending UFAs are currently skating for teams considered to be Stanley Cup favorites or on the verge of becoming contenders. Leaving such teams to pursue more money elsewhere could cost them a chance at a championship in the near future.
Some have been with their current teams for a long time, while others only arrived before this year's trade deadline. Not every one will be able to remain with those clubs given the salary-cap limitations that their respective teams could face next season. Still, it would be worthwhile for some of those pending UFAs to consider staying put if given the chance.
Here's a look at five players who should think twice about leaving their current clubs as free agents this summer. Express your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Boston Bruins
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After spending almost seven seasons with the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings, Tyler Bertuzzi was traded to the Boston Bruins in early March. The 28-year-old winger is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million and no longer fit in the Wings' long-term plans.
Bertuzzi wasted little time fitting in with the Bruins. A physical agitating forward with good offensive skills, he had 16 points in 21 regular-season games as a middle-six winger. He's followed that up with a strong effort in his first-ever NHL playoff series, earning praise for his skills and intensity during the Bruins' first-round series with the Florida Panthers.
Bertuzzi's style of play and adaptability could earn him an opportunity to stay in Boston beyond this season. That will depend on whether the Bruins can free up sufficient salary cap space to re-sign him. They have only $10.6 million in projected cap space with 14 roster players under contract for 2023-24.
The Bruins could be looking at some significant roster changes if stars Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retire at the end of this season. Retaining Bertuzzi, who has fit in well thus far, could make the transition a little smoother while helping them remain a playoff contender.
A solid performance with the Bruins this postseason could boost Bertuzzi's stock as a free agent, enabling him to land a long-term deal with a raise to perhaps $6 million annually. However, he might not fit as well with another club as he does right now in Boston.
Bertuzzi spent years on a non-contender in Detroit. The Bruins are the best team he's ever played for in the NHL. Even if he can get a better contract elsewhere, it might be in his best interest to accept a short-term deal with the Bruins for around the same cap hit as his current deal, with the potential of a longer-term agreement down the road.
J.T. Compher, Colorado Avalanche
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Nazem Kadri's departure last summer via free agency thrust J.T. Compher into the Colorado Avalanche's second-line center role. The 28-year-old adjusted well to his new position while injuries ravaged the Avalanche roster this season, netting career highs with 35 assists and 52 points in 82 games.
Compher's career year came at the right time. He's in the final season of a four-year contract with an annual cap hit of $3.5 million.
Teams in the market for a skilled second-line center will be interested in Compher if he's available on July 1. He can also play at right wing, which gives him some additional versatility. The hard-working physical forward with a good scoring touch could land a long-term deal worth around $6 million annually on the open market.
The Avalanche might have a difficult time re-signing Compher. They have a projected $13.2 million in cap space for 2023-24 with 13 roster players under contract, and restricted free agents Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook are in line for raises this summer.
This summer could be Compher's best chance to land a hefty raise on a lengthy new contract. Unless the Avalanche free up cap space, he's unlikely to get that kind of deal with them.
However, Compher is in a good situation with the Avalanche. He's won a Stanley Cup with them, and they're likely to remain contenders for several years. He has proved that he can handle second-line duties, and he could improve in that role over the next several years.
The Avalanche might be able to re-sign Compher for around $5.5 million annually on a five-year deal if they can create sufficient cap space. While he might get more elsewhere, the opportunity to remain a No. 2 center on a Stanley Cup contender could justify accepting a hometown discount.
Vladislav Gavrikov, Los Angeles Kings
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Since his NHL debut in the 2019 playoffs, Vladislav Gavrikov developed into a solid defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets. When contract extension talks fell through, the Blue Jackets traded the 27-year-old blueliner to the Los Angeles Kings on March 1.
Gavrikov adjusted quickly to his new club. Skating on the left side of the Kings' second defense pairing, he netted nine points in 20 regular-season games. He had 10 points in 52 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.8 million, Gavrikov is in a good position to perhaps double his salary and earn a long-term deal of up to seven years.
The Kings have only $6.7 million in projected cap space and 19 roster players under contract for next season. If they re-sign goalie Joonas Korpisalo, they could find it difficult to re-sign Gavrikov unless they can shed salary via trade or buyouts this summer. Even then, they might not be able to outbid other clubs for his services.
Gavrikov has provided welcome depth to the left side of the Kings' blue line, allowing them to move Sean Durzi back to his natural right-side position. This is a great chance for Gavrikov to earn top-four minutes on a genuine playoff contender rather than a struggling team like the one he left in Columbus.
It will be understandable if Gavrikov decides to pursue the best possible deal on the open market. However, he might be better off considering a $4 million cap hit on a two- or three-year deal with the Kings. That would give him the opportunity to showcase his skills on an up-and-coming club and perhaps a chance to earn a more lucrative contract extension down the road.
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Ryan Graves, New Jersey Devils
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The New Jersey Devils will have a big decision to make on their blue line during the offseason, as defensemen Ryan Graves and Damon Severson are eligible for unrestricted free agency.
With a projected $34.7 million in cap space and 12 roster players under contract next season, the Devils have the room to retain both if they so choose. However, high-scoring forwards Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier are restricted free agents seeking big raises on lucrative new contracts as well.
The cost of re-signing Bratt and Meier could bite deeply into the Devils' cap space, leaving limited room to retain Graves and Severson as well as fill out the rest of the roster. The Devils ultimately might have to choose between the two.
Of that duo, the Devils will likely prioritize re-signing Graves. The 27-year-old is a 6'5", 220-pound shutdown defenseman who regularly skates on the left side of their second defense pairing with John Marino. Meanwhile, Severson has slipped down the depth chart into a third-pairing role behind Marino and first-pairing star Dougie Hamilton.
Completing a three-year contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $3.2 million, Graves could earn himself a big raise on a long-term deal. Depending on how the Devils manage their cap payroll for 2023-24, they could be limited in how much to offer him.
The Devils could offer Graves a five-year deal worth between $4.5 and $5 million annually. Given his skill set, he might receive offers up to seven years around $6 million per season.
Graves missed an opportunity to win a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche when they traded him to the Devils in July 2021. With the Devils emerging from years of rebuilding into a rising force in the Eastern Conference, he has a chance to play for a potential Cup contender in New Jersey. That could entice him to stick around for perhaps a little less than his market value.
Joonas Korpisalo, Los Angeles Kings
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Joonas Korpisalo spent nearly eight seasons trying to establish himself as a starting goaltender with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Having already invested in Elvis Merzlkins and with promising Daniil Tarasov waiting in the wings, the Jackets traded the 28-year-old Korpisalo to the Los Angeles Kings on March 1.
Korpisalo had a record of 11 wins, 11 losses and three overtime losses with a 3.17 goals-against average and a save percentage of .911 in 28 games with the Blue Jackets. His stats improved after joining the Kings, as he finished the regular season with a record of 7-3-1 with his new club, sporting a 2.13 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
That performance earned him the starting job for the Kings' first-round playoff series with the Edmonton Oilers. While he gave up five goals in a 6-3 loss in Game 5, he had a .918 save percentage in the four games preceding it.
Korpisalo is completing a one-year, $1.3 million contract. His performance with Los Angeles could make him enticing for clubs in the market for an affordable goalie in his prime.
The Kings' limited cap space could make it difficult for them to re-sign Korpisalo to a lengthy new contract. They might have to shed salary via trade or buyouts this summer.
The opportunity to earn bigger bucks elsewhere might be tempting for Korpisalo. However, he has a great shot in Los Angeles to finally prove himself as an NHL starter with a playoff club that has the potential to blossom into a Cup contender.
Korpisalo could seek a long-term deal worth considerably more than his current contract. A two-year agreement at $3.5 million annually would not only be cost-effective for the Kings but also the biggest raise of his career to date. It would also give him a chance to earn a more lucrative deal later on when he's still in his playing prime.
Stats via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com. Salary info and line combinations by Cap Friendly.
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