7 Bargain-Bin NHL Free Agents Who Can Solve Roster Issues in 2024
The NHL's annual free-agent market opens on July 1. There will be a frenzy of signings in the first few hours as teams attempt to snap up the best unrestricted free agents.
All the focus will be on the top UFAs and where they might go, but several lesser-talented but useful players are available and could help cap-strapped teams address their roster depth issues.
The New York Rangers signing Erik Gustafsson last summer is a good example of how an affordable free-agent addition can sometimes pay big dividends. Inked to a one-year, $825,000 contract, the 32-year-old blueliner collected 31 points in 76 games while logging 18:09 of time on ice per game for the Blueshirts.
Here's a look at seven pending UFAs who could become affordable depth signings for next season.
Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Let us know in the app comments below.
Laurent Brossoit
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The pickings are slim for starting goaltenders in this summer's free-agent market, but there are several suitable options for teams seeking a reliable backup.
Laurent Brossoit could be top of the list. He won 15 of 22 starts for the Winnipeg Jets this season (including two shutouts) with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
A 10-year NHL veteran with the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets, the 31-year-old has a record of 64 wins, 46 losses and 13 overtime losses with a career goals-against average of 2.64, a save percentage of .911 and six shutouts.
He has limited playoff experience but was invaluable for Vegas in the 2023 postseason. Replacing sidelined Logan Thompson in Game 1 against the Jets, he backstopped the Golden Knights to a 4-1 series victory. Appearing in eight games, he was part of their run to the Stanley Cup.
Coming off a one-year, $1.8 million contract, Brossoit won't cost much for the Jets to re-sign. If the two sides fail to agree to an extension, he won't have difficulty landing with another club, perhaps on a two-year deal worth $2.3 million annually.
Erik Gustafsson
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As noted in the intro, Erik Gustafsson is a noteworthy example of a bargain-bin signing panning out well. His 31 points in 76 games this season were the third-highest of his seven-year NHL career.
The 32-year-old's performance in a high-profile market like New York could set him up for a lucrative new deal, but the Rangers only have $11.3 million in cap space next season with 18 active roster players under contract. He could prove too expensive to retain.
A skillful puck-moving defenseman, Gustafsson has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career. His defensive-zone play has never matched his offensive abilities. Those factors explain why he's played for seven teams since his NHL debut in 2017-18.
The Swede will draw interest from teams looking for an affordable, experienced puck-moving defenseman. He could get a one- or two-year offer for up to $2.5 million annually. That's a significant raise over his current $825, 000 cap hit with the Rangers but still enough to put him in the bargain-bin range.
Danton Heinen
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The Boston Bruins invited Danton Heinen to a training camp tryout last fall. He played well enough to earn a roster spot, but he had to wait until Oct. 30 for the cap-strapped team to sign him to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
The winger rewarded the Bruins with 17 goals and 36 points in 74 games this season. He performed well in whatever role he was given, moving up and down the roster as needed due to injuries or whenever coach Jim Montgomery decided to shake up the lineup.
An injury limited the 28-year-old to one point in eight playoff games. Nevertheless, the eight-year veteran's versatility, hockey smarts and two-way play made him a solid addition to the Bruins in 2023-24.
Those attributes could earn Heinen a contract extension with Boston. If not, he'll likely be sought out by clubs seeking a skilled middle-six forward who can skate on either wing. He could garner a two- or three-year deal with an annual cap hit of $2.5 million.
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Dakota Joshua
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After several seasons outside the playoff picture, the Vancouver Canucks enjoyed a strong performance in 2023-24, finishing third in the Western Conference with 109 points.
Dakota Joshua was among the players who made a meaningful contribution to their improvement.
The 28-year-old is coming off a career-best 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 63 games. The 6'3', 206-pound left winger also had eight points in 13 playoff contests with the Canucks. He's completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $825,000.
A physical two-way checking-line forward, his performance this season garnered plenty of attention throughout this season. He won't be lacking for suitors if he decides to test the open market on July 1.
The Canucks will try to keep Joshua in the fold, but it could cost between $2.5 million and $3 million to sign him. He could get over $3 million annually because of his heightened profile this season.
Jordan Martinook
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The Carolina Hurricanes have nine players eligible to become unrestricted free agents and five slated to be restricted free agents on July 1.
They can't afford to re-sign everyone, which could lead to them parting ways with winger and alternate captain Jordan Martinook.
Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in 2018, the 31-year-old established himself as a key middle-six forward during his six seasons in Carolina.
Capable of skating on either wing, his versatility, work ethic and defensive skills made him a leader on the Hurricanes, earning an alternate captain role. He is coming off back-to-back 30-plus point seasons.
Martinook is completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million. He could still be an affordable re-signing for the Hurricanes, but that will depend on how much cap space is taken up re-signing players like Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei, Seth Jarvis and Teuvo Teräväinen.
If the Hurricanes part ways with Martinook, he won't be unsigned for long. Clubs seeking a cap-friendly hardworking checking-line winger with leadership skills will come calling. He could land a three-year deal worth around $2.75 million annually.
Daniel Sprong
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A well-traveled forward who can play right or left wing, Daniel Sprong could be a good option for teams seeking a cost-effective scorer on a short-term contract. He possesses tremendous speed and a powerful shot.
After struggling with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals, the Dutchman enjoyed a breakout performance in 2022-23 with the Seattle Kraken. He finished fourth among their leading scorers with 21 goals and sixth in points with 46.
Signed last July to a one-year, $2 million contract by the Detroit Red Wings, the 27-year-old proved his performance last season with the Kraken was no fluke. In 76 games with the Wings, he tallied 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.
Sprong can be inconsistent and his overall game still needs work, but his production with two different clubs over the past two seasons should make him a valuable bargain-bin player in this year's free-agent market. He could get a two-year deal worth $2.5 million per season.
Anthony Stolarz
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The Florida Panthers are expected to bring back Spencer Knight as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup next season. That means they'll part ways with Anthony Stolarz, who is coming off a one-year, $1.1 million contract.
Stolarz, 30, is a well-traveled seven-year NHL veteran, having played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks before landing in Florida last season.
The 6'6", 243-pounder has a career record of 43 wins, 31 losses and nine overtime losses with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and eight shutouts.
This season saw Stolarz post a career-best 2.03 goals-against average. He finished with a 16-7-2 record (including two shutouts) and a .925 save percentage.
Stolarz's size and solid play with the Panthers make him an attractive option for budget-conscious clubs pursuing a reliable backup. He could be a worthwhile signing at $1.7 million annually on a two-year contract.
Stats via NHL.com and salary information via Cap Friendly.
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