2024 NHL Free Agents: Top Landing Spots and Predictions for Notable Names
While the Edmonton Oilers attempt a historic comeback against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals, the rest of the NHL has already turned its attention to the offseason and a crop of free agents contenders hope can be the difference-makers between another disappointing campaign and the goal of every organization: hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.
This year's most coveted free agents include a future Hall of Famer, a proven difference-maker, and a player who rejuvenated himself and his career with his play in Dallas.
Where might they land and why are they as sought-after as they are?
Find out with this early preview of NHL free agency.
Elias Lindholm
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Lindholm's season did not end as he had hoped, with his Vancouver Canucks losing a Game 7 to eventual Western Conference champion Edmonton.
It was a disappointing conclusion to a season that saw him traded from Calgary in February, arrive in Vancouver, score 12 points in 26 games with his new team, and strengthen what was already an excellent Canucks team.
He averaged just 17:42 of ice time with his new team, his lowest since the 2017-18 season with Carolina, but his point total across both Calgary and Vancouver is the highest of his career.
Elliotte Friedman reported on SN's Jeff Marek Show that the Canucks are unlikely to be able to hang onto the veteran.
He is still a potential game-changing addition to any number of playoff contenders, including his former Hurricanes squad.
The most interesting potential suitor, though, would be the Boston Bruins, a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations but has fallen short each of the last two seasons, despite loaded rosters. The team has its own decision to make in regards to goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, which would theoretically free up cap space and make pursuing Lindholm easier.
Prediction: Lindholm signs with Boston
Matt Duchene
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After signing a one-year deal with Dallas last off-season, Matt Duchene found the net 25 times in 80 games and assisted on another 40 goals for a total of 65 points in an average of 16:45 of ice time per game.
Following a deep playoff run that saw the Stars advance to the Western Conference Finals, and a year that saw him heal personally following a tough start to 2023. It is that healing, and his personal growth he experienced with the organization that has him hoping to return to the team in free agency.
"I lose the end of my finger in March last year. I had three surgeries, get blindsided, end up a free agent, sign here. I'm here three days later looking for a house. I've got three kids at home. I fly here, I fly there, start camp, new teammates, new system, new coaches, new everything," he told Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News.
He continued, "I'm a human being at the end of the day, and I was kind of running like a robot there for eight or nine months."
Duchene was a significant contributor to the Stars, who entered the playoffs as the top seed in the West's central division. He believes the team is set up to win and win now, something he made clear was important to him.
"It was a great experience being here this year. If this group is able to stay together, which it looks like it should be able to, this is a great situation," he said.
The deal will have to be mutually beneficial for the team and player but Duchene made the Stars a better team, and he clearly wants to be there.
Expect them to make it work.
Prediction: Duchene re-signs with Dallas
Steven Stamkos
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Does anyone really want to see Steven Stamkos in any other team's sweater than Tampa?
After 16 seasons with the Lightning and two Stanley Cup victories, the future Hall of Famer is poised to leave in free agent, with plenty of teams across the league likely to be interested in adding him this off-season.
He is not the player he once was but to pretend that Stamkos is not still a threat to find the net or change a game would be asinine.
He scored 40 goals and assisted on 41. He played 18:13 per game, with 17:46 of production, meaning he is still maximizing his minutes and playing meaningful hockey.
Stamkos is an all-timer, a guy who would instantly elevate any team he plays for with his experience and locker room presence alone. Adding him to a team like the Nashville Predators, where there is a sense of familiarity in the form of past teammates Ryan McDonagh and Luke Schenn, would elevate that squad to a playoff contender.
There are the Florida Panthers, a team staring down its first Stanley Cup title but facing the very real likelihood that it loses some combination of Sam Reinhart, Nick Cousins, and Vladimiar Tarasenko. Losing those players would create the necessary cap space to make such a signing possible.
Never count out the Toronto Maple Leafs, either.
Despite being a Leafs killer for the majority of his career, and going to battle with the team, Stamkos grew up in Ontario as a fan of the team, as most his age did. Depending on what happens with Mitch Marner and the will it or won't it happen extension, he would be provide the championship experience the team lacks and potentially get the organization over the six-decade roadblock it has faced since its last Stanley Cup title.
Any one of those teams, or any other contenders seeking that one final piece to complete their championship puzzles, are logical landing spots for Stamkos.
Still, depending what happens with the Panthers and Reinhart, staying in Florida and closing out his career with a championship contender feels like the best option for a player who has helped elevate the NHL over the course of his career.
Prediction: Stamkos signs with Florida
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