NHL Free Agency 2024: Updated Landing Spots Predictions Amid Offseason Buzz

July kicked off with a flurry of moves on the first day of NHL free agency but since then, has been somewhat quiet, with several veteran players still waiting to find out where they will continue their careers.

Two, Tyson Barrie and James Van Riemsdyk, rank among the best players remaining and bring experience and leadership to any team needing help at their positions.

Still unsigned is Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman, who is one of the league's best and the future of Boston hockey in the net.

Find out the latest on each of those three players and where they are predicted to land with this look at top remaining free agents.

Jeremy Swayman

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 17: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins tends goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers won 2-1 to advance to the Eastern Conference final. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

Most interesting of all unsigned free agents, restricted or not, is Jeremy Swayman.

The star goaltender for the Boston Bruins became the undisputed starter in the net this offseason when the team traded Linus Ullmark, marking the first time in two seasons in which there was no question about who the top goalie in Beantown was.

Except, he still does not have a contract, despite Elliott Friedman reporting back in March that negotiations were underway.

There is little concern in Boston that a deal will get done and NHL analyst Andrew Raycroft reported as much on The Greg Hill Show.

"It's gonna get done... They've gone through this a little bit last season, so, the business side of it, they know where each other stands... and fortunately, for Jeremy, he knows he's very important and wants to be paid as such," (h/t Hockey Trade Rumors for the transcription).

Swayman is important. One of the best goalies in the game, on a team that already traded the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Ullmark, he accumulated a .916 save percentage, averaged just 2.53 goals against in 1287 shots.

At 25 years old, he is elite in the net and will factor heavily into the Bruins' attempts to win their first Stanley Cup since 2011.

It is Swayman or bust at goalie for the Bruins. Backup Joonas Korpisalo, acquired in a trade from Ottawa, is not the player that Swayman is and had a sub-.500 record a season ago at 21-26. He is an adequate backup, with experience, but he is not a starter on the level of the young tender.

Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro do not inspire much in the way of confidence, either.

The Boston front office knows as much.

Look for the Swayman deal to get done and the budding star to be a major part of why Boston returns to the postseason and is, again, a favorite in the Eastern Conference.

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Prediction: Bruins retain Swayman on new, long-term deal

James Van Riemsdyk

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 30: James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff at TD Garden on April 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images)

James Van Riemsdyk may not have finished hot for the Bruins but he was a solid contributor throughout the season and into the playoffs.

He finished with 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points, averaged 13:30 of ice time, and scored three game-winning goals. In the playoffs, he added a goal, four assists, and won 66.7 percent of his power plays.

He has plenty left to offer a team that is in need of secondary offense.

The Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, and Montreal Canadiens are all squads who could benefit from having Van Riemsdyk's production, not to mention his veteran leadership in the locker room.

Even a team that does not need offensive help, such as the Vegas Golden Knights, could end up signing him to a short-term deal in the name of providing depth to the roster.

Regardless, Van Riemsdyk is the sort of player who can improve a bad team with his presence alone or strengthen a playoff team, providing a spark off the bench and helping to compete for a coveted Stanley Cup.

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Prediction: Van Riemsdyk signs late, with a contending team looking for depth

Tyson Barrie

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 2: Tyson Barrie #22 fist bumps Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators prior to an NHL game against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on April 2, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

Tyson Barrie is a fantastic power play defenseman whose time in Nashville came to an end amid frustration over playing time and a reduced role in the team's plans.

The emergence of young talent around him ultimately made Barrie expendable to the Predators, but one would be mistaken to believe he cannot still produce and contribute at age 32.

Last season was a disappointing one that saw him score 15 points on one goal and 14 assists, but a year earlier, he was a 55-point player.

He has 210 power play points (six last season) to his name and has averaged 21:07 minutes of ice time in his career.

A veteran leader who has time in Colorado, Toronto, Edmonton, and Nashville to draw from, he would be a valuable asset for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Calgary Flames, all of whom could use a defensive upgrade.

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Prediction: Barrie signs with another defense-needy team in the Chicago Blackhawks