Surprise Landing Spots for Top 2025 NHL Free Agents
The NHL's annual free-agent market opens at noon ET on July 1. When it does, most of the top available talent will be quickly signed to new, lucrative contracts.
Several notable stars could be available. They include winger Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, center Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, and winger Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. Those three were part of our way-too-early 2025 NHL Free Agent Board.
That 15-player list has shrunk by two with Jakob Chychrun re-signing with the Washington Capitals and Neal Pionk re-upping with the Winnipeg Jets. Several others could also sign contract extensions with the current clubs before July 1.
Nevertheless, there should still be some noteworthy talent available by July 1. Leading up to that date, NHL fans and pundits will be speculating where they'll sign.
Some of them could end up with teams that we least suspect. Here's a look at some surprise landing spots for this summer's top UFA players.
Sam Bennett to the Minnesota Wild
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The Florida Panthers made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances (winning the Cup last year) with a measure of talent and two-way grit. Sam Bennett has become one of the players who personify that style.
Since being acquired by the Panthers in a 2021 trade from the Calgary Flames, Bennett established himself as a dependable, versatile, agitating two-way forward. Capable of playing all three forward positions in all situations, the 28-year-old netted 40-plus points in each of the last four seasons.
Bennett will be a highly prized commodity if he goes to free agency. The Minnesota Wild could be among his suitors. After being hamstrung by limited cap space since buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in 2021, the Wild finally have sufficient cap space to make a splash in this summer's UFA pool.
The Wild have a projected $20.6 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 16 active roster players under contract. They must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov, but should have enough to sign Bennett to a long-term contract.
Bennett is completing a four-year deal worth an average annual value of $4.43 million. The Wild could attempt to entice him with a seven-year deal worth around $7.5 million. He would fit in well centering their second line, and his championship experience and leadership would be invaluable in postseason action.
Brock Boeser to the Chicago Blackhawks
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This was a difficult season for the Vancouver Canucks, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five season due to internal turmoil and injuries to key players. Several of them, including Brock Boeser, saw their production decline.
The Canucks will reportedly let Boeser depart as a free agent on July 1, though they've left open the possibility for his return if he doesn't find a suitable offer. That seems unlikely, as the 28-year-old right winger is only a year removed from a career-high 40-goal performance.
Boeser's scoring ability will be tempting for clubs trying to bolster their offense this summer. The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks could be among his suitors on July 1. With $30.9 million in projected cap space and 20 active roster players signed, they can afford to pay Boeser a significant raise.
A lack of offense was a significant reason behind Chicago's inability to improve this season. Their goals-per-game average (2.73) was 26th overall. They must also find a suitable linemate for center Connor Bedard, who expressed his frustration earlier this season about his club's performance.
Boeser could be an excellent fit alongside the playmaking Bedard on Chicago's top line. He could cost them around $8.5 million annually on a six or seven-year deal, but it wouldn't break the bank to do so.
Nikolaj Ehlers to the San Jose Sharks
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The rebuilding San Jose Sharks pulled off a surprising move in last year's free-agent market, signing veteran winger Tyler Toffoli to a four-year contract. The versatile 33-year-old skated on their top line alongside youngsters Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund, finishing third among Sharks scorers with 54 points.
Adding another veteran scoring winger would provide the Sharks with two solid scoring lines. It would also enable them to move promising Will Smith off right wing and into the second-line center position.
Nikolaj Ehlers could be a good fit here. The 29-year-old left wing is completing a six-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets worth an average annual value of $6 million. He does have an injury history but is also a reliable scoring forward, netting 55 points or more in six of his 10 NHL seasons.
Ehlers could prefer taking his talents to a playoff contender if he hits the open market on July 1. However, the opportunity to play a role in helping a promising Sharks team turn into a playoff contender could be intriguing.
The Sharks can afford to offer Ehlers a comparable salary for his next contract. They have a projected $43.9 million of salary cap space with 16 active roster players under contract next season. That's plenty of room to sign Ehlers to a five or six-year deal worth slightly more than his current cap hit.
Aaron Ekblad to the Edmonton Oilers
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Chosen first overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL Draft, Aaron Ekblad went on to become a cornerstone defenseman. He played a key role in their rise from league doormats to Stanley Cup champions over the past 11 seasons.
Ekblad is completing an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million. The 29-year-old blueliner could accept a pay cut to remain with the Panthers on a long-term deal. However, he won't have difficulty landing with a new club if the two sides fail to reach an agreement.
The Panthers' acquisition of Seth Jones before the March trade deadline has some observers suggesting the writing is on the wall for Ekblad's tenure with the Panthers. The Hockey Writers' Jackson Scherger suggested the Edmonton Oilers attempt to sign the veteran defenseman if he becomes available.
The Oilers saw Ekblad's talent first hand in last season's Stanley Cup Final. Scherber makes the case that his effectiveness, ability to adapt to different defense partners, and overall skills would be a terrific fit on Edmonton's blue line. He'd also have a chance to play with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Ekblad signing with the Oilers seems unlikely. They must re-sign Evan Bouchard to a lucrative long-term deal and lack sufficient cap space to lure a notable free agent. Nevertheless, it would certainly be surprising if they pulled it off.
Brad Marchand to the Detroit Red Wings
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One of this season's biggest surprises was the Boston Bruins trading captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline. Before that move, the 36-year-old winger had spent his entire 16-season NHL career with the Bruins.
Marchand is likely a playoff rental for the Panthers and could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Bruins left open the possibility of bringing him back, but he'll probably end up signing somewhere else.
Given his age and declining production, Marchand will get a short-term deal worth a little less than his current $6.13 million cap hit. He could attempt to sign with another Stanley Cup contender, but could surprise us by joining a rebuilding club like the Detroit Red Wings.
Marchand's leadership, vast playoff experience and agitating two-way game could make him the type of player to help the Red Wings break through as a playoff team. Their postseason drought has lasted nine seasons and they must add another experienced scoring forward.
The Wings have a projected $21.3 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 17 active roster players under contract, including their core players. There's room to sign Marchand to a one or two-year contract, especially if they fail to bring Patrick Kane back for another season.
Mitch Marner to the Utah Mammoth
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If Mitch Marner doesn't re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he could prefer signing with an established playoff team. Nevertheless, he might also be intrigued by the possibility of joining a promising young team on the cusp of becoming a regular postseason contender.
Marner could use a mental reset after spending nine seasons in Toronto's hockey fishbowl. A chance to play with a rising team in a new market where his every move won't be scrutinized could be tempting, especially if they're willing to pay top dollar.
The newly rechristened Utah Mammoth could be that destination for Marner. They're led by young stars like Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley. This rebuilding club continues to improve, narrowly missing the playoffs by seven points this season.
They lack a star like Marner who can take them to the next level. He'd be a terrific fit offensively on their top line, while his defensive skills would bolster their penalty kill. Marner would instantly become the face of the franchise, making them more marketable.
The Mammoth also has plenty of cap space to make Marner one of the league's highest-paid players. They have $22.3 million in projected salary-cap space for 2025-26, with 19 active players (including their core players) under contract.
Brock Nelson to the New Jersey Devils
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The New York Islanders traded Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche at the NHL trade deadline. However, the 33-year-old center could surprise us by signing this summer with a club close to his former team.
Nelson spent most of his 13 NHL seasons with the Islanders, netting 40-plus points nine times. His combined stats this season with the Isles and Avalanche totaled 56 points, marking the sixth time he's exceeded the 50-point plateau.
Completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million, Nelson isn't likely to get another long-term deal. However, he could be a fit with the New Jersey Devils on a three or four-year contract.
The Devils already have Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier centering their top-two lines, but they need a reliable third-line center. Adding Nelson could enable them to shift Dawson Mercer to the right side on that line. His presence would also provide insurance in case Hughes or Hischier are sidelined by injuries.
Nelson is likely to get other opportunities with other clubs and could be reluctant to join one of the Islanders' rivals. Nevertheless, the chance to join a club like the Devils and avoid the long travel playing for a Western Conference team might be tempting for him.
John Tavares to the Montreal Canadiens
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We admit it's unlikely that John Tavares will sign with the Montréal Canadiens if he and the Toronto Maple Leafs fail to agree to a contract extension by July. However, you've got to admit it would be a swerve that no one expects.
Tavares is completing a seven-year contract with the Leafs worth an average annual value of $11 million. He turns 35 on Sept. 20, and his best seasons are behind him, meaning he'll have to accept a significant pay cut with the Leafs or another club should he hit the open market on July 1.
While no longer the first-line star of his youth, Tavares has become an effective second-line center with the Leafs. He averaged almost a point per game this season with the Leafs, finishing with 38 goals and 74 points in 75 games.
Adam Gretz included Montréal on his list of potential free-agent landing spots for Tavares. He believes he'd address their need for an experienced second-line center. He'd also provide a welcome veteran presence and leadership to the up-and-coming Canadiens.
The Canadiens might have to pay a little extra to sign Tavares, likely a two or three-year deal with an AAV of $6.5 million. They have $8.7 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 18 active roster players under contract. However, they can get another $10.5 million with Carey Price on long-term injury reserve.
Tavares will likely sign an extension with the Leafs, or he could head to another NHL city instead of Montréal. Still, stranger things have happened, and his signing with the Canadiens would provide extra spice to the long and storied rivalry between those two clubs.
2024-25 regular season stats via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.
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