8 Intriguing 2025 NHL Free Agents No One is Talking About

The start of NHL free agency is fast approaching, and by now we've heard all there is to hear about guys such as Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand and what they'll be able to command come July 1.

Those players deserve the attention they're getting, but there are a lot of other names out there to be had, too.

We're not talking about totally under-the-radar guys here, but more the players who make teams say, "Hey, he might be able to help us out." The free-agency class on the whole might not have NHL general managers super-enthralled, but it's not as if there isn't help available.

We've picked a handful of free agents who aren't getting so much attention and whether they might be players who can help your team succeed next season.

Ryan Donato, Chicago Blackhawks

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We admit there may be a few people talking about Ryan Donato thanks to the out-of-the-blue huge season he had in Chicago.

The 29-year-old had a career year with 31 goals and 31 assists, and his 62 total points doubled his previous career high of 31 points set with Seattle three seasons ago.

His massive year has given everyone reason to pause wondering if it's a classic contract year performance or a huge breakout year nine years into his NHL career.

There's also question if Donato could do that again on a team that's a bit deeper than Chicago was this year. But throughout his career, he's shown touch around the net, an ability to make creative plays and is capable of putting the puck in the net.

The 'Hawks could re-sign him still but with all the money that will be available around the league this summer, it will be hard to not take a peek at the market, particularly with a free-agent class that's lacking in offensive firepower outside of a few superstars.

Andrei Kuzmenko, Los Angeles Kings

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When Andrei Kuzmenko first arrived in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks three seasons ago, he put up a massive 39-goal, 74-point season that made it seem like a new star had arrived.

Since then, the 29-year-old has been traded three times and played for three more teams in the two seasons that followed. It's been an adventure for the forward, but wherever he's played he's been able to produce offensively.

Outside of his first season with Vancouver, Kuzmenko followed it up with 22 goals the next year, but his numbers dropped further this season with 11 goals and 26 assists split between Calgary, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

It's tough to stay steadily productive when moving around that much, but the skills are there and the finishing ability is clear.

Granted, Kuzmenko isn't likely going to shoot 27.3 percent as he did in his first season, but he's shown a knack of being able to cash in at a high percentage even outside of that (career average 20.7 percent).

If the Russian is in the right situation, the kind of volume he produced in Vancouver could return, but at the very least he could be a valuable depth scorer to provide added scoring punch.

Jack Roslovic, Carolina Hurricanes

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It wasn't a career-year for Jack Roslovic in Carolina this season, but it was a return to offensive form we hadn't seen in a few years.

Known more for his speed, strong forechecking and defensive play, the 28-year-old matched his career high with 22 goals, something he last did in 2021-2022 with Columbus. His added offensive punch gave the Hurricanes an even deeper attack than they had to begin with, and their style of play leaned heavily into the strongest parts of his game.

Roslovic's defensive traits can keep him playing in the NHL for years to come, but if his offense can be consistent, it would earn him a lot more money. Obvious, we know, but he's a known quantity and showing he can score goals is what will keep the calls coming to his agent.

If a team needs a speedy third or fourth liner who can defend well, getting offense like that would be a huge bonus and may be worth the chunk of change needed to land him.

Mikael Granlund, Dallas Stars

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For a guy who had as juicy an offensive season as Mikael Granlund, his name seems to be rather absent from any of the main discussion in free agency.

The 33-year-old had 22 goals and 66 points split between time with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars this year and another five goals and five assists in the playoffs for Dallas. Teams know what they're going to get out of him for the most part.

Over the past eight years, the Finn's production has been a bit mercurial, but he's had 60-point seasons in three of the past four years including the past two. He can score goals, but his strength comes in creating plays.

That said, he was a clutch goal-scorer over the last few months of the season including for Finland at the Four Nations Face-Off.

If your team needs depth on offense and a guy who's been at it for years in the NHL, Granlund may not command the kind of money he got in the contract that's just ending (four years, $20 million, $5 million cap hit) which could help him fit better into the budgets of contenders.

Vladislav Gavrikov, Los Angeles Kings

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There may not be many superstar defensemen in free agency, but there are more than a few blueliners who could fortify a defense corps in a way that could make a massive difference. Vladislav Gavrikov would certainly be one of them.

The 29-year-old was a rock-solid defender for the Kings this season. His advanced stats in shot metrics (shot attempts for) and shot quality (expected goals for) at 5-on-5 were outstanding at close to 55 percent in each category. He blocks shots and uses his size as a means of making life difficult on opponents by getting in their way.

Gavrikov may not make it to July 1 because the Kings would like to keep him around, but if he reaches the open market, he'll have a host of suitors based on his history of strong defensive work both in Columbus and in L.A.

That alone would be enough to warrant a lot of attention, but the numbers he posted with the Kings have helped his cause.

Dante Fabbro, Columbus Blue Jackets

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It wasn't too long ago that Dante Fabbro was one of the rising star defensemen of the Nashville Predators. Time passed and he was claimed by Columbus on waivers this season, and he's now set to be one of the more interesting blueliners on the market come July 1.

Despite the tumult and a change of scenery, the 26-year-old had a career year with the Blue Jackets that just so happened to coincide with his contract coming to an end. He had 26 points in 62 games with Columbus including nine goals. He also had a career high in average time on-ice at 21:39 per game compared to the 13:06 he had in six contests with the Predators this season.

Fabbro is a right-handed shooter and such players are in high demand on defense. After a solid season in Columbus, it would figure he would be at the top of many teams' lists who need help on the blue line. He'll be 27 next season which makes him among the younger available options in free agency, something that will also help him land a nice deal.

It would make a lot of sense if Columbus re-signed Fabbro, but considering what the market will be for a top-four right-handed defenseman, he'll be able to land a great deal in a place more to his liking.

Trent Frederic, Edmonton Oilers

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It's not always the big scorers who have value in free agency and being one of the tougher guys up front who can also contribute offensively is what makes Trent Frederic someone worth keeping an eye on.

The 27-year-old has his hands full at the moment in the Stanley Cup Final dealing with the Florida Panthers and keeping his head on a swivel with their cast of pests, but he's accustomed to it after years in Boston.

Frederic is physical, goes to the net and will fight if he has to which makes him an ideal role player for any team in need of a physical component. Before dealing with injury this season, he had back-to-back seasons with 17 and 18 goals, respectively, with 31 and 40 points. The penalty-minute numbers aren't out of whack, but his hit totals were strong.

The St. Louis native one of the younger players available in free agency and if we've learned anything from these playoffs, especially the Cup Final, there's a demand for players like Frederic who can mix it up and still contribute.

Once Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand land new deals, the market will be ripe for Frederic.

Dmitry Orlov, Carolina Hurricanes

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Remember when we said the free-agent market has a lot of solid options on defense? Consider Dmitry Orlov being back out there.

His past two seasons in Carolina were steady and strong. He posted 26 and 28 points and found himself being used in all situations. He can play physically, and he can move the puck up the ice well.

Orlov will be 34 years old next season, so he's firmly classified as a veteran and is eager to be part of another Stanley Cup team.

Playing for Carolina means the Russian's advanced stats were juiced to the gills and trying to parse them compared to the rest of the league requires at least a PhD.

However, we know from watching Orlov play that he's still got it and he'd be a big boost to a team that needs help on its second or third pair on defense.