B/R's Final 2025 NHL Free Agency Big Board
The NHL's annual free-agent market opens at noon ET on Tuesday. We anticipate the usual frenzy of signings within the opening hours as teams move quickly to sign the best available talent.
On June 10, we published our ranking of the top potential unrestricted free agents. Since then, seven notable players came off our list.
John Tavares re-signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn re-signed with the Dallas Stars. Ryan Donato re-upped with the Chicago Blackhawks, Claude Giroux inked a new deal with the Ottawa Senators, Dante Fabbro re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Jonathan Toews signed with the Winnipeg Jets.
Plenty of quality talent remains, though some names could re-sign with their current clubs before July 1. Most will be available to the highest bidder, though.
Teams seeking scoring forwards will zero in on Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser. Clubs in the market for blue-line depth could pursue defenseman like Aaron Ekblad and Vladislav Gavrikov.
Follow along to see where they sit among the 15 players on our updated free agency big board for 2025.
15. Jack Roslovic
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A versatile forward who can play center or right, Jack Roslovic finished third among the Carolina Hurricanes this season with 22 goals in 81 games, matching his career high. However, it appears he'll be heading to market as the team considers other options to bolster its scoring.
The Hurricanes were Roslovic's fourth team in his nine-season NHL career. He had back-to-back 40-plus point seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The 28-year-old forward is coming off a one-year, $2.8 million contract. He could seek a multi-year deal worth around $4 million per season.
Consistency has been an issue for Roslovic throughout his NHL career, but there could be clubs interested in adding him as a middle-six forward. The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks may be among those teams.
14. Corey Perry
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At an age when most players are long retired, Corey Perry remains an effective middle-six forward.
The 40-year-old right wing completed his 20th NHL season, finishing with 19 goals and 30 points with the Edmonton Oilers. He also had 10 goals and 14 points in 22 playoff games.
Perry finished his second season with the Oilers, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight time. It was the fifth time in six years he's been to the Final, but he failed to add another ring to the one he has from his championship run with the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks.
While no longer the high-scoring forward of his youth, Perry has adjusted his style, becoming an effective, agitating checker who elevates his game in high-pressure situations. It's made him an in-demand veteran among teams with Cup aspirations.
Perry completed a one-year, $1.2 million contract. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported he's hoping to re-sign with the Oilers, but their cap situation could prevent that from happening. He shouldn't have any difficulty finding another contender happy to add his two-decades of experience to their lineup.
13. Pius Suter
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The play of Pius Suter was among the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season for the Vancouver Canucks.
In 81 games, the versatile 29-year-old forward finished with a career-best 25 goals and 46 points, finishing fifth among Canucks' scorers.
Suter completed a two-year contract with the Canucks with average annual value of $1.6 million. He'll be seeking a more lucrative deal with the opportunity to more than double his salary this summer.
There is no indication thus far that Suter and the Canucks have discussed a contract extension. On June 27, The Athletic's Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal reported he is expected to go to market on July 1.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could be in the market for a versatile middle-six forward like Suter. So could the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild.
12. Dmitry Orlov
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On July 1, 2023, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $7.8 million. Two years later, the 33-year-old defenseman appears to be headed to the open market again.
Orlov was the best defenseman available in the 2023 UFA market. While he put in two solid seasons with the Hurricanes, his stock has declined with younger talent ahead of him in this year's market.
Last season saw the Russian net 28 points with a plus-minus of plus-16 while averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game. However, he seemed to struggle against the aggressive play of the Florida Panthers during the Eastern Conference Final.
Orlov will likely have to accept a pay cut this time, but he could be in demand among teams seeking an experienced left-shot blueliner on their second defense pairing. They could include the Los Angeles Kings or the New York Rangers.
11. Ryan Lindgren
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After spending nearly seven seasons with the New York Rangers, Ryan Lindgren was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche before the March trade deadline.
The 27-year-old defenseman's tenure with the Avs could be short if they don't re-sign him before Tuesday.
A physical shutdown blueliner, he spent most of his Rangers' tenure on their first defense pairing alongside Adam Fox. He logged between 18 and 19 minutes of ice time per game, seeing mostly second-pairing duty with the Avalanche.
Lindgren completed a one-year, $4.5 million contract. He could seek a similar average annual value on a three- or four-year deal. His rugged style of play leaves him sidelined by injuries, but when healthy, he's a solid stay-at-home defender.
The Avalanche has $8.9 million in cap space, but they could use that money for other moves. Lindgren shouldn't have difficulty signing with another club on the open market. The left-shot blueliner could land with the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, and Los Angeles Kings.
10. Patrick Kane
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It's likely Patrick Kane will re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings. On Apr. 29, general manager Steve Yzerman said there was mutual interest between the two sides in a contract extension.
The 36-year-old winger completed a one-year contract with a $4 million base salary with $2.5 million in bonuses.
Kane's been a good fit with Detroit over the past two seasons. While no longer the high-scoring winger of his youth, he still finished fourth among Red Wings scorers in 2024-25 with 21 goals and 59 points while skating on their second line.
Whether he re-signs with Detroit or moves on, he'll likely get at most a two-year contract. He could also get another one-year, "35-plus" bonus-laden deal.
On June 25, Max Bultman of The Athletic speculated Kane and the Red Wings would work out a deal. However, he pointed out last year's contract talks went to the wire and could do so again this year.
9. Jake Allen
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Unrestricted free-agent eligibility couldn't have come at a better time for Jake Allen. The lack of goaltenders with starter experience leaves the 34-year-old as the best netminder in this year's market.
Allen joined the New Jersey Devils at the 2024 trade deadline. He was the backup for starter Jacob Markstrom in 2024-25 and put up good numbers, with a 2.66 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and four shutouts in 31 games.
Coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million, Allen is in a good position to seek a raise on a short-term deal. On June 25, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff reported he sought a two-year deal with an AAV around $5 million, depending on the market.
Di Marco indicated Allen and the Devils continue to negotiate. If he hits the open market, the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers could be among the interested clubs.
8. Mikael Granlund
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Coming off back-to-back 60-plus point performances, Mikael Granlund should be an attractive free-agent target for teams seeking an experienced, versatile middle-six forward.
The 33-year-old can play center or wing and is coming off a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million.
Granlund also proved his worth during the 2025 NHL playoffs with the Dallas Stars. Despite spending the previous two seasons with non-playoff clubs in Pittsburgh and San Jose, he tallied five goals and 10 points for the Stars in 18 postseason games.
The Stars have limited salary-cap space after re-signing Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene, leaving Granlund to hit the open market on July 1. He could be in line for a two or three-year deal with an AAV between $4 million and $5 million.
Granlund would be a good fit with a contender, a playoff hopeful or a rebuilding club. He could draw interest from the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens or the St. Louis Blues.
7. Ivan Provorov
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In a free-agent market with a limited number of top-four defensemen, Ivan Provorov could land a lucrative new contract.
A big-minute left-shot blueliner with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 28-year-old is completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6.8 million.
On June 8, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported Provorov was among the players the Blue Jackets wanted to keep. General manager Don Waddell met with the defenseman's agent during the NHL draft combine earlier this month, but had nothing notable to report.
Portzline followed up on June 22 suggesting the Blue Jackets could trade Provorov's rights before July 1 if it appears clear he's heading to free agency. That would give an interested team exclusive negotiating rights to discuss an extension before free agency begins.
Provorov could draw interest from the Los Angeles Kings if they lose Vladislav Gavrikov to free agency. The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers could also come calling.
6. Aaron Ekblad
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After the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup, pending free agents Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad indicated they hoped to return for a shot at a Cup three-peat.
Bennett re-signed last week, but the Panthers might only have enough cap space to retain Marchand or Ekblad.
On June 25, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported Ekblad could be the odd man out. He speculated the Panthers might be reluctant to make a long-term investment in the 29-year-old defenseman.
Ekblad is the second-longest-serving active member of the Panthers. He completed an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million.
The anchor of Florida's blue line for years, Ekblad's performance has declined over the last two years as injuries have taken a toll. Nevertheless, he could draw interest from clubs seeking an experienced top-four blueliner like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
5. Vladislav Gavrikov
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After completing a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Vladislav Gavrikov will be in the market for a richer, long-term deal.
The 29-year-old left-shot defenseman earned an average annual value of $5.9 million on his previous deal.
We noted on our previous board that Gavrikov was willing to remain with the Kings but wasn't in a hurry to sign an extension. On June 26, L.A. general manager Ken Holland said he raised the offer made by his predecessor Rob Blake, but there was still no deal in place.
The limited number of skilled top-four defensemen in this year's free-agent market provides Gavrikov plenty of leverage. If the Kings aren't willing to meet his asking price, another team will. He could seek a seven-year contract worth around $7.5 million annually.
One of those clubs could be the New York Rangers. On June 23, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicated the Blueshirts could be on Gavrikov's short list of potential landing spots via free agency.
4. Nikolaj Ehlers
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On June 26, Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said he intends to continue contract talks with Nikolaj Ehlers for as long as possible.
"We'll continue to have conversations until we can't, or until we're saying, 'Congratulations'," he said.
It's understandable why Cheveldayoff remains determined to re-sign Ehlers. The 29-year-old winger is among their franchise leaders with 674 games played, 225 goals, 295 assists and 520 points. With $23.5 million in cap space, the Jets have the room to sign him to a lucrative long-term extension.
However, Ehlers appears headed to the open market. He's completed a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million, and he could be seeking something upward of $8.5 million annually.
Teams in the market for an experienced top-six winger will have an interest in Ehlers. On June 12, Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon listed the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders among the potential suitors.
3. Brock Boeser
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After nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Brock Boeser will be testing the unrestricted free-agent market.
The Canucks haven't ruled out bringing the 28-year-old winger back if he doesn't find any suitable offers, but few teams will pass on an established scoring winger like him.
Boeser finished a three-year contract with the Canucks with an average annual value of $6.7 million. After years of short contracts in Vancouver, he'll likely seek a deal with a longer term. He could get around $8.5 million annually on a league-maximum seven-year deal.
While Boeser can be a streaky scorer, he has reached or exceeded 45 points in each of the last eight seasons. He also has six 20-plus goal seasons, including a career-best 40 goals in 2023-24.
2. Brad Marchand
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We had Brad Marchand sitting at No. 7 on our previous free-agent board. However, the 37-year-old winger's stellar postseason play helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup, sending his stock soaring.
He finished sixth among Panthers' scorers with 10 goals and 20 points, including three game-winning goals.
Shipped to Florida at the trade deadline, Marchand had endured a disappointing 47-point performance in 61 games with the Boston Bruins. A late-season injury limited him to 10 regular-season games with the Panthers, but he regained his usual agitating, two-way form during their playoff run.
Marchand completed an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.13 million. The Athletic's Chris Johnston believed he could get a four-year, $32 million deal. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman predicted he'd get three years at $24 million, but later conceded that might be too low.
The Panthers could re-sign Marchand, given how well he fits within their roster. If he goes to market, Friedman speculates the suitors could include the Utah Mammoth, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals.
1. Mitch Marner
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All signs suggest Mitch Marner's nine-season tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs will end on July 1. On June 23, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reported there were no serious contract talks between the 28-year-old right winger's camp and Leafs management.
Marner sits fourth all-time among Maple Leafs scorers with 520 assists and fifth with 741 points. The two-way winger is in the prime of his career, coming off a career-best 102-point performance. He's completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $10.9 million.
As the top player in the market, Marner could command around $14 million annually on a long-term contract. Some observers, like Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, reported hearing he could accept a short-term deal, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicated he received pushback on that suggestion.
Friedman also heard the Vegas Golden Knights are considered the front-runners for Marner's services. On June 28, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the two clubs discussed a "sign-and-trade" scenario, but it remains to be seen if it'll occur before the market opens.
Stats via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.
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