NHL Free Agents 2025 Rumors, Landing Spots Predictions for Ryan Suter, Top Stars

As NHL Free Agency continues, the services of top remaining free agent Nikolaj Ehlers remains up for grabs, with several teams interested in acquiring him, while two veteran stars in Ryan Suter and Dmitry Orlov mull their futures in the sport.

Dive deeper in to each NHL insider report connected to those stars and find out where they could very well see themselves land, including predictions for each player.

Latest on Ryan Suter

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Drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Ryan Suter has played plenty of meaningful hockey for the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues in the proceeding 22 years.

Over that time, he has played in 1526 regular season games, scored 107 goals, assisted on another 589, and accumulated a +/- of 127. He has repeatedly flashed a high hockey IQ and proven himself capable of making relatively simple, yet undeniably smart plays.

Yet, there are real questions about his playing future after Lou Korac of NHL.com reported that a reunion with the Blues appears unlikely.

Understandably so.

For all of his strengths and weaknesses, Suter is a player in decline. In 82 games, Suter scored just two times. His 15 assists are uncharacteristically low and his playing time has taken a hit.

At age 40, it would appear rather unlikely that Suter would noticeably improve on those numbers, begging the question: what does he have left to prove at this point? Outside of chasing a Stanley Cup, what can he realistically do at this point in his career that he had not already accomplished?

Andy Strickland of Fan Duel Sports Network reported that Suter has not decided if he will play again this coming season.

Short of signing a short-term deal with a contending team, simply for the experience of winning the prize that has eluded him for over two decades, retirement should not be out of the question.

That is, unless a franchise like Edmonton, Winnipeg, Florida, or Toronto comes calling.

Prediction: Retirement

Nikolaj Ehlers Remains Top Remaining Free Agent

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With Mitch Marner officially a member of the Vegas Golden Knights following a sign-and-trade deal with Toronto, left winger Nikolaj Ehlers has emerged as the best remaining free agent.

It is no surprise, then, that several Eastern Conference-contending teams are interesting in potentially signing him.

ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan reported that the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Tampa Bay Lighting

It is easy to see why, too.

The 29-year-old left wing Dane tallied 63 points in his last 69 games. He found the net 24 times and added 39 assists. Therein lies what he will do extremely well for any of those aforementioned teams.

A smart skater with a high hockey IQ, who thrives while setting his teammates up in scoring position, he will be a remarkable mover of the puck for whichever team adds him to their roster.

His defense could use a little help, but he generates offense on the other side of the puck, something the Hurricanes, Capitals, and Lightning will all require as they look to keep pace with the extraordinary two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

There has been considerable smoke around Carolina this off-season and at some point, the team is going to have to pull the proverbial trigger. This feels like their move and one that could pay dividends by the time the 2025-26 season kicks off.

Prediction: Ehlers sings with Carolina

What's Next for Dmitry Orlov?

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Dmitry Orlov was drafted with the 25th pick in the second round of the 2009 NHL Draft, exceeding expectations and becoming a physical presence on the defensive side of the puck for Washington, Boston, and Carolina.

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, though, he is weighing his options.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggests whatever decision he makes as far as which team to sign with, it is not imminent.

Nor should it be.

Orlov is a Stanley Cup winner with the Capitals and has proven consistency throughout his career. He only scored six goals in 2024-25, with 22 assists, but what he lacks on the box score he makes up for on the ice, with excellent skating and puck moving. He is big, physical player who can be a tone-setter on defense.

As someone who has been in the league since 2013 and been part of some truly great teams, he has earned the opportunity to take his time, considering his options, and ultimately choose what he wants to do next.

If he selects retirement, he would exit the league with 327 career points in 867 games, and a Stanley Cup with the 2018 Caps. If he does not, teams such as the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Calgary Flames could all benefit from that tough, gritty style of play the veteran defenseman brings to the game.

Prediction: Orlov returns for another season, signing with the Rangers