On Sept. 16, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the NHL's annual free-agent market will open on July 1 for the first time since 2019. With the 2022-23 season now underway, this is a good opportunity to list the best players eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July and predict where they might end up.
If it seems premature for this type of list, bear in mind that the number of potentially available stars could shrink between now and July 1.
Since September, two big names came off the board, with J.T. Miller signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks and Nathan MacKinnon following suit with the Colorado Avalanche.
A number of notable stars could be obtainable when the market opens. They include forwards such as the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane and the Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak, defensemen like the Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba, and goaltenders such as the Carolina Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen.
Here's our look at next summer's 10 notable UFAs and whether they'll re-sign with their current clubs or ink new deals elsewhere. Feel free to let us know what you think of this listing in the comments section below.
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
After five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Frederik Andersen joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a two-year contract in July 2021. He went on to enjoy one of his best seasons, finishing among the top seven for starting goaltenders with a 2.17 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage, 35 wins and four shutouts.
Andersen's $4.5 million annual salary-cap hit has proven to be a bargain for the Hurricanes. If the 33-year-old Danish netminder matches last season's stats in 2022-23, he will be worth a lot more if he reaches the open market.
The Hurricanes were among last season's top teams in part due to Andersen's goaltending. A late-season knee injury sidelined him during the 2022 playoffs, contributing to the Hurricanes' elimination from the second round by the New York Rangers.
With $29.1 million in projected cap space for 2023-24, the Hurricanes have the room to pay Andersen a raise on his next contract, so long as he maintains his strong performance.
Prediction
The Hurricanes don't have anyone in their system to step up and provide them with the same level of goaltending as Andersen does. With their best goalie potentially available in the UFA market, they could push to sign him to a contract extension. Given his age, it could be a three-year deal worth around $6.5 million per year.
Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
The subject of trade rumors for the past two seasons, Matt Dumba is in the final season of his five-year, $30 million contract. The 28-year-old is a solid two-way defenseman and could become one of the top players potentially available in next summer's free-agent market.
Dumba's physical style and offensive skills should also draw plenty of attention if the Minnesota Wild decide to shop him before the March 3 trade deadline. Given their limited salary-cap space for 2023-24, it's possible general manager Bill Guerin will peddle him rather than lose him for nothing to free agency.
Even if Guerin doesn't move Dumba at the trade deadline, the Wild will find it difficult to retain him. They have a projected $15.5 million in cap space next season with restricted free agents such as Matt Boldy, Tyson Jost and Calen Addison to re-sign.
After securing an average annual value of $6 million on his last contract, Dumba could seek a long-term deal worth around $8.5 million per season. Playoff contenders or emerging clubs with lots of cap space in need of a top-two right-side defenseman, such as the New Jersey Devils, could come calling next summer.
Prediction
Dumba inks a seven-year contract with the Devils, who could lose defenseman Damon Severson to free agency. With a projected $35.8 million in cap space for 2023-24, they have room to sign Dumba and still have enough to re-sign key players such as Jesper Bratt. He could become a key part of their roster core as they develop into a perennial playoff club.