Most big names and impact players in NHL free agency flew off the board on Day 1.
However, some value adds remain to be had as the first week of free agency ends. Here are the five best players who are still available.
Despite being 35, Van Riemsdyk still has plenty to offer in a middle-six role. He logged 11 goals and 38 points in 71 games with the Boston Bruins last season, and he’s scored double-digit goals every year he’s been in the NHL. He also notched six goals and 12 points on the man advantage as well, and he could be a boost for a team’s second power-play unit.
Only 27, Sprong has come into his own in the last two seasons, tallying 39 goals and 89 points and proving to be an under-the-radar scoring threat. He ranks ninth in the NHL over the last two years in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes despite averaging only 11:44 of ice time per game. Sprong would be a significant boost for a team looking to bolster scoring from its middle six.
Barrie’s 2023 numbers don’t look pretty (one goal, 15 points in 41 games, 18:19 ice time per game), but he was the unfortunate victim of being in the wrong situation in Nashville and going through a public dispute over a trade request. The 32-year-old is one of the top power-play quarterbacks in the league (he has 32 career goals and 210 points on the man advantage), and he adds significant value as a blue-liner who can also put up lots of points (he had 10 straight seasons of 35 or more points from 2013 to 2022.)
Lankinen spent the last two years as Juuse Saros’ backup in Nashville, but he performed like a borderline starter. In 43 games, including 35 starts, Lankinen put up a .912 save percentage, 2.78 goals-against average and 13.9 goals saved above expected. Thirteen of his 17 starts this season came against playoff teams, and he won six of them and held his own against the top teams in the league. Lankinen is only 29, and he could get a one- or two-year deal from a team looking to platoon him with another netminder in a 1A-1B situation.
At 33, Schultz is more of a third-pairing defenseman than anything, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value. He totaled seven goals and 26 points in 70 games with the Seattle Kraken and played the second-most power-play minutes among the team’s defensemen. Schultz is a good option for the man advantage, and he adds scoring upside from the blue line.
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Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood got married two weekends ago to his partner Ariela at a stunning California estate, and pictures have just surfaced online for fans. Vancouver Canucks player Kiefer Sherwood married his now wife, Ariela, in an intimate wedding in the Cherub Garden of Stonepine Estate, Carmel Valley, California. Ariela posted Instagram glimpses, ranging from vows exchanging and couples' photos to wedding photoshoot sneak peeks. Their pet dog, Luca, was featured numerous times, including once sitting with them. 'A dream come true - 07.26.25 The Sherwoods.' The day was filled with personal touches. Kiefer Sherwood's close friend and ex-Miami University teammate Karch Bachman officiated the ceremony. Ariela walked down the aisle to a violin rendition of Taylor Swift's 'Enchanted' played by Alan Milan, and the two exchanged handwritten vows. Sherwood and Ariela, together for four years and who celebrated their engagement in January, got engaged during a Turks and Caicos vacation this past year. Sherwood Just Completed His First Season With the Canucks Sherwood signed as a free agent with the Canucks on July 1, 2024, after time with the Nashville Predators. Ariela fondly remembered their inaugural year in Vancouver as a couple this offseason, posting pictures of hiking excursions with Luca against the backdrop of nature, sushi cafe nights, horseback rides, and sunset walks. She even uploaded news of her bachelorette party and seasonal memories, from cherry blossoms that opened and snowy cityscapes to Sherwood cuddling the two new puppies that they brought home just recently. Other moments captured were a boat tour on a sunny day, a dinner with friends, and a white dress mirror selfie. 'Same time next year?' she posted, referring to how much they've fallen in love with Vancouver life.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes may continue to be one of the top contenders for the National League Cy Young Award, but there is one place where he has appeared mortal this season. On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers did to Skenes what they have done to plenty of MLB pitchers in 2025 ... put up big offensive numbers. For the second time this season, Skenes also pitched in Milwaukee on June 25, the Brewers forced him from the game after just 4.0 innings on Tuesday night, logging six hits and four runs during his time on the mound. Both of those performances came at Milwaukee's home stadium (American Family Field) and both are now Skenes' shortest outings of the season. While another NL Central team has put up more runs against Skenes this season (the St. Louis Cardinals nicked him for five runs in 6.0 innings on April 8), no other team has had the same kind of success over multiple starts by Skenes in 2025 as have the Brewers inside their home stadium. In all this season, Skenes has given up 10 hits and eight runs in 8.0 innings in Milwaukee. It was his third career outing on the road against the Brewers, with his lone 2024 start representing arguably the best outing of his rookie season. On July 11, 2024, Skenes struck out 11 and didn't allow a hit over 7.0 innings as the Pirates would eventually post a 1-0 victory. Tuesday's short outing was highlighted by a pair of Milwaukee home runs, including a leadoff solo shot by Sal Frelick that quickly set the tone for the Brewers. While Milwaukee's hit parade helped raise Skenes' ERA on the season to 2.13, it's hardly any reason for concern in a season where the 23-year-old right-hander is still a heavy favorite (-600) to win the NL Cy Young Award, per BetMGM. Skenes struggling in Milwaukee is likely more yet another stamp of approval on the Brewers' potential to be a threat once the postseason arrives. With an 18-4 record since the All-Star break entering Tuesday, Milwaukee has taken over the NL Central race from the Chicago Cubs. So what's the good news for Skenes? This is Pittsburgh's last trip to Milwaukee this season and the next-to-last series for the Pirates against the red-hot Brewers. Milwaukee will visit PNC Park for a three-game series on Sept. 5-7 and, if Skenes gets a chance for revenge against Milwaukee, there couldn't be a better place for him to take the mound. This season, in 11 starts covering 68.2 innings, Skenes has a 1.70 ERA in the Steel City.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is in peak off-season mode, enjoying his time off while staying ready for his upcoming 23rd season in the NBA, eighth with Los Angeles. James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Lakers last season. On a separate note, his youngest son, Bryce James, is preparing for his first collegiate season with the Arizona Wildcats, where he committed early in 2025. Before this new chapter, he spent most of his high school basketball career playing for Sierra Canyon, where he won a State Division 1 title in his senior year. Meanwhile, upon Bryce's first trip back home since leaving for college, James was taken aback by his appearance. In the Lakers star's latest Instagram story, he welcomes home his youngest son after his first stint away at Arizona. Within the video, James is overcome with excitement as he points out Bryce's latest physical change to his 159 million followers: his beard. "Y'all see his beard? Oh my goodness!" said James. Born in 2007, Bryce is just 18 years old and stands 6'6 tall ahead of his first season with the Wildcats. Primarily playing the shooting guard position, he's poised for a bright future under legendary coach Tommy Lloyd, who is entering his fifth season with the team. Lloyd's 61 wins in his first two seasons with Arizona are an NCAA Division 1 record. The Wildcats will open their season on November 3 against the defending champion Florida Gators at a neutral site in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Whether it's based on the expectations of the fans, a new contract, a past track record or trying to re-write a narrative, quarterbacks are always under the microscope. Every NFL starting quarterback faces some degree of pressure, but that pressure is far from equal across the league. Now with the regular season fast approaching, these quarterbacks are under the most pressure to perform in 2025. Aaron Rodgers | Pittsburgh Steelers No matter what happens this season, Rodgers will go down as one of the all-time greats. That fact can't be denied. However, two miserable seasons in New York marred by a serious injury and the struggles of the team have Rodgers looking to go out on a much better note with the Steelers. But if he does not find the fountain of youth and generate headlines about Pittsburgh winning instead of drama, there will be fans who will remember him more for his final years than the four MVPs he won during his prime, fair or not. Fortunately for the Steelers, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards in 2024, which was good enough for eighth-best in the entire NFL, showing that he still has plenty left in the tank and could be poised for a successful season to come. J.J. McCarthy | Minnesota Vikings Instead of pursuing Rodgers, the Vikings decided to go all in on McCarthy, whom they selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. And while placing pressure on McCarthy in his first season of actually playing is unfair — he missed his entire rookie year after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during training camp — it's the reality nonetheless. Once the Vikings allowed Sam Darnold to leave as a free agent following a Pro Bowl season, the future immediately became the present for one of the NFL's oldest franchises without a Super Bowl title. Anything shy of leading Minnesota back to the playoffs will leave a starving fanbase wondering if management made several big mistakes. Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers Some believe Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in football. Others point to the Chargers' lack of postseason success since drafting him in the first round in 2020. The numbers and analytics often support Herbert — he has 21,093 yards and 137 touchdowns through five seasons — but there's now an increased pressure to win in the playoffs, especially in year two under Jim Harbaugh and sitting at 0-2 in the postseason. Unlike early in his career, Harbaugh's offense doesn't ask as much of Herbert, which could give him an easier path to success. It also means he could be even more a target of criticism should he struggle. Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys There's constant pressure that comes with simply being the Cowboys' QB1, and there's even more on Prescott. At 32, Prescott is running out of time to establish his legacy, both in Dallas and in the NFL in general. Despite a career that's saw him make three Pro Bowls and throw for 31,437 yards with a solid touchdown to interception ratio of 213 to 82, his 2-5 record in the playoffs will continue to be a negative stain on his story until a deep run through January happens. Prescott also currently holds the honor of being the highest paid quarterback in football with an average salary of $60M per year. Being the highest paid quarterback while playing in Dallas and failing to win in the playoffs is a recipe for an immense amount of pressure. Honorable mentions: Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), Justin Fields (New York Jets) and Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) For further reading, here are four NFL coaches under the most pressure in 2025.
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