On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Exactly two weeks remain in the NHL’s regular season — and then it’s go time. For some pending free agents, these last two weeks are the final statement they’ll get to make before hitting the open market.
For others, like Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner, the Stanley Cup playoffs will go a long way in determining whether he remains in the self-proclaimed center of the hockey universe — or just how much he’ll fetch on July 1.
To the surprise of no one, Marner is the No. 1 pending unrestricted free agent available this summer. Our friends at AFP Analytics projected Marner to earn $100.6 million on an eight-year deal ($12.6 million AAV) in their midseason projections. AFP’s final end-of-season projections are expected to be released in mid-May.
Coupling the difficulty in acquiring true difference makers with the rapidly rising salary cap, though, and it’s not difficult to envision a world where Marner earns closer to a $14 million AAV if he makes it to market.
And that’s the big "if." How will Toronto’s plea to waive his "no-trade" clause, which became public, hinder the process this offseason? Will it be a non-starter if the Leafs have another quick exit anyway?
If anything, the notion that Marner might not make it to July 1 would deflate the promise of one of the most intriguing free agent classes in NHL history. Since opening night back on Oct. 8, Mikko Rantanen (traded twice), Igor Shesterkin, Jakob Chychrun, Linus Ullmark, Adin Hill and Carter Verhaeghe have all signed massive extensions, taking them off the market.
There is still plenty of intrigue, from Marner to John Tavares to Brock Boeser, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. Here is our first top 50 free agents board of the season:
Daily Faceoff’s top 50 pending UFAs
| Rank | Player | Pos | Age | Team | Cap Hit | GP | G | PTS | AFP Projection |
| 1 | Mitch Marner | RW | 27 | TOR | $10.9M | 73 | 23 | 91 | 8 x $12.6M |
| 2 | Brock Boeser | RW | 28 | VAN | $6.7M | 68 | 24 | 46 | 7 x $9.1M |
| 3 | John Tavares | C | 34 | TOR | $11M | 68 | 36 | 70 | 3 x $8M |
| 4 | Matt Duchene | C | 34 | DAL | $3M | 74 | 29 | 75 | 3 x $6.4M |
| 5 | Neal Pionk | RD | 29 | WPG | $5.9M | 66 | 9 | 37 | 6x $7M |
| 6 | Sam Bennett | C | 28 | FLA | $4.4M | 73 | 25 | 50 | 6 x $6.3M |
| 7 | Nikolaj Ehlers | LW | 29 | WPG | $6M | 66 | 24 | 63 | 6 x $7.5M |
| 8 | Brad Marchand | RW | 36 | FLA | $6.1M | 65 | 21 | 48 | 3 x $7.8M |
| 9 | Ivan Provorov | LD | 28 | CBJ | $6.8M | 73 | 7 | 30 | 5 x $6.4M |
| 10 | Aaron Ekblad | RD | 29 | FLA | $7.5M | 56 | 3 | 33 | 7 x $6.9M |
| 11 | Brock Nelson | C | 33 | COL | $6M | 74 | 23 | 51 | 3 x $6.7M |
| 12 | Patrick Kane | RW | 36 | DET | $4M | 64 | 19 | 52 | 1 x $3.4M |
| 13 | Claude Giroux | C | 37 | OTT | $6.5M | 74 | 15 | 47 | 2 x $6.7M |
| 14 | Jamie Benn | LW | 35 | DAL | $9.5M | 74 | 16 | 45 | 2 x $5.5M |
| 15 | Mikael Granlund | C | 33 | DAL | $5M | 75 | 20 | 62 | 2 x $4.6M |
| 16 | Brent Burns | RD | 40 | CAR | $8M | 74 | 5 | 25 | 1 x $5.3M |
| 17 | Dmitry Orlov | LD | 33 | CAR | $7.8M | 69 | 6 | 26 | 3 x $5M |
| 18 | Jonathan Drouin | LW | 30 | COL | $2.5M | 43 | 11 | 37 | 4 x $5.9M |
| 19 | Yanni Gourde | C | 33 | TBL | $5.2M | 49 | 6 | 25 | 3 x $4.3M |
| 20 | Ryan Donato | RW | 28 | CHI | $2M | 73 | 29 | 59 | 2 x $2.4M |
| 21 | Nic Dowd | C | 34 | WSH | $1.3M | 75 | 13 | 25 | 2 x $2.5M |
| 22 | Vladislav Gavrikov | LD | 29 | LAK | $5.9M | 74 | 4 | 27 | 5 x $5.4M |
| 23 | Jack Roslovic | RW | 28 | CAR | $2.8M | 73 | 21 | 36 | 3 x $4M |
| 24 | Taylor Hall | LW | 33 | CAR | $6M | 70 | 17 | 39 | 2 x $4.4M |
| 25 | Pius Suter | C | 28 | VAN | $1.6M | 74 | 22 | 42 | 4 x $3.9M |
| 26 | Alex Iafallo | LW | 31 | WPG | $4M | 75 | 13 | 26 | 3 x $3.7M |
| 27 | Trent Frederic | RW | 27 | EDM | $2.3M | 57 | 8 | 15 | 4 x $4.1M |
| 28 | Andrew Mangiapane | LW | 28 | WSH | $5.8M | 74 | 14 | 26 | 4 x $5.3M |
| 29 | Ryan Lindgren | LD | 27 | COL | $4.5M | 69 | 4 | 22 | 3 x $3.7M |
| 30 | Jake Allen | G | 34 | NJD | $3.9M | 28 | 12 | 0.91 | 2 x $2.7M |
| 31 | Ilya Samsonov | G | 28 | VGK | $1.8M | 28 | 16 | 0.892 | 2 x $2.2M |
| 32 | Brandon Tanev | LW | 33 | WPG | $3.5M | 72 | 10 | 21 | 2 x $2.4M |
| 33 | Corey Perry | RW | 39 | EDM | $1.2M | 73 | 16 | 25 | 1 x $1M |
| 34 | Nick Bjugstad | C | 32 | UTA | $2.1M | 59 | 5 | 16 | 3 x $3.1M |
| 35 | Matt Grzelcyk | LD | 31 | PIT | $2.8M | 75 | 1 | 35 | 2 x $3.3M |
| 36 | Cody Ceci | RD | 31 | DAL | $3.3M | 77 | 4 | 22 | 3 x $3.7M |
| 37 | Mason Appleton | LW | 29 | WPG | $2.2M | 64 | 10 | 21 | 3 x $3.6M |
| 38 | Evgenii Dadonov | RW | 36 | DAL | $2.3M | 72 | 16 | 36 | 1 x $2.3M |
| 39 | Reilly Smith | RW | 34 | VGK | $5M | 71 | 11 | 34 | 2 x $4.4M |
| 40 | Frederik Andersen | G | 35 | CAR | $3.4M | 18 | 13 | 0.92 | 1 x $2.2M |
| 41 | Andrei Kuzmenko | LW | 29 | LAK | $5.5M | 58 | 10 | 29 | 2 x $4.5M |
| 42 | Gustav Nyquist | RW | 35 | MIN | $3.2M | 73 | 10 | 26 | 2 x $3.3M |
| 43 | Nate Schmidt | RD | 33 | FLA | $0.8M | 73 | 5 | 18 | 2 x $2.6M |
| 44 | Jeff Skinner | LW | 32 | EDM | $3M | 64 | 14 | 25 | 1 x $2.4M |
| 45 | Justin Brazeau | RW | 27 | MIN | $0.8M | 71 | 11 | 21 | 2 x $1.5M |
| 46 | Dan Vladar | G | 27 | CGY | $2.2M | 29 | 11 | 0.895 | 1 x $1.4M |
| 47 | Adam Gaudette | RW | 28 | OTT | $0.8M | 73 | 16 | 23 | 1 x $1.3M |
| 48 | Vitek Vanecek | G | 29 | FLA | $3.4M | 22 | 12 | 0.883 | 1 x $1.1M |
| 49 | Joel Armia | LW | 31 | MTL | $3.4M | 73 | 11 | 25 | 2 x $2.5M |
| 50 | Nick Perbix | RD | 26 | TBL | $1.1M | 66 | 5 | 18 | 2 x $2.5M |
More must-reads:
- Why Hurricanes' Jalen Chatfield won't be disciplined for 'WWE throwdown' of Capitals' Connor McMichael
- Why losing so many key players has made the Hurricanes better
- The 'Highest paid NHL players in 2024-25' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
Mariners' Cal Raleigh makes history with 40th home run
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, not only extending his major league lead but also making him the first player in baseball to reach the 40-home run mark this season. It also helped him make some history. With his 40th home run, Raleigh became both the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in baseball history to reach the 40 home run mark before the end of July. Here is a look at his 40th home run. He is already in the process of having one of the best seasons ever for a Mariners player, and also one of the best seasons ever for a catcher, for any team. Especially when you add in his defense, where he is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His only serious competition for the American League MVP Award remains New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. But with Judge sidelined for some time now due to an elbow injury, it might open the door for Raleigh to put himself in the lead for that award.
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
Red Sox Dream Target Reportedly Just Hit Trade Block
The Boston Red Sox could use more firepower in the middle of the lineup and as the trade deadline has gotten closer, rumors specifically about first base have popped up. One guy who has been floated as a fit has been Tampa Bay Rays star Yandy Díaz, but a deal has seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream. While this is the case, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that Tampa Bay may be more willing to move him than initially expected and that Boston will be at the top of the list for him if he does actually become available. "The Rays entered Saturday 3-4 since the All-Star break and 6-15 since June 28," Rosenthal said. "Any thought of owner Stuart Sternberg going out on a high note before selling the club appears to be fading. A rapid turnaround might force the Rays to shift course. But Rays officials began signaling to teams late Friday that they will be open to moving Díaz, second baseman Brandon Lowe and others if they do not reverse their tailspin. A final decision might not come before Wednesday, on the eve of the deadline. "The Rays have been reluctant to trade Díaz, who sacrificed perhaps greater money elsewhere by signing two club-friendly extensions. If they indeed become willing to move him, the Boston Red Sox will almost certainly be at the top of the list of the teams interested. Another Rays player who could be on the move: Catcher Danny Jansen, whom the team signed last offseason to a two-year, $8.5 million free-agent contract with a club option for 2027. If Jansen goes, the Rays could backfill with another catcher." If Boston is going to make a big addition, this absolutely should be it.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
