Free agency is one of the major parts of the NHL offseason, as organizations will see certain players leave for the open market while bringing in new personnel.
High-profile names like Nathan MacKinnon, David Pastrnak, Jonathan Huberdeau, Dylan Larkin and Mat Barzal all signed extensions either before or during the season.
That leaves a majority of the top players available being on the wrong side of 30 years old and for the most part, past their primes.
With that said, there are still some intriguing names out there. The Sporting News ranks the top 30 unrestricted free agents available this summer.
Top NHL unrestricted free agents 2023
1. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Maple Leafs
O’Reilly couldn’t reach a contract extension with the Blues, was traded to the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline and now is going to be one of the top players available this summer. The elite, two-way center is 32 years old, but is still extremely effective in the faceoff dot and setting up plays in the offensive zone. O’Reilly’s numbers don’t pop, but he’s a strong, defensive forward with a Selke, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup to his name.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Rangers
Speaking of former Blues, Tarasenko was also traded at the deadline by St. Louis, going to the Big Apple to join the Rangers. The breakup between Tarasenko and St. Louis was inevitable, and now he’ll test the free agency market. Injuries have hurt Tarasenko’s production since winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, and last year’s career resurgence may have been more of an outlier than expected. But the Russian is still a certified sniper at 31 years old.
3. Patrick Kane, RW, Rangers
For the first time in his career, Kane is testing the free agency market. Like Tarasenko, he was acquired by the Rangers at the deadline as a rental, ending his era with the Blackhawks. Kane’s days of dominance are behind him, but he’s still one of the best passers and stick handlers in the league. His defensive issues are well-known, but there is still the upside on offense when Kane is on.
4. Patrice Bergeron, C, Bruins
Like last year, when it comes to the future of Bergeron, there are really only two options: retirement, or a return to the Bruins. Despite his age, Bergeron still produces like a No. 1 center and is arguably the greatest defensive forward ever, with Selke number six potentially on the horizon.
5. Dmitry Orlov, D, Bruins
There are not many high-quality defensemen on the free agency market this summer, but Orlov is far and beyond the best option out there. The Capitals moved Orlov to the Bruins at the deadline, where he has been an exceptional piece for their deep back end. The Russian can improve any top-four defensive group due to his versatility, passing ability and physical play along the boards.
6. Joe Pavelski, C, Stars
Pavelski’s situation seems similar to that of Bergeron. Either retirement could be in store for the American, or a return to the Stars, where he has thrived on the top line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson the last two years. At 38 years old, he is one of the oldest active players, but the Stars forward hasn’t lost a step, producing another season of at least 25 goals and 75 points.
7. Max Pacioretty, LW, Hurricanes
There’s no contract I’m more intrigued to see than the one Pacioretty gets this offseason. The 2022-23 campaign did not go as planned for the sniping winger. He tore his Achilles in the offseason, made his season debut in January, then played just five games before tearing the Achilles again. When healthy, Pacioretty is a walking 30-goal scorer, but there are undoubtedly concerns with his health. Does he get a one-year, prove-it deal, or is a team willing to give him three or four years?
8. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Bruins
Bertuzzi is one of the few players at the top of the free agency list that hasn’t hit 30 yet, making him one of the premier options this summer. The gritty forward fit in seamlessly with the Bruins after he was acquired from the Red Wings at the deadline. His goals are way down this year, but he has proven in the past that he can be a 20-goal scorer. Bertuzzi is a versatile playmaker that should gain interest from multiple teams.
9. Frederik Andersen, G, Hurricanes
There are a handful of goaltenders to monitor this summer, and Andersen is certainly one of them. Since he signed with Carolina two years ago, the Danish netminder has put up excellent numbers when available, but he’s dealt with injuries. He missed the playoffs last year and was out for over two months this year. When healthy, Andersen has the capability to be a top-10 goaltender in the league.
10. Alex Killorn, LW, Lightning
Last year, the Lightning lost Ondrej Palat in free agency due to cap constraints. It looks like Killorn might be their casualty this offseason. The 33-year-old winger was an integral part of Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021 as a big body that could be planted in front of the net. He’s never been a point-per-game player, but he plays a consistent style.
Here is a full list of the top 30 available unrestricted NHL free agents for the summer of 2023.
| Rank | Player | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ryan O’Reilly | C | 32 |
| 2. | Vladimir Tarasenko | RW | 31 |
| 3. | Patrick Kane | RW | 34 |
| 4. | Patrice Bergeron | C | 37 |
| 5. | Dmitry Orlov | D | 31 |
| 6. | Joe Pavelski | C | 38 |
| 7. | Max Pacioretty | LW | 34 |
| 8. | Tyler Bertuzzi | LW | 28 |
| 9. | Frederik Andersen | G | 33 |
| 10. | Alex Killorn | LW | 33 |
| 11. | Tristan Jarry | G | 27 |
| 12. | Matt Dumba | D | 28 |
| 13. | Max Domi | LW | 28 |
| 14. | David Krejci | C | 36 |
| 15. | Michael Bunting | LW | 27 |
| 16. | Jason Zucker | LW | 31 |
| 17. | Shayne Gostibehere | D | 29 |
| 18. | Damon Severson | D | 28 |
| 19. | Semyon Varlamov | G | 34 |
| 20. | John Klingberg | D | 30 |
| 21. | Martin Jones | G | 33 |
| 22. | Brian Dumoulin | D | 31 |
| 23. | Alexander Kerfoot | C | 28 |
| 24. | J.T. Compher | C | 28 |
| 25. | Tomas Tatar | LW | 32 |
| 26. | Jordan Staal | C | 34 |
| 27. | Gustav Nyquist | RW | 33 |
| 28. | Ryan Graves | D | 27 |
| 29. | James van Riemsdyk | LW | 33 |
| 30. | Jonathan Drouin | LW | 28 |