Top NHL free agents 2023: Best 10 available with positional breakdowns

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Apr 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Patrick Kane (88) warms up before the first period against the New Jersey Devils in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Although the first puck drop of the 2023-24 season is a few months away, the official start of the campaign kicks off on July 1, when free agency begins. Statistically, this is one of the least exciting years, with most of the top free agents in their 30s now, meaning most are already on the back sides of their careers. 

Furthermore, elite free-agent goalies will be hard to sign, with only a few available netminders collecting save percentages higher than .900. Even though most of this year’s class are household names; some may retire instead of finding new contracts. 

Related: NHL reporter sheds light on potential return in Erik Karlsson trade

Here are the top NHL free agents in 2023.

Top NHL free agents: 10 best players in NHL free agency

1. Patrick Kane (RW) New York Rangers

Patrick Kane recently announced that he had hip surgery and will miss the next four-six months, which could hamper his chances of signing a new deal on July 1. However, as one of the best and most decorated superstars available this offseason, any team willing to wait out his recovery will add a former league MVP to their lineup. 

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2. Alex Killorn (LW/RW) Tampa Bay Lightning (Signed Anaheim Ducks for 4 years, $25 million)

Alex Killorn is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a consistent 20-goal scorer. Although his age (33) may scare off potential suitors, he’s avoided significant injuries throughout his career, missing just two games since 2015-16. Realistically, he should stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the only team he’s played for; however, given the team’s limited cap space, he could be moved. 

3. Matt Duchene (RW/C) Unrestricted Free Agent (Signed Dallas Stars for 1 year, $3 million)

On June 30, news broke out in Nashville that the Predators had placed Matt Duchene on waivers to buy out the remainder of his contract. Now, for the second time in his career, the third overall pick in the 2009 draft will be a free agent. Considering the 32-year-old center recently scored 43 goals in 2021-22, any team who signs him to a contract will get a player who will score at least 20 goals and 50 points. 

4. Max Domi (C/LW) Dallas Stars (Signed Toronto Maple Leafs for 1 year, $3 million)

Max Domi is another former first-round pick (12th overall in 2013) ready to hit the free agency market. After eight seasons in the league, he’s already played for six teams and could be looking for a seventh one on July 1. Outside a career year (77 points) with the Montreal Canadiens in 2018-19, he shined in 60 games (49 points) with the Chicago Blackhawks last year. Although a reunion in the Windy City is possible, he could stay in Dallas or find a new home. 

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5. Blake Wheeler (RW/C) Unrestricted Free Agent (Signed New York Rangers for 1 year, $800k)

Blake Wheeler has spent the last 13 years with the Winnipeg Jets, relocating with the team after they moved from Atlanta in 2011. Despite being their captain since 2017, he hasn’t topped 65 points since 2019, failing to score more than 17 goals in the previous three seasons. Although there are rumors he’s returning to Boston, he’s 36 now and won’t be signing anywhere long-term. 

6. Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) New York Rangers (Signed Ottawa Senators for 1 year, $5 million)

Vladimir Tarasenko was one of the most coveted players at the NHL Trade Deadline, going to the New York Rangers hoping to win another Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, the mega-team didn’t work for the Rangers, who lost in the opening round, leaving several of their top players, including Tarasenko, with uncertain futures. Considering significant injuries have hampered him over the years, if he fits into the right system, he could easily be a 30-goal scorer again. 

7. Michael Bunting (LW) Toronto Maple Leafs (Signed Carolina Hurricanes for 3 years, $13.5 million)

Michael Bunting has scored 23 goals in his last two seasons as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given that he is only 27, his age makes him one of the premier players available in this year’s free agency class. Considering he’s missed only three games since turning into an NHL regular in 2021-22, any team willing to sign him to a lengthy contract would be adding a solid offensive player to their second or third line. 

8. J.T. Compher (C/RW) Colorado Avalanche (Signed Detroit Red Wings for 5 years, $25.5 million)

J.T. Compher will be a free agent for the first time in his seven-year career, all spent with the Colorado Avalanche. Although the left winger has never scored 20 goals in a season, he’s a reliable player who can score at least 30 points yearly. After putting up career numbers in 2022-23 (58 points), the Avalanche would be wise to keep him in the fold or risk losing a 28-year-old to a divisional or conference rival.

9. Tomas Tatar (LW/RW) New Jersey Devils

Tomas Tatar just had his best year (48 points) since 2019-20, finally scoring 20 goals again after failing to reach the plateau for a few seasons. Although he spent the most time with the Detroit Red Wings, he set personal highs with the Canadiens. After posting a plus-41 rating in 2022-23, there’s a good chance he stays with the Devils or finds another team to slide into their second or third line. 

10. Dmitry Orlov (D) Boston Bruins (Carolina Hurricanes 2 years, $15.5 million)

Dmitry Orlov came to the Boston Bruins in an incredible deadline deal that gave the team one of the deepest defensive corps in the league. However, after going all-in at the deadline, Boston failed to make it out of the first round, leaving the club with no winning hand and no more chips to play with. Unfortunately, they don’t have the money to resign him, meaning the one-time Stanley Cup winner will be skating in a new jersey this fall. 

NHL free agents by position 2023

Goalies

Related: NHL offseason schedule

Defensemen

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Wingers

Centers 

NHL free agency FAQ

When does NHL free agency start?

Like clockwork, the NHL opens free agency every year at 12:00 pm EST on July 1, which also happens to be Canada Day. Usually, the opening of free agency occurs just days after the NHL Awards and Entry Draft. Although teams have had the chance to negotiate with their free agents since the end of their respective seasons, most players on this list have had to wait until July 1 to negotiate new deals.  

What’s the difference between restricted and unrestricted NHL free agency?

As an unrestricted free agent, players are open to talking and signing with any team in the league. Meanwhile, restricted free agents are still members of their organizations while they work on new deals, unable to talk with other clubs. However, rival teams can offer sheet an RFA, forcing teams to match their contract figures for that player or get compensated in draft picks. 

Historically, there have been a handful of offer sheets in NHL history, with two coming within the last decade, including Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2021. 

What is the 2023-24 NHL salary cap?

Before the NHL Entry Draft, commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the NHL salary cap would go up for the 18th consecutive season since its inception in 2005. As teams prepare for the 2023-24 season, they can spend up to $83.5 million. Meanwhile, the salary cap floor is $61.7 million, the least amount each team needs to spend on contracts.

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