I'm doing something a little different this week, because tomorrow July 28th is the first day of NHL Free Agency, I thought it would be fitting to make Free Agent Signing Predictions.
Side note: I will only making predictions on the UFA signings.
Key Free Agents:
Dougie Hamilton-NJ (7yrs/63M)
The signing of Dougie Hamilton gives the Devils a true number 1 defenseman and gives them great depth on the right side with Hamilton, Subban, and Severson.
Jaden Schwartz-SEA (7yrs/45.5M)
Jaden Schwartz is a great veteran presence in the locker room and is a really good all-around player. Adding Schwartz would be a huge boost to a new expansion team like the Seattle Kraken.
Philipp Grubauer-EDM (6yrs/39M)
Signing Philipp Grubauer would give the Edmonton Oilers a legit number 1 goalie, something they are in dire need of. A tandem of Grubauer and Mike Smith would give the Oilers a terrific goalie tandem in goal.
Philip Danault-NYR (7yrs/42M)
Philip Danault has proven over the last couple of years to be one of the best shutdown centers in the NHL. He is the perfect fit for the Rangers and gives them a player that can be relied upon to shut down top players on other teams.
Zach Hyman-EDM (7yrs/38.5M)
While this may be an overpayment for Zach Hyman, this is the type of player that the Oilers need. Hyman should thrive on a line with McDavid and could have a breakout year next season.
Kyle Palmieri-BOS (6yrs/34.5M)
Kyle Palmieri would thrive on the Boston Bruins on a line with Taylor Hall and David Krejci. This would also push Craig Smith to the third line with Charlie Coyle and makes Boston a dangerous threat in the Metropolitan Division.
Blake Coleman-NSH (6yrs/31M)
Blake Coleman was underpaid for the past three years but it paid off for him because he ended up winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lighting. Nashville is the best fit for Coleman, who would excel playing under head coach John Hynes.
Tuukka Rask-BOS (4yrs/24M)
Tuukka Rask is only going to play for the Boston Bruins, so we can expect him to re-sign with Boston. Locking up Rask for a few more years, allows the Bruins to bring along Jeremy Swayman correctly.
David Krejci-BOS (4yrs/22M)
David Krejci is still a reliable second-line center in the NHL, and expect the Bruins to bring him back. The Bruins core has a good 3-4 year window to win a Stanley Cup, and Krejci is very much part of that core.
Fredrik Andersen-COL (4yrs/22M)
Since the Avalanche lost Philipp Grubauer, they will need to sign a starting goalie, and Fredrik Andersen seems to be the best option available. Andersen has proven to be a real good starting goalie in the league and should do more than a fine job with Colorado.
Brandon Saad-PIT (4yrs/20M)
Brandon Saad brings a steady veteran presence and playoff pedigree to a team in the Penguins trying to make it past the first round for the first time since 2018. Saad is highly versatile and could fit anywhere in the top 6 and would be a welcomed addition to the Penguins.
Tyson Barrie-FLA (3yrs/17.5M)
Tyson Barrie is the puck-moving defenseman the Panthers need; he would basically be their Keith Yandle replacement. Barrie gives the Panthers a true powerplay quarterback on defense, something they really missed last season.
Petr Mrazek-CAR (3yrs/15M)
Since the Hurricanes traded away Alex Nedeljkovic, it seems likely that Petr Mrazek will be brought back to Carolina. Mrazek has been a pretty reliable number 1 goalie with Carolina, pair him with a good backup, and the Canes should be good.
Alec Martinez-VGK (3yrs/15M)
Alec Martinez was consistently one of the best defenders on the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs last postseason. It would make sense for them to bring back Martinez, as losing him would leave a huge hole on the blueline.
David Savard-MTL (6yrs/25.5M)
David Savard is the type of defenseman the Montreal Canadiens need on the team, especially with Shea Weber expected to miss next season. Savard isn't flashy and doesn't put up many points but he hits and blocks a ton of shots every game while logging heavy minutes.
Linus Ullmark-SJ (5yrs/22.5M)
Since the San Jose Sharks just bought out Martin Jones, they need to sign a starting goalie. Linus Ullmark is the perfect fit on a rebuilding team like San Jose, as he is used to playing on bad teams.
Martin Jones-BUF (3yrs/12M)
Martin Jones is still a starting-caliber goalie in the NHL and would be a solid stopgap option for the Sabres in goal until Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is ready to take the reigns as the Number 1 goalie.
Ryan Suter-NYI (4yrs/16M)
Ryan Suter was bought out from his previous contract by the Minnesota Wild, so he would be a terrific fit on a team like the Islanders. Coincidently, Barry Trotz is now the coach of the New York Islanders, who coached him when he was with Nashville.
Mikael Granlund-SEA (3yrs/11.5M)
Mikael Granlund is a versatile forward capable of playing all three forward positions. With how thin the Kraken is at the center, Granlund could become their first-line center.
Nick Foligno-MIN (3yrs/11.25)
The Minnesota Wild needs more grit in the lineup, and Nick Foligno will definitely bring that to the lineup. He would also be joining up with his brother Marcus, which has become a trend this offseason.
Alex Goligoski-COL (2yrs/9M)
Despite being 35, Goligoski shows no signs of aging and was one of the Coyotes' better defensemen last season. Goligoski would be a terrific addition for Colorado Avalanche and would fit perfectly being paired with either Bowen Byram or Sam Girard.
Alex Edler-BUF (2yrs/8M)
The Buffalo Sabres need some defenseman to fill out their lineup for next season. So adding a good veteran defenseman like Alex Edler, would definitely help their young defenseman like Rasmus Dahlin.
Brandon Montour-CBJ (3yrs/12M)
Since the Blue Jackets traded away Seth Jones, they now need to add another defenseman to play on the right side. Montour joins a young D core that includes Zach Werenski, Adam Boqvist, Jake Bean.
Ryan Getzlaf-MTL (2yrs/7M)
Ryan Getzlaf may be 36 now, but he is a Stanley Cup Champion and has been a captain for a long time, so he would definitely be a great fit on a young team like the Montreal Canadiens, who just lost Captain Shea Weber.
Joel Armia-NJ (4yrs/14M)
Due to the depth on the wings in Montreal, Joel Armia was relegated to playing on the 4th line. Armia would be a great fit on the 2nd or 3rd lines of New Jersey.
Derek Stepan-LA (3yrs/10.5M)
The LA Kings are looking for a veteran center; a player like Derek Stepan could be a great fit on their 2nd or 3rd line. He would also be a good mentor for young centers coming in like Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte.
Casey Cizikas-SEA (4yrs/14M)
Casey Cizikas was part of the Islanders' identity line and will be a major utility player on any team he signs with. Cizikas gives the Seattle Kraken a player that plays on the fourth line but gets utilized like a 2nd line player.
Alexander Wennberg-MIN (3yrs/10M)
Alexander Wennberg had a tremendous bounceback season with the Florida Panthers and will be looking for a bigger contract. The Wild need to improve their depth at center, and Wennberg is what you call a great depth center.
James Reimer-OTT (3yrs/9.75M)
James Reimer had a good regular season with the Carolina Hurricanes last season while Petr Mrazek was injured. After losing Joey Daccord to Seattle in the expansion draft, Ottawa needs a backup, and Reimer is a solid one.
Nick Bonino-CBJ (3yrs/9M)
The Columbus Blue Jackets need to improve their depth at center, and Nick Bonino is still a pretty reliable two-way center. Bonino is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and would bring his Stanley cup pedigree to a very young Columbus team.
Keith Yandle-PHI (1yr/3M)
Despite not being the same player he once was, Keith Yandle is still a solid offensive defenseman that specializes in running the powerplay. This is a low-risk signing for Philly because even if it doesn't work out, they can try to trade him at the deadline.
Jonathan Bernier-CAR (2yrs/6M)
Jonathan Bernier has always been a reliable backup in the NHL, and he should do a solid job in Carolina as the backup to Petr Mrazek. Bernier can step in for 10-15 games, and be relied upon to steal some games occasionally.
Tomas Tatar-COL (1yrs/2.5M)
This is a bargain of a contract for a player of Tatar's caliber, he would be a great fit in the top 6. He would help soften the blow of losing key forwards such as Landeskog, Donskoi, and Saad in the offseason.
Braden Holtby-WSH (2yrs/5M)
Braden Holtby had a ton of success in Washington, so returning there would make a whole lot of sense. A tandem of Samsonov and Holtby should be good enough to carry the Caps to a playoff spot.
Antti Raanta-TOR (2yrs/5M)
Antti Raanta has struggled with injury issues the past two seasons, but he would still be a reliable backup for Jack Campbell. Raanta isn't a starting-caliber goalie, but he can step in for a couple games here and there and perform great.
Eric Staal-STL (2yrs/5M)
Since the Blues lost Tyler Bozak in free agency, they will need to add a veteran center to replace him. Eric Staal isn't the same player he used to be but if he is used correctly, he can be a solid 3rd line center.
Pius Suter-SJ (3yrs/7.5M)
Pius Suter had a solid year last season with the Chicago, so it was a mystery why he wasn't qualified. Suter would be a perfect fit on the San Jose Sharks, who are in need of a 3rd line center.
Brian Elliott-VAN (2yrs/5M)
With Braden Holtby being bought out, that leaves the Canucks without a backup for Thatcher Demko. Brian Elliott has been a really solid veteran backup with the Flyers the past few years; he should do an excellent job backing up Demko.
Erik Haula-NSH (2yrs/4M)
Erik Haula was a great fit in Nashville last season, and he seemed to be one of the players they relied upon heavily in the playoffs. It would be smart to keep him around especially cause they already lost Calle Jarnkrok and Viktor Arvidsson in the offseason.
Tyler Bozak-ANA (2yrs/4M)
Tyler Bozak would be a great addition to any team in search of a veteran 3rd line center. The Anaheim Ducks are a team that could use him on their 3rd line.
Devan Dubnyk-NSH (2yr/4M)
Devan Dubnyk didn't have a great year last year but he would still be a great backup goalie in the NHL. Since Pekka Rinne retired, Juuse Saros needs a backup, and Dubnyk would be a great insurance policy for Nashville in goal.
Mattias Janmark-TOR (1yr/2M)
Toronto Maple Leafs need to replace Zach Hyman, and Mattias Janmark is a much cheaper option on the market. Even though Janmark may not have the offensive production that Hyman does, he does everything else Hyman does.
Travis Zajac-NYI (2yrs/3M)
Bringing back Travis Zajac is very likely if Casey Cizikas signs elsewhere. Also, Zajac will get to play alongside Zach Parise, with who he had the best years of his career playing.
Zach Parise-NYI (1yr/1M)
Zach Parise was bought out by the Minnesota Wild, so that would make him a UFA. Lou Lamoriello is the GM of the New York Islanders, and with Ryan Suter rumored to be going there, Parise could be a fit too.
Corey Perry-MTL (1yr/700K)
Corey Perry stays with the Montreal Canadiens; he fit in well with them last year, and with them rumored to add Ryan Getzlaf, it would give them a pretty dominant 3rd or 4th line.
Other Notables:
Brock McGinn-SJ
Andrew Cogliano-SEA
Travis Hamonic-WPG
Tomas Nosek-OTT
Ondrej Kase-OTT
Tony DeAngelo-CAR
Jake Virtanen-CAR
Nick Ritchie-BUF
Derek Forbort-BOS
James Neal-PIT
Brandon Sutter-DET
Artem Anisimov-COL
Alex Galchenyuk-CGY
Ryan Murray-OTT
Mathieu Perreault-WPG
Ian Cole-WPG
Jake McCabe-CAR
Jordan Martinook
Brendan Smith-ANA
David Rittich-CHI
Jason Demers-ARI
Erik Gudbranson-CBJ
Michael Bunting-DET
Sami Vatanen-CGY
Marcus Johansson-ARI
Marcus Sorensen-VAN
Darren Helm-DET
Valtteri Filppula-CGY
Jordie Benn-ARI
Ryan Donato-BUF
Danton Heinen-BUF
Sean Kuraly-BOS
Derrick Brassard-TB
Cody Ceci-DET
Jani Hakanpaa-TOR
Zach Bogosian-NYR
Patrik Nemeth-LA
Jordan Oesterle-NJ
Laurent Brossoit-WPG
Erik Gustafsson-STL
Trevor Lewis-FLA
Luke Glendening-DET
Cedric Paquette-DET
Pierre Edouard Bellemare
Carter Hutton-VGK
Bobby Ryan-DET
Dmitry Kulikov-MTL
Juhar Khaira-VAN
Colton Sceviour-SJ
Evan Rodrigues-BOS
Dominik Kahun-ARI
Luke Schenn-VAN
Jon Merrill-COL
Stay tuned for my Podcast, where I will recap all of the Free Agent signings.
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