Working Out The Best Landing Spots For The Most Intriguing Free Agents
NHL Free Agency is upon us...
We’re all systems go when it comes to the NHL offseason with NHL Free Agency set to open on July 1.
After the 2023 NHL Entry Draft concluded in Nashville on Thursday, the next big marker in the offseason will swiftly arrive.
While the UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) market is somewhat underwhelming this year, there are still a ton of intriguing names out there that will be looking for new homes once Free Agency officially gets underway at 12 P.M. ET on July 1.
There were some notable names added to the pool late on Friday with the likes of veteran forwards Blake Wheeler and Matt Duchene bought out by the Winnipeg Jets and the Nashville Predators, respectively.
With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of what I believe to be the most compelling free agents available, and then I’ve tried to work out their best potential landing spots.
Let’s dive right in…
Ryan O’Reilly, C
For me, the best forward available on the NHL Free Agent market is Ryan O’Reilly without a doubt. The veteran center informed the Toronto Maple Leafs that he will test the open market, and there will be a slew of teams interested. Despite being hurt for chunks of the 2022-23 season, O’Reilly made a huge impact after being acquired by the Maple Leafs, putting up 11 points (4 G, 7 A) in 13 regular season games, in addition to winning 62% of his faceoffs. He was also a factor in the postseason and the 32-year-old offers any team a veteran presence, knowledge of what it takes to win, experience and an elite two-way game.
Potential Fits: St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators.
While I think a return to Toronto would make sense for O’Reilly, ending up in Detroit would be a fun outcome too. The Red Wings could do with a veteran presence to help mentor their crop of young talent, and O’Reilly would be a key top-six center for that club.
Blake Wheeler, RW
We got word on Friday that the Winnipeg Jets were placing their long-time leader on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of the veteran’s contract. Wheeler will now hit the open market as one of the most intriguing forwards available. While not quick or overly mobile, Wheeler is a big-bodied wing who put up 55 points (16 G, 39 A) last season for the Jets. He’s still an elite playmaker and he could be an ideal option for a contending team looking for some depth scoring.
Potential Fits: Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers.
I’d love to see Wheeler end up with a true contender like the Bruins or the Penguins. Take less in order to go somewhere where he has a realistic shot of winning. It has already been reported that the veteran wants a new experience on the East Coast, which is why he could be a really good fit for the Hurricanes who would benefit from someone with Wheeler’s playmaking ability.
Matt Duchene, C
Another player bought out on Friday, Matt Duchene is already reportedly attracting a ton of interest and it is no surprise. While he struggled in Nashville with the Predators, the 32-year-old could be a really nice fit as a third-line center on a contending team for the right price. He put up 56 points (22 G, 34 A) in 71 games for the Preds last year, while winning 52.9 percent of his faceoffs. Duchene isn’t going to be an elite top-six producer, but he could be a really nice productive player for a team ready to win now.
Potential Fits: New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders.
Any of the teams mentioned above would make a lot of sense for Duchene, but I really like the Devils or Blackhawks as potential fits. New Jersey could do with some depth scoring as they move a step closer to contention, while Chicago needs to continue to put decent players around phenom prospect Connor Bedard.
Dmitry Orlov, D
There is no doubt that Dmitry Orlov really raised his stock following his Trade Deadline acquisition by the Boston Bruins. In 23 games down the stretch, Orlov tallied four goals and 13 assists for 17 points with a +/- rating of +10. He put up another 8 points (0 G, 8 A) in the postseason while averaging 23:03 of total ice time. Orlov is a big, big body, he can provide offense and he has a ton of experience. He’s arguably the best defenseman available and there will no doubt be a slew of offers on the table.
Potential Fits: Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings.
In truth, there are a ton of potential fits for Orlov, but I see a return to the Bruins making the most sense if they can make the money work.
Matt Dumba, D
It seemed every NHL Trade Deadline that the Minnesota Wild were shopping Matt Dumba. Now a free agent, he will have his pick of teams heading into Free Agency. Known for his offensive prowess, Dumba could be a weapon on the power play and he’s able to eat big minutes too.
Potential Fits: Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken.
For me, Dumba is best off signing a long-term deal with a team on the up and in real need of a productive top-four blueliner. Detroit, Ottawa, Chicago, Anaheim and Seattle could all be really fun fits.
Scott Mayfield, D
For me, Scott Mayfield is one of the most underrated defensemen in the National Hockey League. He’s still only 30-years-old, he can eat big minutes, he plays a hard-nosed game and he deserves a big payday.
Potential Fits: New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo needs a right-shot top-four D, but I think Mayfield ultimately gets his money and gets to remain on Long Island with the Islanders. That would probably be the best outcome for all involved.
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
The 31-year-old has been a productive forward in the National Hockey League for over a decade now, and he would be a good fit for a contender in need of an offensive punch from their top-six forward unit. While he isn’t the type of move-the-needle player he once was, Tarasenko should still attract plenty of interest and he did still put up 50 points (18 G, 32 A) in 2022-23, despite a down year.
Potential Fits: New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins.
Tarasenko isn’t going to attract the big bucks anymore but, at the right price, he would be a decent option for a legit contender that is ready to win now. He’s a top-six forward who can play on either power play unit.
Patrick Kane, RW
Like Tarasenko, Patrick Kane is another player who would have been the best player available on the Free Agent market a few years ago. Instead, the future Hall of Famer has recently undergone hip surgery and questions remain over whether how much he has left in the tank. However, if fully healthy, there’s no doubt that Kane still has a role to play for a contender and, given his recovery timeline, he’ll be fresh for the Playoffs in 2023-24 which is key.
Potential Fits: New York Rangers
I still think the New York Rangers are the best fit for Kane. Sign him to a team-friendly deal, put him on LTIR and let him get back to his best just in time for the postseason. If that happens, then I do truly believe the Blueshirts will get the best version of Patrick Kane.
Max Pacioretty, LW
Max Pacioretty is arguably one of the most intriguing free agents available this offseason. The veteran has put up 645 career points (326 G, 319 A) in 855 career regular season games and is a proven leader on and off the ice. However, Pacioretty suffered two torn Achilles in quick succession while with the Carolina Hurricanes last year, so his value will be at an all-time low. But, if healthy, there’s no doubt that the left-wing could still be a productive player in the NHL.
Potential Fits: Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pacioretty would be a perfect fit for a win-now contender or for a young team on the up. Again, he’s 35 and is coming off two serious injuries but, if he can stay healthy then Pacioretty would be a real nice addition for any team looking for some secondary scoring and some leadership.
