The NHL free agency period commenced on July 1, with over $1 billion worth of contracts signed or agreed to in just one day. Teams around the league seized the opportunity presented by the rise in the salary cap to make significant roster moves, hoping to improve their chances in the upcoming season. Despite many top players finding new homes, there are still plenty of quality players available on the market.
One standout player who remains unsigned is James van Riemsdyk, a 35-year-old forward who put up 38 points in 71 games for the Boston Bruins last season. He has consistently been a reliable scorer and brings a wealth of playoff experience, making him a valuable addition for any contending team. Another notable player is Daniel Sprong, a 27-year-old forward who has put up solid numbers in the past two seasons and remains available for teams looking to add scoring depth.
Justin Schultz stands out among the unsigned defensemen, with a history of offensive contributions and two Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Penguins. Despite the initial flurry of signings in the first week of free agency, there are still 22 teams with significant salary cap space remaining. This presents an opportunity for teams to continue making roster moves and improving their chances ahead of the start of training camp next month.
Among the best remaining forwards on the market are Tyler Johnson, Tanner Pearson, Filip Zadina, Dominik Kubalik, and Kailer Yamamoto. These players bring different skill sets and experience levels that could be valuable assets to contending teams looking to bolster their lineups before opening day. On defense, players like Justin Schultz continue to draw interest from various teams seeking to add depth and scoring ability to their backlines.
In addition to defensemen and forwards, goaltenders are also available for teams in need of bolstering their goaltending depth. With plenty of talent still out there, teams have options to improve their rosters as the offseason continues through signing periods and trades leading up to training camp.
Overall, while some big names have already found new homes during NHL’s free agency period