NHL Free Agent Rankings: Best Available Players in 2025

The 2024-25 season is finally here. This upcoming season should be very entertaining, as several clubs around the NHL made significant additions to their roster this summer. 

The 2024 NHL offseason provided some very good free agents for teams around the NHL to sign. When looking at the players who are entering the final year of their contracts this season, next summer should offer the same. 

Because of this, let’s discuss the top 20 free agents for the 2025 NHL offseason.

NHL Free Agent Rankings

1. Mitch Marner – Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner is the biggest free agent who can hit the market in 2025. The 27-year-old superstar was the subject of trade rumors all summer, but the Maple Leafs kept him. However, if the Leafs once again underperform in the playoffs, it would not be surprising if they parted ways with Marner. If he hits the market, he will be a very popular target. 

2. Igor Shesterkin – Rangers 

The Rangers are working hard to sign Igor Shesterkin to his next contract. He rejected a record-breaking eight-year, $88 million deal from the Rangers, so it is clear that he is looking for a monster payday. If the Rangers can’t give it to him, every team needing a goalie will look to sign the superstar. 

3. Mikko Rantanen – Avalanche

Mikko Rantanen is one of the NHL’s best wingers, so he would be a big target if he does not re-sign with the Avalanche. He is off to a great start this season, posting 15 goals and 35 points in his first 27 games. Teams needing a superstar winger will be calling if he hits the market.  

4. Brock Boeser – Canucks

Brock Boeser is coming off a fantastic season, posting 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games for the Canucks. He is off to a strong start this campaign as well, and that will help him a lot when it comes to his next deal. Furthermore, when noting that he will be just 28 years old next summer, he has the potential to land a big, long-term deal if he tests the market. 

5. Brad Marchand – Bruins 

Brad Marchand is in the final season of his contract with the Bruins. It appears that the Bruins and Marchand are interested in getting a new deal done but are also not rushing things. The veteran forward is still a star, so he would be a very popular target if the Bruins can’t get him re-signed. 

6. Aaron Ekblad – Panthers

If Aaron Ekblad hits the free-agent market on July 1, he will get a lot of attention. He is the top right-shot pending UFA defender, as he plays top-pairing minutes, provides offense, and is steady defensively. He also helped the Panthers win the Stanley Cup last year, so he is due for a nice payday. 

7. John Tavares – Maple Leafs 

John Tavares is in the final year of his mega-deal with the Maple Leafs. While his next contract will undoubtedly be less expensive, he is still a good player at this stage of his career. It seems more likely than not that he will remain with the Leafs, but if he ends up on the market, there will be plenty of interest. 

8. Nikolaj Ehlers – Jets 

Teams looking for a top-six winger will be all over Nikolaj Ehlers if he becomes a free agent next summer. This is because he is an impactful scorer who is a consistent 25-goal and 60-point threat. 

9. Matt Duchene – Stars

Matt Duchene has had an incredible start to the season with the Stars. In nine games, he has 12 goals, 28 points, and a plus-12 rating in 25 games. He is a significant part of the Stars’ lineup, so they will work hard to keep him in Dallas. However, if he becomes a free agent next offseason, he will be an incredibly hot commodity. 

10. Jacob Chychrun – Capitals

Jakob Chychrun is another notable defenseman who can become a free agent next summer. The Capitals defenseman would be a popular target, as he produces well offensively and is dependable defensively. 

11. Claude Giroux – Senators 

Claude Giroux might be 36 years old, but he is still an impactful player at this point in his career. He is once again off to a strong start this season, recording six goals and 17 points in 25 games. 

12. Mikael Granlund – Sharks 

Mikael Granlund has been outstanding for the Sharks this season, posting 10 goals and 29 points in his first 27 games. When noting that he also had 60 points in 69 games last season, he should generate a ton of interest if he hits the market. 

13. Brock Nelson – Islanders 

Time will tell if the Islanders end up keeping Brock Nelson around. He has been the subject of trade rumors, but he is also a key part of their forward group. If he does test the market, he would be a big addition to a club needing a top-six center. 

14. Patrick Kane – Red Wings 

Patrick Kane is another veteran forward who can hit the free-agent market this upcoming offseason. He showed last season that he can still produce near a point-per-game pace, so he would generate a lot of interest if he becomes a free agent. 

15. Jamie Benn – Stars 

Jamie Benn has spent all 16 years of his NHL career with the Stars, and it feels likely that he will re-sign there. However, if the Stars opt to go in another direction and he becomes a free agent, teams looking for a physical scoring winger will target Benn. 

16. Sam Bennett – Panthers 

The Panthers’ goal is to get Sam Bennett re-signed. It is understandable, as he is not only a skilled forward but also plays a very heavy game. He is also clutch in the playoffs, so just about every team would love to snag him if he becomes a free agent. 

17. Adin Hill – Golden Knights 

Adin Hill is a notable goalie who can hit the free-agent market next summer. Hill has found great success with Vegas and notably helped them win their first Stanley Cup in 2023. However, time will tell if Vegas ends up keeping him. 

18. Neal Pionk – Jets 

Neal Pionk is on fire to start the season. In 27 games, the right-shot defenseman has four goals to go along with 22 points. If he keeps this kind of production up, he could land himself a very nice payday this offseason. 

19. Vladislav Gavrikov – Kings 

Teams looking for a steady shutdown defenseman for their left side will certainly target Vladislav Gavrikov if he hits the free-agent market next summer. However, given his importance to the Kings’ defense, they will likely aim to keep him around. 

20. Kyle Palmieri – Islanders 

Kyle Palmieri is having a great year with the Islanders so far. In 27 games, he has 10 goals and 20 points. The veteran winger also scored 30 goals last season, so he could be a nice addition for teams looking to add more scoring on their second line. 

When Does 2025 NHL Free Agency Start?

The 2025 NHL Free Agency period starts on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. 

What’s the 2024-25 NHL Salary Cap?

The NHL’s salary cap for the 2024-25 season is $88 million.