NHL Free Agent Rankings: Best Available Players in 2024

One of the NHL’s top pending UFAs for 2024 is officially off the board, as Noah Hanifin signed an eight-year extension with the Golden Knights. While this is the case, the 2024 NHL Free Agency class still has many notable names for teams to sign this summer. Let’s discuss the top 20 pending UFAs now. 

NHL Free Agent Rankings

1. Sam Reinhart – Panthers 

Sam Reinhart is the top pending UFA. The Panthers’ goal is to get him re-signed before the summer. If he hits the market, he will receive a plethora of interest, as he is having a career season. In 80 games, he has 54 goals and 91 points. 

2. Jake Guentzel – Hurricanes 

The Hurricanes won the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes at the deadline, but it is not guaranteed that he will be back there next season. The star sniper could elect to test the market, and there will be a lot of interest if he does. In 65 games this season, he has 28 goals and 74 points. 

3. Steven Stamkos – Lightning

Steven Stamkos may be 34 years old, but he is still an elite NHL forward at this stage of his career. He is once again one of the top Lightning players this campaign, posting 39 goals and 77 points in 76 games. While he has been dominant, there is a lot of speculation over his future in Tampa. If he hits the market, he will generate a ton of interest. 

4. Patrick Kane – Red Wings

Patrick Kane may have struggled last season, but he is back big time this campaign. The future Hall of Famer has shown that he is still a star, and he should get a big contract this summer because of it. In 47 games with the Red Wings, he has 20 goals and 44 points. The Buffalo native is also reportedly not fully set to return to Detroit yet, so there is a chance that he will test the market. 

5. Jonathan Marchessault – Golden Knights 

Jonathan Marchessault is having an excellent season after winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023. He is a clutch scorer who may price himself out of Vegas, as he has 41 goals and 66 points in 75 games this campaign. With Vegas re-signing Hanifin, money may be too tight to get Marchessault back. 

6. Brandon Montour – Panthers 

Brandon Montour is the top right-shot defenseman in the 2024 free-agency class. After a tough start to the season, he has been picking up as of late and naturally improving his value. Thus, if he hits the market, he will have a plethora of suitors. Some teams to watch include the Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, and Red Wings. 

7. Matt Duchene – Stars 

After being bought out by the Predators last summer, Matt Duchene has been excellent for the Stars. In 77 games, he has 25 goals, 64 points, and a plus-14 rating. He has shown that he is still a quality top-six center, and he should be a hot commodity on the free-agent market because of it. 

8. Elias Lindholm – Canucks

Elias Lindholm is one of the top centers that could hit the market this summer. Teams looking for a top-six center who plays a strong two-way game will be calling. The Bruins stand out as a prime possible landing spot for him if he tests free agency. 

9. Tyler Toffoli – Jets

Tyler Toffoli is another impactful top-six forward who has an expiring contract. If he hits the market this summer, he will get a lot of attention, as he is a consistent 30-goal threat.

10. Sean Monahan – Jets

Sean Monahan is certainly feeling it since being traded to the Jets, as he has 11 goals and 21 points in 31 games. Overall, he has shown that he can still be a very good top-six forward, and he will be getting paid handsomely this summer because of it.

11. Joe Pavelski – Stars 

While Joe Pavelski is 39 years old, he continues to escape Father Time and remains one of the top forwards in the sport. In 80 games this season, he has 27 goals and 66 points. If he hits the market, contenders will be lining up to sign him to a one-year pact. However, given how well he fits in with Dallas, they certainly should be trying to keep him around. 

12. Chandler Stephenson – Golden Knights

Chandler Stephenson is another strong two-way center who could hit the market this summer. He has become a big part of Vegas’ core, as he fits on both special team units and is a consistent 65-point threat. However, with Hanifin now extended, Vegas may have trouble getting Stephenson extended.

13. Dylan DeMelo – Jets 

Dylan DeMelo is one of the top shutdown defensemen who could hit the market this summer. He is having a strong season on the Jets’ top pairing and has been especially effective on the penalty kill. Potential suitors include the Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Oilers.  

14. Teuvo Teravainen – Hurricanes 

Teuvo Teravainen is another pending UFA forward who should generate a good amount of interest this summer if he hits the market. He is quietly having another strong season for the Hurricanes, posting 23 goals and 51 points in 75 games thus far. 

15. Brett Pesce – Hurricanes 

Brett Pesce is another solid top-four defenseman who is a pending UFA. Teams looking for help on their right side and penalty kill will surely target him. The Hurricanes will likely try to extend him, though.

16. Jake DeBrusk – Bruins 

Jake DeBrusk is heating up as the season continues and is starting to look like a legitimate top-six winger again. The Bruins have a big decision to make when it comes to re-signing him or not. If he hits the market, he will generate plenty of interest, as he has several seasons left in his prime. The Oilers, Flames, and Canadiens stand out as possible landing spots. 

17. Brady Skjei – Hurricanes 

Brady Skjei is an underrated top-four defenseman who is quietly having an excellent season with the Hurricanes. In 79 games, he has 13 goals and 46 points. When noting that he kills penalties and works on the power play, he will be a popular target if he hits the market. Some potential landing spots include the Blackhawks, Capitals, Bruins, and Kings. 

18. Vladimir Tarasenko – Panthers

Vladimir Tarasenko is another solid winger who could hit the market this summer. He is having a strong season, as he has 23 goals and 54 points in 74 games. He is the perfect kind of sniper for teams to add on a short-term deal. 

19. Tyler Bertuzzi – Maple Leafs

Tyler Bertuzzi has been heating up as the season has gone on. When noting that he is a top-six winger who provides solid offensive production to go along with plenty of grit, he will be a hot commodity if he hits the market. However, the Maple Leafs would be wise to try to keep him around.  

20. Max Domi – Maple Leafs 

Max Domi is another notable Maple Leafs player who could hit the free-agent market this offseason. Overall, he has become a notable part of Toronto’s roster, so there is a real chance that he will get re-signed. With that, he has a known love for the organization, as his father, Tie Domi, played there. However, if the Leafs and Domi can’t make it work, expect him to get a ton of interest this summer. 

When Does 2024 NHL Free Agency Start?

The 2024 NHL Free Agency period starts on Monday, July 1, 2024. At 12 p.m. ET, free agents will be permitted to sign contracts with interested clubs. 

Who’s the Best NHL Free Agent in 2024?

With William Nylander signing an extension with the Maple Leafs, Sam Reinhart is now the NHL’s top free agent for 2024. He has been on a real tear this season and producing like a superstar, so he is setting himself up for a massive contract this summer.

What’s the 2023-24 NHL Salary Cap?

The NHL salary cap for the 2023-24 season is $83.5 million. It jumped up by just $1 million from the 2022-23 season, but we are expected to see a more notable increase in 2024-25.

What’s the 2024-25 NHL Salary Cap?

While not set in stone, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recently shared that the salary cap is expected to go up to $87.7 million for the 2024-25 season. This would be great news, as teams would be gaining more than $4 million of cap space.