NHL list of the top 20 free agents available this summer is revealed

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Joshua Deeds
June 17, 2022 (12:51)

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NHL free agency begins after the Stanley Cup Finals typically, and this year it will be July 13th when the deep free agency class is available. GMs will have an extra $1 million available to them this year, so I expect in addition to stars being moved or signed for term.

The number one forward available is Johnny Gaudreau, the recently snubbed for The Hart Trophy put up 115 points in a career year, under Daryl Sutter and had an impressive playoff outing this year. Treliving has said he'll move heaven and earth to extend Johnny and it'd be shameful if he let Johnny slip into another teams hands.

Gaudreau currently makes $6.75 million against the salary cap on a contract he signed in 2016. At that time, his deal accounted for 9.25 per cent of the salary cap. If you take that same percentage today on an $82.5 million cap (next year's projected upper limit) it comes out to about $7.6 million. That's probably the low-end of what we could look for on a Gaudreau extension.

Comparables to Gaudreau's possible raise as far as cap goes: Kirill Kaprizov, Alex Ovechkin, Jamie Benn, and Artemi Panarin.

Kris Letang is part of the Big 3 in Pittsburgh and it looks like his time in the Penguins may be coming to an end, after a disappointing first-round exit(again).

All three expressed their interest in keeping the core together, but they also understand that the NHL can be a harsh business sometimes.

«It's not something that can happen forever,» Crosby said at his exit interview. «But hopefully for a little longer.»

Letang, along with Malkin were both offers contracts of $5 million AAV, over 3 years. It didn't sit well with Sidney Crosby, given that Letang currently makes $7.25 million, it sounds like Hextall may let Letang find someone else willing to pay him.

"It was such a great time, loved the time [in Minnesota] and everything," Fleury said in his end-of-season media availability. "Made it very appealing to play here. Definitely [I'd consider coming back].

Marc-Andre Fleury ended his season with the Minnesota Wild with a 3.04 GAA and a .906 SV%. Currently, in the final season of his $21 million dollar contract, the Vezina Trophy winner would be a great addition to the Wild as they bring in Wallstedt for the future, this Talbot and Fleury would allow him to get the AHL reps he needs. But the Wild are currently pressed against the Cap, thanks to Chuck Fletcher.

What player would you like to join your team?