The hockey season just ended. The drama has not.
It’s easy to seek a reprieve from the organized chaos that is the NHL postseason. Unfortunately, that’s not how hockey’s greatest competition operates. Free agency is just around the corner, offering an opportunity for some of the sport’s biggest names to land eye-watering contracts — be that with their current sides or other ones hoping to make a splash.
This year’s class is headlined by some notable talents, including Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, John Tavares, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad.
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Who else could land major deals when the dust settles? Here’s a look at the 20 most compelling players set to try their luck in free agency this season.
NHL free agency 2025: Ranking the top 20 players
1. Mitch Marner, RW
Marner’s postseason efforts may have left something to be desired, at least among segments of Toronto’s fanbase. But his numbers are sparkling. Just six players have scored more points than Marner over the past five seasons (450 in 357 games): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Artemi Panarin and David Pastrnak.
Marner is a two-way star, having nabbed Selke Trophy votes in each of the past seven seasons. The 28-year-old may have some flaws. But he remains one of the league’s best showmen on both ends of the ice. His bidding war will make for one of the offseason’s most compelling storylines.
MORE: Ranking the best landing spots for Mitch Marner
2. Sam Bennett, C
Bennett picked quite the time to hit the free agency market. The 29-year-old collected his first major individual honor during the 2025 postseason, taking home the Conn Smythe. It was richly deserved: Bennett led the league in playoff markers — and penalty minutes — cementing his status as one of hockey’s grandest anti-heroes.
Bennett’s numbers don’t pop off on the page. But he was an integral part of each of Florida’s Stanley Cup runs, pacing the Panthers with unbridled physicality. There’s plenty of reason to believe Bennett and Florida’s front office can strike a deal. But he’ll have plenty of suitors. If the money’s right, he could wash ashore elsewhere like Brandon Montour.
MORE: Why Sam Bennett won the Conn Smythe Trophy
3. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW/RW
Whereas Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebucyk landed big-money extensions before their contracts expired in 2023, Ehlers has had to bide his time. He should fetch plenty of interest in the open market — he tallied 63 points in 69 games, bolstering Winnipeg’s Presidents Trophy-winning attack.
Ehlers has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the years — he’s only played more than 70 games once in the past five season. But when he plays, he dazzles. A monster offer will be waiting for him somewhere.
4. John Tavares, C
Tavares showed no signs of slowing down during his age-34 season. Despite having his captaincy revoked ahead of the season, Tavares enjoyed another glittering campaign, producing at a point-per-game pace while performing admirably in the No. 1 center role after Auston Matthews went down with injury.
An Ontario native through and through, Tavares has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the Leafs on a cut-rate deal. Still, negotiations remain up in the air. Suffice to say, if Tavares is open to setting sail for pastures new, he’d get some decent spoils.
5. Aaron Ekblad, D
Florida’s former first overall pick overcame a 20-game PED suspension to spearhead (another) Stanley Cup-winning defense.
With the salary cap set to swell this offseason, Ekblad stands to get a substantial raise if he desires. He’s one of the few top-pair defenders set to hit the open market, after all. Still, the allure of staying with the Panthers — competing for another title in a place with no state tax — could be enough to keep him in the Sunshine State on a more modest deal.
MORE NHL: What Connor McDavid said about Stanley Cup loss
6. Brock Boeser, C
Whereas players like Tavares and Ekblad have made it clear they’re interested in resigning for their current sides, Boeser’s organization, the Canucks, don’t appear to want to have anything to do with him. He was shopped vigorously ahead of the trade deadline and appears all but certain to play in different colors in 2025-26.
Boeser wasn’t able to recreate his 2023-24 season, when he slipped 40 strikes past opposition goalies. Still, he’s got venomous sniping and a history of steady offensive campaigns. More importantly, Boeser has played in at least 70 games in each of the past four seasons, a potential sign that he’s shaken off the injury concerns that plagued his first few years in Vancouver.
7. Brad Marchand, LW
Marchand put forth another sizzling postseason run, scoring 10 goals in the playoffs — five of which came in the Stanley Cup Finals.
At 37 years old, Marchand is firmly in the twilight of his career. But if 51 points in 71 games is the floor of Marchand’s production, you’d best believe there will be a queue of sides interested in securing his services.
8. Vladislav Gavrikov, D
Gavrikov is the premier left-handed defender in this year’s free agency class. He’s been a steady option on both ends of the ice and posted the second 30-point season of his career in 2024-25.
Kings president Luc Robitaille is an admirer of Gavrikov’s skill set. He also shares a strong relationship with Gavrikov’s agent, Pat Brisson. All signs seem to point to Los Angeles making an offer to keep the 29-year-old defender in Tinseltown. Still, money talks. And with an AAV approaching $8 million, not out of the realm of possibility, Gavrikov could do well on the open market.
9. Mikael Granlund, C
Granlund turned back the clock in 2024-25, posting his best points tally since 2017-18 and his best goal return since 2016-17. His strong showings followed him from lottery purgatory in San Jose to Stanley Cup contention with the Sharks.
Consistency has defined Granlund’s game since his 2012 debut. He might not be the goal-scorer he presented himself as with the Sharks and Stars. But he’s a steady playmaker and point producer. Front offices have taken notice.
10. Ivan Provorov, D
Provorov is a fluid skater capable of anchoring a top-four pairing. He played big minutes for the Blue Jackets in 2024-25 and is one of the few left-handed defenders available in this year’s market. Columbus’ decision to keep Provorov at the trade deadline caught some by surprise. But it seems the organization is interested in locking Provorov up for the long term, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The Rangers, Senators and Kings are rumored to be battling for Provorov’s signature, as well.
11. Pius Suter, C
Vancouver was plagued by inactivity at the trade deadline, failing to offload Boeser and Suter, both of whom were on expiring deals.
Whereas Boeser appears a foregone conclusion to end up in pastures new, JT Miller’s departure and Filip Chytil’s struggles with durability have created a need for a strong goal-scorer at the center position. Suter, who tallied 25 strikes in 2024-25, could fit the bill, although an opportunity to explore options could be more appealing for the undrafted Swiss player.
12. Claude Giroux, C
Father Time hasn’t been able to land his wretched hands on Giroux just yet. Giroux slowed down slightly during his third season in Ottawa. But 50 points in 81 games still represents a strong return for Giroux, one of his generation’s best players.
A return to the Senators appears likely at the moment. But if he were to want out, he should field plenty of offers.
13. Patrick Kane, RW
Kane has his warts — namely, his putrid defensive metrics. But he remains one of the league’s better offensive talents despite his advanced age.
The 36-year-old recorded 21 goals and 59 points with the Red Wings last season, a solid showcase for a player who underwent hip surgery in the offseason. Perhaps Kane isn’t the point-producing dynamo he once was. But his offensive traits continue to pop 18 years after his debut. That should land him a solid contract — either in Detroit or elsewhere.
14. Dante Fabbro, D
Fabbro is just 27 years old and posted a plus-23 playing top-pairing time in Columbus. His metrics are undoubtedly helped by the presence of Norris Trophy finalist Zach Werenski in that pairing. But, Fabbro stands to receive a solid salary bump next year: he made just $2.5 million in 2024-25.
15. Jake Allen, G
Allen is by far the biggest name among goalies to hit the free agency market. The Devils goaltender outperformed Jacob Markstrom in a litany of metrics, including save percentage and goals saved above average.
New Jersey has expressed interest in retaining his services for the 2025-26 season and beyond. But the lack of goaltending options available could drive up his value, leading to an old-fashioned bidding war.
16. Ryan Lindgren, D
Lindgren figured to inject life into the Avalanche’s defense after arriving via trade with the Rangers. He was fairly unspectacular during his 18-game stint in Colorado, however.
At 27, time is firmly on Lindgren’s side. But his injury struggles present a real red flag to front offices, regardless of his defensive instincts.
17. Andrei Kuzmenko, RW
Kuzmenko’s goal-scoring has fallen off markedly from his 39-goal peak as a 26-year-old rookie back in 2022-23. Still, his 22-game stint in Los Angeles appears to suggest he’s got plenty of life in his skates.
Kuzmenko recorded 17 points after arriving in Tinseltown via trade with the Flyers.
18. Jonathan Drouin, LW
Drouin was produced at nearly a point-per-game pace last season with the Avalanche. There was just one problem: he played just 43 games.
When Drouin plays, he tends to be effective. But his injury concerns will give front offices plenty of pause.
19. Jamie Benn, LW
Benn isn’t the point-per-game player he once was. But 16 goals and 49 points in limited minutes should bring about plenty of interest, even if both he and the Stars have made clear their desire to strike a deal.
20. Jack Roslovic, C
With 22 goals and 39 points last season, Roslovic showed he can still produce consistency on the middle-six. His striking hasn’t always been consistent — he combined for just 20 goals in his previous two campaigns. But Roslovic should garner some interest. After all, 21 of those efforts came in even strength.
NHL free agency rankings by position
Center
- Sam Bennett
- John Tavares
- Mikael Granlund
- Pius Suter
- Claude Giroux
- Jack Roslovic
- Christian Dvorak
- Mason Appleton
- Nick Bjugstad
- Robby Fabbri
Left Wing
- Brad Marchand
- Nikolaj Ehlers
- Jonathan Drouin
- Jamie Benn
- Evgenii Dadonov
- Andrew Mangiapane
- Jeff Skinner
- James van Riemsdyk
- Brandon Saad
- Brandon Tanev
Right Wing
- Mitch Marner
- Brock Boeser
- Patrick Kane
- Andrei Kuzmenko
- Connor Brown
- Victor Olofsson
- Anthony Beauvillier
- Joel Armia
- Corey Perry
- Anthony Mantha
Defense
- Aaron Ekblad
- Vladislav Gavrikov
- Ivan Provorov
- Dante Fabbro
- Ryan Lindgren
- Nate Schmidt
- Brent Burns
- Dmitry Orlov
- Brian Dumoulin
- Matt Grzelcyk
Goaltender
- Jake Allen
- Alex Lyon
- Ilya Samsonov
- Vitek Vanecek
- Alexander Georgiev
- Dan Vladar
- James Reimer
- David Rittich
- Anton Forsberg
- Ville Husso
