Top 30 2025 NHL Unlimited Free Players – Hockey Writer –

This year’s UFA courses used to look like there was a lot of hope, but things have changed in recent months. Igor Shesterkin signed an eight-year contract extension with the New York Rangers, leaving him off the UFA board, while Mikko Rantanen received his eight-year signing from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Related: 8 NHLERs available during offseason

The 2025 free agent class doesn’t look as strong as it does in 2024, although some stars have titled this year’s group. They are worth pursuing, but after Star Talent, there is a significant drop, especially once you go beyond the top 15.

Mana’s free agent is imminent

Shesterkin and Rantanen are the top UFAs in this class, but these attractions are now part of teammates Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Mana has the largest free agent. He is likely to have signed a deal with a cap of $13 million, and if he is on the open market, he will earn more revenue. July 1 could be fun if Toronto Maple Leaf let him walk.

As for Tavares, it’s hard to imagine he won’t sign with Maple Leaf, but he certainly has to cut his salary. Not only might Maple Leaf want to find space for Marner, but Matthew Knies is RFA and heads to payday to see him signing a deal with a hat of about $7-8 million. Maple Leaf has no blocking space for everyone so far, so some tough decisions from General Manager Brad Treliving.

Marner and Tavares aren’t the only UFAs, even if the class is thin. After Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers will be the best winger on the market, while Matt Duchene is second behind Tavares. Brock Nelson and Brock Boeser may be highly sought after on July 1, and they have more talent after that.

Aaron Ekblad also entered the final year of his contract. The Florida Panthers acquired Seth Jones as Seth Jones before the trade deadline, so the book appears to be on the wall of Ekblad. He may enter the open market on July 1. Intermediate players like Jonathan Drouin should be interested, too, but that’s the beginning of the decline.

The defense and goalkeeper market looks weak

Even if Ekblad may be available, even this year’s UFA class does not have a prime minister’s defender. Jakob Chychrun signed an eight-year extension with the Washington Capitals, while Marcus Pettersson secured his new deal on the Vancouver Canucks after he received his Pittsburgh Penguins.

This makes Ekblad and Vladislav Gavrikov the best defenders in this year’s UFA course. Gavrikov may not offer much offense, but he is one of the best closing guards in the NHL. If the Los Angeles King does not re-sign him, his service may be bidding.

Shesterkin hitting free agents would change the goalkeeper market, but otherwise not many names. Adin Hill and Karel Vejmelka signed the extension with Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth, so assuming he didn’t re-sign with the New Jersey Devils, that’s likely going to make Jack Allen the best UFA goalkeeper. If you are a team that needs to start a network machine, you may have to look to the commercial market.

Without further ado, this is our top 30 UFAs. Once we get closer to free agents, this list will be expanded at least 40 and then follow player statistics. Contract details are provided in the list below (via CAPWAGES).