The 2023 NHL free agency class has some big names and even bigger questions.
Three-time Stanley Cup winners Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are available, but Kane had hip resurfacing surgery in June and Toews had hip resurfacing surgery in June. their own health problems.
Vladimir Tarasenko had a rough season, Max Pacioretty was limited to five games due to injury, and John Klingberg failed to impress on his one-year deal.
Last year’s free agent class included 115-point scorer Jonathan Gaudreau, 87-point Stanley Cup winner Nazem Kadri and seven-time All-Star Claude Giroux (65 points). This year’s top free agent scorer had 64 points.
NHL free agency opens July 1 at noon ET. Here’s a first look at the top free agents for the 2023 offseason:
1. Forward Alex Killorn, Tampa Bay Lightning
He was the one who scored 64 points. But more importantly, he won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning and also made it to the Finals two other times. Killorn’s versatility and championship experience will be an asset if the Lightning can’t get him under the salary cap.
2. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov, Boston Bruins
Orlov is loved for his physical play, but he showed more of an offensive side after being traded from the Washington Capitals to the Bruins. He had 17 points in 23 games, plus eight in seven playoff games.
3. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi, Boston Bruins
He has three seasons of 20 goals, including one of 30 goals, and is also a courageous player. He had a rough final season with Detroit, missing games twice after blocking shots. But he took off after his trade to Boston and was impressive in the playoffs.
4. Forward Ryan O’Reilly, Toronto Maple Leafs
He is a former Selke Trophy winner and former playoff MVP. He put up good numbers in Toronto after coming into a trade.
5. Goalie Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights
His run to the championship playoffs couldn’t have been better timed as he heads into free agency. The career backup played in a career-high 27 games in the regular season, but he showed in the playoffs that he could handle being the starting goaltender for long stretches.
6. Forward Ivan Barbashev, Golden Knights
He ensures the physical game (182 hits this regular season) and the score. He was impressive in the playoffs in a top-six role.
7. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko, New York Rangers
He bounced back from two injury-filled seasons to score 34 goals in 2021-22. Last season he dropped to 18. But the teams will be intrigued by the production of his glory days.
8. Forward Patrick Kane, Rangers
Hip surgery will keep him out for four to six months, so some team will have him in the lineup at some point during the season. But how effective will it be? If he’s a vintage Kane, it’s a good risk to take.
9. Forward Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh Penguins
He bounced back after two seasons to score 27 goals. He had five 20-goal seasons and one 30-goal season. It suited Evgeni Malkin’s line perfectly.
10. Forward Michael Bunting, Maple Leafs
The top-six forward averaged 23 goals and 56 points during his two seasons in Toronto. It was suspended three matches for a playoff hit.
11. Goalie Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen won the Williams Jennings Trophy (lowest team goals-against average) twice in his career. He has five seasons of 30 victories but also has his share of injuries.
12. Forward JT Compher, Colorado Avalanche
He scored a career-high 52 points while filling the No. 2 center role in Kadri’s absence. He didn’t play a role in the playoffs.
13. Forward Max Pacioretty, Hurricanes
He recovered from a torn Achilles tendon, only to tear it again five games later. He scores 30 goals when healthy.
14. Forward Max Domi, Dallas Stars
He had a good season with the Chicago Blackhawks and a good playoff run with the Stars (13 points in 19 games). The tough forechecker should be able to turn that into a one-year, $3 million contract from last year. His defense is problematic.
15. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Hurricanes
His 13 goals rank first among free agent defensemen and his 41 points rank second.
16. Defenseman Luke Schenn, Maple Leafs
He led the league with 318 hits and tied his career high with 22 runs.
17. Defenseman Radko Gudas, Florida Panthers
He was just behind Schenn with 312 hits and plays a solid defensive game. “He makes highlight films because he’s a very physical guy, but the quality of his game is very, very high,” coach Paul Maurice said.
18. Goalie Tristan Jarry, Penguins
He’s a two-time All-Star and has a career save percentage of .914, but his injury issues could give teams pause.
19. Forward Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks said they were moving on from their longtime captain, who missed time due to chronic immune response syndrome and long COVID. Toews said his health is the biggest factor in deciding whether he will return for another season.
20. Forward Evan Rodrigues, Avalanche
He provides secondary scoring and can move up the ranks when needed, as he did with Pittsburgh two seasons ago when he replaced the injured Malkin.
Remarks: Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci would top that list, but they would either have to re-sign with the Bruins or retire. … Klingberg’s 10 goals rank second among free agent defensemen, but he has a -53 total over the past two seasons.
