Top 10- 2024 NHL Free Agents

The NHL season is coming to an end and the playoffs will be starting up in the next couple of weeks. Before you know it the Stanley Cup will be awarded and the NHL Draft and free agency will be upon us. Draft Nation takes a look at the top 10 NHL free agents who will be hitting the open market on July 1st.

1- Jake Guentzel- LW

The Hurricanes obtained Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh the last day of the trade deadline knowing he was a free agent at season’s end. In Carolina, Guenzel has proven that he can produce without center Sidney Crosby. He has 6 goals and 16 assists in 15 games for the Hurricanes and has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the NHL. He will only be 29 when he enters free agency. It will take more than his current salary of $6MM to bring him to land him.

Draft Nation Stats- 3rd round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins

2- Sam Reinhart- C

Sam Reinhart is having a career year and will demand top money in free agency. He has scored 53 goals for the Florida Panthers and has proven himself to be a reliable first line center. He is a versatile player who can captain the power play while being a valuable chess piece on the penalty kill in the past. Look for him to command over $10MM per year in free agency, a significant raise from his current salary of $6.5MM

Draft Nation Stats- 1st round pick (2nd overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres

3- Elias Lindholm- C

The Flames looked like they were on the right path to extend Lindholm but in the end got a nice package from the Vancouver Canucks to move him. His stock has taken a hit with a lackluster performance in 2023-2024. He has 14 goals and 41 points but is still only 29 and only 2 years removed from a 42 goal output. 

Draft Nation Stats- 1st round pick (5th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

4- Noah Hanifin- D

Hanifin, like Lindholm, was said to be close to signing an extension in Calgary but was unloaded to Vegas after the negotiations stalled. Hanifin, 27, has a career high in goals this season with 13 and continues to improve in the defensive end. Vegas has several high end UFA’s and likely won’t be able to re-sign Hanifin who made $4.95MM this season.

Draft Nation Stats- 1st round pick (5th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

5- Brandon Montour- D

Montour is coming off an unbelievable season in 2022-2023 where he scored 16 goals and 56 assists. His career high in points before last season was 37 in 2022. This year he is performing the way he has for most of his career, netting 7 goals and 25 assists for Florida. He is a puck moving right-handed defenseman who has had success in the playoffs, so look for him to cost more than his current $3.5MM

Draft Nation Stats- 2nd round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.

6- Jonathan Marchessault- RW/LW

Marchessault is a bit older than the other forward listed above him. But he has set a career high in goals this season (41) as a 33-year-old player. The Golden Knights would love to sign last year’s Conn Smythe winner but with the amount of free agents and limited cap space they have, they may need Marchessault to give a hometown discount. Chances are strong that Marchessault looks to play for the highest bidder, getting a raise from his $5MM salary.

Draft Nation Stats- Undrafted in the 2011 NHL Draft.

7- Teuvo Teravainen- LW

Teravainen is another free agent who has set or tied a career high in goals. His 23 goals ties his career high and is his 4th 20-goal-season. He plays a solid two-way game and will be looking for a raise. The Hurricanes have several big free agents, including Teravainen and Guentzel so the money many not be there.

Draft Nation Stats- 1st round pick (18th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

8- Steven Stamkos- C

Stamkos, 34, is one goal away from scoring 40+ for the 7th time in his career. Stamkos was upset last summer when the Lightning did not extend him, and with the Bolts already committing more than $75MM towards their 2024-2025 salary cap, it is hard to imagine Stamkos getting a raise on his $8.5MM salary. A team with cap room may offer Stamkos a multi-year contract at upwards of $10MM a season. Stamkos is on the backside of his career but he does not appear to be slowing down.

Draft Nation Stats- 1st round pick (1st overall) in the 2008 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

9- Chandler Stephenson- C

Since coming over to Vegas, Stephenson has been a consistent player on both sides of the rink for the Golden Knights. Stephenson will be the type of free agent that every team covets. He can play on the first line and excel or be a valuable member of a bottom 6. He plays in all situations and is a non-stop worker. Vegas has several free agents and may not be able to give Stephenson the raise he deserves from his $2.75MM salary.

Draft Nation Stats- 3rd round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals.

10- Joe Pavelski- C

Ok, Draft Nation gets it... Joe Pavelski is 39-years-old, but his consistency has not gone anywhere. He has scored at least 25 goals in each of the past 4 years and Draft Nation can see teams lining up for a one-year contract. With a cap hit this year of only $3.5MM, he can be a bargain center for a team looking for some secondary scoring. 

Draft Nation Stats- 7th round pick of the 2003 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

Other Top Free Agents

D- Dylan DeMelo

D- Brett Pesce

C- Matt Duchene

RW- Tyler Toffoli

LW- Tyler Bertuzzi

C- Patrick Kane

G- Cam Talbot

D- Matt Dumba

G- Ilya Samsonov

RW- Vladimir Tarasenko

C/LW- Max Domi

RW- Blake Wheeler

RW- Jake DeBrusk

D- Nikita Zadorov

RW- Daniel Sprong

RW- Viktor Arvidsson

C- Sean Monahan

C- Tyler Johnson