2025 NHL Free Agent Predictions

The NHL has a tradition in the summer- award the Stanley Cup, take a deep breath and boom, it’s time for the draft and free agency.

With July 1 right around the corner, we’re going to take a look at 10 of the top Unrestricted Free Agents and see where they might be taking their talents for the upcoming season.

We won’t be taking a stab at the term or the cap hit, just the team they will sign with.

Mitch Marner - Vegas Golden Knights

The Belle of the ball, it’s not often that a 100-point player hits the open market. However, after coming up short for nine years in Toronto, such is the case with Marner. Rumor is that the Vegas Golden Knights are all in on the superstar right winger. In eight years of existence, when Vegas has wanted a player, they’re rarely outbid. I’m not going to guess the contract, but there’s almost a 100% chance that Marner inks the highest UFA contract in NHL history. Vegas will have to shed cap space to make this happen, which could mean trading someone like Tomas Hertl or original misfit William Karlsson. They’ll get a big return, as the centers in this class leave some to be desired.

Sam Bennett - Florida Panthers

The best center in the class is also the easiest case to break down. Bennett’s Conn Smythe run could earn him a ludicrous payday if he hit the market. However, fresh off two Stanley Cups and with a team built for long-term success, why would he leave? Bennett will be in Sunrise for years to come.

John Tavares - Utah Mammoth

For the longest time, it felt like Tavares would take a hometown discount and return to Toronto. However, after a bounce-back season from the former Leafs’ captain, reports are that the two parties are far apart in negotiations. Assuming Tavares becomes available, the Utah Mammoth make a lot of sense. Boasting a  young forward core, Tavares could provide a veteran presence while completing a rock-solid 1-2C combo with Logan Cooley. The Mammoth have the 4th pick in the draft. There are many rumors about whether the trade the pick or draft a center in James Hagens or Caleb Desnoyers. If they opt for the latter route, Tavares would be a quality placeholder.

Aaron Ekblad - Ottawa Senators

It’s been a strange couple of months for Ekblad. The 2014 No. 1 pick got bopped for PEDs in March, then played some of the best hockey of his career to help the Panthers win their second-straight Stanley Cup. Unlike Bennett, it appears that Ekblad has played his last game for Florida. Easily the best right-handed defenseman in this class, a position known for getting overpaid in the market, Ekblad may look above the border for his next spot. The Senators have an interesting defense situation. Their left side is excellent, led by the rising Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Ekblad would immediately be their top pairing RHD, ahead of Artyom Zub and Nick Jensen.

Brock Boeser - Minnesota Wild

It’s a strange time for the Minnesota Wild. After another first-round exit, the team is at odds with RFA Marco Rossi and it appears he has played his last game with the team. With Kirill Kaprizov in a contract year, the Wild need to take a swing to keep him happy. Brock Boeser may be the perfect fit. Boeser, a Burnsville, MN, native, isn’t the 40-goal scorer he was in 23-24 in Vancouver. He does, however, score at a 30-goal rate, and would fit seamlessly in the Wild’s top-six for years to come.

Brad Marchand - Florida Panthers

It’s hard to think of a better Trade Deadline move in the last decade than Brad Marchand going to the Panthers. The Boston Bruins’ icon was a revelation for Florida, scoring 10 goals en route to his second Stanley Cup. Florida has a boatload of UFAs after this run, but Marchand seems to be one that they plan to hold on to. For the rest of his career, Marchand will continue to have chances to win.

Nikolaj Ehlers - Chicago Blackhawks

It felt like Ehlers had been in trade rumors for years, but now it appears he is finally headed out of Winnipeg. Ehlers quietly put up a strong 63 points in 69 games, playing behind high-end players like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. If Ehlers, 29, looks to cash out, the Blackhawks could be a perfect fit. Connor Bedard needs talented wingers to play with, and few could fit as well as the Aalborg, Denmark, native.

Mikael Granlund - Toronto Maple Leafs

Granlund didn’t let a disastrous stint in Pittsburgh snowball. He had a great two years in San Jose and then Dallas, but it appears that the Stars will prioritize signing Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene (who has already been extended) over Granlund. Granlund will be one of the top centers available when July 1 arrives, and could go to a team that is losing a center of their own. Assuming the Maple Leafs lose both Marner and Tavares, they will need to minimize the loss in some way. Granlund will be a perfect second-line center wherever he ends up.

Claude Giroux - Ottawa Senators

Age has not slowed down Giroux, who is coming off three quality seasons with his hometown Senators. By all accounts, both Giroux and Ottawa are interested in an extension, which I believe will get done. One has to wonder if Giroux could look elsewhere to make a run for a Stanley Cup and lock up a future Hall of Fame spot.

Pius Suter - St. Louis Blues

Expect a Blues offseason preview soon. I will go into detail about Suter there.