Johnny Gaudreau tops NHL's potential UFA class with free agency 4 weeks away
NHL general managers get the opportunity to open their chequebooks four weeks from Wednesday.
This year's list of potential unrestricted free agents — as always — offers some intriguing opportunities for executives looking to alter the course of their franchises.
There's also been a significant amount of buyer's remorse through the years.
The Canadian Press takes a look at some of the headline-grabbing options with the NHL market set to open July 13.
JOHNNY GAUDREAU
2021-22 salary cap hit: US$6.75 million
The Flames star tied for second in the league's overall scoring race with a career-high 115 points during the regular season.
Gaudreau, who turns 29 in August, can still of course sign a long-term extension with Calgary — the club has the advantage of being able to offer an eight-year contract compared to the seven available to the NHL's other 31 organizations.
The clock, however, continues to tick for a player coming off personal bests in goals (40) and assists (75) on a team that topped the Pacific Division, but couldn't get past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A slick winger from Salem, N.J., Gaudreau has said he's open to staying in Alberta, and the Flames have been bullish in their desire to keep him. But there's also no doubt a draw to return east, with the team he cheered for as a kid — the Philadelphia Flyers — rumoured to have interest.
NAZEM KADRI
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.5 million
The gritty, skilled centre was one of the big stories of the post-season for the Colorado Avalanche before getting injured in the Western Conference final.
Kadri signed a team-friendly deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016 only to be traded in the summer of 2019 following consecutive playoff suspensions.
The 31-year-old should command a lot of interest this summer after putting up a career-high 87 points in 2021-22 before adding 14 more in 13 post-season contests.
FILIP FORSBERG
2021-22 salary cap hit: $6 million
The Nashville Predators centre is another pending UFA coming off a career year.
Much like Gaudreau, Forsberg set new personal bests in goals (42), assists (42) and points (84) in just 69 games in 2021-22.
And at 27, the Finn is the youngest big-name fish poised to become available.
But also like Gaudreau and the Flames, Nashville is the only team with the ability to offer that eighth year on a long-term deal.
JOHN KLINGBERG
2021-22 salary cap hit: $4.25 million
The Stars defenceman has said he's open to staying in Dallas — for the right price.
It's no secret negotiations have been difficult, with Klingberg voicing his frustration publicly back in January at the lack of progress on a new contract.
Stars blue-liner Miro Heiskanen's contract carries an annual average value $8.45 million through 2028-29, while Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn remain big tickets up front.
It remains to be seen if there's room for Klingberg, who turns 30 in August, with the NHL's pandemic-depressed salary cap only rising $1 million to $82.5 million in 2022-23.
EVANDER KANE
2021-22 salary cap hit: $2.1 million
The controversial winger combined to score 35 goals in 58 regular-season and playoff games with the Edmonton Oilers after his contract was terminated by the San Jose Sharks in January.
Kane, who subsequently signed on in the Alberta capital for the balance of the 2021-22 schedule, had terrific chemistry with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, scoring 13 times in the playoffs, which still topped the stats page heading into Wednesday's opener of the Cup final.
There's no doubt the soon-to-be-31-year-old can put the puck in the net, but teams will also have to weigh other factors for a player already with his fourth organization.
EVGENI MALKIN AND KRIS LETANG
2021-22 salary cap hits: $9.5 million (Malkin), $7.25 million (Letang)
Sidney Crosby's partners in crime — the trio have won the Cup three times together in Pittsburgh — are poised to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in their careers unless there's a re-up with the Penguins before July 13.
Malkin, who turns 36 this summer, was limited to just 41 games in 2021-22 because of injury, but still put up 42 points.
The 35-year-old Letang, meanwhile, finished in a three-way tie for points this season by a defenceman with 68 — one more than his previous career-high.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Police say toxic drugs are circulating through northeastern Ontario
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.